Randy and Sheila Green are finally back on track, after dealing with lots of *you know what* to be able to bring Masha home.   In February 2008, they adopted Lera from Ukraine, and now they are headed back across the ocean to adopt another angel with DS, Masha.   Siblings Michael, Caelia and Lera are excited to bring little Masha home to be part of their family.   

Randy and Sheila have been married for ten years and had 2 wonderful bio children.  The youngest, Caelia, was born with Down syndrome.   She inspired them to adopt Valeria from Ukraine, who also has Down syndrome.  

Valeria has brought such joy to their family, that they are once again adopting another child.  Masha is the child they have all fallen in love with and are anxious to bring home.  

Masha is a very special child.   Her birth family contacted Reece?s Rainbow in hopes of finding her a loving family in America.   Her birth family loves her very much but realizes that there is no future for her in her country.  She is in a very good baby house, and the Greens are anxious to get her home!

     John and Takisha Knapp are so thrilled to have this calling to bring home not one, but two beautiful children from Eastern Europe. Tanner  is approaching five and Anna is already five.   Being parents is such a wonderful adventure for these two, who have been married for seven years.  They have a four year old son, and have been fortunate to have foster parented five children so far.  Watching children grow, and living the world's experiences through their eyes is one of God's most precious gifts. 
                They came to this adoption via a route filled with adversity, as they had attempted an international adoption two years ago, but the country closed.  They then regrouped, and attempted to adopt domestically.  Fortunately they were able to encourage two birth mothers to parent their babies born with special needs, even though it came with heartbreak for this couple. It wasn't until John and Takisha visited a new church that they were called to adopt these two children from Reece's Rainbow.   It was directly after that, they committed to adopt both Tanner and Anna, knowing God was in control and would help along the way.
                Finding the funds to complete an International adoption can be a daunting task.  This couple is completely devoted to these children, and know that no task is to great for the Creater.  Any financial contribution you feel led to make, will be greatly appreciated, and will make a difference in so many lives.  

Chris and Lisa Peele met at Ohio State University in the fall of 1988, on the first day of classes during Lisa’s freshman year.  Chris was a senior at the time.  They married four and a half years later and now have five children ranging from 3-14 years in age.  

Their youngest child, Bridget, was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth.   Although they were previously unaware of Bridget’s diagnosis, they quickly came to understand that she is truly perfect, and perfect for them.  Bridget is now three-and-a-half years old and is thriving.  Lisa wrote a chapter for the book Gifts, 2, about Bridget and all she has brought to their lives.  The entire family is involved in Down syndrome advocacy efforts.  Lisa also writes and manages a blog about life with Bridget: www.bridgets-light.blogspot.com.

The Peele family was not initially looking to expand, but as part of their Down syndrome advocacy efforts visited Reece’s Rainbow to donate for the Angel Tree fundraiser.  They came across Alina’s picture and noticed that she looks a lot like Bridget.  Lisa and Chris were immediately drawn to her.  Lisa looked up the meaning of “Alina” to discover that her name means “light”—a major theme in their lives thus far.  They realized that Bridget would benefit from having another sibling with Down syndrome so close in age, and that the entire family was entirely prepared to welcome Alina.  Together, they decided that not only could they manage another child, but that Alina herself was meant for them, and they for her.  Chris and Lisa both feel that the events of the past 15 years have prepared them for Alina and for their journey of international adoption.  They were ready to commit to adopting her, and wanted to make sure the rest of the kids were in agreement.

The older Peele children are sensitive and compassionate and excited to welcome another sibling with Down syndrome.  “This little girl needs a family, and we are the perfect family for her,” said Kyle (12).  A show of hands at the dinner table was unanimous to make Alina part of the family and bring her home as soon as possible.  As a group, the family has decided to keep her name.  They think Alina is beautiful and meaningful.  They also know that she will need to adjust to many new aspects of life soon, and would like for her feel some comfort in being known by her given name. 

