A Time to Notice ~ Heart Gallery Child of the Week

This weekend I had the honor of attending Bringing Hope conference in Arizona.

There, a young mom shared her story of bouncing from home to home in the foster care system until she was finally placed in a group home and aged out when she turned only 18.

What were you doing when you were 18? What were you like?

I was an immature obnoxious teen, desperate for attention and love.

I was determined to have the best time possible on my senior trip because I sure thought I had earned it.

I was consumed with having the cutest dorm room and making the right friends in college.

This young lady...at 18, she was homeless.

No support.

No home, except a tent given to her by the transitional living program.

No means to live or provide for herself.

And no one ever noticed.

Rise up, O Church.

Meet Cody, a young man on the cliff of his teens, longing for a future very different than his past...

Hoping for someone to commit to him and his brother.

From Cody's Heart Gallery of Alabama profile ~

Cody, born February 2001 is very sweet and well-mannered. He enjoys landscaping, building things, playing outside, and riding his bicycle. He is involved in special education classes and attends additional private classes. He struggles with reading and writing, but is making steady progress. He tends to be his brother’s caregiver and protector. He would love to live on a farm or rural area and deeply desires a dog of his own.

A young man who longs to commit to someone who is committed to him, and he's modeled this in his love and faithfulness to his younger brother, Willie.

From Willie's Heart Gallery of Alabama profile ~

Willie, born February 2002 is very sweet and quiet. He enjoys playing video games, riding his bicycle, and playing outside. He is involved in special education classes & attends additional private classes. He is steadily making progress in his academics. His interests are undeveloped and he needs to experience what life can offer him. 

Loyal brothers anticipating for a family to be loyal and faithful to them.

The boys share a close bond, have been in and out of foster care for a number of years and greatly desire a permanent home with a loving and active family. They need a family who will provide a structured, nurturing home environment. They need assistance developing hobbies/interests. The boys need lots of assurance and attention; therefore, it would be preferable if they were the only children in the home. 

May the Father open our eyes to notice, to see, to act by grace.

Together, let's pray, share, and advocate...because they are worth it.

It's Good for the Soul. ~ Heart Gallery Child of the Week

It was a hard weekend...like lock myself in a dark room and cry in the fetal position weekend.

Death...

Pain...

Sickness...

Loss of Control...

It seemed I couldn't escape these realities of our fallen world.

Maybe that's why when I opened this picture today, I wept...and I mean, I dry-heaved cried.

Meet Aaliyah...

You see, when the news of unexpected death and loss came this weekend, I called my family...

I had something beautiful to lose, and I had someone precious to rock me in my tears.

When calamity and chaos hit our lives, and we scurried to juggle and hold things together, my covenant family picked up pieces I didn't even know had fallen.

There were sacred things to be dropped, and faithful people to put them back together when, for a moment, I forgot how.

But...to live in a world where you have known every loss possible, and there has been no one precious to rock you; no one steadfast and faithful to pick up your pieces...at the young age of seven.

...The fact that reality exists in this world should bring us all to our knees to be the faithful ones who intercede, even if these children never, ever know.

From Aaliyah's Heart Gallery Profile ~

Aaliyah, born July 2006 is an active little girl that is full of energy. She plays well alone and prefers not to be in a large group setting. Aaliyah likes one-on-one attention from adults. She loves to watch cartoons and play with dolls. Aaliyah also loves to swim and play outside. 

Aaliyah is curious, so she likes to explore. Aaliyah must be monitored closely, as she will wander off when things catch her attention. She has no boundaries and will leave with a stranger if not monitored closely. 

Aaliyah is a very sweet young lady who loves to be praised. She responds well to a behavior chart and regular praise. She longs for a family who will provide her the support and attention she needs to grow into an adulthood.

To see more precious images of Aaliyah or to make an inquiry concerning her, please visit her site, and while you're there, spend time becoming familiar with the Heart Gallery which works to faithfully stand in the gap on behalf of these children.

Go ahead...let your heart be sobered.

It's good for the soul.

And this week, pray, share and advocate for Aaliyah with us.

Clinging to Jesus ~

Stand until the End ~ Heart Gallery of Alabama Child of the Week

~ If I had an adopted family....I would want them to be caring and never treat me wrong. ~

Meet Austin...

