Heading to America

In just a few hours, Brian and the troop will be flying out of Kiev!! It has been rough but everyone is hanging in there! They had their final embassy appointment today and went back to pack up! I will tell you a bit about each child but remember, I won't meet them until tomorrow! But have had fun on FaceTime!  Nash is Octavian on Reecesrainbow. He turned 2 in January! He loves to be held. He cries and cries when you put him down. He also cries when he is done eating even though he has eaten a lot! He loves the baby toys! He can crawl and is too cute! He has a large curve on the lower back. We are not sure why that is. Dima, is going to be five in October! He is very tiny! He is wearing size newborn shorts and fits in the infant car seat. His name is Whitaker on Reecesrainbow. Thank you to all the Whitaker fans that worked so hard to get his grant up there!! He cannot sit or hold up his head. They say he only eats from the bottle so we will try baby foods soon! He has been really fussy off and on and possibly has been having some withdrawals from sedatives at the orphanage. He has possible sleep apnea and some other things going on so medical appointments are going to be ASAP for him. They have shaved his head so his hair is very short! He has a large patch of really blonde looking hair in the middle of his brown hair. He does like to laugh when his daddy is being funny! Natasha was Dani on Reecesrainbow. She is tiny too. She is 19 pounds and will be 6 in December. She hasn't done her nervous flapping at her head since she left the orphanage, except in the tiny elevator and when she knocked something over in the apartment. Poor sweet girl. They said she only ate puréed foods but she has been eating table food just fine with no choking! She had no words of any kind but said "papa" today!! She doesn't walk on her own but can stand when you hold her hands. All of them little blessings, discarded by society but made in the image of God!! Please adopt if you can!! Every child is in a desperate place with no hope without adoption!! Continue to pray for more children to find families! #freedomfororphans. Check out facebook for pics under Laurie Harlin.     I stink at blogging :) thank you all!! Will update when I can!! Be blessed and give someone a hug!!

Freedom for Orphans

Today Brian and Natalie are traveling 3 hours south of Kiev to pick up Whitaker and Dani. These were their internet names so they are actually Dima and Natasha! Dima is 4 and Natasha 5. Both kids have CP. I won't have many details until later. No internet connection with Brian until they arrive back in Kiev! If you want to see pictures, you will have to check out facebook tomorrow. I will post pictures and put them on public so you can see them! Tomorrow, they will get Octavian out! His name is Nash. He is 2 like our Crosby that we adopted last year! Prayers needed to get them home! Trying to scrape together airfare for 5! Yikes! Can't get tickets yet until we know they have passports and visas. Still waiting on these documents!thanks for prayers!! They are so appreciated! Never an easy process but so worth it!! Even though we are back in Ukraine, the kids are from different regions than last year! Such a beautiful country that is still struggling with war on the eastern side and economic effects and so many families being displaced! So remember to pray for the protection of those that live here! The Reece's rainbow team has been awesome and Hand of Help in adoption! Now waiting to hear from Brian!!!

Blessings

Jesus loves the little children! We are commanded to love like Jesus and care for orphans. This is why we do what we do!! So many orphans and so many in desperate need that we need more people ready to step out in faith and follow their heart and God's call. They are true blessings and you will not regret taking that step of faith. Natalie, my daughter and Brian went to one orphanage and it was about a 3 hour drive from the city that they started at. This is an orphanage that has not had any adoptions. It is in a small area and it house kids age 4 through the 20's. All with some sort of disability. The older boys were so polite. They came and shook Brian's hand. When Natalie was there and they were visiting our new children in the meeting room, some of the older boys would peek in to see. I wonder what they are thinking? Do they understand? They don't get visitors or get to leave the institution. They are just so sweet. It breaks your heart to see that they will never have a home and a family. Natalie and Brian drove quite a bit, visiting each birth town to get birth certificates. It will take about 5 days for passports to be ready. They drove back to the city they started at that night. They were gone for about 15 hours and had to be up at 6 am the next day to do more driving to the next town where our new son was born and they had to wait about 3 to 4 hours for paperwork. They did not get a chance to get that passport started so they will have to wait until Monday. Again they were gone all day! Then today they went to the baby house to visit our little cutie! He is 2 and has Down syndrome. He loves to be held and cried when Natalie put him down. He and our son Crosby are going to have a lot of fun together! Crosby is 2 as well. Can't wait to meet my babies! Pick up day will probably be on Wednesday! Then they have to get medicals and wait for passports to be ready before going to the embassy for final paperwork. Thanks all for prayers and support! We couldn't do it alone! #freedomfororphans

Final trip

Well tomorrow my daughter Natalie and Brian will fly across the ocean to get our new kiddos out of the orphanage. Praying that it doesn't take 2 weeks! Lots of driving around to different towns to get birth certificates and paperwork! One of the kiddos does some self injury type behaviors so praying that will improve quickly. Poor sweetie! Can't wait to meet my babies! We are thankful for all the blessings! Hope to share some more soon!!

