Day 2: Carolina for the Buhler Family

Our Goal is to raise $500 for Carolina and Lina… $304 to go!

Ammon and Michelle met while serving on active duty in the Army. Their courtship was only about 4 months and they were married in February, 2001. They had discussed adoption from the start and both agreed they would like to adopt someday, but were unsure when they would be in a position to do so. Michelle is paternally adopted and knows first hand that love does not have to come with DNA. Ammon’s family adopted one of his friends as a teenager and made him a brother. Needless to say, adoption is close to both of their hearts.

Michelle was introduced to Reece’s Rainbow several years ago, but in the last year, she found herself back there looking at all the children who need homes. Michelle began to advocate for these children via her blog and social media, but something kept stirring within both of them to consider adoption. Not long after, a large adoptive family moved into their church and they were able to ask all the questions (and there were many) and get to know these amazing, smart, differently-abled people. And that is when they knew to step out in faith and begin the adoption process. It was hard to get started, and it was hard to choose just one child when they are all deserving of a family. But through it all, one child remained. They knew she was the one.

There will be no updated pictures. Nothing more recent than two years old. But it doesn’t matter. The picture of her taken at age 4, hangs on their refrigerator and they find themselves staring at it often, wondering what she is doing and whether she is safe and warm. The feelings associated with this entire process are almost indescribable. It’s not an easy process, but it is a wonderful one.  They plan to travel during the month of March or April to bring their daughter home. They have been amazed and humbled every step of the way at how God is removing barriers and speaking peace to their hearts.

This is what the Buhler family had to say about their daughter…

“Carolina is a beautiful 6 year old girl. She has cerebral palsy and because of this, she was placed in an orphanage as a newborn. Carolina’s baby house was as nice as one could expect from an orphanage. Though the child to caregiver ratio is rather high, they genuinely cared for the children. Many mission groups visit this orphanage on a regular basis. One missionary was able to obtain a set of AFO braces for Carolina. This allowed her to walk while holding a caregiver’s hand as opposed to having to crawl or scoot herself. Not long after this wonderful gift, Carolina turned 4. This means she was too old to remain in her baby house. It was time for transfer.

Because the director genuinely cares for the children, she did what she could and was able to get Carolina transferred to a boarding school facility that, while not a family, would at least give her an education and a chance at success. But this was short-lived. Shortly after her arrival, the boarding school lost its government funding and was closed. The “typical” children were sent to other similar facilities, but those places did not want to take children with disabilities or special needs. And so our precious girl faced yet another transfer…..but this time, to a remote institution with no chance for an education or to learn necessary life skills to help her be successful. It has been about two years since she was last transferred. We do not have any further details on her condition. But we see her infinite worth and potential, and we are willing to cross an ocean to bring her home. She is our daughter. We just haven’t met her yet.”

Go here to donate to Carolina and enter our giveaway.

Go here to meet our Guest of Honor, Lina.

Below is our daily devotion on fasting.  Go here to learn more about our Lenten journey.

*****

Our Daily Lenten Devotion

Fasting Rule 2: Always put love first.

Daily Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13
Weekly Memory Verse: Isaiah 64:6-8

Today is Valentine’s Day!  The day we remember Saint Valentine and the great grace and love with which he lived and died as he professed his faith in Jesus.  In our reading today, Saint Paul has a lot to tell us about love.  Paul says that regardless of the great spiritual powers we display, or how well we live out our Christian lives, if we do it without loving people, it is all quite meaningless!  Since Valentine’s Day has mainly become a day to focus on that particular fruit of the Holy Spirit (love), let’s delve into what exactly fasting with love looks like.

The pharisees were called out many times by Jesus, not because of their spiritual piety and disciplines – those things are good!  But because they put these things above love for God and their neighbor, the greatest commandments of all.  Likewise, when we fast, we want to be careful that our fasting is not so important to us that it becomes more important than loving our neighbor.  Fasting is supposed to help us love our neighbor, not be at odds with doing so!

So, if you are invited to dinner, or offered a box of chocolates on this fine day, should you refuse such a generous gift?  By no means!  Out of love for your neighbor, accept the gift with thankfulness and a heart that is at peace.  Yes, break your fast.  The second rule of fasting is that fasting is not as important  as loving, and if love asks you to break your fast, you do just that!  You can always resume your fast when the meal is finished, but you would never be able to get back that gesture of hospitality and love if you refuse it.

Daily Challenge: If a gift or invitation causes you to break your fast – do it!