From Austin's profile on Heart Gallery of Alabama:

Austin was born in September 2002, and attends elementary school. Austin's favorite subjects are science and social studies. Science is his favorite because he enjoys learning about nature. Austin is very funny and likes to joke around. Austin is also very polite and sweet. He likes to play video games and ride his bike. He also enjoys sports and drawing. Austin enjoys drawing for others. 

Austin is a loving child and likes affection. Austin has played football in the past and enjoyed that very much. Austin is very loyal to those he loves and will stand up for them to the end.

How many of us long for someone who is willing to stand with us to the end?

To learn more about Austin or make an inquiry concerning him, please visit his profile.

This week, join with us as we pray, share, and advocate for Austin... because every child deserves a family.

Looking unto Jesus ~

Heart Gallery of Alabama's Featured Child of the Week...

Meet Jasmine...

"I wish to be adopted. I wish to have a family."

From Jasmine's Heart Gallery of Alabama's page:

Jasmine, born July 1998, is a sweet young girl who loves to be around others. She is caring, outgoing and makes friends easily. She is into fashion and would like to be a designer when she grows up. She likes to go shopping and pick out clothes that show her personality. 

Her favorite food is pasta. Jasmine has a strong desire to be adopted. She describes her ideal family as a mom and dad who are nice and loving. She would like to have siblings. Jasmine desires to have a forever family who will not give up on her.

Someone who will never give up on her...

How often have each of us longed for that from the depths of our souls?

Could you be Jasmine's forever family that will never abandon her?

If you would like to learn more information about Jasmine's contagious personality or to make an inquiry, please visit her profile page.

Commit this week to praying for Jasmine. Sharing Jasmine. Advocating for Jasmine.

Because of the One who has never abandoned us,

Heart Gallery of Alabama's Kids of the Week

"My favorite animal is the wolf because they run in packs and protect 

their own from the threats around them." ~ Andrew

Meet Patrick and Andrew:

From Heart Gallery of Alabama:

Patrick, born July 1996, is a sweet young man. He loves video games and basketball. He enjoys spending time with his brother as long as it is an activity that they both can participate in. Patrick is a very intelligent young man and makes awesome grades at school. 

Andrew, born July 1997 is an avid Alabama fan. He loves video games His brother, Patrick, is an Auburn fan so it is a brother's divided situation. Andrew enjoys spending time with his brother and although they are currently separated he cannot wait to get back together. Andrew is a thoughtful young man who longs to have a forever family who will give him and his brother the family they so deserve.

Children, no matter what age, thrive in families. We were designed to do life together.

Could your home be the space where Andrew and Patrick are reunited?

To learn more of these devoted brothers or to make an inquiry concerning them, visit their Heart Gallery site.

Pray. Advocate. Share.

Looking unto Jesus,

Heart Gallery of Alabama's Featured Child of the Week

Have you ever had a dream live deep within you; one that you whispered into the darkest moments of the night? A vision you chased after?

"What are your dreams when you think of the word adoption?"

...I dream of a family that would be okay with my age. ~ Acacia

Meet Acacia...

From Heart Gallery of Alabama's website:

"Acacia, born January 1998, is an outgoing and personable young lady. She enjoys attention she receives from others and takes pride in her appearance. She enjoys making new friends and adjusts to new situations easily. Acacia is very artistic and enjoys working on arts and crafts projects. She has very good verbal skills and has the ability to do well in school when not distracted by others. 

Acacia requires close supervision and needs to learn appropriate boundaries with males. She will need to be monitored closely, as with any teen, with electronics. 

Acacia is the oldest child in a sibling group of 6 children. While she has met all of her siblings, she does not maintain regular contact with them. Three siblings have been adopted and two are with relatives."

What if you are the answer to Acacia's dream?

To view Acacia's profile or to make an inquiry, please visit her link.

Pray. Advocate. Share.

Looking unto Jesus,

Heart Gallery of Alabama's Child of the Week!

A day late, but nothing short of precious!

Meet Devontae...

From Heart Gallery of Alabama's website: 

Devontae, born in August 2000 is a handsome young man. He loves sports especially basketball. Devontae has played baseball in the past and excelled at the sport. He receives support services at school. Despite a learning disability he excels every year. 

