Home One Year

     Tomorrow will be Ryan’s 1 year home anniversary.  I can hardly believe that Ryan has been home for a whole year!  On August 18, 2012 Chris and I stepped off the plane in Columbus and Ryan met his sisters for the first time, and we began our life as a new family of six.  I blogged one time, telling everyone he was home and then not again, till now.

     

     I have a strange concoction of perfectionism and procrastination in me.  And, I don’t always have the time to get out what I want, don’t want to make the time to write, or can’t put into words what is happening…and honestly a lot of the time I just needed to have Ryan be my son, and not an “orphan-no-more.”  We needed to be a family; who rejoices with our friends, cries with those we trust, battles things out with our God and basks in His approval-alone. We are still learning how to do these things!  

     

     This year has been incredibly amazing.  I am going to share the highlights with you because I want the world to see what God has done, particularly in Ryan’s life this last year, but also in our family.  I wanted to have a super neat photo montage of all of the things he has experienced, but didn't have the time to put it together…so, you get a long post that doesn't even have music playing in the background.  Please don’t forget that sprinkled in the midst of all of the “firsts” and amazing things that God has done were long days, sinful attitudes on our part, hundreds of sleepless nights, pride, bad parenting, fights, and the other things that threaten to steal joy or did for a bit.  We are not a perfect family, parents, neighbors, or Christians…that is why we cling to the cross of Christ and need His death to pay for our sins.                

     We often think of all the people who prayed for Ryan before we even knew about him, those who joined us in raising funds to bring him home, the staff from Reece’s Rainbow, the ground crew in Ukraine, the Xenos students who encouraged us with their enthusiasm and love, the prayer warriors who got Ryan home and are still lifting us up, for those who brought and are still bringing meals, the servants who have watched the kids for any length of time, for those who provided clothes and gifts for Ryan, who have come to visit and support us, for you who are praying about adopting, have adopted, or are burdened for orphan care (especially Natalie), and for our family who has embraced Ryan whole-heartedly…here is a glimpse (in writing…sure wish it was pictures, maybe someday) of the best of this last year, with the focus being on Ryan, and what a treasure he is!

     Tonight I fed Ryan healthy food pureed and served on a small spoon so he could enjoy every bite, gave him sips of fresh good smelling water, put on his soft pj’s sewed to fit him perfectly, brushed his snow white teeth lined up like soldiers, rocked him, sung to him, and let him nuzzle into his mommy’s neck- my neck.  Once in a while, like tonight, he falls asleep in my arms.  I transferred him to his own bed in his own room.   He laid beside a quilt handmade just for him and teddy bears that his grandparent picked out for him as tokens of their love.  All of those things have been new for Ryan this year.

     

     We took him to the zoo for the first time in Ukraine.  I wore him in a front infant carrier.  He got his passport.  He took his first train ride a few days later and stayed awake the whole night long…flew on airplanes, became a US citizen, and then met his older sister and two younger sisters.  We were all exhausted but refreshed by the sweet welcome home our family and friends gave us at the airport. 

     

     Ryan spent his first week in the United States in Children’s Hospital.  Long story short, he was very malnourished, but was overall healthy.  He doesn’t have Noonan Syndrome, but does have a chromosomal deletion of 7q, that accounts for many of his physical anomalies and developmental delays.  His heart has 2 minor defects, not even worth mentioning.  What?  Yes, praise the Lord his heart is healthy!  What an answer to prayer!    

     

     Ryan made a trip a few weeks later to Grand Rapids to meet his Grandma and Grandpa-Great, Tante (aunt), uncles and cousins.  The following weekend we went back to attend Grandpa-Great’s funeral.  Ryan traveled like a champ and the girls loved the reunion with my sister and her family and my mom and dad (after spending 4 weeks with them, while we were in Ukraine.) 

