5 Ways to Make a Connection with an Orphan

I've been thinking of ways to reach out to people that have an interest in becoming a warrior for an orphan with Down syndrome and other special needs.   As I was telling my best friend earlier, I tend to assume everyone already knows all the tips and tricks when it comes to advocating, mostly because the people I talk to on a daily bases advocate for orphans.  But I forget that so many people are uneducated and don't even know where to begin when it comes down to advocating/being a prayer warrior for a child.  And maybe there are some advocates out there that would really like to get a closer connection with their orphan.   So I thought that this might be a nice post to share some of the ways I've made connections with my orphan(s) in the past. :)


1.  Write Letters to them.

This one with either sound completely crazy to you or something you've done or heard about a hundred time before, but it's SO true!  Especially if you have a blog for the child you advocate for.  You'll find out quickly that you run out of things to post about on that one child you get little to no new information about.  And that's not a bad thing, in fact it's completely normal.  Trust me, I'm friends with lots of advocates and we've all discussed having this issue before, you're not alone! 
Writing letters will give your readers an insight on how you love and care for the child you're advocating for.  But the main reason I recommend doing this is because you will truly build a strong bond with this child when writing out your love and feelings for them!  They can't hear or read it in the moment, but when their forever family finds them you will have those letters to send them one day.  It shows just how loved and thought about they were when they thought no one was there for them. 

2. Print their Picture(s)!

My best friend, Alyssa and I have always printed out our child's photograph(s) and put them all over the house!  Why not?  Every single time you see their photo you automatically think of them and where they're at right now in life, which leads me to pray for them a lot more often than I would without the photographs.   This is a HUGE way for me to make a connection with a child!  I love seeing their photos everywhere.  And as Alyssa said, it makes everything seem so real.  They aren't just a virtual photo anymore, they're actually something you can hold and hang in different places!

 

This photo above is Alyssa's kiddos.  She has them hanging above her desk <3

 

When I advocated for Mick (who is officially home) I hung his photo in a shadow box frame above my bed. I woke up to his precious face every day.   This is a wonderful thing to do!  You just HAVE to! :)


3.  Give a Nickname

I naturally give the kids I advocate for nicknames.  I don't usually even have to think about giving the child a nickname in most cases, I just start calling them something and it sticks.   To me it makes them feel more personable.  Since you can't get to know them physically, all you have is that one photo and maybe even JUST a description of them to go on, take advantage and count it as a blessing to have whatever you have about them!  Study it in detail and then something will pop up that you will just know is "the" name. ;)   This really helps build that connection you're looking for! 

4. Create a Theme

Just like a mama makes a theme for her child's nursery or room, you should create a theme for your orphan advocating process!  Especially if you have a blog!  Make a fun theme that you think fits the child you're advocating for!  Whether it be Hello Kitty, Winnie the Pooh,  jungle theme, ocean theme or whatever just give it a try!  It also makes everything feel a little more personable I feel. :)  


5. Make a Keepsake Box

Our human nature usually tends to lean more to the doubtful side of things, but I encourage you to step outside of that comfort zone!  Don't think that the child you are advocating for *may* never find their family.  Don't doubt!  Doubt will be your enemy in advocating, always think positive and pray hard! Trust that the Lord will provide that precious little one with their perfect forever family!  Don't doubt.  Instead go buy a special box and little by little fill it with little special things that you feel fits the child.  Their mama and daddy may not have found them yet, but this is your time to prove one day to the orphan that YOU CARED and that YOU LOVED them before they were "found".  
You can don't have to buy everything, in fact you can make it all!  It's your keepsake box to make!

