tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54136196354926793182024-03-13T12:45:07.548-04:00Open Hands AcresJoin us as our family moves to the country. We try to live each day to give and receive all God asks of us with Open Hands. And kids. And special needs adoption. And homeschool. And chickens. The new home of The Big Little Days blog.Open hands Acres Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592181428965332646noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413619635492679318.post-31378494629423619532018-05-30T16:32:00.005-04:002018-06-16T09:00:43.807-04:00Moving forward with Joy! Giveaway<b><i>Just 3 campers with autism left to sponsor! More than 100 parents and kids from adoptive families in Ukraine are still counting on us for sponsors!</i></b><br />
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<b><i>If you're in a hurry, scroll down to the *********** section to find giveaway details!</i></b><br />
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Our little boy's adoption in Russia has allowed us to <a href="http://openhandsacres.blogspot.com/2018/05/how-did-we-get-so-lucky.html" target="_blank">let go of our dream</a> of being parents to a child with Down
syndrome, and embrace the challenges of raising our Daisy with Autistic Down syndrome. Today, we are moving forward with joy...in more ways than one.<br />
<br />
We are hoping to make
the barriers a little lower for children with Autism in her hometown of Odessa
City, Ukraine. Five years ago, waiting in a public works office for an updated
birth certificate, Heritage Ukraine co-founder (and our adoption translator) Alyona told me just a bit about how the pending political
instability of their country had put a great gift into the laps of her newer organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each year, the government used to pay for the
orphans of the region to go to a week-long summer camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The money ran out, so when Slavik and Alyona
asked for just a few children to share in a bible-based summer camp experience
at no charge to the government, the government said instead <b>“Can you take them
all?”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">600 orphans, when they had asked
for 25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPWsR_79g4-vW3XE_CfYfUJjm4s9lMfY66HoY0Pi69a-Fonz4Ta6SiKXwBODxEgCsaavryHydSyyDQBZbYKHkDam_5_nqK3yq_7Yig61HX793cGKSybF9rBqdh9lWfhPv9F446yEAdoQ/s1600/camplelapic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPWsR_79g4-vW3XE_CfYfUJjm4s9lMfY66HoY0Pi69a-Fonz4Ta6SiKXwBODxEgCsaavryHydSyyDQBZbYKHkDam_5_nqK3yq_7Yig61HX793cGKSybF9rBqdh9lWfhPv9F446yEAdoQ/s1600/camplelapic.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A week's worth of orphaned kids experienced the love of Christ <br />
and their importance in God's eyes the summer of 2013.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What could they do but say yes, and hope that God would
provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the incredible donations that came in
part because of the <a href="http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2014/05/mulligan-stew-2014.html" target="_blank">Mulligan Stew efforts</a> of fellow-Ukrainian adoptive mom
Julia Nalle and family,</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> the summer camp kids found there was room for each one of
them that year and the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Puzanovs and Heritage Ukraine have made this work for 5
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that time, Camp LELA went from hosting kids two months of the
summer on borrowed land to raising the funds to buy a permanent campus in the
heart of a city overrun with vacationers each summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only drawback?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>They receive no funding.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK4fKR95adHBypbt1VnGzjV4jWRrgtKcImmu6dch2afTipPBDgPCJDp1-h7GYnwfKHo5fAT650KdVRwRzMy5IL4QEK3JKfdlfAlgZ6qaDKFOG-ka9hwCL_vVvQcR73vebi4uh81wiSUY/s1600/forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK4fKR95adHBypbt1VnGzjV4jWRrgtKcImmu6dch2afTipPBDgPCJDp1-h7GYnwfKHo5fAT650KdVRwRzMy5IL4QEK3JKfdlfAlgZ6qaDKFOG-ka9hwCL_vVvQcR73vebi4uh81wiSUY/s1600/forest.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original home of Camp LELA. No utilities, no water. But love. So much love. </td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First, they came for the orphans, and Camp LELA opened her arms to the orphans because no one else would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO-1Rbqh1TD0eLi6xHo9PiE1U_56745lt4vyhHjXUMCKhXe2mZjpgywNBwNsGZXmwCh8SvW6DGQMEAHmnfEgS8fGavrP8tTDWxlk2x2nz7c-jZcull83CoP6-fYVvdNVe6qeVx5ePFv4/s1600/tents+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO-1Rbqh1TD0eLi6xHo9PiE1U_56745lt4vyhHjXUMCKhXe2mZjpgywNBwNsGZXmwCh8SvW6DGQMEAHmnfEgS8fGavrP8tTDWxlk2x2nz7c-jZcull83CoP6-fYVvdNVe6qeVx5ePFv4/s320/tents+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2015, God provided a permanent campus for Heritage Ukraine, shown here transformed into Camp LELA in 2016. Notice the wall all around which shows the borders of this couple-acre field, surrounded by urban sprawl.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxd_nGxxPkN6B7qH9WkL9IvRIBdKigQPpCCG1FpyeW097xFYMZXs7tLclnaQuaysiP3-AZnrxoDnHzaAC04S7vv0x5eFx3ehsCFpAIo0RPDY0w7guA0qQ8equ1U957cT1o5BIHZmR_lyw/s1600/oasis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxd_nGxxPkN6B7qH9WkL9IvRIBdKigQPpCCG1FpyeW097xFYMZXs7tLclnaQuaysiP3-AZnrxoDnHzaAC04S7vv0x5eFx3ehsCFpAIo0RPDY0w7guA0qQ8equ1U957cT1o5BIHZmR_lyw/s320/oasis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a sandlot in the city...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPbTHyvgnLwJUu-UWyCbvSAPdaU4plxrbzGAuli8Oxf5V2xB1WIpRs9MhtPx5C_sofoNLT9DDzVKsVUcdKZ8_YXOGKmTahfzwxOq0ChA3CxuYs1mY1s5fyf4EqXoE4XJFdupipTqR5NA/s1600/dining+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPbTHyvgnLwJUu-UWyCbvSAPdaU4plxrbzGAuli8Oxf5V2xB1WIpRs9MhtPx5C_sofoNLT9DDzVKsVUcdKZ8_YXOGKmTahfzwxOq0ChA3CxuYs1mY1s5fyf4EqXoE4XJFdupipTqR5NA/s320/dining+hall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To a beautiful dining hall and kitchen, complete Spring 2018...along with four permanent bunkhouses!</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then, in 2015, they came for the kids with special needs, and Heritage
