Multi-Tasking MamaDown Syndrome | Multi-Tasking Mama

The Least of These

MELISSA, MULTI-TASKING MAMA — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 02:07:11 +0000

Update: I found out today that Reece’s Rainbow has over half a million dollars waiting to help families adopt these precious children. Please pray over this wonderful ministry and if there is room in your heart for a beautiful child, visit Reece’s Rainbow today!

Driving on curvy mountain roads

Admiring the snow blanketing the landscape

Remembering why I love living in West Virginia

Miss S and I pull into a quaint little town, a tad over an hour from our home, as we do at least one time a month.

We find the little sign that indicates we have reached our destination

We gather a birthday present, Sweet Pea and her diaper bag and of course, the camera.

And we go see Mr S.

He turns 10 years old tomorrow. He has a smile that lights up a room {I wish that I could show it to you} He loves spending time with his big sis, Miss S.

Mr S has Down Syndrome and is in the foster care system {as his sister was before she aged out}

He lives in a wonderful group home with caretakers that love him, teach him sign language {he is non-verbal} and eat family style meals with him three times a day.

He likes to do chores, especially sweeping and vacuuming.

I love visiting with him. I love seeing him interact with Miss S and I love what it does for her soul to see her brother on a regular basis. We had a great time today as he played with the car that Miss S got him for his birthday. Our time with him was full of smiles, laughter and hugs.

But, each time we leave that little town and begin the road trip back home, my heart hurts.

My heart hurts for the thousands of children with down syndrome that live in other parts of the world, most that if not adopted, that will not live to see their 10th birthday. Children with down syndrome in other countries, such as the Ukraine, are transferred to institutions on their 4th birthday. They are not eligible for adoption after that move and many do not survive the first year.

Would you join me in praying for the special {in more ways than one} children and consider helping them find their forever families? Details about how you can help are available through a wonderful ministry called Reece’s Rainbow.

A dare…

MELISSA, MULTI-TASKING MAMA — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:07:10 +0000

I dare you…

to watch this video and not be moved.

to read God’s Word and not see His heart for orphans

to not be moved to give to this incredible cause.

Go ahead and watch:

I dare you!

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=c31c5b34c11927a7e1ddb4&skin_id=1901&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Christmas Warrior

MELISSA, MULTI-TASKING MAMA — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:05:09 +0000

I’m a Christmas Warrior for BLAKE.

Is that not the cutest face you have ever seen?

I have committed to praying that this little guy finds a forever family and fundraising for his adoption fund this month.

The Bible has a lot to say about caring for widows and orphans…to my count, this mandate is mentioned at least 47 times in Scripture.

Verses like these move my heart:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress… James 1:27

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…Psalm 68:5-6

Adoption is God’s plan. And, I will be devoting each Wednesday for the next few weeks to talking about the ministry of Reece’s Rainbow and how they assist helpless children find forever families.

How can you help?

Pray for their ministry.
Donate to Blake’s adoption fund {there is a chip-in widget on my side bar}.
Research adoption needs/issues.

Heavenly Father, I come to you with my heart broken for the plight of orphans, particularly sweet little Blake and others like him, who are considered worthless and a punishment from you because they have developmental delays. Please be with Blake. Keep him safe, healthy and warm and bring his forever family to him soon. Any part that my readers and I can play in that, reveal to us and soften our hearts towards. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

Reece’s Rainbow

MELISSA, MULTI-TASKING MAMA — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:59:10 +0000

I have always had a heart for children. Children without loving families. Children with special needs.

When I first started blogging I discovered the website, Reece’s Rainbow. This is a ministry serving the needs of children around the world with Down Syndrome and other special needs, helping them find their forever families. While it was not in the cards for my husband and I to adopt any of these special kids (my heart for our family is foster care) I will never tire of raising awareness of this special ministry.

On March 21, 2010 (to honor the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome presented in Down syndrome), the world comes together to raise awareness and advocate for people living with Down syndrome.

Because Reece’s Rainbow has an international focus, we are doing our part to further the recognition of this very special day!

The primary focus of the ministry is to promote the international adoption and rescue of children with Down syndrome (and other special needs). But the ultimate goal is to be a catalyst for social change abroad. With every successful adoption, and now through the “Connecting the Rainbow” program, we hope to bring education and advocacy to those countries where people with disabilities are still left in orphanages and mental institutions.

With your help, one day there will no longer be a need for Reece’s Rainbow! (wouldn’t that be awesome?)

Reece’s Rainbow currently has over 200 children from 26 countries in need of their forever families. If you are not in a position to consider adoption for your family you can donate to any child’s adoption fund so that when their forever family is identified, cost is not as much of an issue.

James 1:27 says it better than I can:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…

In many countries, children with special needs are literally discarded the day they are born. Many of the orphanages that house these children put them in an institution when they reach four years of age and they are NO LONGER available for adoption after that. They will spend their remaining days (which will not be long) in a crib with no stimulation or love.

It breaks my heart to think of discarding a child of God because they are not “perfect”.

What if God discarded us because we aren’t perfect?

Look at this beautiful little girl and tell me she was not lovingly made by our Creator (Psalm 139).

I have spent time during my social work career working with developmentally disabled people. They were my favorite population to work with. Anyone who spends time around those with these type of delays can tell you that it is impossible not to smile when you are around them. I call it their “happy chip”.

I implore you to pray with me for these children and the ministry of Reece’s Rainbow.