My husband and I have adopted two waiting children. We felt very called to adopt a child who was waiting on a family rather, a child who had been looked over by so many. We felt comfortable with some special needs and opened our hearts to the Lord leading us and thus our special needs (and perfectly fine!) babies found their homes!
Our agency has an incredible waiting child program. It literally breaks my heart to look at their photolisting and see all these incredible children just waiting. Waiting on someone to open their hearts and their home. Waiting on their family.
As part of National Adoption Month, I worked with our agency to put together this short video featuring some of the children from the waiting child listing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjtZSIsYcOU
I pray that as this month draws to a close, that all these children will find their homes. That they will wait no more.
"Because every child deserves a home" - Harry Holt, founder Holt International
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Will you pray and be willing to act on behalf of the fatherless?
Will you give and provide for the needs of just one orphan who waits, in desperate need of the basic necessities of life?
This Sunday is Orphan Sunday. It is a chance to put a face on the worldwide orphan crisis. It is a chance to share about God's heart for the orphan and to remember the promises of God regarding those who share their blessings with those who have nothing.
We can make such a huge difference within our churches...and around the world...by taking that first step of faith. God calls us ALL to care for orphans and widows (James 1:27) and how He calls you or me make look very different from how He calls our neighbors. He may call you to sponsor a child, He may call you to go on a mission trip, He may call you to foster one whose world has been turned upside down, or He may call you to adopt.
JUST. BE. WILLING.
One life at a time, one child at a time, this Orphan Sunday could mean a beautiful new beginning for one of His precious little children...and to think that He would bless us, with all of our faults and failures, with the privilege of being His hands and feet! Yes, indeed, He is merciful.
Just be willing.
Special Needs Adoption & People First Language
For many people the term “special needs” means a child that exhibits some sort of physical or mental limitation and requires therapy, hospitalization, special education and a lot of medical attention. In the adoption world, we recognize that this is not always the case. Many children are older, are of different ethnicities, have emotional or physical abuse histories, are part of a sibling group, had pre-natal drug exposure and lastly they may have a physical or mental limitation or both. There is no such thing as a “typical” child, all children are all miracles and are originally designed by their Creator. However, adopting a child with a disability be it physical, mental or emotional does take commitment, dedication, a different skill set and preparation for raising them.
Seeing as I am the mother of a child with significant disabilities, I often hear language that is inappropriate or offensive not only to me, but to my child. I do not think that most people even realize that they have said something inappropriate, but rather it is a lack of understanding. My daughter has a rare seizure disorder, which causes global developmental delay and is also on the autism spectrum. She just began walking in the last 6 months and is in 7 therapy sessions a week. She is non-verbal and we have a great deal of difficulty being in large crowds or in settings with other children. Our life is dramatically different from many other families…yet we are a family.
My daughter has sensory processing issues in conjunction with her autism disorder…this leads to many issues for those that don’t understand her. She often hits because she has no perception of how hard her movements are, she pinches because she is seeking input from an outside source, she hugs hard and deep because her little body can’t regulate itself. She is in her therapy sessions to work on speech, her fine motor skills and learning to regulate herself. I share this because many times I find myself feeling as though people are judging me for my parenting, all the while knowing that people just do not understand my child and her specific needs. This can make social situations difficult and sometimes non-appealing for our family.
I love this quote by Mark Twain, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lighting and a lightning bug.” Words hold power, not only to the child, but to the parent of the child. The following are guidelines for “People First Language” and how to talk to and/or about those with disabilities.
•Recognize that people with disabilities are ordinary people with common goals for a home, a job and a family. Talk about people in ordinary terms.
•Never equate a person with a disability -- such as referring to someone as retarded, an epileptic or quadriplegic. These labels are simply medical diagnosis. Use People First Language to tell what a person HAS, not what a person IS.
•Emphasize abilities not limitations. For example, say a man walks with crutches, not he is crippled.
•Avoid negative words that imply tragedy, such as afflicted with, suffers, victim, prisoner and unfortunate.
•Recognize that a disability is not a challenge to be overcome, and don't say people succeed in spite of a disability. Ordinary things and accomplishments do not become extraordinary just because they are done by a person with a disability. What is EXTRAORDINARY are the lengths people with disabilities have to go through and the barriers they have to OVERCOME to do the most ORDINARY things.
•Use handicap to refer to a barrier created by people or the environment. Use disability to indicate a functional limitation that interferes with a person's mental, physical or sensory abilities, such as walking, talking, hearing and learning. For example, people with disabilities who use wheelchairs are handicapped by the stairs.
•Do not refer to a person as bound to or confined to a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are liberating to people with disabilities because they provide mobility.
•Do not use special to mean segregated, such as separate schools or buses for people with disabilities, or to suggest a disability itself makes someone special.
