For Vlad: A LaurenJean Photography Fundraiser

LaurenJean Photography has volunteered to do a fundraiser to help us host Vlad this summer!  So amazing!  Here are the details:

If you donate at least $100 through the ChipIn link below by the end of the day on June 6, you will receive a mini-session from LaurenJean Photography.  This includes a 20 minute session at either the Scottsdale Civic Center or downtown Mesa and 10-15 photos on a disc for you to use how you will.  Sessions have to be scheduled and used before the end of August.  After donating, you can email laurenjeanphotography@gmail.com to arrange your session.

So thankful to Lauren for wanting to do this for us!  And just to give you a taste of her mad skills (though Blogger doesn't do them justice):
  

Thank you!

On My Heart: Vlad. Part 2.

So I feel very very inadequate.  And I feel like there have to be a lot of people thinking, "What does she think she's doing?  She's not that great.  Definitely not enough to provide a good home for 15 year old for awhile.  He's just going to be bored.  Why does she think she's this great person who can do such a thing?"

And I suppose it's me that feels that way.  I hope that's just the enemy talking.  Telling myself it is.  I cannot believe how heavy Vlad is on my heart.  I feel like I've looked at his picture enough that I'm completely desensitized to it.  As though it's the picture of a boy I saw in a magazine once or something.  But the only thing becoming desensitized can do is make me forget about him.

And I do feel so crazily inadequate.  And I do feel like a fraud for taking this on.  Because I am not that great.  I mean, really, I'm just me.  Nothing extraordinary happening here.  And it's so tempting to put the whole thing off and let deadlines go by.  Though I am not sure if my heart would let me forget.  And my mind is reminding me that even if I am inadequate, the other option is that nothing happens.  Nothing changes for Vlad.  And what kind of an alternative is that?

So I just made an account on ChipIn to track donations for Vlad.  I linked the Paypal account so that it goes directly to Children's Cultural Connection.  Remember that any donations are 100% tax deductible.

I've already had a few friends tell me that they would like to donate--thank you!  And another friend is putting together a really cool fundraiser for my Arizonians--thank you!  Remember that no gift is too small.  And no prayer is too small.  Thank you to everyone that has been praying for Vlad.  Thank you so much.

On My Heart: Vlad

I've read about programs to host orphaned kids before.  Sort of assumed we would do so when our kids were older and we could host someone close in age to them.  So I was reading one of my favorite blogs the other day, from a woman whose heart has very much been for the orphan, and she featured a few hosting programs.  So I looked through the kids' photos and read their information.

And then I read about Vlad:  "Has no brothers or sisters. Brother adopted to Ireland in 2007. Irish couple only wanted 4 year old brother. Vlad was only 10 at the time--signed all paperwork granting separation and after that--he is still here."

So for five years--and typing this my heart breaks--for five years, he has just been alone at the orphanage.  I imagine a 10 year old boy that thought a different family would be coming for him... and still he waits.  

And so I have prayed.  And prayed.  And prayed for Vlad these last six days.  And my heart is so full for him.  Perhaps I am scared to forget.  He is real boy on the other side of the world, not just a photo I happened across.  And I imagine myself in his position.  (And I know, his is not completely unique--there are plenty of children out there that need their own families.)  But I imagine if I was an orphan, that oh, I would pray to not be forgotten.

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
                                  -James 2:15-16

And so I have been torn over the correct course of action.  I have waited to see if perhaps a better-fitting family might appear.  But all the while, we have also been willing to host him.  Most of my hesitancy is that I want to see the very best for him and I was really hoping God would just show that and provide it.  But perhaps that is what this weight on my heart has been.

So Matt and I are stepping out to ask you all if you would want to donate to helping us host Vlad for the summer.  The cost to host a child is $2500, which includes plane tickets, visas, insurance, etc.  For us, we would need an additional $1000 for airfare because the closest airports they are bringing kids are San Francisco and Chicago.  And in our case, Vlad would begin his time with us in Nebraska with our extended family and then finish his time with us at our home in Arizona.  (We'll actually need a little more than this to get background checks and a mini-homestudy finished, but I don't know how much those will be yet.)

So what we would need to host Vlad is approximately $3500.  We have already offered a grant of $600 to anyone interested in hosting him, but this is all we can do right now.  So what we are asking from you are donations that will hopefully reach $2900.  Please pray and do what is on your hearts--even if that is simply prayer and more prayer.  If you would like to give financially, please post it below or message or email me.  And if we get enough feedback that we believe we can move forward, we will.  Otherwise, I will continue to pray that that "perfect" (*wink*) family comes forward to host him.

And if you would like to offer more of a scholarship for Vlad, regardless of who might host him, you can do so at this link.  All donations are tax-deductible.  If you do donate directly, please email Ginger (same email as the Paypal account) and let her know where you would like your donation to go.

Phew--deep breath--love you all.


-Shilo

http://www.wix.com/hostukraine/ccc
   

Trip to the Vet

Francis had a free appointment with a veterinarian today because it was within ten days of her adoption.  I took Titus and Kali, because I thought it would be a good learning experience.

*pause*

Not so much.

Titus ran back and forth through the lobby screaming when I wouldn't let him hold Francis' leash anymore.  Screaming.  He was given a coloring book and pen.  In the exam room, he threw the pen in the garbage and started hitting the dog with the coloring book--while the veterinarian was examining her.  Then thought it was funny to tell us that Francis is mean to him (his reason for hitting her) which is not true.  He also grabbed Kali's face and made her cry.  And grabbed the canine rectal temp lubricant off the counter, getting his fingers in it.  And threw more fits over not getting to hold Francis' leash.  And last but not least, knocked his sister down and stood on her as I was signing paperwork at the end.  *sigh*

Oh, wait!  Remembered one more:  got mad in the car and ripped his coloring book down the middle with his teeth.  Oh, yes.  He got in trouble when we got home.  In fact, he is napping right now.

And as for the vet visit:  I knew that though the exam was free, there could be fees for things.  Didn't think there would be any, because she's a healthy young dog and I thought the animal shelter had already given her all of her vaccines.  Well, she was missing one.  And they're going to run an analysis for parasites with her poop and check her for heartworms and we have heartworm medication for the year... and so forth.  Most of the time, I try to play it cool when something is really expensive (as if I don't think it is), but in this case, I was just like, "This is a lot."

But okay, so now we're done with her shots for the year.

**Oh no, there's more!

As I'm leaving, I find out we're supposed to bring her back in one week for a follow-up vaccine and in two weeks for another shot.  The latter is a courtesy visit and I don't have to actually pay the exam fee.

Wait a second... that means I'm supposed to pay a $53 exam fee for her to be seen next week when they just saw her today?!?!

So I asked the tech about this.  Twice.  And her explanation is that it's just like your pediatric visits for your kids to get their vaccines.  But Francis isn't my kid.  She's my dog.  And I love her very much, but she is a dog.

And that, my friends, is the city veterinary experience.