     

     He got glasses and looks so handsome.  Ryan’s brown eyes and long lashes just look all the more magnificent through them…no bias here!  He had his lifelong ear infection cleared up, got tubes in, and hearing aids.  He has been making more and more sounds each month now that he can hear.  His teeth are in remarkable shape- only due to genetics (other kids in his orphanage had horrific dental issues)- has gone to the dentist twice, lost his first tooth, and allows us to brush them daily.  He likes mint toothpaste.     

     

     He began occupational therapy- 3 kinds: developmental, speech and feeding.  In his first 3 months home he gained 40% of his body weight.  He is no longer malnourished and his failure-to-thrive has been broken.  He can now bite food but spits out most of the pieces, can chew if I place the food in certain parts of his mouth and enjoys his meals, complete with “mmmm” sounds after the most delicious bites.  Yogurt and pudding are still his favorites and of course ice cream, like his mama!  His speech is very delayed from him being almost completely deaf for the first 5 ½ years of his life and living in an institution.  We are seeing progress and hope to hit this area very hard for the next 2 years.  He can say one word, “Mama” but saves it only for the sweetest of moments.  He can use his hands now.  It was as if he didn’t even know he had them when he first came home.  He can now play with toys, hold objects and pet our dog.  The next goal is mastering the finger pinch and pointing.  

    

     He has been in physical therapy and can now walk (without any braces or walker) and step over small things, get up to standing without using anything to lift or pull himself up and can climb, fast!  He can walk…I still can’t get over that, and at times almost run.  What a miracle.        

     

     When Ryan first came home we needed lots of time to just be together, to figure out one another and get through the massive amounts of doctor’s appointments and evaluations.  After 5 months we decided that half day pre-school, 4 afternoons a week would be most beneficial.  His teachers were incredible, his driver Norma was a God-send, and his classmates were wonderful.  Ryan made his first friend there a delightful “typical” boy, Jonah…they even went to each other’s birthday parties.  Watching that friendship develop was simply indescribable.  Ryan’s time at school was a needed respite for me and a chance for him to excel in areas in which I have no expertise.  Having been denied the chance of being educated for his entire life, we see school for the blessing it is.

     

     For the first time ever, even taking the day he was born into account, people celebrated Ryan’s life at his 6^th birthday party.  It was Robot themed, but even better than that was that it was a great vision of the importance of each and every life, no matter how far from the American ideal, or Ukrainian for that matter, is valuable.  Ryan was never a healthy baby…but he sure is desired and we are blessed to have him!  

       

     This summer Ryan went to the Ohio State Fair, got to swim, went horseback riding, had more trips to the zoo, and went for bike rides.  He loves swinging and can do the slide at our park- all by himself!  He had his first week away from Chris and I, while we were treated to a Californian vacation filled with laugher, games and surfing for a week with our dear friends.  Ryan did great at his Oma and Opa’s house- and they did too!        

     

     Ryan’s favorite things are putting plastic bags over his head, electrical cords around his neck and putting his face in water and then laughing…and no, I am not joking.  Of course, we prohibit all of these things…but oh boy is he quick and silent like a stealth bomber…so we need to watch him ALL the time!  Since he can’t do those things his second set of enjoyable things are toys that vibrate, light up, and spin, being tossed in the air, and being pulled in a wagon.      

     

     I could write pages about how the girls interact with him and love him so.  Their lives are just as enriched by having Ryan as their brother as Ryan is blessed by them.  God certainly knows what He is doing.  

     

     Last week Ryan started Kindergarten, full day, every day.  Due to Ryan’s age, his window for maximum achievement in language and cognition is going to be closing drastically in the next 2 years.  We are trying to balance the family time he has never had with all the opportunities for development we can.  The transition (not having Ryan home as much) has been hardest on me, but seeing Ryan’s excitement and hearing his teacher and therapists’ visions of gains helps me know this is the right decision for us. The full day allows for Ryan to have more therapies each week and it will also allow me to be able to help the girls in their classrooms, navigate the transportation aspects of this year better, have time with the two youngest before they are in school all day, as well as getting me some down time to keep house, process my thoughts, study the Bible, and hopefully cook more.  Chris has been unbelievable this year, especially taking over grocery shopping and the majority of the meals.     

