You never know who is listening

On a message board about adoption, a woman was saddened to hear that one of the boys from the orphanage where she adopted her son aged out of the home and was no longer available for adoption. She said that he was such a pleasant person and her heart is hurting knowing that he'll most likely never have a 'real' family. In response, Shelley B. wrote something so beautiful and thought provoking and I wanted to share it with all of you.

"Man, oh man....I hear this EVERY single day...."you can't save them all".
But, what keeps my heart from completely breaking is "that one" and "this one" and "those 2".....each and every child that comes home. Over TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE kids because ONE little boy was born to an unsuspecting family and another little boy's photo stole that mama's heart and inspired her to put together a website and start a ministry. THAT is why I KNOW that advocating works.....that if we just keep talking, just keep showing the photos, sharing the facts and putting the information out there...it DOES make a difference.
There are days when my heart is overwhelmed with the burden...ONE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN MILLION orphans....most who will never know the love of a family. I will be honest and tell you that I've had some very "real" conversations with God on this topic. But at the end of the day...at the end of every single day...I am thankful that God has opened my eyes and put this burden in my heart, because somebody has to keep talking.
You're right, advocating is the key. Just keep talking. You never know when someone is listening. I will always remember Milos.....how my heart was breaking on his birthday. I little boy who had survived that horrible institution and been moved to a better place...and because of a birthday was in danger of going back. When I wrote the email to the RR group on his birthday, I was in tears. I just kept talking. I had NO IDEA that the Stolz family was ready to adopt again. Yet, just 2 MONTHS later they are right in this moment in Serbia bringing Milos HOME! That's what keeps me going.

My advice, when you start feeling overwhelmed. ...when you feel like you'd rather just not know about all the kids out there who's situation seems hopeless.... go hang out on the home coming page of RR :) Nope, you can't save them all.....but you can remember them & you can keep talking.

Can you tell I'm leaving tomorrow? I'm a little emotional tonight!"

I can't help but smile when I read that and the part about her being thankful that God has opened her eyes and has put the burden of orphans in her heart REALLY speaks to me. I've seen so many children who were headed for death in a mental institution be saved by a family and they just blossom once they're home. It's amazing what love can do.

Remember, there is never a shortage of families who WANT these children, only a shortage of funds to get them home.

Please take 10 minutes to watch this video of Mary's first year home from Ukraine. It is AMAZING and INSPIRING to watch this sweet girl's transformation coming from the orphanage to her forever family.