Ukraine created a new place for them, because no else had.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUly04CK62vmkED7zsIjpIcWVBpmn1_Z3MEN6bnd3zQQi_owraXRKeFiXkaAJ7m-3eKOAAR8ZcYqenWqNo0fUTDG7z4xs1bJZM6iGz1aIpall9NIvmdDVgIRksvxVgn-YY5LacqkQaF8/s1600/Hoy+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUly04CK62vmkED7zsIjpIcWVBpmn1_Z3MEN6bnd3zQQi_owraXRKeFiXkaAJ7m-3eKOAAR8ZcYqenWqNo0fUTDG7z4xs1bJZM6iGz1aIpall9NIvmdDVgIRksvxVgn-YY5LacqkQaF8/s320/Hoy+room.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Joy! Center is the very first of its kind in the region, let
alone in Ukraine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Despite only having one usable, permanent building on campus at the time, they made over the basement for these kids with special needs. <b> </b></span><b>The campers who come
to Camp LELA Joy! have autism.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>They are still
living with their families, who very often have no more support than what the
internet can provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have <b>no right</b>
to a free, public education geared toward their ability levels or care
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These families have decided to
rock the boat of society and keep their children with them, in their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are <b>revolutionaries in their
society</b>…simply for loving their own children in their own homes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpSVg5keaE1bnUP0TtHITB7dqASm4P9RQj_PlMpDCuLaLdYLY9ks9snmtOqKVu3spMuj_P5vLee5ktD5VDPgEsdSmcIZ2UYrSjfxhmM0KllP-U85CF4uhXIVRz-7Vq0GNlZtcoV0RPWk/s1600/joy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpSVg5keaE1bnUP0TtHITB7dqASm4P9RQj_PlMpDCuLaLdYLY9ks9snmtOqKVu3spMuj_P5vLee5ktD5VDPgEsdSmcIZ2UYrSjfxhmM0KllP-U85CF4uhXIVRz-7Vq0GNlZtcoV0RPWk/s320/joy1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I look at the faces of these parents, I *know* them already. They are not different from me. These kids, these families...this photo could have been shot in a church basement here in Michigan for all I know. <br />
When I see them...I see me.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These children have a hidden diagnosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world often doesn’t know “what’s wrong
with them?” even here in the enlightened US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can you imagine how much these families must endure to just get to the
grocery store?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To keep their children
out of institutional care?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you
imagine then, what it means to hand those children to a trusted caregiver for a
just a few hours that week and *breathe* again?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnIw4UleZJhdfnnxpshH7pBcaQD4sC8KCJlNV1W4nnkEYtz5Fb8ycNyJaKoO6HyVp2yBBL3VAkKo-yN2U3WjvXrGz1j-QismmDpy4YZ6AJksowm8ZuE3CHPpO8Tyq3MAKKRcD-BI1EEY/s1600/sensory+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnIw4UleZJhdfnnxpshH7pBcaQD4sC8KCJlNV1W4nnkEYtz5Fb8ycNyJaKoO6HyVp2yBBL3VAkKo-yN2U3WjvXrGz1j-QismmDpy4YZ6AJksowm8ZuE3CHPpO8Tyq3MAKKRcD-BI1EEY/s320/sensory+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joy! Center's sensory room.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You can be a part of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Despite the extra staff required, the cost is the same to attend
Camp LELA Joy! as it is for other campers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>$60 per child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In the basement of the permanent office building on the Heritage Ukraine<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>campus, they have
cleared all their storage out and created from almost nothing a special needs
classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A place where children who
run (elope) are safely gathered in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Children who are sensory-seeking have swings and ball-pits to explore
without judgmental stares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where they
receive an education appropriate to their abilities, instead of limited by
their diagnoses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where parents are able
to gather upstairs for a few minutes reprieve, and can believe that maybe, just
maybe, things could be better someday. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ1as5P67Z8n56S15sUX-I8u4WzoY8osKwGTGUtw1a8ojsOLxTVcgg8mjr4JNqDcuv2ss1js3xUjnuLJGFboTtTjP3vGz09o3xaQkJAZmouLB38BiqmG8QR4IML9BfjmL_UT2lNW2xfM/s1600/resource+closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ1as5P67Z8n56S15sUX-I8u4WzoY8osKwGTGUtw1a8ojsOLxTVcgg8mjr4JNqDcuv2ss1js3xUjnuLJGFboTtTjP3vGz09o3xaQkJAZmouLB38BiqmG8QR4IML9BfjmL_UT2lNW2xfM/s320/resource+closet.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two resource closets. </td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Furthermore, a new camp has been opened up, <b><u>Lighthouse Family Camp</u></b>, specifically for adoptive families in Ukraine. They need $6000 for the week to sponsor the families attending this camp. </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And if you are feeling the need like I am to fund the efforts of those who are able to do this work full-time, we have a chance to