“Alina” is a variation of Eileen, which is particularly special, as it is the middle name of Lisa’s aunt Denise, her mom’s sister.  Alina’s middle name will be Caroline--after another very special family member who passed away in 1997.  Alina’s arrival in the United States is greatly anticipated by immediate and extended family and a large network of friends.  She will be loved, cherished, and offered every opportunity to live a full, healthy and happy life.  Her adoptive family is committed to giving her everything she needs to fulfill her potential and her hopes, whatever each may be.  They look forward, with happy hearts, to learning more about her and helping to make her dreams come true.

Shawn and Sarah are excited to be first time parents through adoption!  They feel so blessed to have the opportunity to bring Zoya home.  When they saw her picture on Reece’s Rainbow, they knew those angel eyes were something special!  Just a year ago, Shawn and Sarah would have never believed they would be embarking on this journey to bring such a special little girl home.  They had plans of their own, but soon realized God had other plans.  Shawn and Sarah have been married for 4 years and share a passion for children with special needs.  God clearly spoke to their hearts over a period of time to lead them to adopt a child with Down Syndrome.  Once their eyes were open to the need for loving families for these children, they could not turn back.  This family is so excited to give Zoya her own special and valued place in the world!

Anthony and Adeye are blessed with five children.  Three biological boys and two daughters adopted from China.  Both have special needs.   They are a homeschooling family who live in Colorado. 

The first time Anthony and Adeye laid eyes on Violet their hearts almost stopped.  Were they looking at the right child? Was she really four years old? She looked more like an infant. They inquired and got their answer--she was indeed four! How could it be? How could a four year old weigh only 15-20 pounds?  She is a virtual baby.   After much prayer and seeking God on their role, they finally got their answer from heaven?GO! 

They heard the call and are going?to bring home this precious and most adorable little angel.  God has been so faithful to provide for their two previous adoption?they know He will do it again. 

2/22/10---DOSSIER EN ROUTE

Follow the adoption journey of the Salem family on their blog at at http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/

Darrel and Shonette Koebel are a family full of love.  They have 9 children.  They have adopted 5 of their children from the U S foster care system.   They felt God calling them to adopt one from overseas.   They are following God?s plan for their lives. They love children so much and feel every child should have the chance to be loved by a family.

They saw this little one and just knew she was their daughter they had been looking for.  The world may see these children as mistakes.   But they see them as God?s special creation. 

Darrel and Shonette are so excited about adopting Cordi, and can?t wait to add her to their family.

Your help for this family as they make their first international steps are greatly appreciated!   As you all know, it costs a great deal more to adopt internationally than from foster care! 

2/4/10---APPT IS FEBRUARY 13TH

I have $790 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Koebel family's adoption journey on their blog at http://www.fullquiverarrows.blogspot.com  

We are excited for this family, as Ezekiel is one of very few children we have ever had waiting in the Philippines!  What a blessing for him!

I have $775 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

The Ehlers met 25 years ago when they were teenagers in a youth group together.  They remained good friends over the years.  About 5 years ago, they came to know that they were meant to be more than friends and were married a short time later.  It wasn?t long before they felt their family was incomplete.  Adoption was the obvious choice to fill the void and a special needs child was a given.  They started a year and a half ago getting their home study ready.  They then scoured the Reece?s Rainbow site, and various other sites, looking for the children God intended them to raise. 

When the found Hallie on Reece?s Rainbow, they knew she was missing from their family.  The only additional thing they could have asked for was if she were to have a little brother they could also adopt.  God showed them, a few weeks later, that she had a little brother, just not by birth.  Michael was just listed on the Reece?s Rainbow site and his eyes spoke volumes.  The Ehlers decided to adopt both children concurrently.    Unfortunately, since the children are not biological siblings, most of the fees are doubled.  But they knew these were their children, and God would provide. 

Both of the children have limb differences and Hallie is especially vulnerable in her Eastern European orphanage due to the weakened immune system also indicative of her genetic disorder.  The Ehlers ask that you take a moment to pray for their health and safety while they wait to come home.     Thank you for reading their story.

We have $7580 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!