Silent Cries and Hidden Tears: February 2008

Please Donate and Help A Child

Consider helping a child with your donation?

By donating to a child, you will help to pay for that child's medical care, surgery, medication, doctor's visit, or medical equipment, school supplies, clothing, food and toys for their development?

All the children in listed here live within the United States. The families of these children have extra challenges in providing care for a variety of reasons such as unemployment, loss of medical insurance, life changing illness, life challenge or disability, extensive medical bills, or adoption.

Caring for five special children, we understand these daily challenges.

One time donations are acceptable through the donation button on our blog to the right at the top of our posts.

Every dollar goes to support both the child and administrative costs to continue our program.

One time donations in any amount are accepted ($5.00, $10.00, $20.00, $50.00, $100.00, $250.00, $500.00).

Weekly Donations are $10.00 !

Monthly Donations are $20.00 !

Donating is easy! We have various children right here in the United States who need your help. To donate to a child:
1. Click on the Donation button to the right at the top.
2. Choose how much you want to donate.
3. Write the child's name on the donation in comments.
4. Or Click on that Child's Donation button.
5. Your account will automatically be billed.
6. Subscribe to our blog for updates on how your child is doing.
7. Come back and donate when you want.
8. If you want to donate for a specific item, please write the child's name and the item in comments when you make the donation.

If you know of a child you recommend for sponsorship, please email us at academyofthepossible@gmail.com for more information. Be sure to include your email or mailing address, so we can send you the information.

Take a look at the children below. Each child has unique needs. Each child's needs will be updated as they change!

Michael: Michael is a charming young man who was adopted from Kazakhstan and suffered malnutrition in his early life due to the limited resources of the orphanage who did their best to care for him. Michael has multiple disabilities including Ectodermal Dysplasia, Chromose 16 deletion, Dysphagia, Cerebral Palsy, Juvenile Osteoporosis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Auditory Processing Disorder, Short Stature, Growth Hormone Deficiency, Cognitive and Developmental Delays, Speech and Language Delays, Thrombocytopenia, Hemolytic Anemia, Evan's Syndrome, Systemic Lupus, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Kidney Disease, Seizures, Autism, Periventricular Leukomalacia, Hypoplasia of the Corpus Callosum, Heart Murmur, Asthma, GERD, Gastrointestinal Disorder, medication, and on-going follow up, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical equipment such as wheelchair, AFO braces, walker, cooling vest. Michael cannot play contact sports, so access to swimming for low impact exercise is ideal. A wheelchair accessible van would also help greatly.

Michael's Needs: Michael needs a phase cooling hat to help him keep cooler during the summer months and warmer weather, and his house needs new concrete for handicap accessible entrance to his home. Michael would also like a saltwater pool so he can swim at home in the evening when he won't be affected by the sun or heat or chlorine which can all cause him seizures. A new helmet for seizures. This will allow Michael to go outside more often. Michael would like a laptop and software to help him with his schoolwork, particularly Rosetta Stone Latin for High School, Teaching Textbooks Math, and All the Apologia Science on CD.

Michael's Dreams: Michael dreams of owning a guitar and becoming a medical doctor to help other kids like himself.

Gabriela: Gabriela is a sensitive young lady who was adopted from the Ukraine, given up for adoption again by her first family and then adopted by her forever family. Gabriela has Bipolar Disorder, Headaches, Frequent Episodes of Blindness, Muscle Twitches, Difficulty with Numbness, Tingling and Walking, Heartburn, Swallowing, Breathing, and also has ADHD, medication, on-going follow up. Gabriela is currently being evaluated for Multiple Sclerosis.

Gabriela's Needs: Gabriela needs regular donations to help pay for her physician follow up which insurance does not pay for. Gabriela also needs AFO braces to help her walk better.

Gabriela's Dreams: Gabriela dreams of rescuing animals and become a Veterinarian. Gabriela would really like some new art supplies and a new DS with all the pet games.