make that happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 60+ children whose parents want them to come to Camp LELA Joy!, 35 of whom do not yet have sponsors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are 400 orphans who want to come to
Camp LELA who do not yet have sponsors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The current Joy! Center special needs classroom is a great start, but
needs so much improvement to be worthy to the task of replacing a full-time
education for these children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Dsoc1MA7yEDYtFtFr_mYoOe1h0xQ79KUYj2dWRDQP5xabs66uW2zbqfTMG3LZUqyOVnQkhA5vD5lVFPiESaHli9gNrZ8emYIjWb4Z6LV1QHswcaPkv5mNFXJ5Bq5QeJSUxqMy-WC39g/s1600/Joy%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Dsoc1MA7yEDYtFtFr_mYoOe1h0xQ79KUYj2dWRDQP5xabs66uW2zbqfTMG3LZUqyOVnQkhA5vD5lVFPiESaHli9gNrZ8emYIjWb4Z6LV1QHswcaPkv5mNFXJ5Bq5QeJSUxqMy-WC39g/s320/Joy%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crash pillows, foosball, and giant foam Legos are a great start, but I know we can offer these kids and families the world if we come together in this.</td></tr>
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</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>**************************************************************************</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wherever your heart is, please donate and pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not a penny nor a prayer that will be
wasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There are three material ways you can help:</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1) Donate to <b>Camp LELA Joy!</b> to sponsor a camper with autism in Odessa, Ukraine for $60, or any amount. Any amount raised over the goal will go to improve the <b>Joy! Special Needs and Autism Center</b>: </span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/camp-lela-joy" target="_blank">DONATE HERE FOR CAMP LELA JOY! AUTISM CAMP</a></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2) Donate to <b>Camp LELA</b> (kids from orphanages) and <b>Lighthouse Family Camp</b> (Ukrainian adoptive families) to be a shelter in a chaotic storm. Sponsor one camper for $60 or any amount will be appreciated: </span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/camp-lela-2018" target="_blank">DONATE HERE FOR CAMP LELA AND LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY CAMP</a> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3) Sponsor the ongoing work of <b>Heritage Ukraine</b> throughout the year with a recurring monthly donation (tax deductible) to minister to at-risk kids and families through afterschool programming and parent support classes**: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://afamilyforeveryorphan.cornersafe.net/5113/a-family-for-every-orphan/give/fundraising_cause/16380" target="_blank">DONATE HERE FOR HERITAGE UKRAINE</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Any amount you can contribute will be so greatly appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are doing a small <b>giveaway</b> to give folks a reason to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
the prizes have each been donated with the sincere hope that they will turn
into a greater gift for the children whose lives are changed for the better by
Heritage Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here's how it works:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For every $5 donated, you will receive an entry in the
giveaway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Share once a day on the social
media of your choice for a free entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you sponsor an entire camper’s tuition, $60, your giveaway entries will be
doubled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Also, a monthly commitment of any amount will be doubled. </span>A copy of all entries must be sent to </span><a href="mailto:openhandsacres@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">openhandsacres@gmail.com to be counted. Shares can leave a comment below *or* email for a free entry!</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="mailto:openhandsacres@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></a>
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<a href="mailto:openhandsacres@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Thank you for your support: <span style="color: purple;">Stephanie F., Tisha P., Anonymous, Jennifer F., Ivy A., Laura R., Anonymous, Katy C., Aleck Y., Anna A., and Allison C.!</span></i></span></a></div>
<a href="mailto:openhandsacres@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Giveaway begins with shares and donations made and email receipt
forwarded to </span><a href="mailto:openhandsacres@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">openhandsacres@gmail.com</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from 12:01 May 29 until midnight EST on June
18.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
On June 19, I will use a random number generator to find a winner for each prize:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSyX-GDiap7We4c-I8RK5i59Npp2RXo_GlVPitALhkAWU4vqvk904CG96PfD53BJsWblpyNMbuI0l-DGccwqCAwAYoQHHqo0E7HC3xijoaHolnqcGT8Jc3spXU5InGKBt9DF6DDTi79I/s1600/amazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSyX-GDiap7We4c-I8RK5i59Npp2RXo_GlVPitALhkAWU4vqvk904CG96PfD53BJsWblpyNMbuI0l-DGccwqCAwAYoQHHqo0E7HC3xijoaHolnqcGT8Jc3spXU5InGKBt9DF6DDTi79I/s1600/amazon.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Grand prize: $100 Amazon gift card donated by the Nalle Family<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ADI311i0HnCv6ZXMWAJzkkEiRijOPt3tKo2Vo_jqFfI1tgjJgYgZ58B41uOwpxkGMczblLY_I04y9YMLEv6ugzHvVr59OhtUJ8pGrBP5Pf5rRhncSAFW5hBWTbutevQPVEA9B1EXCU/s1600/vanilla-extract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ADI311i0HnCv6ZXMWAJzkkEiRijOPt3tKo2Vo_jqFfI1tgjJgYgZ58B41uOwpxkGMczblLY_I04y9YMLEv6ugzHvVr59OhtUJ8pGrBP5Pf5rRhncSAFW5hBWTbutevQPVEA9B1EXCU/s320/vanilla-extract.