     

     Ryan is content, easygoing, under-sensitive (which is an awesome fit for our family), super cute and still small at 22 pounds.  He fits into our family perfectly.  God has met EVERY single need we have had and even a lot of our “wants”.  He has shown us His power in our weakness, that He is trustworthy financially and relationally as well as in a hundred other areas, and that He is very forgiving and gracious…as we see our sin all the more clearly as we walk with Him and follow where He leads. 

     I hope that in this next year I can share some pictures with you, especially for those of you who live far way, even overseas, and have been praying for Ryan and our family.  We have only made it through our first year home…we need your prayers and support for the many, Lord wiling, years yet to come.  Thank you my friends for celebrating all that God has done this last year.  To Him be the Glory!

     

     Love, Julie 

HOME!

J:             It is with great joy that we can report to you that Ryan is home!  He is a son, brother, grandson, great grandchild, nephew, and cousin!  He is an “orphan no more!”  He has many friends, neighbors, and hundreds of pray warriors.  To have him here, in our house, in our arms, in our family is amazingly wonderful.  Lord, we praise you for this blessing and privilege.  We thank you for the support that you have given us, however God has moved you.  We love watching God weave all kinds of people into Ryan’s story and are happy to share it with you!  There is MUCH to write, and being a sort of perfectionist, it is hard to know where to start, how far back to go, what to leave out, and how to end, so I’ll just get the ball rolling.  Later I hope to blog more about the adoption process itself, our trips, and the other children that we had to leave behind at the orphanage.  As of this posting, he has been on US soil for 4 weeks and 1 day.

We arrived home from UKRAINE (there you have it! That is where we were if you didn’t know, that is where Ryan was born and has lived until now.) on Saturday night, August 18, 2012.  Many of Ryan’s prayer warriors were there to meet him and welcome him home- it was very sweet!  I hope to do a post just on that later as well.

  Backing up, we had a wonderful first day all together as a family of six on that first Sunday; getting reunited with the girls after our travels, watching them love Ryan, and being with both sets of our parents.  Monday Ryan had his first pediatrician appointment in the United States.  It was very encouraging.  Then, later that evening Ryan’s doctor called to tell us about Re-feeding Syndrome.  She had spoken with many of experts at Children’s Hospital and told us that they wanted to admit him the next morning to watch for that. 

There are so many tangents I can go on, so many things that happened, but in a nut shell, after 6 days in the hospital, he didn’t have Re-feeding Syndrome and was way healthier than any of us anticipated.  And the best part was that, while he was admitted, all of the specialists that I would have needed to take Ryan to see (Pediatrician, Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, Geneticist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Urologist, Audiologist, Neurologist, Nutritionist, Dentist, Radiologist, Anesthesiologist, Speech Pathologist, and Occupational Therapist) were able to come and see him.  I can just imagine how much time and energy all that driving around would have taken, and so it was a huge blessing to have a one-stop-shop!  And we also got appointments for a later date with the Ophthalmologist and Physical Therapist and our referrals for our follow up appointments with the others mentioned.  Wow, how neat is that!  Test after test came back with good results, negative for pathologies and with numbers in the healthy range.  MRI, EEG, EKG, blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds…all looked good.  HIV: negative! Scabies, lice, parasites, even cavities- NONE!  Miracle upon miracle, blessing upon blessing.  Praise the Lord!  He was discharged on the evening of Sunday the 23^rd.  Whew, so good to be all home together!  Chris went to work the next day.  Things are going well because God is providing everything we need.  Much through the help of our support team and dear friends who stocked our fridge, cleaned our house, and continue to bring us meals, send encouraging messages, help babysit, and pray for us!

