New blog

Cutest blog on the block is apparently discontinuing all of their blog designs (strange) so I got notice on both of my blogs that the background would "disappear" on Friday.  While I wasn't planning to launch for a few weeks yet, I figured this was a good time to kick off our new blog:  http://chosen-1s.blogspot.com/.  Chosen Ones.  I hope you'll enjoy seeing us over there.  I won't be posting here any more.

It's time

I'm itchy. It's time for Betty (or possibly, Leah Grace Elizabeth) to be home. Home, already. I'm itchy because it takes far more time than it should, particularly for a sick baby. I'm itchy because Betty was sick with the flu last week and I wasn't there to make sure she is okay. I'm itchy because Uganda is experiencing violence and I want to protect my girl. I'm itchy because DCFS is taking their own sweet time to approve my file. I'm itchy because we have a family vacation in November and I want Betty on the trip. I'm itchy because Betty needs to be on the right cocktail, not just any cocktail. I'm itchy because Seth wants to know where Betty is and "Uganda" doesn't really explain it to him. I'm itchy because it's summer and oh what fun we would have if she were here! I'm itchy because I'm not even fingerprinted or USCIS approved yet. I'm itchy!

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Lord, we know that you are the beginning and the end and that Your timing is perfect. I pray for Your perfect peace over when Betty comes home. But Lord, I pray You would intervene to bring her home quickly. Speed DCFS approval and USCIS. I pray that You would protect her and kiss her boo-boos until we can do it. I pray that You would suppress her HIV and keep her free from infection. Last, Lord, I pray Betty would know You -- somewhere in the deepness of her soul -- even though she is a little one. Amen!

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Have mercy, Lord!

Why adopt?

I was recently reading a blog (imagine that) and one particular statement stuck out to me. The author said something along the lines of the following:
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"Saving" or "rescuing" an orphan happens in an instant; parenting an orphan lasts a lifetime.
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I love that. It is important to give orphans a home, but removing them from their circumstances is only the first, small step in the process. See, it's easy to fall in love with a face or a dream. It's much harder to recognize that signing up is a lifelong commitment! And what fun that adventure can be! It's these faces that make it all worth it.

But for those who cannot or choose not to adopt, there are soooo many ways to care for orphans. Won't you consider the alternatives? Support a friend who is adopting -- financially or with prayer or simply with logistics. Sponsor an orphan overseas (see two posts below for one option). Help out a foster parent down the street. Take food to a single mama who is overwhelmed. Volunteer at a shelter for women and children. And perhaps most importantly, teach your children. Teach them that caring for the world around them is God's command for all of us. No matter what form it takes. "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans." Isaiah 1:17.

Seth and Betty

Seth and I have been talking about Betty for a month or so now. Since Seth is a "new" talker, it is fun to hear him try to express himself around non-concrete topics, like Betty.
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A couple of days ago, Seth came into my bedroom and asked, "Where's Betty?" As he did so, he pointed to my dresser mirror, which currently looks like this:

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I asked, "Where is Betty?" And Seth said, "Yes, Betty." I said, "Well, Betty is in Uganda. That's why we pray for her to come home. Betty lives in Uganda." At that, Seth stopped and got a funny look on his face. A couple seconds later, he asked, "Uganda truck?" What, you might be wondering, is he talking about and what do trucks have to do with Betty? Ha. Easy explanation. I got Seth a truck in Uganda and we called it "Uganda Truck."

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So, somewhere is my sweet son's mind, Betty is living in this truck or near this truck or is related to this truck. See, I'm not sure he has any idea what "Uganda" is or that it is a place! I love watching him try to wrap his brain around these things. And, yes, Lord, let's get Betty out of the truck and into our house. Soon!!!

Caring for Orphans

God's command to care for orphans looks different for different people. For some, it may not mean adopting. Would you consider caring for one of these orphans by providing them valuable education? Each of these children is cared for by Nsambya -- Betty's orphanage. Each of them is an orphan. Each of them need education, perhaps their only chance at ending the cycle of poverty in which they are trapped. There is no free public education in Uganda. To go to school you must pay for school. If you are interested in helping, leave me a comment or send an email and I will connect you with the right people.

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Meet Felix. Felix came to Nsambya when he was five months old and is now 4 and a half years old. He is in nursery school and soon, primary school. His schooling costs $480 per year. Oh, those eyes.... SPONSORED

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Meet Mark. He has a foster family (so he is not growing up in an orphanage) but the family is having difficulty paying for school. He is in second grade. His schooling is $480 per year. I just want to smooch him!

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Meet Patrick. He is five years old and has been at Nsambya for most of his young life. I met Patrick when we were in Kampala. His schooling is $480 per year. Seth, Betty and I will be covering Patrick's school costs. (and, who knows what the future holds for us with Patrick. I'm just sayin'.....).

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Meet Karungi. She also has a foster family who cannot afford her school fees. Isn't she just adorable? Her school fees are $490 per year. I love that precious angel look on her face. SPONSORED

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Meet Abraham. He has been at Nsambya for 14 years. (Sigh) He is in 6th grade and is doing well but needs help with fees. His total cost is $600 per year. Help this handsome young man!

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Meet Dylan. Dylan's story is very sad. He was stolen from his family. The perpetrator is in jail and Dylan is now in a foster family. His school fees are $480 per year but the family cannot afford to pay for them. Dylan needs urgent assistance. If his needs are not met, he will be returned to the orphanage. Sweet boy.....