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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Bottle of homemade Rumnilla extract, 3 winners, $38 value, donated by Open Hands Bakers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRH0E29nH52RsyIcsoPquUiEgML-LG9CewV1XXEYLNnFwPaiYErlj20KGqNOLL7MQ4t3Gh26AWvE5QJ3ZVgC8eAjOkSj3fbK6gXjR5UmH7aNCpSEevAU38iuEnmI-lBJDfL6k7JnY6kY/s1600/lularoe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="347" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRH0E29nH52RsyIcsoPquUiEgML-LG9CewV1XXEYLNnFwPaiYErlj20KGqNOLL7MQ4t3Gh26AWvE5QJ3ZVgC8eAjOkSj3fbK6gXjR5UmH7aNCpSEevAU38iuEnmI-lBJDfL6k7JnY6kY/s320/lularoe.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lularoe leggings, new with tags, donated by Jennifer Kroll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYO5wf-B3COIJZu-NAO1pAFKYD6iKyUdyOCK9VzKsVLNEhSlmiTsV2pheb9lwDIFaNQaFrojQFWyZxU00nRbnueGynWKlVNBFdFCUnRHhKKo29qafpfGLU_Jd0IP8bamtzpIloo71SQgw/s1600/young_living_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="979" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYO5wf-B3COIJZu-NAO1pAFKYD6iKyUdyOCK9VzKsVLNEhSlmiTsV2pheb9lwDIFaNQaFrojQFWyZxU00nRbnueGynWKlVNBFdFCUnRHhKKo29qafpfGLU_Jd0IP8bamtzpIloo71SQgw/s320/young_living_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Young living essential oils, donated by Jennifer Kroll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Board games donated by Toko Togashi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gGfJwAM3jwwpPMhYMrZTL5dHDwXNcZ44mb8DhWHhyniMBKdWW7GcVofmuqhodk91UljtoUgf417kplxx6AmSm47nK_WE0kLCt_EBbSI5Jq4kZ-zG_Kwo7J72TOyamca2EvpPxeJb7Rk/s1600/Camp+lela+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gGfJwAM3jwwpPMhYMrZTL5dHDwXNcZ44mb8DhWHhyniMBKdWW7GcVofmuqhodk91UljtoUgf417kplxx6AmSm47nK_WE0kLCt_EBbSI5Jq4kZ-zG_Kwo7J72TOyamca2EvpPxeJb7Rk/s320/Camp+lela+tee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Camp LELA T-shirts (3 winners), donated by Heritage Ukraine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RL4-fxJb71AEzh6HJVnqUYSv_RCj6a50cimYNum5UBEsN7iH1wSG4-PCyzci1bQTccyifSm27EQl67vC2BFtdk8Woiu6E38evCHojuFXPo765ZhWB07YIqRwAbyzzOVFGAffFQhQ0UI/s1600/HU+hoodie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RL4-fxJb71AEzh6HJVnqUYSv_RCj6a50cimYNum5UBEsN7iH1wSG4-PCyzci1bQTccyifSm27EQl67vC2BFtdk8Woiu6E38evCHojuFXPo765ZhWB07YIqRwAbyzzOVFGAffFQhQ0UI/s320/HU+hoodie.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Heritage Ukraine Sweatshirt (2 winners), donated by Heritage Ukraine (and clearly hand-carried across the ocean for us! The wrinkles make it more comfy!) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLE44jRFjef0auEE8oWFW_C7o9Ds8NGuMjHkMUxuydyiQIvZ9pagKXqH3NOTeZ1yOxb20P8hmLBH_zjSi2qrssU1jZiujqHvUgXuW76rWQyATDao2anhDv1zfqz_aa-87pqDVrwUkLPU/s1600/HU+Ukraine+region+puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLE44jRFjef0auEE8oWFW_C7o9Ds8NGuMjHkMUxuydyiQIvZ9pagKXqH3NOTeZ1yOxb20P8hmLBH_zjSi2qrssU1jZiujqHvUgXuW76rWQyATDao2anhDv1zfqz_aa-87pqDVrwUkLPU/s320/HU+Ukraine+region+puzzle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ukraine regions magnetic puzzles, (4 winners) handmade in Ukraine, value $25 (all the Ukraine moms are going "are you sure this isn't the grand prize?!")<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIMhcQLdGcRwuUnP3hmaPlbKnTk7Eyxyxa8-NB6czHNBU55GzoI10uHzjZYBVv-BRfry7lzNiw6r30V8cquewUHe9gOKt4fmghjdpoLGBYK2GkxSdjn_gSGOpgAxaiwaRHpCUN-BrFBo/s1600/scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIMhcQLdGcRwuUnP3hmaPlbKnTk7Eyxyxa8-NB6czHNBU55GzoI10uHzjZYBVv-BRfry7lzNiw6r30V8cquewUHe9gOKt4fmghjdpoLGBYK2GkxSdjn_gSGOpgAxaiwaRHpCUN-BrFBo/s320/scarf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Handmade scarf, made and donated by Katy Colbry</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvn1phFWV_gZxDtNJN2cP0ZA4sOIE_ZI6RpzcmHLdUO0PUAr2vjm2sFrc0l_ey7-gmJfrfya70_ibqOYcBMFBdsVZzEc6qhXRNoKw1QjyiLlkugYBSowpk7zmQGVxce9u54rJjZKnNMKQ/s1600/knit+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="960" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvn1phFWV_gZxDtNJN2cP0ZA4sOIE_ZI6RpzcmHLdUO0PUAr2vjm2sFrc0l_ey7-gmJfrfya70_ibqOYcBMFBdsVZzEc6qhXRNoKw1QjyiLlkugYBSowpk7zmQGVxce9u54rJjZKnNMKQ/s320/knit+hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Handmade hat, pom pom will be added at winner's request, made and donated by Katy Colbry</span></div>
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Watch for new photos and prizes to be added throughout the giveaway! Thank you to all of those who have already made Heritage Ukraine's mission your own. Please contact them at nasledieukraine@yahoo.com to learn more about volunteer opportunities as well.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">As he went along, he saw a man <b>blind</b> from
birth.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> <span class="text"><b><sup> </sup></b>His
disciples asked him, “Rabbi, <b>who sinned</b>, this man or his
parents, that he was born blind?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">“<b>Neither
this man nor his parents sinned</b>,”</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"> said Jesus, </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">“but this happened so that <b>the works of God might be displayed in
him</b>.</span></span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span class="woj"><b><sup> </sup></b>As long
as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming,
when no one can work.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup> </sup></b>While
I am in the </span></span></i></span><i style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="woj">world, I am the light of the world.” –John 9: 1-5</span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;">**Donations can also be mailed to HU's partner organization, though will not be eligible for the giveaway </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;">A Family For Every Orphan </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;">PO BOX 34628 # 37939 </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;">Seattle, WA 98124-1628</span></span></span></div>