•Avoid cute euphemisms such as physically challenged, inconvenienced and differently abled.
•Promote understanding, respect, dignity and positive outlooks.
God has richly blessed our family with our daughter. I love her for who she is, what she can do, and not what she is unable to do or has yet to master. You most assuredly feel the same way in regards to your family members. God’s word says in Matthew 25:40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you do to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.” I truly believe that God longs for us to love those around us, regardless of disabilities, ethnicity or religion. He longs for us to love as He loves. Without limit. Without discrimination. He longs for us to educate not only ourselves but others on how to speak to one another in love.
One more side little note, never feel uncomfortable to ask a parent how to talk to their children about your child, or to ask a parent how you should best interact with their child as well as what terms they are comfortable with. For me personally, “special needs” does not feel like an insult…my daughter is special because she is mine and she does have special needs. For me personally, it is a signal that you truly care and are interested in forming a relationship with my child to ask me polite and appropriate questions.
Seeing as I am the mother of a child with significant disabilities, I often hear language that is inappropriate or offensive not only to me, but to my child. I do not think that most people even realize that they have said something inappropriate, but rather it is a lack of understanding. My daughter has a rare seizure disorder, which causes global developmental delay and is also on the autism spectrum. She just began walking in the last 6 months and is in 7 therapy sessions a week. She is non-verbal and we have a great deal of difficulty being in large crowds or in settings with other children. Our life is dramatically different from many other families…yet we are a family.
My daughter has sensory processing issues in conjunction with her autism disorder…this leads to many issues for those that don’t understand her. She often hits because she has no perception of how hard her movements are, she pinches because she is seeking input from an outside source, she hugs hard and deep because her little body can’t regulate itself. She is in her therapy sessions to work on speech, her fine motor skills and learning to regulate herself. I share this because many times I find myself feeling as though people are judging me for my parenting, all the while knowing that people just do not understand my child and her specific needs. This can make social situations difficult and sometimes non-appealing for our family.
I love this quote by Mark Twain, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lighting and a lightning bug.” Words hold power, not only to the child, but to the parent of the child. The following are guidelines for “People First Language” and how to talk to and/or about those with disabilities.
•Recognize that people with disabilities are ordinary people with common goals for a home, a job and a family. Talk about people in ordinary terms.
•Never equate a person with a disability -- such as referring to someone as retarded, an epileptic or quadriplegic. These labels are simply medical diagnosis. Use People First Language to tell what a person HAS, not what a person IS.
•Emphasize abilities not limitations. For example, say a man walks with crutches, not he is crippled.
•Avoid negative words that imply tragedy, such as afflicted with, suffers, victim, prisoner and unfortunate.
•Recognize that a disability is not a challenge to be overcome, and don't say people succeed in spite of a disability. Ordinary things and accomplishments do not become extraordinary just because they are done by a person with a disability. What is EXTRAORDINARY are the lengths people with disabilities have to go through and the barriers they have to OVERCOME to do the most ORDINARY things.
•Use handicap to refer to a barrier created by people or the environment. Use disability to indicate a functional limitation that interferes with a person's mental, physical or sensory abilities, such as walking, talking, hearing and learning. For example, people with disabilities who use wheelchairs are handicapped by the stairs.
•Do not refer to a person as bound to or confined to a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are liberating to people with disabilities because they provide mobility.
•Do not use special to mean segregated, such as separate schools or buses for people with disabilities, or to suggest a disability itself makes someone special.
•Avoid cute euphemisms such as physically challenged, inconvenienced and differently abled.
•Promote understanding, respect, dignity and positive outlooks.
God has richly blessed our family with our daughter. I love her for who she is, what she can do, and not what she is unable to do or has yet to master. You most assuredly feel the same way in regards to your family members. God’s word says in Matthew 25:40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you do to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.” I truly believe that God longs for us to love those around us, regardless of disabilities, ethnicity or religion. He longs for us to love as He loves. Without limit. Without discrimination. He longs for us to educate not only ourselves but others on how to speak to one another in love.
One more side little note, never feel uncomfortable to ask a parent how to talk to their children about your child, or to ask a parent how you should best interact with their child as well as what terms they are comfortable with. For me personally, “special needs” does not feel like an insult…my daughter is special because she is mine and she does have special needs. For me personally, it is a signal that you truly care and are interested in forming a relationship with my child to ask me polite and appropriate questions.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
created in HIS image
Both my husband and myself were born and raised in the south, Mississippi and Tennessee to be exact. We were both brought up in families (Christian families) where prejudice and racism run deep in our roots.
Today we have two African children living in our home, they are our son and daughter, children of God. The Lord had to do some real work in our hearts in order for us to arrive here. We had to erase old ways and embrace the truth of the gospel. This didn't come easy or happen overnight. When we understood that we were to adopt from Africa, we had to continue to ask ourselves very hard questions like...