Court

Court was successful!! Now 10 plus days before we can bust them out!! The First court the judge had not done many and maybe zero international adoptions. A bit scary to me but went fairly well. The photo books that you take along are so helpful. We have pictures of all the kids and of our house and things like that. After people see the pictures, Brian says they are so much more helpful. The director was very nice and helpful. Brian offered to but diapers but she said they were good with their supply but asked for a tv. This orphanage has kids age 4 through 22+ , all considered disabled and unless adopted, never get out. They live in an institution until they die.. There is very little for them to do. They used to have a tv but it broke. So Brian gave them money to help buy a new one. The young men that lived there were so excited! They were all so polite also and shook Brian's hand and greeted him. A tv provides much needed stimulation. This orphanage does not usually get adoptions. Hopefully now there will be some more adoptions from this place. The director gave our facilitator some pictures and files of some kids to list with Reece's rainbow. We pray more children will get a chance to live life! The kids are tiny. Our little guy who is 4 1/2 years is smaller than Crosby our 2 year old. His waist is 15". Can't wait to get him home! Praying all the kids have healthy hearts and that none of them need surgery! We will schedule appointments as soon as they arrive.

The next court in another area was a bit stressful. This judge does a lot of adoptions because it is in a more populated area. But she is known to give families a hard time. Brian said it wasn't too bad but she did try to make things a bit difficult. This court was successful too! So good to be done with this part. The judges have the power to not approve and make families do a lot of unnecessary things and make the poor kids sit and wait! So thankful this was not the case. Brian will come home and then head over again for all the paperwork and medical exams, passports and visas. The biggest financial challenge will be getting airfare back at the last minute for a decent price! It is so hard when you have no clue how long it will take to get everything done. We will also bring some special formula back for one little guy waiting to be adopted that really needs extra food and nutrition. He is blessed to have intervention. Most do not get it! But still he needs a family desperately! He is listed as Ben on Reecesrainbow if you want to check him out and donate to his grant. Thank you so much!

Rejoice in The Lord always

Having a hard time today with this. Trying my best to Rejoice when there is so much sadness. Sadness for orphans that never get an earthly home and love of a family. Little children that are so capable despite disabilities. Yet they are transferred at the age of 4 and then left in a crib to slowly waste away. My heart breaks. I don't understand. I know life is not fair. I know there is pain and suffering yet I also know more can be done! Please take time to pray today for these children that few see and know about. They are real. They need homes. Adoption is their only way out of a failed system that does not value their life. To God, they are more valuable then we can imagine. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are commanded to care for orphans. It is not a suggestion! We are working on bringing home a few of these children and we are so excited and thankful, although it is heartbreaking when you see of kids that are left behind. Rejoice in The Lord always and again I say rejoice.

Court Dates!

Yes it is true! We finally have court dates! Please keep praying that the judge says yes to adoption! It is never a done deal until after court! Brian will return home after court because there is a 10 day wait until you can get the children out of the orphanage. But court will be at least 1 step closer. In the meantime, we need to put some cribs together and rearrange some bedrooms to make room for these precious children! Sergei still suffers from night terrors. They are much better than when he first got home and would love prayers that he could sleep better at night. When he first got home he only slept an hour or two at a time. Most nights I can get about 4 to 6 hours now. It would be great if this was extended. Not only did he suffer from severe neglect and starvation but also physical abuse. He has burn scars on his head and legs. He cannot speak so we will never know what he endured. Yet this boy radiates joy! Please pray for more families to adopt! It is so worth it. These children are beautiful. They are seen as worthless in their society. Sergei was thrown out with the trash and then treated like garbage yet he is the most precious, beautiful child and now is so loved! Thank you all!

No news

If you are waiting for an update, we do not have any news! The kids sit and wait! We are waiting on judges. We are praying for news on Friday! Thank you for all of  your prayers and support. Technically we should have been finished in the next week but delays happen. Stayed tuned....never an easy process!