<br />Open hands Acres Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592181428965332646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413619635492679318.post-79723624608666344522018-05-29T23:35:00.003-04:002018-05-31T12:11:43.974-04:00How Did We Get So Lucky?<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> A few days ago, I got some unexpected news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometime last fall, I tried to get online to
the Russian database where our little boy, Mac’s, pictures were updated twice a
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I got a message that “this
child is no longer available for adoption.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was hoping that some foster paperwork had finally been processed, and
a supporter of our long-time friends at ROOF had found a way to get him into
temporary care in a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often in
Eastern Europe when children are in foster care, they are no longer adoptable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This week, I found out the news was far better.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little Mac, Summer 2017, age 5.</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mac is now living in Siberia with his forever family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thought he looked like one of their
sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I know the feeling.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mac, 2012, following a secret photo shoot when the director of his old orphanage heard we were coming for him.</td></tr>
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Mac has been adopted.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While we still haven’t processed our feelings on this news, we
know our prayers, and those of our children have been answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If it can’t be us, let him find a family who
will love him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children cheered
without hesitation the second they heard the news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Andy and I both said it out loud, “Mac got adopted and he has a
family now,” with a head nod and that’s about where we’re at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what we want, someone, anyone to love
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more orphanage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mHAn3zYPhYu79VqAGFw5NHqy3TSlTu8TBSYhqPIqX8vs7DnLKEZZ1EyJ8f974bvoMCHdyrwE4GL0xw2oR09ALsp0emrQkcue7g5s2HSb-Tk2yqy1IdrA3s8-c7RRIQsz2XflGOmfits/s1600/adijutepp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mHAn3zYPhYu79VqAGFw5NHqy3TSlTu8TBSYhqPIqX8vs7DnLKEZZ1EyJ8f974bvoMCHdyrwE4GL0xw2oR09ALsp0emrQkcue7g5s2HSb-Tk2yqy1IdrA3s8-c7RRIQsz2XflGOmfits/s320/adijutepp.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The little boy whose paperwork brought a child from Ukraine into our
family…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The little girl who only seemed to be gifted with the unlimited
potential of being born in the right time in the wrong place with the now-hope-filled diagnosis of Down syndrome…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The powerful rest of finally being held to sleep. July, 2013, Daisy's orphanage grounds.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But our Daisy never brought the gift of Down syndrome into our
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brought the gift of herself
into our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Daisy’s primary diagnosis is autism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But an autism so incredibly profound that she
seems to learn almost nothing passively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even now, nearly five years since the day we met her, she will still
rock endlessly all day if you let her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She will chew her fingers if she is hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is happy to spin in a johnny jumper or
stim with a baton for 8 hours and call it a good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t show any indication if her diaper
needs to be changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is 6, and still
wears size 2T clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUbNYmDe2-5LHY57_0wUOdH5Q3w25OLmeXfCKBWiQapoop6s93odrU0FRS5IUPAUituZ4CQ_m9c232mKWlsgtwRP9IZq51DxujMTrIRbTg5kiliIaOU8mAZhLDzE2IcYmJRXYpuxBpiQ/s1600/IMG_6128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUbNYmDe2-5LHY57_0wUOdH5Q3w25OLmeXfCKBWiQapoop6s93odrU0FRS5IUPAUituZ4CQ_m9c232mKWlsgtwRP9IZq51DxujMTrIRbTg5kiliIaOU8mAZhLDzE2IcYmJRXYpuxBpiQ/s320/IMG_6128.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seabee (age 3.5) and Daisy (age 6). She's smaller in person.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Daisy’s life took a radical turn for the better from every day
of endless stillness without the muscle tone to even stim in that orphanage in
Odessa, Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnwwzxFM0GtgHSCKUun8ine_AemBY517clK3RmD-1U_KFecSHPDYhmjUB-D0Jrq3VAulPL9x5eYJQ8BkVSL4toP2DSA_zl29hhwn6TA6-caOVXekkcqluKVSXsWes_ZBohJK3SRh16oI/s1600/IMG_4714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnwwzxFM0GtgHSCKUun8ine_AemBY517clK3RmD-1U_KFecSHPDYhmjUB-D0Jrq3VAulPL9x5eYJQ8BkVSL4toP2DSA_zl29hhwn6TA6-caOVXekkcqluKVSXsWes_ZBohJK3SRh16oI/s320/IMG_4714.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few minutes of hairbrush stimmies while waiting to visit the ENT. Dear Lord, she is so beautiful. </td></tr>
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Because today, though Daisy will rock endlessly, we don’t let
her. She is held and tossed, and
tickled, and “baby bulldozered” by her daddy.
