Nadia!

Hey friends!

A little while ago, McKennaugh shared about her time in the Ukraine with orphans.  (you can find that post here - Love is an Action: A Special Post)  As she mentioned in that post, I have decided to advocate and pray for one child there in hopes of connecting her with a family.

I would like all of you to meet Nadia as I first saw her -

This photo was taken five years ago and was the most recent photo of her.  Once I committed to helping her become part of a family, McKennaugh was able to actually get in touch with someone who lives near the orphanage and get some photos of her!

Nadia is now 10.  She lives in the Ukraine.  Last year, her grandma came to visit her once.  Other than that, she has not had anyone visit her.  She is often left alone in her crib/bed.  She has never had the joy of seeing the world around her as she was born without eyes.  Nadia also has severe intellectual disabilities and hydrocephalus.  But, I am sure that she can still feel joy if she hears a bird chirp or the wind blow.

I want to ask you (yes, you!) to help Nadia's story to reach as many people as possible!  Will you share about Nadia on facebook?  Will you share about her on your blog?  Will you tell about her in your small group/Bible study?

Most importantly, will you pray for Nadia and her future family?  (You can "sign up" to pray for her at a certain time here - Pray for Nadia)

I would also like to thank Leah and Monica for letting me share Nadia's story on TIO (Teens Interceding for Orphans)!!  Advocate & Pray: Nadia | Teens Interceding for Orphans

Letter Writing Idea!

I shared a letter I wrote last May.  I sent the letter about foster care and adoption to all of my Compassion kiddos.  In the past year, I have gotten many responses back from that letter!  I think it was my most responded to letter.

My kiddos told me that they did not know anyone who was adopted.  Some of them wrote very caring-ly about orphans, expressing their desire that everyone would have a family and know what it was to be loved.

Tonight, I am writing to my newer kiddos about foster care and adoption.  This time the letter is a bit different.  Last year, I shared about a girl in foster care that I met.  This year, I am telling them about a girl in the Ukraine who is waiting for a family.

Feel free to use/edit this letter to share with your kiddos about adoption!

Dear friend,
Hello! How are you? My family and I are well, thanks to God. I have been thinking about you and praying for you lots. You are very special to me!
In the USA, May is national foster care month. Foster care is when a child goes to live with another family. The child either does not have parents, or his parents cannot care for him. The child may live with many families in the foster care system. One day, a family may choose to adopt that child. Then the child goes to live with that family forever. Do you know anyone who was adopted? Do you have something like foster care in your country?
In Romans 8:14-17 says, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." 
Just like when a child is chosen to be adopted by a family, we too are adopted into a family. When we trust Jesus with our lives, we are adopted into God's family! In Ephesians 1:4-5, it says that God choose us, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." Psalm 103:13 tells us that God takes good care of his children, "The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him." It is good to know that God loves us and will take care of us! If you have accepted Jesus into your heart, then you are my sister! We are both children of God, and that makes us sisters!
God made you special. He loves you very much. You are important. I love you, friend! God bless you.
Love,
Elisabeth

Have you written to your kiddos about adoption?  If so, what was their responses?