Get a little stuffed animal (make it go along with the theme you have for their advocating process like suggested in step 4) fill it with books that remind you of the child.  Write letters and stick them in the box too.  I even get the kids birthday cards and put them in the keepsake box.  They're going to get ALL of these things one day because when their family finds them you will send this keepsake box to the family. 
This is is a lovely and valuable way to make that connection stronger. <3 :)

And there you have it!  My 5 ways of building a special connection with a child (orphan) you advocate and pray for.  This isn't by any means the way you *have* to do it, but simply the ways I recommend trying.  If you don't have "that" connection it's harder to do anything for that child.  Trust me, I know.  I'm hoping that these suggestions and ideas will help you like they've helped me. :)


Thank you for reading feel free to follow or subscribe so you can keep up to date with my journey in advocating for "my" three cuties, Joe, Talia and Fern. <3

 

#WheresMyMom?

Tomorrow is the day you hug your mama, tell her how much you love her and appreciate all the many things she's done for you.  It's another day where you take some time to really think about how big you're blessed.  And you do know, you are *really* blessed if you have a mom.  No matter how many times she gets on your nerves, makes you angry, tells you things you don't want to hear or think you already know, she is a huge blessing that I personally take for granted too often. 

Today I had to opportunity to give my mom some special treatment for her special day (which isn't until tomorrow, but one of my brother's turn 9 that day as well and she'd much rather celebrate him)
It wasn't the grandest thing you'd ever seen, but she was so grateful and excited.   It made me so happy to see her so happy about something so small.

I forget how much God has blessed me with.   I have the world's best mom.  She would do or give anything for one of her kids.  She's always looking for ways to make us happy and to give us all she can,  I am so much more blessed than I deserve.  She is so wonderful and I can't imagine my life without her.  She's my best friend, there isn't a thing that she doesn't know about me.  I tell her everything.

On this day when I count my blessings a little more than usual my heart breaks for the 147 million children in this world today without a mom to call their own.

No mom to kiss your booboos when you've fallen, no mom to tell you how much you are loved, to hug and comfort you.  No getting rocked to sleep while she sings a sweet song in your little toddler ears.  No laughter together, no shoulder to cry on when life hits you hard.   None of anything.   Nothing.

365 days alone inside the orphanage walls just waiting and wondering, "Where is she..where's the sweet lady they call "mom"?...you know, that one that comes in and takes you outside of this everyday of striving to survive and clinging to what little life I have.  The one that rescues me."

These precious children don't know what love is.   Some of them as old as 16 and have never felt one ounce of it.  Not a mother's love.  Which is something entirely unique and overwhelming.  Someone that is always there for you no matter what.   

This Mother's Day I want to encourage you to consider making a donation of amount to any of the waiting children listed on Reece's Rainbow.  Or ANY adoption connection you have.  Chose at least one to pray for today and share on your social media and hey, why not church?  It is on Mother's Day! ;) 
Spread that child's name and photo EVERYWHERE.  Help them find a mom this Mother's Day.  Tell your mom what you're doing, I bet she'll think it's fabulous!  

 Here are the three I will be shouting for all day! :)



                      My gorgeous sweet Talia: Click here to donate, share and read more about her.:)

 

My little soft Fern: Click here to donate, share and read more about her.

 

My oh so loveable Joe: Click here to donate, share and read more about him.

You might have noticed the hashtag theme going on here, I'm hoping that everyone that reads this will go share a photo on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #WheresMyMom in the description box.    Let's see how many people we can get to spread this hashtag everywhere!

This is an easy free way to help someone today!  You could be response able for one orphan (or more, you never know..) finding their mama!  YES.  I'm talking to you!  

Please don't ignore this, do it!  Help someone, like I said before, get your mom involved!  She'll love this!  

And maybe, just maybe, you might be one of these beautiful babies mama? Aye? ;) 

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, sorry it's a little bit of a rambling mess. Please comment and tell me which child you chose to share on our #WheresMyMom day!  I'd love to know! 

Visit ReecesRainbow.org to chose a child to share on #WheresMyMom day May 11 2014!