How is Ryan?  Ryan seems to be adjusting well.  Very well.  He is content, has a very active little body…is eating well and is now up to 19 pounds!  That means he has gained about 12% of his body weight since he has been fed (and loved) by us.  His crawl is even and symmetrical and fast! He can pull up to standing and cruise around furniture.  There have been a couple of times that he has tried standing on his own and taken a few steps- not at all the “immobile’ child we were told about.  He seems to enjoy his new freedom, out of his crib and wheelchair, in which he has spent the majority of his life.  He is non-verbal, and out of all the sounds that he makes his giggle is what makes it out about 70% of the time.  It is adorable!   That is followed by 20% beat-boxing (a Faulkner family favorite past time), a random 5% assortment of noises and breathing rhythms, and slowly some crying is coming out.  Even this is a blessing.  After years of being ignored, he “knows” that someone is listening to him again, that he will be heard and responded to if he cries, and so he does.  It is the saddest cry I have ever heard.  It breaks my heart and God has designed it to do just that.  Lord, teach me how to comfort my son.

Our girls can probably answer the question, “How is the transition going?” best.  Over the last two weeks we have heard similar comments to the ones below on multiple occasions.  

Our oldest, Honey B, who is 6, said, “I think that we should have another Reece’s Rainbow kid in our family.  I like adopting!”   This is the same girl who diligently prayed for another sister after our Sweet T was born, and the day after our J bird was born said, “Well God answered my prayer for a sister and now I am going to keep praying for my brother!”  God has answered both her prayers.  This week she told me that she has prayed that our next adoption will be with triplets.  I am praying that will be one of her adoptions as she grows her family! 

Our Sweet T, 4, said within the first week of Ryan’s arrival, “I think that every family needs a person with special needs.”  I know that her comment will prove to be true as the weeks turn into years.  She has insight beyond her years, our culture, and that of the world.

J Bird, our baby, just 2, wakes up most mornings asking, “Where’s Ryan?” and before going to bed, “Can I give Ryan a huggie?”  Her focus is on someone other than herself.  I am hoping for more of that for myself.

On a scale of 1 to 10 adjusting to this change in our family has been a…maybe a better way to look at it would be…out of all of the fears that we had, that our minds came up with, that people told us would happen, as to why we shouldn’t adopt internationally or Ryan, and all the lies that Satan fed to us- none of them have come true- not one.  (You can imagine, but some of the things we had to battle were: This will ruin your family, be bad for your other children, send us into bankruptcy, etc.)  We have had the extreme privilege of seeing God work in amazing and wonderful ways.  Often I have felt like I am watching him put on a grand finale of a firework display of His glory and power as he hold true to His promise in Psalm 68:6, “ God sets the lonely in families.”  It has been intense and incredible. 

One challenge has been the lack of sleep.  Much like a newborn, Ryan has sporadic sleep cycles; not surprising considering the time change from the other side of the world and everything in his life changing in an instant.  If he wakes up at 1 or 4am, he has a hard time getting back to sleep and usually doesn’t.  The girls have been needing more nighttime confirmation and resettling so we get to juggle those shifts too.   But even in these last few days we have seen major improvements as Ryan becomes more comfortable in his new family and surroundings and the girls get back into a familiar routine.  We are so thankful! 

More later…      

"Final" trip

J: We are here, in the Eastern European town where Ryan was born and spent the first 5 months in the hospital, and where the 2 orphanages he has lived in for the last 5 years of his life are.  This is our second and "final" trip…unless the Lord has more children for us hereJ.  (I have learned to never say “never”.)  Lord willing, we will be taking Ryan home in a little over a week.  What an answer to prayer, so many prayers lifted up by so many people; even way before we thought about adopting again, considered adopting a child with special needs, heard about Reece’s Rainbow, knew about Ryan…people were praying.  God is the one behind all of this and He is showing His power in amazing and wonderful ways!  Just knowing that He has changed my heart to desire to do this is evidence of His great power.  Fear, desire for comfort, dreading the unknown, materialism, and being a control freak…those things almost prevented me from experiencing this blessing, and the huge blessing of Ryan being my son- But God’s love, forgiveness and power are greater than all of my sin, and I am thankful that is the case, that that is reality.

