Filling the NEED

Two days ago, we (God's people and the RR family) began filling the need for the Warner family. When they left for Ukraine, their FSP had $9,772 and some change in it (I think if my memory serves correctly). More funds had been added just before their time to return home...then all the wheels began to fall off the cart and they wound up landlocked---held by one doctor's opinion.

I began a rally for their FSP, I am not tooting my own horn. I am saying this, "I love Lisa enough to do all I could to help a family already tight on money who had struggled greatly in their own fundraising efforts and nothing more than that." I have had friends say, "You have done such a great job." I know what you all mean; but, please leave me out of this. This is GOD and His people at work. If you want to toot my horn, BLAST His horn first and give yourself credit where credit is due.

Before I took a picture of their FSP...it was at $10,372 and change. 

Then? Well, then this happened. 

And just a little over 24 hours later.....this happened! 

That is $2000 in just under 2 days!!!!!!  God's people are amazing. When I began this push, I alone was asking to see that FSP hit $15,500. IF we can do what we did in just a day or two all over again. THEY WILL HAVE $15,500 I've been praying for. I know God will provide exactly what they need. These are numbers in MY head and on MY heart---Lisa has never once asked for this financial help direclty, but I know they are in need of funds from our conversations previously when she was first in country and getting ready to come home.

I am in awe of God and His provisions for the Warner family and in His working He is calming my own inner turmoil with our own adoption process that has taken some very strange turns as of late.

Thank you, please keep sharing, praying and donating. 

DONATE HERE by clicking http://www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsorwarner

~Christie~ 

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

From Lisa Warner

Humbled..  by Lisa Warner

First off- I am humbled and in awe of those that offered advice, prayer and donated. I am speechless at how much our FSP has risen.

Now on to today's news. This morning we contacted the IOM about the sputum testing. The doctor requested that one of us come in without Joshua to discuss this matter. I went to meet with her and she explained about his size and the risks. She informed us if that testing was what we plan on doing that we would be responsible to find a clinic here to do it and at our expense. I think she truly believes it is a pneumonia issue as Joshua is better. The process takes 3 separate collections on 3 consecutive days so we would not be able to begin until Monday. We also are required to take along a representative from their country to verify collection collection and handling. They will provide one free of charge.

She offered up another option- she said if we insist or request an x ray earlier she would do it. And she said that if it improved enough to move up classifications she would sign off. The CDC recommended 6-8 weeks so I asked if the embassy would accept earlier. She believes they will as they know the situation and if it improved then we have the evidence of it. She will also include a note that we requested it leaving her off the hook on ordering too soon. On Monday it will mark 10 days from when he received his antibiotic. We might be cutting it close to enough improvement but we feel we must give that a shot before proceeding with collection.

Thanks to someone suggesting the American Medical Clinic here, we have gotten a consultation appointment at 2p. We are just getting our ducks in a row in case we have to proceed with the bronchoscope. The pediatrician asked that we bring what x rays and blood work we have gotten and she will look Joshua over, examine him to determine whether that clinic will do the bronchoscope for us. So if Monday the clinic says there is not enough improvement the bronchoscope can be done on Tuesday giving us 3 consecutive days. Going for this consultation will also give us an indication on whether she thinks his lungs sound clear and maybe an indication on results possibly Monday. Also at that time we will get a clearer picture on the cost of the procedure.

So those are our next steps. If Monday we are blessed and she believes there is enough improvement we will all try to travel out on Tuesday. If not we do the next step. I have to fly home on Tuesday irregardless. My parents are holding off on a memorial service till next week to give me some time and to make sure that my oldest son is there as well.. he has leave from the Navy next week. My mom will continue to watch Jake until I get home. Dave will stay with Joshua. If there are any other significant delays we will then decide our next step. It will probably involve me obtaining an expedited passport for Jacob and return here with him in tow. The older children will go to their fathers home and Dave will have to probably return home to work.

