Meet Caroline

Throughout last year, Justin and I talked about wanting to sponsor a little child from Asia.  However, we decided that we would first focus on saving our money for our own adoption, and then sponsor a child once we had Ruby-Grace home.  Well, honestly, that decision to wait kind of weighed heavy on my heart and in all reality, I felt a little selfish.

Then, over the Christmas break, two blog friends, Lisa and Shay, had posted on their Facebook wall about a book called Chasing China.  I read the entire book in less than one day.  It was SO GOOD!!!  I loved it so much, I immediately Googled the author and found more books by her.  Currently, I’m a about 8/10s through the book titled Silent Tears. 

Kay Bratt’s books have made it stunningly clear to me that there is no better time to act on behalf of orphans than now.  I have always known that I wouldn’t be able to bring home every orphaned child, but there was something about the reality of the way Kay put it that let me truly understand and grasp that the sad reality is every child is not going to get a forever family.  Some will wait their entire lives for the love and care of a family to call their own.  This reality shattered me.

At this very moment, Justin and I stand about $20,000 short of having all the funds to bring Ruby-Grace home.  (Yes, sadly you read that number correctly.)  However, I also know that I serve a MIGHTY God and what seems scary to me is a cake walk for Him.  I have never in my life felt like I was more closely following God’s lead than I am right now.  Another sweet blog friend, Dalea, once told me that “you just need to follow God’s call.  He wants these babies home with their Mommas even more than we do!”  Do I know how in the world we are going to finish paying all the fees to bring Ruby-Grace home?  Nope.  No clue.  Do I believe with every ounce of my being that we are going to be able to meet that outrageous number?  Yep!  You bet chya!  Do I think God is also going to bless me with a mere $35 a month to in turn bless a beautiful orphaned child halfway around the world?  Absolutely!!

So on January 1, I sat down and wrote out my New Year’s Resolutions, one being to find and sponsor a child.  Ironically, as soon as I closed out my blog, I stumbled upon Pearl River Outreach.  This is a non-profit organization that helps to take care of children awaiting forever families.  Justin and I felt that since I had communicated with several of the organization leaders and felt they were very sincere and diligent with their work with orphans that this would be a great organization to sponsor through.  Then, I came across a post with several children in need of sponsors!  I think I actually winked at God and told him I got it!  After seeing their faces, I immediately was swept away by this one little girl.  She was an absolute doll!  But once again, I felt guilty for “choosing” her.  How do you choose?  They all need help and they are all perfect.  So I quickly read the names to Justin and told him to choose a name.  And he chose Caroline!  Same as me!!

She is the most beautiful little thing!!  I know already that God has used her to bless our lives much more than $35 a month will bless her’s.  I contacted Dianna, the sponsorship coordinator and asked if we could send her things, and I was pleased to learn the answer is yes!  (They mostly need clothing and educational toys.)  She has offered to get Caroline’s sizes for me so that I will be able to go shopping for this pretty little thing!  She also offered to have photos sent to our family after Caroline receives her care package.  I am beyond excited for Caroline to have a place in our hearts and to hopefully allow her to feel a little bit more of God’s love for her.  If you think that you would be interested in sponsoring a child like Caroline, please contact Dianna at Pearl River Outreach.  And please join us in praying for both Caroline and all the other waiting children around the world.  There is no better time than right now.