A Special Story

Dear Victoria,

I have a very special story to share with you. Last week I got a very touching email from a family that has a little girl your age who also has Down syndrome. It came to us at a time that we were beginning to feel discouraged and it was a quick reminder for us to put our faith and trust in God and know that he is over all. Below are excerpts from the email.

"My older daughter Sarah, who turned 8 this month, is in 2nd grade at a Catholic School. Recognizing that they have been blessed with so much, the girls in her class have decided to forgo presents at their birthday parties in lieu of donations to the charity of their choice. For my daughter's birthday party, she chose to sponsor your Victoria through Reece's Rainbow, in honor of her 5-year old sister Hannah, her favorite person in the world who happens to have Down Syndrome.

"We sent out a link to your blog to her friends' families, and we also printed a page and put it on the table at the party for everyone to see adorable Victoria, read your story, and learn more about these precious children who are waiting to find their Forever Families. I am humbled (but definitely not surprised!) to say that the families responded generously. 17 little girls attended the party and I was moved to tears while opening the envelopes. Donations received at the party alone were $200. At least four other families gave online, and we are also sending in a donation in honor of both of our amazing daughers. When the final amounts are added up, I believe we have raised approximately $350 toward Victoria's adoption.

"From my family and from the families of the 2nd grade girls at my daughters school, thank you for giving us the opportunity to "adopt" Victoria and be with you all on your journey to bring her home to her Forever Family. The joy my daughter felt in making Victoria a homemade card (which I will be sending in with the donations:)) and knowing she was making a difference was the best present she could ever have received for her birthday. We wish you all the best with Victoria's adoption and will pray for your family and for all of the orphans trying to make their way to their Forever Families.

With Love,

Beth, Michael, Sarah, and Hannah"

This is Sarah and her cute classmates that donated to your fund.
Sarah is the  one in the pink shirt standing up.

I'm sure you can imagine how touched we were to hear that an eight year old little girl gave up her birthday presents to help bring you home to us.  What amazing little girls, such great examples to us of selfless service and working together to do something amazing!  Thank you Sarah and her friends for doing this for Victoria and our family.  I hope one day we can meet you in person and show Victoria the friends she has on the other side of the world.  

If you look on the side bar of your blog you will see that your fund is close to $5,000!!  Thank you to the many people who have donated to help us bring Victoria home.  Many of our co-workers are donating and then our work is going to match their donations.  We appreciate it more than you will ever know!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you to our friend Kim who did the 31 bag fundraiser and donated ALL of her commission to our fund.  Thank you to all those who purchased products in that fundraiser.  We were able to raise another $325 through that.  Kaelyn was so excited she wanted to help divy out the products to deliver.  She crawled right over a pile of bags to get to me so she could do her part in bringing you home!

So earlier I mentioned that we were feeling a little discouraged last week.  Below is an email I sent out to family and friends, and we would like to make those of you following our journey aware of what is going on and ask for your help this Sunday.

Dear Family & Friends,

As many of you know we are in the process of adopting a little 5 year old girl with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe, Victoria. All of our paperwork is together and ready to be submitted to the government in her country. The region she is in is currently closed and not accepting adoption referrals at this time. There have been rumors that it may open up in the next month, and also rumors that it may not be till September or later. No one really knows when things will get rolling again. Since Victoria is 5 it is very important that she is adopted before she is transferred from the orphanage to a mental institution where conditions are far worse. Until we are given a referral for her, the directors at her orphanage will not know we are coming for her.

We are going to fast this Sunday, May 6th that things in her region and other regions that are currently closed where many families are waiting to get to their children, will open up soon. We would like to invite you to fast and pray with us. We know at this point it is out of our hands and have faith that Heavenly Father can make it possible to bring her home quickly and safely.Thank you for your love and support.

Jeana, Wayne, Kaelyn and Bryn Bonner

There will be hundreds of people fasting and praying for you and the other children and families in the regions that are closed this Sunday.  We know first hand the power of fasting and prayers, without them we wouldn't have your little sister Kaelyn with us today.  We know that Heavenly Father can work miracles and we are praying that things will work out the way He has planned.

Love Mommy