Hopefully I explained it clearly. I am awfully tired. Again I want to thank everyone for standing with us and supporting us. Never in my life would I have even imagined this happening. It seems as though this is all a dream or a cruel joke. My sister was suppose to meet us at the airport on Saturday. The last person who saw her alive claimed she was slurring her speech. When asked she replied they had changed dosage for her heart and blood pressure medication. That was the last time someone spoke with her. If we had come home perhaps I would have noticed and called 911 or insisted she go to the hospital. I know that God has a plan and really my sadness is more of a selfish for myself kind of thing because I know and believe she is in a beautiful place with no worries or pain. I miss her terribly and will probably cry for some time but I take comfort in knowing our separation is not forever and we will meet again. I take some comfort in knowing that although she did not meet Joshua before her passing she is watching from above. This is truly a moment in my life where there are only one set of footprints in the sand. God is firmly carrying me.

 Everyone, thank you so much for everything so far. Please don't stop. Let's storm heaven's gates with praise and thanksgiving for what He has done and prayers to bring the Warner's HOME NEXT WEEK.

~Christie~

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

WE MUST RALLY

Lisa Warner is landlocked in the Ukraine. She and her husband traveled overseas to ransom a child and bring him home. Fundraising was ALWAYS a struggle for the Warner's. I am begging you now, for all you know, to share this story and donate ANY AMOUNT to their FSP.

*yes, I know their FSP looks good and hearty...looks can be deceiving. When they traveled they had less than $10,000 in their FSP (adoption costs more than double that). They have now paid for one round of travel, the adoption, and all paperwork to come home. They paid for return tickets and LOST $350 for having to cancel those flights. I personally would love to their FSP hit $15,500. Lisa has not asked for ANY OF THIS. This is on my heart alone*


Joshua, their son, is sick. The Embassy doctor will not release him for travel. She believes he has pneumonia--however, she will NOT treat him for pneumonia and neither will any other doctor they have seen because they do not believe he has pneumonia.

They contacted the CDC with the xrays and doctor's reports they have---CDC is giving the doctors a few options. Wait it out (6-8 weeks and retest) or surgically obtain sputum samples to test of TB and risk Joshua's life.


The Warner's are in a very precarious situation. Lisa's sister was found deceased in her apartment by Lisa's mother. Lisa's mother has been caring for their other young boy, Jacob, at home in Michigan.

It is very likely Lisa and Dave will allow the surgical procedure to test for TB and rule it out. This is not an easy decision, nor is it safe for Joshua. The doctor who refuses to let them leave has said she does not want to do this test because it puts Joshua in danger. The doctor is consulting with her team but will ultimately leave the decision up to Lisa and Dave.

They need funds. I would love to see $6,000 more raised for their FSP. Dave has been without income for over a month now. Dave could lose his job over all of this. I pray that does not happen; but it is a real fear and one that needs prayers.

I have nothing to offer you, nothing to entice you with. No fancy cameras. No iPad. No Kindle. Nothing except the comfort in knowing you have helped bless the Warner's in a much needed manner.

You can donate directly to their FSP here http://www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsorwarner

You can follow Lisa's blog at BUILDING OUR VILLAGE

Please do anything you can, share, donate, PRAY.

There are literally stranded in a foreign country with little assistance at this point.

~Christie~

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Preparedness

Anxiety is not fun. Not today, not yesterday. NOT EVER.

My anxiety levels have been very high for awhile now. July 6th was a very bad day for me.

This adoption journey has not been smooth to say the very least. There have been ups and downs and DOWN IN THE DUMPS LOWS.

We are still not running smoothly. Not for my taste anyhow. Too many variables, too many unknowns. Too many questions. Too many doubts. Too many, just TOO MANY.

I have several close friends I share with, but I run to one person, her name is Cathy. I love her. She is my steadfast "sister". The one that will tell me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear.  And she rarely apologizes (I love her for that!). She has suffered with me, cried alongside me, sobbed for the situation and prayed faithfully.

Just yesterday, I told her my anxiety was climbing again and told her again this morning it was hanging over me. She told me to give over to Him and I told her I planned to at church this morning. I could NOT wait to get to church.

The message today?

Enough said, right? The message I needed came loud and clear. God has had "this" all along. He is NEVER out of control. Even if I am out of control, out of mind, out of my heart, laden with anxiety. HE IS NEVER OUT OF CONTROL IN ANY SITUATION.

The word I needed today and communion followed it as well. I needed this today, I need to cling to that promise. We are awaiting the last bit of information we need for our dossier. Immigration approval. Soon, we will be able to travel and bring our child home.

Keep praying, I need the prayers, our family needs the prayers, the child waiting for us needs the prayers. Thank you.

~Christie~ 

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)