Joseph: Joseph was adopted from Estonia by his first family who was unable to care for him due to extenuating circumstances and then adopted by his forever family. Joseph is a charming young man who loves attention and has Severe Global Delays, FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), Pulmonary Hypertension, Transposition of the Major Vessels Repaired, several open heart surgeries to repair his declining heart over the next few years and a possible pacemaker, Cognitive Delays, Speech and Language Delays, Developmental Delays, Learning Disability, Microcephaly, Craniostenosis, Short Stature, Growth Hormone Deficiency, GERD, medication, and on-going follow up.

Joseph's Needs: Joseph is slow to grow and wears out his clothes and needs new shoes. An ipad that can help him develop more fully academically.

Joseph's Dreams: Joseph loves cars and dreams of working with the police when he grows up.

Joshua: Joshua also was adopted from Estonia and given up by his first family and later adopted by his forever family. Joshua is a quiet young man with Probable Fetal Alcohol Effects, Rough Beginnings, and Development and Learning Delays.

Joshua's Dreams: Joshua dreams of building rockets, piloting a plane and becoming an engineer.

Shawna: Shawna is a lovely girl adopted in the US who is healthy but lives with several siblings with special needs.

Shawna's Needs: Shawna needs new clothes, and shoes.

Shawna's Dreams: Shawna dreams of having her own horse to name Flicka, a pool to swim in, having new princess shoes and a princess dress, and lots of fruit trees to eat from in her backyard.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS, LOVE AND GENEROSITY!

Gifting

Towards a child in need, towards an adoption, and a child's dream of having a family. Money raised will help pay expenses such medical care and clothes. Please support our mission to help children around the world.

Thousands of children are dying daily from starvation and lack what we take for granted (the basics such as electricity, running water, heat, and education). Hundreds of thousands of children live in orphanages. Children are institutionalized because of special needs. Adoption is our mission field.

For many children, the simple desire is to be wanted and have a family of their own and to be loved.

Please consider a gift of $5.00, $10.00, or $20.00 and change the course of a child's life forever. Using the Donation button near the bottom of the blog posts is easy.

Small amounts are very welcome. Please consider even just $1.00. - which will go a long way to help a child.

Favorite Quotes

"We Are Called To Be Adopted: He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." Ephesians 1:5
"Adoption has a way of emptying our pockets."
"My goal and prayer in life is to be half as loving as Mother Theresa." Jennifer Richardson
"Adoption is one of the best ways to lose that man-pleasing desire we carry that want(s) others to approve of us and what we do." Jenny
"Sometimes I think it is not God saying no to us, but us giving up too soon when the fight got tough." Jennifer Richardson
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:4-6 (NIV)
God give us all the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Ephesians 1:14
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3
"We can make a difference - one child at a time." Jennifer Richardson

Prayers & Praises

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Safety and health for our little ones in Africa. - Ongoing
For The Lord's leading and ears to hear. - Ongoing
For The Letting Go God Asks of Us, - Ongoing.
Money and financial provision for the adoption. - Ongoing
For the homeless and hungry people of Africa. - Ongoing.
For those dying of starvation and malnutrition in Africa each moment. - Ongoing.
For the Lord to bless abundantly John and Laurie in their ministry. - Ongoing
For Mary to experience God's presence in every day, - Ongoing.
For all marriages and relationships everywhere, that God would be the center of the relationship, - Ongoing.
For everyone who suffers from Diabetes and Chronic conditions of any kind, that God would heal their bodies and bring them comfort, - Ongoing.
For everyone who suffers from any mental illness or psychiatric condition, depression, Bipolar Disorder, and ADHD, that the Lord would calm their minds and their souls and bring order, - Ongoing.
For the Chan's and the health of their children born and unborn, - Ongoing.
For the Szolomayer Family that the Lord may give them joy and for all their personal intentions - Ongoing.
For all families everywhere for peace and blessings during the Christmas season, that we may all grow closer to God's heart, - Ongoing.
For our family and God's protection, - Ongoing.
For our relatives to receive God's heart and truth, - Ongoing.
For the Lee Family that the Lord may give them joy and for all their personal intentions - Ongoing.
For all of our children for health, growth and peace, - Ongoing.
For Face to Face Ministries and God's leading and blessing, - Ongoing.