She has spent endless sessions in feeding therapy, and while she can’t
chew, she knows she can walk to her high chair and tap and someone will feed
her. She is given time to feed that
sensory input beast that encompasses her entirely of independent rational thought. Her teacher at school has turned her love of
stimmy batons into a daily hide and seek game, teaching Daisy the concept of
object permanence. Daisy doesn’t have to
tell us that her diaper needs to be changed, because it’s just what we do. </div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Daisy’s least delayed ability, despite being unable to sit up
independently at 18 months, is her ability to walk and even run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She goes upstairs holding only one hand…while
giggling at the sensory thrill of it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These are not huge news-worthy milestones, but they are all skills
that required 5 years to teach. </span>Think about that. In the country with the most abundant resources for kids with
special needs, it has taken a whole team of people 5 years to teach her how to walk upstairs, objects don't disappear when they are covered up, and she is part of the group.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But here’s the thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beautiful little Mac, rotting away needlessly all those years in a
Russian orphanage…he could talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
could count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made eye contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughed at jokes and engaged in reciprocal
play during simple games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or so we
heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We never met him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer, 2015</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And isn’t that just the case?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We went seeking that kid with Down syndrome of our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little league overcomer, the special
Olympian, the kid who makes his first communion with adaptive catechism, who
shows his pig at the fair while strangers get teary eyed and ask themselves
“how did that family get so lucky?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are hashtags and now group tattoos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those aren’t for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Instead, we got autism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
least-understood, most alienating diagnosis a parent can get these days, I
guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daisy acts so differently, that
very often people don’t recognize her special need as Down syndrome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in all honesty, it isn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Autism is Daisy’s primary diagnosis. i repeat this again and again because it needs to be said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did an assessment for private ABA
therapy and Daisy’s barriers to learning are at the highest level in all 20+
categories, except one—she is not sensory defensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her 16 or so current skills are at a zero
level in every area but two (both got a 2:4)—both because she watched bubbles
being blown for 4 minutes and followed them all the way to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also changed and ran the assessment for
kids at age 2….because there was nothing to test in the age 6 test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in the Down syndrome and autism dual
diagnosis support groups, there are never kids like Daisy being discussed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daisy *must* swing! Early spring 2018</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I hope one day she will get a new diagnosis--one that more clearly reflects the group of symptoms that characterize her life's challenges--I'm going to just make it myself and start calling it Austistic Down syndrome. It isn't a dual diagnosis for her. It's all in a blender. All her autism is steeped in a heavy broth of blocked understanding related to her extra chromosome. She isn't "more alike than different." </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But Mac was. And there is the tiniest bit of grief there. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, what do you do when you unexpectedly find out you have kid
with a completely different diagnosis than what you imagined?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the little boy you still somehow thought
might be yours would eventually come home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You do like everybody does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You figure out how to move forward somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First with desperation, but eventually with
joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Look! I will
bring them back</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="text">from the land of the
north; </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><i><b>I will gather them from the ends of the earth,</b></i> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text">the blind and the lame in
their midst</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">...<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span id="en-NABRE-23635" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Hear
the word of the <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">, you nations, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">proclaim it on distant
coasts, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and say: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The One who scattered Israel, now gathers them; </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><i><b>he guards them</b></i>