  
 

Keep Calm and Love an Orphan | For All Three

So I know there are a million and one tshirt fundraisers going on right now, so this one might already seem boring and same old same old, right?   And yeah, you might have ten shirts for adoptions, orphan advocating and such, but you can never have too many clothes right? ;)

Point is, I don't have a lot of money to spend on fundraisers and prizes right now, but I want to raise at least a little bit for one (or possibly all three) of "my" chickadees.

This shirt on the left is $17.  In order to get the company to print them out I have to sell at least 10 of them. I haven't decided which one of the kids will get the money raised yet.  If I sell ten I will have $45 to donate to one of them, which isn't a whole lot but it's better than nothing. 
 Every single penny of the money raised will go into a child's adoption grant. :) 

I wanted to keep it as affordable as possible for everyone so that it would be appealing, because I know how tight money is for so many families.

I understand if you can't purchase one, but if you can.  Please do!  It's perfect for every orphan advocate!  I made the colors neutrals so it can be for both genders. :)

Click here to read more and purchase to shirt if you'd like! 


Thank you for reading and please let me know if you have any questions!  I'm happy to answer them!  

I Make Custom Designs!

When you sign up to be a child's Guardian Angel you are committing to not only pray and shout for them, but to also hold as many fundraisers for them as possible to help raise their adoption grant.

As most of you know I very recently have committed to being a Guardian Angel for three little angels.  

I don't currently have a job at this point in my life, therefore I don't have an income to donate into "my" kids adoption grants.  And I really am not making excuses here, but I have zero craftiness,  It's nonexistent.  I can't say I haven't tried...or rather that I'm not trying, because I am actually still in the process of trying more small projects that can benefit the kids.  But I'm no Martha Stewart to say the least.  

In the last couple of years I have uncovered a wonderful thing that I do quite well in!  Making custom designs for people!   Whether it be, Facebook timeline covers, blogger headers, flyers, buttons, or collages, I can do it pretty well!  

I decided to put my knowledge to good use and begin selling them to raise money for orphans during special events of the year. Now that I am a GA for three kids it's time to step up my game!   I need to start selling these all year long so that I can help "my" three precious Asian babies!  

I made the blog title header myself, and the little buttons of the kiddos and I ---> 

I've also made similar things for several other people, but I typically make Facebook timeline covers. :)

Here are some examples: 

and I can make pretty much ANYTHING you desire. :)

Here are a few signature samples (used in blogs mainly)

I haven't made any signatures recently, but I have new fonts and they would be incredible for signatures! :)

Here are some blog header backgrounds

I have many more and the possibilities are endless! 

I am ready and willing to make you a custom design! I am so excited to help anyone who's in need of help!  

I am so grateful for everyone who allows me to make their design! I need this for Joe, Talia and Fern!

Contact me @ KaitlynCTB@hotmail.com

PRICES:

Facebook Timeline Cover: $5 

Blogger Header: $5

Signature: $5

Blog Button: $5

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT profit goes to one of my three lovies adoption grant! 

Share, follow and pray that this will bring in a decent amount!  

Thank you so much for reading!  If you've ever had my designs before, please leave a review below in the comments! :)

Two New Beautiful Changes

My heart has fallen in love with two more beautiful babies.  One that I've loved since she was listed and the other a "stranger", but had me speechless at the first look at her photo.

I can't hide my excitement any longer so I will, with great pleasure, announce the two beauties that I will advocating for!

Meet Talia

       

               & 



                    Fern

These two girls have literally captured my heart in every way that a heart can be captured.  My heart breaks for them, but is also so thankful that God led me to them.  I am so blessed that I have been given a chance to better the lives of two more children in need of finding their forever families.  

Recently, when I visited my blog I felt it was empty, and that confused me because I thought that I had told myself that Joe would be the only focus for me.  Days past and I still felt that emptiness in my heart and on my blog, I felt that maybe this was God preparing my heart for a change in my advocating life. I know, I sound crazy, but whenever I get those "feelings" I just usually trust that it's something God has in store for me. 