Vitaly

There is a boy age 10, 6 years ago he could sit and understand what was going on and pull to stand. Now he can barely lift his head and is wasting away. He is so thin and his body twisted. He waits for a family. Will anyone come? Will they make it in time? He loves to be held and loves attention and can still smile. He recognizes volunteers. Please share him. He is in a place that allows older parents and large families. He deserves to have love and a family and food!! Please pray for him. This is his information....www.reecesrainbow.org/Vitaly

Want to read what it is like for theses kids? Read "The Boy From Baby House 10" by Alan Philips and John Lahutsky  this is written by a boy about his life in a Russian orphanage.

Freedom for orphans!!!

Waiting waiting waiting

Waiting for court dates!!!!! Seems to take forever! Brian made it back after trip one! He had fun using the metro around one city and got to meet up with some other awesome families and missionaries. And managed to find his apartment ok despite the first mix up! Although he did travel to another area by car and was expecting to return later in the evening but miscommunication, he was supposed to completely pack up! Oops again. But no one else needed the apartment that night and he returned the next day. He went to a small town to meet Whitaker. Whitaker has been chosen as a favorite and has been getting extra meals. His weight was good but no muscle strength at all. There are a lot if people praying for Whitaker and he has been given extra protection. We need more prayer for court. This area almost never does international adoptions because the kids are older and classified as severely disabled and are not chosen very often. So keep on praying! We appreciate each and everyone of you that has been praying along the way! It does make a difference. We did find out that court will not be together and we have 2 separate courts so this will entail a few extra trips across the ocean during busy travel times and increased airfare so pray for all the finances to come through and be enough is also needed! Sergei and Crosby continue to keep blooming!M spend 10 minutes with these boys and you can understand why we are adopting again!! Freedom for orphans!! God does not intend for them to be ignored and to suffer!

So Many Children

Brian made it safely and was able to meet Octavian! He is very sweet of course. Can give more details after everything is finalized! He met several other kiddos there as well and got to hold them for a tiny bit and offer some love!! My heart breaks for these sweeties!! This is a good baby house. The kids are taken care of best as possible! Tomorrow morning he travels to another area to meet Whitaker. Praying he is not in as bad shape as Sergei was. Things have been fairly calm so far. He did end up at the wrong apartment and building because everything looks the same! Luckily his key didn't fit and he figured it out! Oh my!! Jet lag probably had something to do with it as well! Thanks for all of those that are praying! We really appreciate it! More later......

Time to go!

We have our date for our appointment to get our referrals to meet the boys! Brian will fly out next week!! Can't wait to find out more about our soon to be kiddos. Please pray for protection for all! Meanwhile we have a lot to get done in the next several days!! This will be the first trip of several! During this time, we will have a day surgery appointment for Crosby. Most likely he has limited or no hearing in one ear which could be causing delays in his speech. He is doing great, learning lots of signs! His favorite activity is being outside....

Walking on Sunshine!

Today we found out that the family before us is travelling next week! Hopefully this means we will travel soon! Please continue to pray for the protection of Whitaker! He is in a very horrible place and still has to hang on for awhile longer! Once we have court, he will still have to wait 10 days after that! Pray for all our dates to work out for court and pick ups. We are travelling to 2 different areas so we will be required to have 2 different court dates and such! The less trips the better. Brian does not have as much vacation time this year so he will make at least 3 round trips if not more! Also our fees are a lot more since we are going to different places so we need prayer for funds. It should not cost so much but it does! A life is priceless! God did not design for children to be discarded and then left for years to suffer from neglect and starvation. So wish we could bring home more! Please consider adoption, you will be so blessed! Don't let fear stop you or your age! Thanks all!

Success!

Well the last minute trip to the Capitol paid off. Brian was able to get our seal for our paper and then find a DHL shipping location after a little confusion. Our document made it to the right place on Monday and our official documents were submitted today!! Yes! Now we wait for a travel date! Most likely it will be 7 to 8 weeks out but we are praying for a miracle so poor Whitaker doesn't have to suffer that long! We are about half way funded! If you would like to help by buying at shirt that would be awesome...www.booster.com/harlinadoption or you can donate right to our tax deductible fund...www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsorharlin-2. Thank you so much! Appreciate prayers!

