You Know We Have Kids in the U.S., too, Right?

Yes, we are aware that there are children in need of families here in the United States.  There are orphans in every country in the world.  They all need families, and they are all loved by God and important.  My heart breaks for each one of them.  My voice will cry out for each one of them until they are all cared for and loved or until I have no breath left.

So why am I adopting from Eastern Europe?  Because my heart is there.  I can't totally explain it; it's like it's a part of my DNA or something.  Once my heart was gripped, then I had no choice to remain unchanged and inactive.  But here are some things I consider...

Orphans who grow up in the U.S. will still come out ahead of orphans in a socialist or third world country.  You don't hear about teenagers (yes, teenagers) here in the U.S. who weigh less than their age.  And yet I've read about, seen pictures of, and talked to the families of at least half a dozen children who weigh less than their age.  Just today I received a message asking me to pray for a fourteen year old who weighs only 9 pounds.  That's less than half the weight of our Toddler.  Nor are the orphans in the U.S. marked even as adults with a stigma that prevents them from getting certain jobs.  The teenage girls here are not more likely to enter prostitution than get a high school diploma.  This is not one of the leading countries in the exporting of humans.  Nor is this a country notorious for its lack of love and care for its orphans.

I guess I want to start with the least of these.

Take a peek at this video to see the TRUTH.

I Wish I Could Help, but...

So many folks tell me I must be something special, but I promise it's not that.  Some tell me they could never do what I do.  That may be true -- after all, none of us were created to do what someone else does -- we were called to be individually unique.  I've even heard some people tell me it's a shame and "someone" ought to do something (this post ... not for those folks!).  And other people I've talked to feel despair because they don't think they can help, and yet they are moved by the need.

Those people (YOU?) are the ones this blog post is for today.  You CAN make a difference.  And if you are truly moved, you WILL make a difference.  It's that simple, that basic, that necessary.  Because a changed heart makes a change in the world.

I don't know about you, but looking at these faces has changed me.  Perhaps it's because I played with them, hugged them, talked with them, loved them, prayed for them.  Perhaps it's because I've lost sleep thinking about their bloody, sore feet or lack of basic necessities.  Perhaps it's because each one of these children just wants to be loved.  It's that simple, that basic, that essential.

All they want is someone to care about them.  The news that makes me happy to share is that two of the children above have been adopted this past month, one is now our son, one has his parents coming for him soon, and the others do have people who are making a difference in their lives even if from afar.  The news that makes me weep at night is that there are hundreds of thousands more without that reality.

So what can YOU do?
A lot ... a little ... just please do something!

The simplest way to help us is to click on the donate button the left hand side of this blog post.  It goes straight into our Family Sponsorship Program grant and will help us with our in country expenses as we prepare to return to Eastern Europe to adopt our sweet girl, waiting in a children's institution.  She has Down syndrome and really needs to get out of there and start getting the help she needs to ensure a future.  We also have a goal for the month of December to collect at least $10 in donations from every state in the U.S.  If you want to help with that, check it out HERE.

The next easiest way to help, if you don't want to just click a button or give money, is to sow your time.  Your time can help us if you want to host a jewelry party (this would make a great Ladies Night or even a Princess Birthday Party) with Perfect Joy Designs.  100% of money made at these events goes to adopting families and/or orphan care worldwide.  We're also always looking for folks to host a Fun Night In (leave a comment if you want more info on holding a party that saves lives!).

If you want to help in a broader sense, we support and would love to have you partner with us in supporting Grace to Ukraine.  Suzette Davie and her organization run a beautiful ministry reaching out to orphans in Ukraine on many different levels.  They have supplied diapers and bed pads to special needs orphanages, helped with camps in Eastern Ukraine, and brings children here in the summer for hosting programs.  She has also offered us sweet, encouraging support on our adoption journeys.  Check out the facebook page for current projects and ways to be involved.

And there are more ways to get involved, too.  You can bring an adopting family dinner.  You can help them around the house.  You can offer a word of support.

AND YOU CAN PRAY.  For prayer does not equip for the greater work; it is the greater work! (O. Chambers)

The UNITED States of America

I'm hoping for folks to UNITE with us this month.  I know this month is Christmas and that means that money is tighter than usual.  I'm asking for something really fun, though.  Are you ready?

I want to see people all across the U.S.A. unite with us to help us Bring Our Angel Home.  My goal is to have at least $10 in donations from EVERY SINGLE STATE.  Donations of $35 or more from a single person will result in a lovely handmade Christmas ornament from our family to yours -- mailed right to your door!  Will you do it?  Will you help us?  YAY!!!

Just paypal your gift to lisaytucker @ gmail.com as a personal donation and leave a note as to what state it is.  If you send $35 or more and would like us to mail you an ornament, include your address in that note!

1. Alabama $10
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. California
6. Colorado
7. Connecticut
8. Delaware
9. Florida
10. Georgia
11. Hawaii
12. Idaho
13. Illinois
14. Indiana
15. Iowa
16. Kansas
17. Kentucky
18. Louisiana
19. Maine
20. Maryland
21. Massachusettes
22. Michigan
23. Minnesota
24. Mississippi
25. Missouri
26. Montana
27. Nebraska
28. Nevada
29. New Hampshire
30. New Jersey
31. New Mexico
32. New York $10
33. North Carolina
34. North Dakota
35. Ohio
36. Oklahoma
37. Oregon
38. Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island
40. South Carolina
41. South Dakota
42. Tennessee
43. Texas
44. Utah
45. Vermont
46. Virginia
47. Washington
48. West Virginia
49. Wisconsin
50. Wyoming