Curious if God was directing me to add another child to my orphan advocacy I went to the child that I've loved and nearly advocated for several times to see if I got what  me and my advocating sisters call the "mommy feeling" that usually leads us to believe that we have a special connection to the child.  Still I was hesitant.   I just wasn't sure if I should add another child at this point in my life. I posted in a group that morning asking if anyone had updated photos of this beautiful girl, Fern.  

Friday night came, and like the party animal I am (Ha. Ha.), I sat on my sofa scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed when suddenly I stumble onto a post that someone has made about a gorgeous little girl that is medically fragile and just like that I was mesmerized.   This little girl tugged at my heart so hard that within the next five minutes I was emailing RR to request becoming her official Guardian Angel.   Never have I ever reacted to a child that quickly.  But never did I ever regret doing it.  

Just minutes (or less) after requesting to become that medically fragile sweet child's Guardian Angel I got a notification on my Facebook telling me that someone had replied to my question about Fern having an update any recently. 

Naturally, I went to the post, only to discover that an adopting mama recently met Fern and had new photos and information about her!  This was extremely exciting and completely unexpected for me because I had been watching Fern since she was listed on RR a looong time ago and never did she have an update!  EVER!  

I take a look at the new photos and I melt into a puddle, I am in love with yet another child all within the same five minutes.  

Yes.  I was feeling crazy and a little bit confused.  What was I to do?   I already had one precious child I was advocating for, requested to be another's and then fell in love with a third baby.  

I have to be completely honest here, it didn't take me long at all before decided that in some way, shape, or form I would indeed help Fern too,   There was no escaping the feelings I had for her. 

And the following Monday, I got the email from RR that I was officially Talia's Guardian Angel! :) <3

She's literally the size of a doll! (ILOVEHERSOMUCH)

After asking if I could possibly become a Guardian Angel for a third child, and getting an approval I then requested to become Fern's Guardian Angel!

She's SO kissable!  ILOVEHERSOMUCH!!!

I don't feel afraid or overwhelmed with being a Guardian Angel for three children.  I know that with lots of prayer and a lot of hard work and effort, I can do this!    And I know that if you love this kids even just half as much as I do, then you will follow this blog and help shout for Joe, Talia and Fern!

The follow/subscribe buttons are all located over there on the right side ---->>>>

Please join me in praying daily for these sweet kids!  I know that our Heavenly Father will hear our every prayer and loves them soooo much!   He will rescue them and protect them. <3 

Thank you for reading and please feel free to share!  

Don't forget to follow before you leave!  I will be holding fundraisers and doing some fun little things for them in this exciting new journey!  :) 

Consider making a donation to their adoption grant?

Click here to donate to Fern

Click here to donate to Talia

Click here to donate to Joe

Update On the Easter Basket Giveaway | Vera

If you've been keeping a close eye on the Easter Basket Giveaway then you might be curious as to where the donations will be going to since Vera has found a family and Peggy is sadly no longer adoptable.  

As of right now all of the money will be donated to Vera's family's adoption grant.  

It's hard for me to tell you more because I honestly don't know who is adopting her yet and there currently isn't anywhere for the money to go, but since we still have 14 days left in this fundraiser I am hoping that I will know the family adopting her by that time.  

We are currently at an impressive $139 in the Easter Basket Giveaway and I'm praying that it will continue to grow!  I haven't done a very good job at promoting this fundraiser recently, but I'm going step up my game and share it as much as I cam!   

I am so grateful for every single donation (entry) made in the Easter Basket Giveaway!  It's overwhelming how many people love this precious little girl and want to see her home and happy in the arms of her family!  

Now that she's officially on the "My Family Found Me" page on Reece's Rainbow, I feel that it's even more important that we raise as much money as possible to put towards her adoption!   An international adoption costs anywhere from $12,000-$40,000!  That's not exactly what I would call "cheap".if you know what I mean.  We're the hope for little bitty Vera!  This is our chance to help save her life!   