Devontae is a bright young boy who needs someone to provide him a forever family. He enjoys going on outings and playing at the park. He likes to laugh, have fun, play with cars and color. Devontae struggles some socially but is maturing with age.He would benefit from a family that has time to give him the one-on-one attention that he so deserves.

If you would like to see more of this smile or make an inquiry, please head over to Devontae's link on Heart Gallery of Alabama's website.

Would you consider praying for Devontae throughout this week?

Pray. Share. Advocate.

Looking unto Jesus,

Heart Gallery of Alabama's Children of the Week

My Favorite Time of the Week!

If you would like to know more about our friends at Heart Gallery of Alabama, check out last week's post or visit their site and allow yourself to DREAM BIG and PRAY BIG for these children.

Meet Cody and Joey....

Oh my heart!

From Heart Gallery's site:

"Cody, born November 1996, is an outgoing young man who is very friendly. Cody loves to play basketball. He received special education services at school. He does not like school, but did well when in a structured environment. Cody is very helpful. He loves electronics, and listening to rap music. 

Joey, born December 1999, is an avid Crimson Tide fan. He loves to rap, draw and play sports. He considers himself a good friend. Joey receives special services at school and does better with individualized attention. He needs a home with structure and consistency. Joey's favorite class at school is his vocational class. He loves to build things. 

Cody & Joey have a supportive relationship and they long to be together in a family of their own. They come from a sibling group of 5 and they are the last two in foster care."

Please! Visit Heart Gallery of Alabama to make inquiries, find more information or to help support this incredible nonprofit that seeks to advocate for waiting children throughout Alabama!

Now...

Advocate. Pray. Share.

Looking unto  Jesus,

A New Partnership ~ Beyond Excited

Advocacy: the act of pleading for, supporting or recommending.

Awareness: having knowledge; consciousness  

Before I ever entered the world of foster care, I knew of Heart Gallery of Alabama. I stalked their listings late into the night and sent Jamie the links of faces we began praying for.

Heart Gallery Alabama strives to help find a permanent, loving family for every child in Alabama's foster care system who is in need of a home. Their heartbeat is the mantra, "There are no unwanted children. Only unfound families."

As of April 2013, there were approximately 5,030 children in the Alabama foster care system. Almost 500 of those are waiting, longing to be adopted, refusing to allow the word unadoptable to seep into their vocabulary.

Almost 500 children, wondering if they will have to move schools again this year; if they should take the time to unpack their suitcases; if they should ever allow themselves to dream beyond tomorrow.

"God sets the lonely in families." ~ Psalm 68:6

The Forgotten Initiative is so honored to be partnering with Heart Gallery of Alabama to raise awareness and advocate for these children in an effort to turn these numbers into faces and to transform these faces into memories as families are established, roots begin to sink deep, and the deepest aches these children long for are fulfilled. 

Will you join us?

Each Monday we will feature a child or sibling set of the week available for adoption in the state of Alabama. Pray for this child. Share this child. Advocate for this child throughout the week. How beautiful would it be for the entire Body of Christ within our state to be lifting up the same child or children throughout the week?

"Where two or three are gathered in my name; there I am in the midst of them." ~Matthew 18:20

Introducing Heart Gallery of Alabama's Featured Children of the Week:

~ Dustin, Daniel and Ricky ~

"Dustin, born February1999, enjoys watching TV, playing video games and reading. He likes the Harry Potter Books. He is creative. He prefers the indoors and enjoys playing alone. Dustin's grades are average and he maintains passing grades. He does wear glasses to help him see the black board in the classroom. 

Daniel and Ricky were born in February 2003. Daniel has an IEP in place for speech therapy to assist with a speech impediment. His grades have been good. He likes to play outside and swim. Daniel enjoys watching TV, playing video games, and playing with others. He is very energetic. He is also creative and likes to draw. 

Ricky likes to play outside and go swimming. He also likes to go fishing. Ricky enjoys watching TV, playing video games, and playing with others. He is very energetic and is creative. He makes friends easily. 

These brothers need a family that can attend to their therapeutic needs and keep them together. They need to be placed together for adoption with a family that has no other children in the home."

For more information or to have the gift of viewing these precious boys, please visit here.

Together, let's share; advocate; pray.

Looking unto Jesus,