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Last, Claire. Claire is in a foster family in 5th grade. Her school fees are a whopping $700 per year and the family cannot afford that. Claire looks like an absolute delight. Won't you consider gifting her??

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For half the cost of your flat screen TV or for the cost of two nights in a hotel, you could help these kids. Won't you consider a small sacrifice to make a big difference????

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"If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother." Deuteronomy 15:7

HIV Facts

As I've continued to research, I have come across the following facts or quotes which are my new favorites:

• Children living with HIV in parts of the world with easy access to good health care, and HIV medications (AKA Antiretroviral medications, ARVs, and HAART or Highly Active Antiretoviral Therapy) have an excellent prognosis. Since HAART began in 1996 we have seen a rapid decline in the number of people with AIDS in many parts of the world. It has increased the number of people living with HIV. This is because without HAART HIV will progress to AIDS. . . . . Many many people who started this therapy 11 years ago are alive today and doing well with their HIV so well controlled it is not even detectable in their blood. This means their immune system functions almost like people without HIV. It means they can go to school, college, get married and have babies- and they are doing all of these things and more. Many of you, if asked, would say you do not know anyone with HIV, but the reality is that many of you do and you just don't know it. . . . . They are all in schools with kids like your kids and you would never know what they are walking around with. But, you don't really need to know, unless it's someone you are close to and you can offer help with childcare when they travel to see the HIV clinic every three months.
• Do HIV+ children pose a risk to other children in their homes, schools, churches, etc.?
  None. (read that period aloud) There is no known documented case of a child passing HIV to another child in school or church.
• "Don't spend time worrying about weird and obscure ways of transmitting the virus. The simple fact is that if no one shared needles and everyone wore condoms, the HIV epidemic would disappear." - Joel Gallant, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Medicine & Epidemiology in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Associate Director of the Johns Hopkins AIDS Service at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• 93 deaths every DAY in car accidents1 - 4 every HOUR
  10 deaths every DAY from swimming accidents
  8 deaths every DAY from fire accidents
  4.9 deaths every DAY from falling on stairs
  2.5 deaths every DAY from choking
  1.5 deaths from lightening strike every WEEK
  4.4 deaths on amusement park rides per year
  Over the past 28 years that HIV/AIDS has been carefully tracked by the Centers for Disease Control, there have been only 8 reported, though unconfirmed, cases of household transmission of the virus. 8 in 28 years
  (It is important to note that among those 8 cases were hemophiliac brothers sharing razors, some elderly women not using simple universal precautions for years, and some individuals living in bizarrely unsanitary conditions, further proving that under ‘normal’ household conditions, the virus is almost impossible to pass. - Also there have been no further cases since 1994, likely due to vast changes in the ratio of people w/ AIDS vs. HIV and the life altering improvements in medicine.)
• Children with HIV are perfectly safe to be around, hug, kiss, and share food and bathrooms with. For this reason, generally people with HIV are not required by law to tell ANYONE about their condition, including schools and even dentists.
• You are 287 times more likely to be struck DEAD by lightning than accidentally contract HIV from living with a positive person.
• Pray for Betty. Healing, Lord!!

My niece, Kathryn

We were in Maryland with my sister's family last weekend. It was a great time for Seth with his cousins and family. We had such a blast!

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Shortly after the Betty discussions started in our family, I heard that Kathryn, my 13 year old niece, had a "presentation" for me, related to Betty. Hmmm. This weekend, while I was there, I got to see the presentation. But before we talk about that, here's a bit about Kathryn.

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I adore all my nieces and nephews. They are all so unique and special and have a ton of character. :) Kathryn is brilliant and excels at everything she does. She plays soccer and manages to get invited to every cool event -- including the Presidential inauguration. Hello?!?!? Kathryn has long said that she wants to and intends to attend Princeton. I have no doubt that she will do it.

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So there's the background. Kathryn's presentation was all about why I should take her to Uganda with me when we go get Betty. As you can see, she is a bit nervous here in the beginning.

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The poster was very impressive!

Can you see the thought bubble?

It says there, "Do you see Betty's big smile in the picture? It's because she was thinking about her new cousin that she NEEDS to see as soon as possible." Oh brother!

Kathryn and Seth definitely have a special bond.

On that point, she is right. :)

Kathryn's presentation addressed concerns:

She is thinking through the thought of being gone from school.

Eighth grade is serious business these days!

Kathryn took the initiative to look up Princeton's application process and decided this trip would be the perfect essay. Oy vey.....

Isn't she adorable?

I do believe she thought of everything!

I just had to end where we began. Hahahaha!

I loved Kit's presentation. The bottom line, however, is that it is not up to me. Her parents have to decide whether it makes sense for her to miss school (which is a big deal) and how they feel about disease potential etc. (also serious). I told Kathryn I would gladly take her, IF her dad says it is okay. I did challenge her, however, to have some skin in the game. I told her that if she is allowed to go, I want her to raise $500 to buy supplies and necessities for the people we will see in Uganda. Suffice it to say that I raised this issue and her eyes LIT UP. Kathryn loves a challenge and her mom and I could see the wheels start turning the minute I mentioned it.

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So here's hoping that Kathryn can join the fun. It would be life altering for her, for sure. And stay tuned for additional posts, pending parental approval, about Kathryn's wild fund-raising successes. Gooooo Uganda!

Guess what?!?!?!

This precious little girl . . . .

. . . . With eyes that speak volumes . . . .

. . . . Is Betty . . . .

And, WE ARE ADOPTING BETTY!!!!!!