as a shepherd his flock.</span></span></span></span></span><span class="versenum"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span id="en-NABRE-23636" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span id="en-NABRE-23636" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> shall ransom Jacob, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>he shall redeem him
from a hand too strong for him</i></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">..<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">They themselves shall be
like watered gardens, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>never again neglected.</i></b><span data-cr="#cen-NABRE-23637I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NABRE-23637I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></span><span class="versenum"></span><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span><b><span id="en-NABRE-23638" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span id="en-NABRE-23638" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Then
young women shall make merry and dance, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">young men and old as well. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><u>I will turn their mourning into joy,</u> </b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">I will
show them compassion </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">and have them rejoice after their sorrows. </span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">-Jeremiah 31: 8, 10, 12b-13</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
Please read the next blog to hear how we are supporting autism, at-risk kids, and Daisy's hometown in Odessa, Ukraine. <a href="http://openhandsacres.blogspot.com/2018/05/moving-forward-with-joy-giveaway.html" target="_blank">MOVING FORWARD WITH JOY! GIVEAWAY</a><br />
<br />
How did we get so lucky?<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5Z9Bnm1jfah6Gju7ZMTPe5S9frQqYDJUtOwb7snu7xtqaQSuSl5Yg2Xf2If_HPUYXJXk1FbTMndbY5232FVyeO9ByslF80r_PAaRfxvDLUH7jiYUwch1IdSaeKtpUh4KOOezFB8mcJI/s1600/ajkuouwce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5Z9Bnm1jfah6Gju7ZMTPe5S9frQqYDJUtOwb7snu7xtqaQSuSl5Yg2Xf2If_HPUYXJXk1FbTMndbY5232FVyeO9ByslF80r_PAaRfxvDLUH7jiYUwch1IdSaeKtpUh4KOOezFB8mcJI/s320/ajkuouwce.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their Mac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2jctwMzXqiaifq6nFeLpr2Z_jZhrgtGVKhkk-YkXHbB3220UkZutG5psnQs2aJtI1TMZh8_Ppua8qXRcQY1BdYmdc7EtedwQMdP06f95MBx-6WD3nlxym0_Z2_YYSeHQX8p6JBJ8akg/s1600/IMG_6774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2jctwMzXqiaifq6nFeLpr2Z_jZhrgtGVKhkk-YkXHbB3220UkZutG5psnQs2aJtI1TMZh8_Ppua8qXRcQY1BdYmdc7EtedwQMdP06f95MBx-6WD3nlxym0_Z2_YYSeHQX8p6JBJ8akg/s320/IMG_6774.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Daisy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<br />Open hands Acres Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592181428965332646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413619635492679318.post-85228184992930484232015-02-06T10:12:00.001-05:002015-02-06T20:42:22.534-05:00Beautiful Things. Happy Birthday Daisy.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_w3seES-aDmHbr2VOso-m9QH8rR6cn7vJbsINw4qdfaHLLSkxohAE4fIiz34FDQFhdZCJD1vkLYkvVJ_BLO5HnQCx2LRN1JU5NDKHM8rkQHrY_oLBP_2Tva6a4qJTyQ3Wr8LhMl9j9uY/s1600/33490358.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_w3seES-aDmHbr2VOso-m9QH8rR6cn7vJbsINw4qdfaHLLSkxohAE4fIiz34FDQFhdZCJD1vkLYkvVJ_BLO5HnQCx2LRN1JU5NDKHM8rkQHrY_oLBP_2Tva6a4qJTyQ3Wr8LhMl9j9uY/s1600/33490358.png" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Three years ago today, a
mother gave birth to a little girl 5 weeks early. She was admitted into
the NICU for a host of issues. I imagine that mother and father felt they
had no choice, no way to care for their little girl's failing heart, and
surrendered her into the care of the state. </span>That first year of her life,
the only record kept was that she visited the hospital five times. Two
photographs were taken, one required by the state and one whose source is
unknown. Just days before that little girl's first birthday, her heart was
repaired. The only record of the rest of her life was that she was brought back
to the orphanage a week later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7595XmLLJ-3vhl-KqMDO_Vu7Exh3uhldUsfoKRJ1TPp008cuVHL8FrT25bp0KMTZYXEo0qb9Lqex2bp03yP4MBjh9FjRYa_A-I2lN5qMaDll5lW0ow-xSU-G1oypkLhMnAVQhtPCejC8/s1600/20130710_093639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7595XmLLJ-3vhl-KqMDO_Vu7Exh3uhldUsfoKRJ1TPp008cuVHL8FrT25bp0KMTZYXEo0qb9Lqex2bp03yP4MBjh9FjRYa_A-I2lN5qMaDll5lW0ow-xSU-G1oypkLhMnAVQhtPCejC8/s1600/20130710_093639.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2IBn0RFpZVaZXOUCpi8Z11sUF51ai9x55jMocqJuETRqY9r_FWQMxulDITdKHgykj4JyntU-VEuR7LD4NUDoMjku3VqMjNG5_jYxQSXgvsujtFqdnX5e6VZEgNLaqHt9tXVL9uMBnPY/s1600/Dani+and+mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2IBn0RFpZVaZXOUCpi8Z11sUF51ai9x55jMocqJuETRqY9r_FWQMxulDITdKHgykj4JyntU-VEuR7LD4NUDoMjku3VqMjNG5_jYxQSXgvsujtFqdnX5e6VZEgNLaqHt9tXVL9uMBnPY/s1600/Dani+and+mom.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But on July 10, 2013, that little girl was born again to all the fanfare and love and endless photos that should have been hers from the moment she was born. On Earth as it is in heaven. And she heard her name for the first time. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXon7H8gLc7t8EP-NvgZPr2SKXtALZopOKhB94Had7q-6KLMQsnM9STSpODYiBIQcc-YtgKWRUhVP4RR5J3sL3OqLSifdcUhN5Gmo9wgWgxgbaM8UzBFNRnQQ_bjIDvppFEdBxsqvlbw/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXon7H8gLc7t8EP-NvgZPr2SKXtALZopOKhB94Had7q-6KLMQsnM9STSpODYiBIQcc-YtgKWRUhVP4RR5J3sL3OqLSifdcUhN5Gmo9wgWgxgbaM8UzBFNRnQQ_bjIDvppFEdBxsqvlbw/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" height="320" width="257" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First morning in Kyiv</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7sO_n94LuXLUnJUSsNfgsJwrIxbZc0kUhJeIlFITQpfYJRMk8aSLmNHihaCTsOBVbkDXBkvawoaT4YU-qGvzxu-AhOkqAOIXCIocwG3-km7EzMO5k0M5Ls5X5IgLe90jL99Ed65qY8k/s1600/Dani+home+1_6-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7sO_n94LuXLUnJUSsNfgsJwrIxbZc0kUhJeIlFITQpfYJRMk8aSLmNHihaCTsOBVbkDXBkvawoaT4YU-qGvzxu-AhOkqAOIXCIocwG3-km7EzMO5k0M5Ls5X5IgLe90jL99Ed65qY8k/s1600/Dani+home+1_6-001.