PRAISE REPORTS:

For Face to Face Ministries and all the staff who seek the Lord 12-2007
For our friends R and T who hope to finalize the adoption of this beautiful little boy. 12-2007
For my sister who traveled safely during the holidays.
For Scott who received healing from a cold. 11-2007
For Jennifer who received healing from her asthma 11-2007
For our Saturn which got a new tire 11-2007
For Shawna who received healing from her first cold at 20 months 11-02-07.
For Michael who got his cast off 11-13-07
Everyone got over their winter colds 11-14-07

Friday, February 29, 2008

Traveling

Oh my goodness !! We are traveling to go get our boys ! We are so excited to meet them, and pray that we pass ICPC quickly.

Jennifer

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Our Adoption Adventure - The Most Beautiful Boys

Pursuing an international adoption is on hold for us indefinitely for now. We have decided through prayer and discernment that a domestic adoption is in our best interest right now, and right where the Lord wants us to be.

In order to be sensitive to the parents disrupting their adoption, we won't be posting pictures of the boys yet. We will be adopting two boys, 4 and 6 years old. We definitely will be posting lots and lots of pictures after we fly home. We are hopeful we will be able to get the boys very very soon.

You can be sure they are both cute as a button with light brown hair and blond hair.

Anyone who wanted to donate towards hotel costs would be thanked immensely. We might have to stay for 1-2 weeks. As you can imagine, that would add up. Thank you in advance for considering a donation.

Now it is just maneuvering all the legalities. And praying the Lord stay right in the middle working everything out for His good.

Jennifer Richardson

Blood Test Could Reveal Bipolar Disorder

New research has shown that within the next 5 years, there could be a blood test for bipolar disorder. We are hopeful that this could be a great new screening tool for diagnosis.

Jennifer Richardson

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Adoption Foster Domestic International Independent Private Agency Facilitator Attorney USA Eastern Europe Asia Africa South America One Two or Three USCIS Fingerprints Employer Verification Medicals.

Sometimes trying to have a child is like walking a maze. Even criminals don't have to go through so many checks.

There should be a law that after you have passed a homestudy more than say three times that your homestudy certification is automatically five years. During that five years then you have the same rights as a parent who can bear children, to have more as you choose.

With as many times as we have had to be approved to adopt a child, and as many of those have not come to pass because of circumstances beyond our control, and with all we have been through and the multiple homestudies in trying to have children, it disgusts me that we still have to prove ourselves. It just seems to me that the rights of infertile couples who cannot bear children and the rights of those who are fertile and able to bear children are absolutely not the same.

There should be a law that allows extended certification of homestudies, extended approval for greater than 1 year for families who already have multiple children, parents who have already been through the homestudy process and been approved several times. Experience with special needs, raising children, managing family and doing it all should automatically give us the right to say, yes two more, yes two boys or two girls or whatever number of children and whatever needs they may have. We know how to make good decisions.

With everyone proclaiming their rights, what about the rights of adoptive parents !!

Thanks for listening to me vent.

Shawna Turns Two !!

Favorite 2 Year Old Shawna Portraits

In The News

CNN reported that Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. We pray for the Americans over there and especially for the safety of those under attack at the US Embassy.

try and read this

You Sometimes know it's family like relationships trying have to such read a between way the of words becoming and complicated not and knowing misunderstood which and ones stepped to on choose.

Christmas Thank Yous !

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to John and Kitty for all the wonderful ways you have blessed.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Mary for your thoughtfulness in each of the gifts. Scott loved his especially. We all had a blast.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Sharon and Jeff for hosting the Christmas party. We enjoyed it so very much. The presents were most appreciated, and you are all so sweet to us.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Kathy and Jeff for all your wonderful gifts. We all really enjoyed them. Love you all, Scott, Jennifer, Michael, Gabriela, and Shawna

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Diana, for their gifts at Christmas to each of us. You have such good taste.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Art and Eileen for your beautiful gifts. We especially loved the unique coloring books.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Helen and Burl, John and Michele for the very awesome Christmas gifts to our whole family. Thank you. Scott, Jennifer, Michael, Gabriela, and Shawna

What a Gas !

