Hi readers.
I’d like for you to meet Yana.
Isn’t she just the sweetest little munchkin you’ve ever laid eyes on?
Those cheeks! Made for kissing.
That sweet little smile! Made for giggles.
And oh those cute little sausage fingers! Made for holding hands with.
Little Yana was made to be loved.
In the same way that my own little ones were. By the same Creator that made your bedheaded crazies.
But Yana is not like your babies or my babies.
Because Yana is an orphan. Somewhere in Eastern Europe. In the kinds of orphanages that nightmares are made of.
You wouldn’t so much as let your children watch a movie about the depravity…and Yana lives it.
Yana also has Down Syndrome.
But receives no therapies. No early intervention. No medical treatment.
No mommy to blow raspberries on her tummy.
No daddy to coo in her ear how pretty his little girl is.
No pediatrician to play peek a boo while he listens to her heart. A heart that needs surgery. And isn’t getting it.
Sadly, sweet Yana is probably sitting in a crib right now silently. In an overfull diaper. Alone.
I wish I was being dramatic about all of this. But the truth is, I’m sugar coating it. The life that these sweet children lead is abhorrent and filthy.
The orphan crisis is that one thing that never quite leaves me. Like an obnoxious gnat that insists on staying no matter how many times I try to shoosh it away.
It is heart wrenching for me to even fathom. Tears are always at the ready. And I’m so overwhelmed by all of it.
Too many babies languishing. Being an ostrich would be easier. But easier is rarely right.
I think we all have a part of us that mourns for the orphan. And for many of us, we stuff that feeling deep down inside because we don’t know what to do about it.
But here’s my plea for you today:
We are all called to care for the widow and the orphan. Every last one of us.
Caring for the orphan can mean adopting. It can mean fostering.
Or it can mean supporting the families who do.
And that’s what we are going to do over the course of the next few weeks. All of us. Together.
International adoption is expensive. A lot expensive. Like $25,000 expensive.
There is a family out there who would love to bring Yana home and drown her with hugs and fill her ears with the sweet sound of laughter.
But $25,000 is a lot of money. And it is not desire or even resources to care for her that stops many from wholeheartedly embracing her into their family.
But money. Stupid, awful, I hate it, money. Yuck, yuck, yuck. The worst.
I don’t have $25,000. I would guess you probably don’t either.
But I have some money. And maybe you do too.
Did you know that 2 years ago we raised just under $9,500 for Cliff who is now Joshua and has a family?
Did you know that last year we raised just under $6,500 for Xander?
Did you know that the average donation was less than $10?
I want your $10 today. Yana needs your $10. Or even your $5. Or heck, $1. I’m not even kidding. I want your dollar.
I want you to see the world beyond your front stoop today. I want you to look around your home, decorated in twinkling lights, ribbons, bows, and to-do lists. I want you to look into your babies’ eyes today and hug them extra tight. And I want you to think of Yana. Say a prayer for her over the cowlicks of your children’s heads.
Because Yana is not a stock photo. She is an actual, for reals little girl. Every penny we give in Yana’s name goes to her adoption fund. So that when a family steps forward to bring her home…to the family that she was designed to be in…a gift of funding will await them.
Is that not the best gift you can possibly imagine???!!! Blessing a family with the funds necessary to bring their daughter home?
And you GET to be a part of that today.
Every little bit helps. None of us are asked to do it alone. Promise me you’ll at least consider it?
Yana’s cheeks are too squishable to not be smooshed.
Girlfriend needs some smooshing.
Soon.
The incredible folks at Barn Light Electric are offering to match the first $1,000 we give.
Let’s raise a cool $2,000. At least.
You with me?
Share this! Spread the word! Pin it! Instagram it! Facebook! Twitter! Host her button! #teamyana
I want to see Yana’s face lighting up the internet! Everywhere I want that cute face!!!
There is a PHENOMENAL giveaway going on to encourage you to share. Check it out HERE.
Let’s make Yana’s Christmas a sweet one this year. She may not know it, but let’s rally for a little girl on the other side of the world.
Latest posts by jeannett (see all)
- Dirt in a Jar, Laundry Scientists, and Clean Water - October 20, 2015
- Because Cake. - October 11, 2015
- How to design a luxury bathroom for less - August 12, 2015
This is a beautiful thing you are doing. My daughter and son-in-law are saving for their first adoption and it isn’t easy!
As an adoptive mama striving to pay off adoption debt, I love what you are doing! Money is a big barrier for so many families.
Sharon´s last blog post ..Mercies along the way… {entry no. 8}
Done. What a sweetheart. I echo what you said – the cost is always a barrier. We adopted Mae in ’06 and wish we could have returned to adopt another. You are awesome.
Ellen´s last blog post ..It’s About Giving
It’s our pleasure to help out!!! I’m donating in honor of the sweet faces that I won’t get to see until I’m in heaven one fine day.
Kerry @ Made For Real´s last blog post ..Just Rest (Tuesdays Unwrapped)
I love this and don’t love this all at the same time. Praying for Yana. Praying for open and generous hearts. Praying for a home. Thank you for doing this, Jeannett.
Done! Thank you for doing this!!! You are truly a beautiful person!
Can’t donate right now, but I pinned, facebooked and tweeted! Hope it helps.
Yana is so sweet. I asked the Hubby if we could bring her home. (I don’t say that flippantly.) I will be following her story closely and keeping her in prayer.
He said no, but as you said, there IS a family where God intends her to be. I will pray that she will be in their arms soon!
Happily donated. :o)
thank you for sharing. thank you for the opportunity. thank you for your heart. thank you for this.
Hello,
Meg Duerksen (whatever blog) linked you. Thank you for doing this. I too sponsor kids (Beckett and the 2 sisters Samantha & Kristina) at Reeces Rainbow and always know how short my money goes for them. Because of this post that you wrote, you gave me the idea to write something on my faceBook page about the sisters. Hopefully it will make some difference in their adoption fund.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
CathyC´s last blog post ..Harvard Law Craft Fair
i would LOVE to bring that sweet soul home.
money, of course is the issue.
praying about it.
Mary´s last blog post ..and just like that…
Beautiful girl.
Praying for God’s provision for her and her future family- financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Praying, and knowing that SHE WILL live a life here that brings glory to our good God.
Donation made.
denise@victory rd.´s last blog post ..Prepare Him Room
Grandma gave us the book “The Sparkle Box” by Jill Hardie for Thanksgiving. It is great to get kinds involved in serving others. Yana will be a part of our sparkle box this year, we made a donation and checked out her story. We hope she will get to come home soon.
*kids sorry not kinds :)
Love that it was so easy to donate thanks to the paypal link!
What a beautiful and precious little girl who deserves an equally precious family. THank you for doing this, from the bottom of my heart! What you do on your blog matters! Thanks for making a difference. I admire you :) xoxo
you are my favorite.
you do so much good.
i am so proud to donate.
xo.
amy jupin´s last blog post ..a few things.
This is a very worthy cause and thanks for making us aware. I truly appreciate your effort and concern. Are you exclusively helping or raising adoption funds for orphans with Down syndrome?
Ugh, I’m the same way with the tears… I’m a social worker who worked with foster kids before I was a sahm, and stories like this ALWAYS make me cry. I’ll pray for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Melissa from the Blue House´s last blog post ..The Creepy Man at the Mall and Other Brilliant Parenting Practices.
Hey friend! I’ll write a post as soon as the girls are in bed. Is it ok if I use some of your exact wording?
xo!
Heather @ Glitter and Gloss´s last blog post ..gift guide 2012: for the DIY(er)