Today yet again, more prayers were answered; here is just a small window into the day.  We had to take Ryan to an office 2 hours away to get his passport pictures taken, and then yes, 2 hours back.  The longest Ryan has been in a car is about 15 minutes.  At one point in our trip, I thought, the Holy Spirit Himself must be holding Ryan; for sure at the very least He was answering prayers.  Ryan sat next to me and played with 3 small toys for almost a whole hour.  I haven’t even seen him stay in the same spot and be interested in a toy for longer than 2 minutes.  Later he took a nap- my first time seeing him sleep; so beautiful and precious.  He did great, the whole trip, the whole time. My heart was filled with so much joy and love for him and with Thankfulness to God.  And I, in the back seat of a small car for 4 hours, no lunch, on not a lot of sleep, on a hot day without air conditioning… I did not even have a hint of car sickness- that is a miracle.  For those of you who know me, I often get car sick just coming home from central teaching on Sunday if I don’t get my lunch down in time.  And the blessings continued to flow from there.  What a good day!

Thank you for praying for us, as you can read and hopefully soon see with your own eyes, God surely has a good plan for Ryan, and all of us too.  We are so thankful that we can be a part of it and that you are too!

Oh yeah, and of course when we picked him up this morning Ryan was wearing a PINK shirt- again.  But, I was ready, I had packed a red shirt and navy shorts (and they fit!) so he had his pictures taken in that.  Whoa, that was a close call.  He would have had to wait another 5 years to renew his passport and get out of that pink shirt if mama hadn’t been there to save the day.  He looks much more masculine in boy clothes.  He is handsome!

Anxiety and Answers

J:

We have our travel dates, our plane tickets and just about every thing else is unknown and out of our control.  This is (just another time) when I start freaking out; when my anxiety kicks in, my thoughts run wild, and fears start to form.  There is a lot to do (pack, dr appts, papers for the girls schooling, clean, friends to spend time with, a marriage to be maintained, three precious kids to care for who have questions I can't answer...and the list goes on and on.  Actually, I now have a list of things that I write down that won't get done.

Last night Chris and I prayed about this, and "this" really is my sin- not trusting that God is good, or powerful, or in control.  And He is-all 3!  More loving and gracious than I can imagine.  In my autonomy and self sufficiency, I don't listen to Him and so last night I prayed that He would help me listen.

Early this morning, when my anxiety woke me up, He spoke these tender words to me:

"For He will deliver the needy when he cries for help, the afflicted also, and him who has no helper.  He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy He will save.  He will rescue their life from opression and violence, and their blood will be precious in His sight...
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders.  And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory.  Amen, and Amen."   

Psalm 72:12-14, 18 and 19

I was going to continue working through Gospel Transformation, and was supposed to read Psalm 73 for my lesson, but God allowed me to see the Bible page before, and His Word came alive to transform and comfort me.  Praise His name!

Reminds me of a song...

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

• "Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
    Morning by morning new mercies I see;
  All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
      "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

© 1923. Ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.hopepublishing.com

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/19#ixzz1zMyJrrFu

Expecting- 3rd Trimester

I (J) am definitely "expecting".  Finally feeling like I am in the last trimester.  Wahoo!  Ryan's bed is up and ready, clean and cute boy sheets and all.  Sorted through and got his clothes ready (thanks for the donations, my friends).  We are waiting on travel dates.  And as we "wait" we know that God is still busy at work.  Thanks for your prayers!

8th Graders' Surprise

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations…”  Jeremiah 29:11-14

            C: Friday was a day of ups and downs.  Bitter and sweet.  It started off with a really neat visit from a family that visited Ryan’s orphanage on a mission trip 2 years ago.  They were instrumental in connecting us with people all around the globe who have been praying for not only for Ryan and that God would prepare a family to adopt him.  It was GREAT to meet them and get to pray with them. 