These and many other questions had to be answered without waiver. While we deeply regret the past of our families and ourselves in regard to race, what has gone on for generations has stopped. By adopting children of another color our position is locked. We are all created equal and we have one Father who calls all of us His children! We are grateful and thankful for the redemptive work of Christ in our lives.
Our prayer is that racial divides would end, beginning in the church. We as Christians have to set the example. Adoption is just one way to break down racial divide.
As we are reminded in scripture... we are ALL created in the image of God. And for that we should be eternally thankful!
Today we have two African children living in our home, they are our son and daughter, children of God. The Lord had to do some real work in our hearts in order for us to arrive here. We had to erase old ways and embrace the truth of the gospel. This didn't come easy or happen overnight. When we understood that we were to adopt from Africa, we had to continue to ask ourselves very hard questions like...
- Are we prepared to raise a black son and daughter through elementary, high school and college years?
- Are we fully in favor of inter-racial marriage for any or all of our children?
- Are we ready to abandon every single racial prejudice or preference in every setting?
These and many other questions had to be answered without waiver. While we deeply regret the past of our families and ourselves in regard to race, what has gone on for generations has stopped. By adopting children of another color our position is locked. We are all created equal and we have one Father who calls all of us His children! We are grateful and thankful for the redemptive work of Christ in our lives.
Our prayer is that racial divides would end, beginning in the church. We as Christians have to set the example. Adoption is just one way to break down racial divide.
As we are reminded in scripture... we are ALL created in the image of God. And for that we should be eternally thankful!
Monday, October 17, 2011
HIS little feet
I am excited to share with you about an upcoming performance by HIS little feet children’s choir. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 9 at Believers' Chapel in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
His Little Feet’s Children’s Choir travels the United States, being the voice for orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide. The purpose of the tour is to bring the awareness to the millions of children around the world in need of care, as well as facilitate opportunities for Americans to respond to the needs of children through giving, sponsoring, going and adopting.
This year’s choir includes children from Honduras, Ethiopia, and India, and the children range in age from 6 – 12 years old. You can learn a little more about this beautiful choir from the video below:
There is no charge for this event, but a love offering will be taken up at some point during the performance. I am confident you will be blessed by these children, and I hope to see you there!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
MTSU Adoptive Families Fellowship
The 1:27 Call hosted an adoptive families tailgate a couple weeks ago at the MTSU homecoming game. It was such a joy to watch all the kiddos play together. Nearly 70 people attended for awesome food and fellowship. It was a wonderful time hanging out with old friends and meeting new friends awaiting the arrival of their children. Any family considering adoption or in the process is encouraged to come. Stay tuned for information regarding our next adoptive families gathering!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Christmas Party for Rutherford County Foster Children
Merry Christmas!!! Well, perhaps it is a little early for that sweet greeting, but here at The 1:27 Call we are already gearing up for a spectacular Christmas celebrating the birth of our risen Savior!
We are once again hosting a Christmas party for the children of Rutherford County Foster Care. This will be our third year to host and it is an event we look forward to all year! We provide food, pictures with Santa, games, giveaways and gifts for each child. The past two years we have had over 100 in attendance and look for this year to be even more. We are planning to share the story of Christmas in an entertaining way...so get pumped about hearing about Jesus! It's going to be an exciting night and we would love to have you help us out.
We are now taking donations for the purchase of gifts and for any local businesses who wish to be part of this event. Our date for the event is December 15th.
Please send any TAX-DEDUCTABLE donations to PO BOX 224,Murfreesboro, TN 37133. Please be sure to notate that this gift is allocated for the CHRISTMAS PARTY. You may also donate online as a one-time donation! Click on the "Donate Now" tab.
If you have any questions or suggestions we welcome an email events@the127call.org!!
Blessings!
We are once again hosting a Christmas party for the children of Rutherford County Foster Care. This will be our third year to host and it is an event we look forward to all year! We provide food, pictures with Santa, games, giveaways and gifts for each child. The past two years we have had over 100 in attendance and look for this year to be even more. We are planning to share the story of Christmas in an entertaining way...so get pumped about hearing about Jesus! It's going to be an exciting night and we would love to have you help us out.
We are now taking donations for the purchase of gifts and for any local businesses who wish to be part of this event. Our date for the event is December 15th.
Please send any TAX-DEDUCTABLE donations to PO BOX 224,Murfreesboro, TN 37133. Please be sure to notate that this gift is allocated for the CHRISTMAS PARTY. You may also donate online as a one-time donation! Click on the "Donate Now" tab.
If you have any questions or suggestions we welcome an email events@the127call.org!!
Blessings!
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