For those of you who have raised toddlers, you will appreciate the humor in this little scenario with our youngest Shawna. She just turned two years old on Sunday. I was putting her to bed and had a little gas. Very promptly she giggled and said "fart !". I couldn't help laughing. Oh my goodness. I told her its called gas, not fart. Gas is the more polite term. Might as well teach her right huh. Later on she got out of bed, and I put her back into bed. She said to me "gas, again, again. " I guess she thought it was really really funny. I told her to go to sleep, and left her rooming trying not to laugh at the whole thing. Ah well.

Jennifer Richardson

My Beautiful Scarf Handmade By Karyn

THANK YOU KARYN ! I LOVE THE SCARF, AND I AM HONORED TO KNOW YOU.

Blessings,
Jennifer Richardson

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Silent Tears

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will be unable to adopt Stefan. We will continue to pray for him, his future and his situation.

the Richardsons

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Potty Training Success

Shawna our most precious 1 year and 364 day old daughter is so proud of herself. She doesn't like to be wet or poopy, and who can blame her. Lately though, she really wants to be changed right away, and is clearly aware of how uncomfortable it is. We asked her if she wanted to use the big girl potty, and she was of course glad we were buying something for her ! So, we bought a little potty chair for her thinking the timing might be right. We also bought cotton training pants thinking we would just encourage the idea while she showed interest. She wanted to wear the big girl panties !! We told her she had to go pee pees and poo poos on the big girl potty first. Twice this evening she did both !!

Had to share this most exciting moment. I am so excited. I can see the end of diapers is near ! Yippee. A mom and dad's dream.

the Richardsons

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Shawna is going to be 2 !!!!

I can hardly believe our youngest, Shawna, is going to be 2 years old in just a few short days.

That will be fun !!!

Jennifer Richardson

A Wonderful Helper

Gabriela (9 years) was such a help today. She cleaned all the dishes, loaded the dishwasher, swept up the crumbs from dinner, watered the dogs, and wiped off all the counters WITHOUT even being asked.

I am so proud of her !!

Jennifer Richardson

Michael's Report

Michael did an oral and written report on Clara Barton, and did such a fabulous job. He really has a great grasp of who she was and her life. He spoke eloquently and was thorough. We are so proud.

Jennifer Richardson

Shawna's Pajamas

I was all finished getting Shawna dressed for the day, and she was holding her pajamas. She wanted to "do it" herself. I asked her then to "put your pajamas under your pillow". She walked into my bedroom and put them under my pillow, not hers. It was so delightful !

Jennifer Richardson

Saturday, February 9, 2008

It's A Boy !! !! !! !

We have accepted a referral !!!! We have pictures of our soon to be newest boy. He is 7 years old from Europe, 2 years younger than our daughter Gabriela. The one picture looks to me like he either was caught off guard or has the "What do you want?" look about him. In the other one, he has the most amazing smile !

Isn't he handsome as can be?

Soon Enough To Be a Proud Mommy Again,

Jennifer Richardson

Friday, February 8, 2008

These Other Angels Really Need Homes

Is the Lord calling you to adopt one of his Other Angels?

Please answer the call. They need you.

Adoptions in Nepal Suspended

Nepal looks at reforming adoption laws.

News Story on Zimbabwe

Good reading. It makes one really appreciate having a car.

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.blogspot.com

St. Benedict Opposes Harry Potter Novels

Pope Benedict has publically and strongly opposed the Harry Potter novels in 2005.
Here are two links about it:

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jul/05071301.html

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=38383

Facts on Africa

Africa is the second largest continent in the world made up of 53 independent countries. There is a great diversity in cultures and people. Africa is almost entirely surrounded by water and the land ranges from deserts to rain forests and mountains to grassland. National Geographic has a wonderful amount of information on their webpage about Africa. At the same time, at least 15 countries in Africa are the least developed in the world struggling with famine, disease, HIV and AIDs in some countries, extreme poverty, and lack of education. Maryknoll states that "70% of its population survives on less than $2 a day." I certainly could not live off of that.

