Crazy or remarkably sane?

Well--I am just going to delve right in and begin documenting thoughts--that hopefully someone can relate to!

I have been pondering as of late--my incessant need to think about, do something about, read about, all things relating to orphans. I have, of course, a major part of my heart invested in these thoughts, being that we have two former "orphans" that I am now lucky enough to call my children. I guess the experience of seeing the children's faces in China. Seeing the desperation. Seeing the helplessness, the HOPElessness. It has affected me in such a profound way. I see these children in my dreams. I think of how I can help--by means of donations, of a foundation that I am starting, of church-related awareness to just how many suffer.

I think about how many more we can adopt--(yes-I admit I do think that) how many we can fit in our house. How many children we can love. But I guess what I have realized is---in the eyes of every single parentless, hopeless child that I see--I see my own children's eyes looking back at me. Am I crazy? Am I incredibly sane?

I like to think that I am the latter of the two. Shouldn't we look at all children--or all PEOPLE of this world as our children--as our brothers and sisters?? Shouldn't we feel compelled to help ANYone in need? Should I feel "odd" that I think about this so often--or just incredibly lucky that I am now so aware?

It's pretty heavy stuff--this stuff that rattles through my brain--and not so pleasant to think about and to see. But what is the outcome? By caring--we propel ourselves into action--and therefore do something altruistic to better the life of someone else--and therefore--our hearts are calm with satisfaction.

In this upcoming holiday season--can I beg anyone that reads this to think about the "hard stuff"--the thoughts that we don't like to think while trying to indulge ourselves in the excess that has become our "Holiday". The faces that lie freezing in cribs in China--no heat--not enough food. The children in need of medical care--not receiving life-saving surgeries simply because there is no one to pay. The children that long for a mother's warm arms around them--a father's strong hand to hold.

I don't have to look too hard to think about these children--I just look down the hall at their tiny sleeping bodies warm in their beds--that for my son Sam--just one year ago slept in a snowsuit--because there was no heat in his orphanage. One year ago--he never swallowed solid food because there was not enough. Think of that as YOUR child--or a child that you love.

Help me-help them!!! Consider sponsoring a child through two of my favorite organizations--

They both provide medical care to orphans in China--and help love these dear one's until they are matched with their forever families---

Here are the links:

www.thestarfishfosterhome.org/

and

www.chinaorphans.org/

What a neat way to give back--to have your family help! And it has the added benefit of making you feel pretty darn good too!!

OK--I am happy I got that off my chest--now the next post will be a little less heavy--I promise!!

Amy
xoxox