            It was also really hard to hear what they had to say about the day-to-day, real-life conditions for a child in an orphanage in Eastern Europe.  It’s no mystery that kids with special needs do not get the same level of care in many other countries as they do here, but I guess it was the first time it really hit home that my son has spent the first 5 years of his life in…well…a less than desirable institutional setting.  To sit and talk with real people who have seen Ryan and the other kids he is there with, and hearing them describe just a little of what my son lives with day in & day out, it felt like I just got punched in the stomach.  I wanted to cry, scream or throw up.  (I’m understanding more and more why God says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” James 1:27).

            Then, around 5:00 I got a friendly (but kind of cryptic) text message from the parent of one of my students (who just graduated!!!) inviting me to join the students at the end of the year dance party hosted at the school by a few of the parents.  I sort of thought the idea was for there to NOT be any teachers there, but I didn’t have any plans, I was invited and I love spending time with my students, so I decided to go.  HOLY COW was I in for a surprise!

            IT WAS A SET-UP!  They TOTALLY tricked me, in the best way ever!  I got there, said a few “hellos” and then almost right away one of the parents asked me to turn all the lights on in the gym.  At this point I’m thinking “Well, that sort of kills the dance-party atmosphere, but, OK.”  Then it got even stranger…all the kids sort of circled around me (in a friendly way).  I expected maybe a few to say “hi” but this was just felt a bit out of the ordinary.  Which it was because next, Allison (Smiley) tells me they decided to charge admission to the dance and donate all the proceeds to Ryan’s adoption!  WHAT!?!  She handed me an envelope with HUNDREDS of dollars for Ryan!  WAHOO!!!!  Can you believe this is real?  The students had planned this whole thing without me having a clue.  Coolest surprise ever.

            Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, two girls yelled “PRAYER CIRCLE!”  So almost the entire 8^th grade class of 2012 circled up, sat down and spent 20 or 30 minutes praying for Ryan and my family.  Unbelievable.  The whole experience was both humbling and very emotional for me.  I’m not a dude who never cries, and I don’t cry a lot…but I certainly shed some tears when my students prayed for Ryan.  Besides a few short-term missionaries from the other side of the globe, my son has never in his entire life had anyone love on him, pray for him, sing to him, tickle him, hold his hand at the doctor, celebrate his birthday, whisper to him just how precious he is…and here are 30+ students who have never met him circled up fighting for him in prayer.  I can’t imagine a greater gift my students could give me or my son. 

            So, contrast the two experiences.  The first, thinking about the real conditions Ryan lives in almost broke me.  Then God shouted to me “I have plans that you don’t know about!”  “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations…”  Jeremiah 29:11-14 

Silent Auction and Wine Tasting

May 12, 2012 (Julie)

Tonight felt like a rehearsal dinner or maybe even a wedding reception.   It was beautiful.  We were in an outdoor…the best way to describe it is, living room.   Lanterns, flickering candles, fresh hot pink peonies, a cozy fire…tall wine tables, carefully hand crafted.  Food more delicious than can be imagined;  Ceviche made just minutes before being served, 13 hour slow braised meat over polenta, homemade pizza cooked in the backyard oven an Asian coleslaw sprinkled with pears and peanuts, and 3 other delectable dishes all perfectly paired with a generous portion of wine- SEVEN different types throughout the evening!  And nothing snooty; the evening was warm, inviting, and had the air of a huge celebration.  And celebration it was!  The hosts Mandy and Chris Wilson joined with Donnie Austin from House Wine in Worthington and his wife, Megan, to create an incredible fundraiser for Ryan.  Over 50 people pulling together to do what we couldn’t do alone.  Friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and even those we didn’t know beforehand came to stand beside us and support us on this journey, and most importantly love Ryan home.

Chris, Mandy, Donnie- there is no way we can even begin to thank you for your love for us, for all of your time, effort, and HARD work that you put into this night, for the beauty of an incredible evening, for your passionate concern for one little orphan in Eastern Europe and for allowing your hearts (and talents) to be moved to action to bring Ryan home.  Our prayer is that your blessings will continue to abound, especially as you see Ryan in our family, finally home with a mom and a dad, and three adoring sisters… knowing that you played a huge role.  I can’t wait for him to meet you and the others who have “heard” his cry and have chosen to be moved to action.  

