While we were ...

This has been something so heavy on my heart recently.  I've started and saved several blog posts (not posted yet).  This week though we learned about 2 little girls that were on Reece’s Rainbow (the adoption organization that we sponsor which helps kids with Down syndrome find their forever families). 

These girls recently turned 4 and were sent to mental institutions where they died from the flu.  How can we NOT do something to help the least of these?  Please read the following written by Meredith and pray about how you can help.

 While we were eating...
... they were hungry

While we were playing...
... they were restrained

While we were tucking our kids into bed...
... they were alone

While we turned up the heat...
... they laid in the icy cold

While we wrapped our children in blanket sleepers...
... they laid in their own excrements

While we sang songs and listened to music...
... they listened to the screams and cries of those around them

While we rocked our babies...
... they silently rocked themselves

While we hugged our kids...
... they scratched at their own faces and pulled their own hair for stimulation

While we cried over scraped knees...
... they moaned in their loneliness

While we brushed our daughters' beautiful hair...
... they had their heads shaven to stave off the lice

While we fought off the flu with love and nourishment...
... they got the flu and went Home.

No longer suffering... but so many more still are.

In memory of those that have never felt the love of a family, but have passed away alone.

Today we learned of the passing of these two girls in Eastern Europe. 

Update on Radiothon

Hi All,

Just wanted to update on our time at the Duke Children's Hospital Radiothon.  On our way over, Rebecca and I were listening to the radio and hearing of the special promotion.  Forester insurance had pledged to match up to $75,000 raised in a two hour period.  At the time (about 30 minutes into it) they had raised $26,000.  We followed this for the next hour and half.  More on this to come.

When we arrived, we greeted the people that we knew there - and Eliana proceeded to make friends with everyone that would look at her.  She walks up and waves or says "hi", gives high fives or just a sweet smile.  So many people told me how cute she is - and I could see how much people enjoyed seeing her. 

While we were waiting, I spoke with a woman as she was leaving.  Eliana had caught her eye and she started asking about her.  As we talked, she shared that she had lost a daughter when she was exactly Eliana's age.  She also had Down syndrome.  She died just 6 days before Eliana was born of an immune deficiency disease. 

Oh, this broke my heart and I just had to hug her neck.  She showed me a picture of her beautiful daughter.  She also told me that she has been fundraising for Duke Children's at her school since her daughter passed.  What a strong statement to the hope and care that they received at Duke.

We also talked about Down syndrome and what a beautiful gift it is to know someone like this.  And what a horror it is that so many of these children never make it to know life at all.

I wish we had longer to talk, but I know that I can pray for her.  She told me that she has since had a little boy who is perfectly healthy.  She seems to have a sweet spirit.

While we were waiting, we followed and chased Eliana.  She heard the phones ringing and would hold her hand to her ear and say "hello".  She also saw a large bag of change.  I told her that it was money and she hit her chest and said "mine".  lol  This little one is funny!

Rebecca made her donation at about 5:30.  Bless you friends who waited to hear her!  It was a brief time for her to share what she had done and why.  She told about how her little sister had been born with 2 holes in her heart and how Duke had taken great care of her.  She wanted to help other children that didn't have insurance to be able to be helped too. 

She was very nervous, but spoke calmly and clearly and did a great job!  I'm so proud of you Rebecca!  She donated ...

$3200.00

Since her pledge was made during the challenge, they told her that her donation was doubled to $6400.00!  Way to go! 

After this, we left to go home.  We heard the rest of the challenge - and they were successful in raising the $75,000 and more.  Total raised ...  190, 544 in two hours.

I'm thankful for this experience.  Who knew when Eliana was born that "hearts" would be touched in so many ways - both physical, emotional and spiritual.  I told Rebecca that God has given her some special gifts - a compassionate heart, a desire and drive to help others and creativity.  I'm incredibly blessed to see her using her gifts at such a young age!  I'm incredibly humbled that God would allow us to be used to bless others and that He would allow me to see Him at work in my children.  Thank you God for blessing us.  We pray that you would continue to use us to your glory!

Blessings,

Leslie