I would appreciate any donations of any amount at this point!  You will still get entered into winning the basket!   

There are lots of goodies in store for you if you win!  Click here to see all the many prizes that are in the basket for the winner. And to also learn more information about this fundraiser and the entry costs. :) 

Thank you for reading and please be sure to share this fundraiser!  It will be a huge help! :)  

Follow and/or subscribe to keep up to date on all the things going on!  

 

Join Team Joe!

I want to do something special for little Joe.  I don't want to do the same old same old, write a post, share it and have a few people read it when I know that I can do so much more!  I've decided to create a team of warriors just for Joe!  Whether we have 2,000 or 10 warriors it will be a huge help in finding his forever family!   He is overlooked right now, but with the help of his warriors he will have a bright spotlight shined on his name!  

I'm not going to take all the credit of being his official Prayer Warrior, so I bought an adorable little card that is just for the warriors/members of Team Joe.  

Q: How can I become a member of Team Joe? 

A: You can become a member by following this blog.  The follow link is located over on the right side of the blog                                                   -------------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

There's more to it than just following, to meet and share stories of how you are shouting for Joe you can request to join this group on Facebook for Team Joe members only! :) 

CLICK HERE  to visit the Facebook group!   Remember that it's a closed group and the way you can become a member is to 1. Follow this blog  2. Request to join the Facebook group

There won't be anything required for you to do, but just simply shout for Joe by sharing him on your social media, and praying for him.  And if you want to make a donation to his adoption grant, go right ahead, but understand I'm not trying to "force" anyone to do so. :)  

On top of shouting for sweet Joe, you will automatically get your name wrote in this special card for him that will be put inside his keepsake box.   One day his forever family will see all the people that loved and cared for him.  

I will have MUCH better photos of the card soon, but for now...

I consider this to be a miracle card, ha ha!  I looked all over the cards searching for "the one" but realizing that there probably wouldn't be a perfect card out there for the occasion I was looking for, then I found this and LOVED what it said, on top of it having a ducky on it.  SO CUTE. :)  

I appreciate you taking the time to reach this and I really do hope that you will become a member of Team Joe and join me in shouting for him! 

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them!  Just comment below or email me @ 

KaitlynCTB@hotmail.com 

 

Peggy | A Letter to Peggy

Dear Peggy,

Hello "my" little chickadee.  I hope that you are doing well and feeling as comfortable as possible.  

I don't really know how to write out this letter..I mean, you and Vera and both on my mind all the time.  But you have a piece of me that puts me in constant worry.  Alyssa (my best friend and advocating partner) and I looked up all your diagnosis and I discovered that you are in a lot of physical pain.   I just want to go rescue you and give you everything you need and deserve.  It isn't fair that someone as small and precious as you has to go through so much suffering.   I just want you safe and sound.  I pray for you and Vera constantly, knowing that God can comfort and hold you both in His never failing arms.  But there is always a part of me that want to do so much more.  I feel SO helpless.  

You need so much and have so little.  I know that you have a forever family out there in the world somewhere..the hardest part is finding them and reaching them for you.  

I won't ever give up on you, EVER.  Whether it takes my whole life, I will find someone who will love you, care for you, kiss you, hug you, rock you to sleep and treat you like the little princess you are.   

And goodness girl, I can never write a post or letter to you without tears filling my eyes..you have a special way of always doing that to me. ;) 

If someone offered me a ticket to your country and permission to your orphanage, honey I would have been GONE a LONG time ago!   I'd do anything to help you and Vera.  

Though you are young, frail, tiny and weak, I know that you can get through this...I'm here for you until the day you are with your forever family, safe and sound.    

Sorry this letter is a little bit of a rambling mess.....okay maybe a big rambling mess, but my mind is all over the place when I try to write anything about you I end up shouting for help.   If only you could know how much I love you baby girl....keep your head up.  God's got this and he will carry you and Vera both!  <3