Over the course of the night tears spilling silently out of the corners of my eyes was pretty common.  So many people came and showed their support for us, for the value of human life, for Ryan; many invigorating conversations were had, sincere and difficult questions asked in sensitive ways, and I was able to meet a whole community of fascinating people!  Telling and retelling stories of the miracles that God has already done for this little guy, knowing full well that Chris and I do not deserve to be a part of anything so wonderful, in awe that we have the joy of being willing participants- that brings me to tears.  Remembering how God has pursued me like this, to win me over with His love, His kindness bringing me to repentance, over and over again, going to great lengths- even death…that moves me.  Reece’s Rainbow has a phrase that they use often, “You don’t have to adopt to make a difference!  Even if you are not in a position to adopt there are countless ways to help these sweet children…”  And tonight was evidence of that.      

Generous donations completely filled a table, making the silent auction a complete success.  From a signed, James Laurinaitis mini Riddell OSU helmet to a gift certificate for a Resume Critique and Interview tips from the Recruiting Manager at Manta, the bases were covered.  There were also four pieces of custom-designed CEB fine sterling silver jewelry, 3 Silpada jewelry pieces, an entire days work from a gentleman doing remodeling and carpentry (and, no it wasn’t Chris), a Joan Selle Zeller “Serenity” Mobile (which I had to evoke so much self-control just not to bid on it myself), three handcrafted pink tulle tutus, six Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizzas from Lou Malnait’s, two purses, a legal will from a local attorney, a $50 gift certificate for a Fondant Fantasies cake, Jenny Floch pottery…and the big bang for the night was a $500 airplane ticket voucher from Frontier Airline- someone just saved $200…and then magnanimously poured back to Ryan!  The donations for the night far outweighed the cost of the items.  Thank you to all of you who helped make the silent auction part of the night a wild success:  Chris and Mandy Forbes, Frontier Airlines, Davina Alloway, Jenny Floch, Danielle Murphy, Carole Bucklew, Joan Zeller, Chad and Lisa Faiella, Jay and Retta Hurlbert, Ray and Sandy Faulkner, Edward Bain, as well as Chic-fil-A and Trader Joe’s for their food donation.

One other feature of the night was the “Mystery Wine.”  Donnie Austin, the certified sommelier at House Wine in Worthington carefully selected 50, or so, bottles of wine, carefully and secretly wrapped by his wife Megan.  All of the bottles were popular and favorite wine, but slipped in were some AMAZING wines!  So for 25 bucks you were guaranteed a good bottle, with the chance of scoring huge- like a $300 bottle of wine.   And all the proceeds, every penny went straight to Ryan’s adoption fund, as did every cent from the ticket sales and silent auction items.  I still can’t believe this was real…  So here is the amazing thing (if all of this is not amazing enough), at the end of the night there were about 20 bottles left and a young man Jake (who volunteered the whole day setting up and manning the sound system, music, mics, you name it!) noticed that if those bottles sold we would make our financial goal…he felt compelled to make an announcement and the mystery wine table was RUSHED, the wine was gone- just like that- gone! Every. Last. Bottle. Gone.  I was in complete shock. And, still am.

                I pray I will never get over moments like these.  This will be a sign post for the rest of my life.  Thank you again Mandy, Chris and Donnie, and to all those who prayed for this event, who helped behind the scenes, setting up, purchasing and preparing food, serving the guests (Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, Molly and Chad Trumbo, Jamie and Adam Rapp, Jake Hoffer, Megan Cavanaugh, Paulie Alexander).  Thank you to those who came bringing an incredible ethos of lavish contribution and love, to those who pledged continued support in creative and heart-felt ways, and to those who were unable to attend in person but sent encouraging messages and financial backing as well- THANK YOU.  To God be the glory, Great things He has done!  What a night!   

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