A Mad Dash to the Capitol

Well all but one document made it safely to where it needed to go! Our last document, the immigration approval finally came and we had it notarized and then it has to go to our state Capitol to be apostilled. So since it is about a 2 hour drive from here and people have been sick, I mailed it off and paid for expedited processing fee. My giant packet came back in a week not expedited so this last one should be easy. Finally feeling a bit relaxed since this last one should be back and ready to go with time to spare. Well no!  I kept checking the mail. Finally yesterday when it didn't show up, I called. Guess what? They do not have our paper??? Lost in the mail? Lost at the state Capitol? Who knows but this is now a problem because it has to be delivered this weekend. Brian is at a 2 day meeting in Milwaukee and kids are sick...fevers 103* for Crosby and others with fevers, cough, ear infections!! So now what? Brian was able to get a vacation day. He rushed home from Milwaukee so we could get a new notary. Papers have to be at the Capitol by 10 am for same day apostille...road trip! Brian took 2 of the boys that aren't sick and left early this morning. Since they are in Madison, they are going to have a field trip and tour the Capitol building! I just heard from Brian and he made it in time and they were super nice and are getting things done for him ASAP! He then has to find a dhl shipping location and this baby, the paper will board the plane!! Hang on little Whittaker! Lots of people are praying for you to stay strong!! Your mommy and daddy are coming and we love you so much and can't wait to hold you!! Extra prayers so appreciated!

Pictures from the fall and Whitaker

Thought I would try to add some pictures...might already have these in a former post...too much paperwork for new adoption and appointments. I have adoption brain! And I need major help with blogging. one problem being an older mama!

This is Whitaker. He has been transferred to a very bad place. Praying he can hold on a bit longer!!!!

Sergei on his way to the Down Syndrome awareness walk in Appleton

Crosby on his 2nd birthday

Court day in the US, also Sergei having his 72 hour EEG which showed no seizures at this time!

Almost There!

Our giant packet of papers have made it safely across the ocean this week! We are waiting for one final piece of paper to arrive to be completely done with paperwork. We were told today that it is in the mail to us. Once it gets here, we have to get it notarized and then drive to Madison to get it apostilled and then find a family that is travelling to take it over! Such a long process but so worth it! Hopefully we will have a travel date soon! Still trying to raise some funds. You can message me about horseshoe key chains and necklaces we have for sale made by my daughter or you can also donate to www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsorharlin-2 A big huge thank you to all who have been praying for these sweet boys and helping with the huge expense. It shouldn't be so expensive but that is reality. Hang on Whitaker we are coming!!

True love

Crosby loves Sergei! He will bring him toys and touch him gently and look his way when Sergei cries from leg pain or upset stomach! Even though he is only 2 years old and home for not quite a year and has Down syndrome, he knows there is something extra special about Sergei! Crosby went to his first play group on Wednesday and did very well. I was so proud of him. He will definitely love his new brothers once they get here! Our papers are travelling across the ocean on Sunday! One piece of paper is still missing so it will have to be sent over as soon as it gets here! I called and left a message for immigration today trying to see how long it might be before we get that last piece of needed info! The wait always seems so long. I think it is because I know every day, every hour is a nightmare for Whitaker! Hang on buddy! We pray for his protection. Thank you for all the prayers for these kids! Have you loved an orphan today? What are you waiting for? Send some love! Visit www.reecesrainbow.org  donations are tax deductible. Thank you for loving the least of these!!

One step closer

For my birthday, today, we have our appointment at the immigration office! After this is done, we wait for our approval letter and then we should be able to roll! Next is completed documents, final check and prayer and off they go and then waiting for a travel date?, please pray for Whittaker during this time. He is in a very bad place. Pray for speed and accuracy of all the paperwork! Thank you friends! Appreciate all the prayers and any funding that has been given to get these kids home. The hardest part is knowing and seeing all the kids not going home. It is beyond horrific. We need more families! Thank you and have a blessed day! We can all do more than we think we can through Christ!

1 year of Freedom

Sergei is celebrating 1 full year of freedom today! This is the day that he was released from a life in a crib! This was a total God thing because Crimea was taken over by Russia just 2 days before, making travel and other things very dangerous to get in and back out of Crimea! Sergei is probably the last child out of Crimea since Russia bans adoption to US citizens! Brian was then stuck over there until the 1st of April, unable to get his passport completed due to the Russian take over. We are now praying for another miracle for another sweet boy stuck in a different but even more horrific place!! We need to get there ASAP!! If you feel led to help us with funding we would be so honored. Any amount is helpful. The freedom of these children does not come cheap!! Thank you to all that hear God's calling to help the orphan! You can donate at reecesrainbow.org/sponsorharlin-2