BASIC FACTS
Continental Area - 11,700,000 square miles
Estimated Population - 690 million people
Largest City - Cairo, Egypt, 9.2 million people
Largest Country - Sudan, 968,000 square miles
Longest River - Nile, 4,160 miles
Largest Lake - Victoria, 26,828 square miles
Tallest Mountain - Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, 19,340 feet

MALARIA
According to the CDC, "In areas of Africa ..., an estimated 990,000 people died of malaria in 1995 – over 2700 deaths per day, or 2 deaths per minute."

AIDS EPIDEMIC
According to standwithafrica.org, "Africa is home to nearly 70% of adults and 80% of children living with HIV in the world, and has buried three-quarters of the more than 20 million worldwide who have died of AIDS since the epidemic began."

CHILD MARRIAGES - often driven by poverty:
According to the CDC, "In 2002, ≈52 million girls less than 18 years of age were married. With ≈25,000 girls less than 18 years being married each day, an estimated 100 million will be married by 2012... Child marriages occur 42% for Africa..."

THE MOST VULNERABLE
According to stand with africa, "In eastern Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia continue to suffer from prolonged periods of drought. The pastoral regions of these countries are the most vulnerable, and almost 2 million people in the Horn of Africa received emergency rations from World Food Program in 2001."

THE WORST DROUGHT
According to save the children, "Save the Children and other humanitarian organizations are calling the worst drought Africa has seen since 1984."

SUFFERING AFRICA
According to CNN, "Ethiopia ...Drought, AIDS and preventable disease have put millions of Africans at risk of starvation. People in southern Africa and the Horn of Africa stand to suffer most, officials say. "

RISK OF STARVATION
According to the UN, "World Food Program (WFP) said in December that more than 38 million people across Africa are at risk of starvation."

FOOD SHORTAGES
According to CNN, "Hardest hit are the Horn of Africa, where about 17.9 million people face severe food shortages, and southern Africa, where 16.41 million are at risk"

FOOD CRISIS
According to the UN, "In Ethiopia, ...expects to provide food aid to 11.3 million people in 2003, but that number could rise to 14.3 million people by year's end. "

A CONTINENT OF HUNGRY PEOPLE
According to Fr. Richard Roy, director of the Missionaries of Africa's Washington, DC, office, www.missionariesofafrica.org, "An entire continent of people are in dire need of food, clean water and affordable medicine. "

MASS STARVATION
James Morris, the Executive Director of the UN World Food Program used the words "mass starvation in Africa" and the UN referred to "Africa's critical situation".

CHILDREN STARVING TO DEATH
According to the BBC, "Children are dying daily in the few feeding centres there are, where their place in the queue could make the difference between life and death. " The BBC also said "Children are dying of starvation in feeding centres in Niger, where 3.6m people face severe food shortages"

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE CAN DO SOMETHING. DONATE AND HELP US HELP THREE CHILDREN WHO NEED US.

Liberian Statistics

Liberia: means “land of the free”
Founded By: free African Americans and freed slaves from the USA in 1820
Civil War: 1989 to 2003, a total of 14 years
Below Poverty: more than 80%
Life Expectancy in the Total Population: only 39.65 years
Literacy in the Total Population: only 57.5%, and in the female population only 41.6%
Labor Population: is 70% agriculture
Unemployment: 85%
Population: > 3 million
Population Growth: 4.91%
Ethnics Groups Indigenous African tribes: 95% including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende
Ethnic Groups Americo-Liberians: 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves
Ethnic Groups Congo People: 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)
Religious Beliefs: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Fertility Rate: 6.02 children per woman
Location: Western Africa, bordres the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d’lvoire and Sierra Leone
Total Square Miles Area: 111,370
Climate: tropical, hot, humid, dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers.
Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
President: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Flag: Red and White striped with one white star on a blue background in the upper left corner (similar in style to the US flag)
Capital: Monrovia
United Nations: Member of
Currency: Primarily the Liberian Dollar (LD), also accepts US dollars
Major Languages: English, Ethnic group languages

Sources: Courtesy of the CIA World Factbook 2006 and the US Department of State Country Background Notes of 05-2007, and globaledge.msu.edu

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Facts on Africa

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In the last month of our Liberian adoption, we have received...