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seeing Daddy again for the first time in 3 weeks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPs38h8DhhJh15zYmMSw-DhNwIAGcU-c2pWhDbpaFbRt1kZlXT7Px9QF6GJKtPg9-N717LDrtCctNueR_AJ1xWOPbcpwT1-Ey7usFqC50B7fkhHy7vAHoPbjNkjNu5gzN7LSrq5ZD0io/s1600/1466244_10151827076893742_1125105112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPs38h8DhhJh15zYmMSw-DhNwIAGcU-c2pWhDbpaFbRt1kZlXT7Px9QF6GJKtPg9-N717LDrtCctNueR_AJ1xWOPbcpwT1-Ey7usFqC50B7fkhHy7vAHoPbjNkjNu5gzN7LSrq5ZD0io/s1600/1466244_10151827076893742_1125105112_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cal and Hoss give great hugs, October 2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvW_4QugHiVeAm6pfiEXbGYYp1YoCBZvuIwuUqXUiYGUsmITtxjnKNAE6Qwj8SUaSwq46XgTGQ9fQdQuEyDzpacaQM6uXxVsFeogOaZ8rI3HImegdSERCQ99DNRfg-dNVOdT-_1Z6ZGI/s1600/1958316_10152090630593742_1586882210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvW_4QugHiVeAm6pfiEXbGYYp1YoCBZvuIwuUqXUiYGUsmITtxjnKNAE6Qwj8SUaSwq46XgTGQ9fQdQuEyDzpacaQM6uXxVsFeogOaZ8rI3HImegdSERCQ99DNRfg-dNVOdT-_1Z6ZGI/s1600/1958316_10152090630593742_1586882210_n.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lumpy and Daisy play dress-up, January 2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8koS_hLZPMXfcNBYUsMeZEwV-Xh02wpO8h-8WwZ1Lo4RaaIDUwwCtWA60aUgHYQYG091zfQYquU9Qaj1f7DrxOGMkQsXPkXmw5hyphenhyphen9XuosFuyxDS_ErjtsPv8sKyN3cjEDan5ehvaRj_o/s1600/10338850_10152221306913742_3559198103814712233_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8koS_hLZPMXfcNBYUsMeZEwV-Xh02wpO8h-8WwZ1Lo4RaaIDUwwCtWA60aUgHYQYG091zfQYquU9Qaj1f7DrxOGMkQsXPkXmw5hyphenhyphen9XuosFuyxDS_ErjtsPv8sKyN3cjEDan5ehvaRj_o/s1600/10338850_10152221306913742_3559198103814712233_n.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh Mother, really. May 2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwUdtVQkUtPhWrPv816wRdXJ3pFYOPvI9o9wuWGVN1hEX9JCbx-rT4XYQ4FgQt3tpLHw-jGPvzWSYOy1Y7eCWJ8a4rTMSI8FAimgUwOOuZ9EH5pV24MStxTVihSdqOLWKMNGCBK3pt8Q/s1600/10418366_10152229256028742_5300348119065078398_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwUdtVQkUtPhWrPv816wRdXJ3pFYOPvI9o9wuWGVN1hEX9JCbx-rT4XYQ4FgQt3tpLHw-jGPvzWSYOy1Y7eCWJ8a4rTMSI8FAimgUwOOuZ9EH5pV24MStxTVihSdqOLWKMNGCBK3pt8Q/s1600/10418366_10152229256028742_5300348119065078398_n.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pulling up to stand with Hoss. Hoss is 10 months older.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWpVZ9SIBvYQUTphz5-9b6KGI2TQ7rX4fvEphr0iBodhPNExUzWYgwMQDCflMWMAEaGX0-AJvZoYJbFN3aGFWLy_iuCK00EIBk8_QDj4z0qSesUys1bttlbV3sQhCrT1mI10TbAfNyok/s1600/46780827.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWpVZ9SIBvYQUTphz5-9b6KGI2TQ7rX4fvEphr0iBodhPNExUzWYgwMQDCflMWMAEaGX0-AJvZoYJbFN3aGFWLy_iuCK00EIBk8_QDj4z0qSesUys1bttlbV3sQhCrT1mI10TbAfNyok/s1600/46780827.png" height="320" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm basically the most beautiful girl, ever. June 2014.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5fdFb4qZ5W0NF1NfJyDxYEvUnNSUr0G-5laGIQZ9HxFdO3yr4V0pUl3H5tEyi4cWmyHAji3AZT8-0lm4HoTgt7axxvx7icTJWBtHuQ4Qv1CEJkVDbFFHELoRan75SZkC-gzeDeYgPHc/s1600/10590416_10152397720088742_7768752110502239555_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5fdFb4qZ5W0NF1NfJyDxYEvUnNSUr0G-5laGIQZ9HxFdO3yr4V0pUl3H5tEyi4cWmyHAji3AZT8-0lm4HoTgt7axxvx7icTJWBtHuQ4Qv1CEJkVDbFFHELoRan75SZkC-gzeDeYgPHc/s1600/10590416_10152397720088742_7768752110502239555_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Daisy and Emma Dilemma. Just standing with one hand, no big. August 2014 </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGfLALMgCLqG4YKDKs-OGjWQPgc-rvVX1cjUyB6Ig32-xj7bYJjPa3CXFUXiOeqYSW-m6SyCOrA3g65-buG2c2niGQnSR7teABdtgR4wUecZ9hO_WuxbdpDjfWsRyxsBb2bwDZCK7SD0/s1600/10603758_10152584302268742_754277776527806713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGfLALMgCLqG4YKDKs-OGjWQPgc-rvVX1cjUyB6Ig32-xj7bYJjPa3CXFUXiOeqYSW-m6SyCOrA3g65-buG2c2niGQnSR7teABdtgR4wUecZ9hO_WuxbdpDjfWsRyxsBb2bwDZCK7SD0/s1600/10603758_10152584302268742_754277776527806713_n.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Daisy is a big sister! Seabee and Daisy, November 2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Free standing, my real American Girl Doll, December 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Our little Princessa turns 3 today, and we are so grateful to be able to be her parents. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">This year has been less about surviving and more about learning to thrive. She is up 4 more pounds, can push herself to standing and can eat birthday cake for the first time. She is responding to her name, and pretended she was too sleepy to do therapy yesterday while pushing her PT's hands away.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jedi and Daisy. Quite the pair. January 2015</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">Our little girl is healing and well and forever ours. She has now been
with us longer than she was without us. I wish we could have learned all
we have without it being subsidized by the losses our daughter endured without
us. But that's not quite right. Our redemption stories are not
about our losses, but about how we are redeemed. And our precious Daisy
has a beautiful story of redemption, and now a story of being just a plain old
kid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/Is6weMrenls/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Is6weMrenls?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today we are acutely aware that God doesn't make ashes to turn them into beauty, but takes ashes and makes them beautiful. And He's really outdone himself with our Daisy. Happy Birthday, D! We are so lucky to be your mommy and daddy and family!</span></div>
Open hands Acres Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592181428965332646noreply@blogger.com1