Our Story (for you newcomers)...
As most of you know, Cammie and I hosted two girls (ages 7 and 10 at the time) from Ukraine during the Summer of 2010. They were part of an organized hosting trip that brought a couple dozen orphans from Ukraine to live with various families (most of which have now been adopted). They lived with us for about six weeks. We fell in love with them in about 6 minutes. We had no doubt from the very beginning that we wanted them to be a part of our family...they fit perfectly! Little one even wanted a gun! Unfortunately, it wasn't going to be that easy. We had several months of drama to deal with first. Eventually, one by one, the hurdles started to fall. A few months later and our girls arrived home forever!
The need...
Adoption is hard. Adopting from Ukraine is arguably even harder. I have no desire to go through all of the drama that we went through again. That isn't to say we won't go back. But for now, we have what we consider to be a fairly large extended family that are in need and that we can better help (at least right now) through avenues outside of adoption. While the extrended family wasn't something we were looking for going in, this extended family has been a huge blessing to us and it is wonderful to be in a position where we can help. So, while we may never go back, (to adopt) some people continue to go back.
"Debra and Ray" went to get their first daughter at the same time that we did. They dealt with the same governmental drama that we did and we all worried together whether or not things would work out. They hosted their girl the same Summer we did and they actually got their girl home the same day we did. Since their new daughter had spent several years at the orphanage, some of the other kids at the orphanage became like family to her. I saw the video of their new daughter's best friend as she said goodby. It was heartwrenching! The poor girl didn't know what to say or what to do. She had no idea (nor did their daughter) that as soon as they got home with daughter #1, they started paperwork to go back and get her! Six months after adopting their first, they were back in Ukraine not only adopting their daughter's best friend but an additional "unplanned" daughter as well! This adoption trip was harder than the first because this time "Debra" spent much of her time in Ukraine alone without electricity (after a storm) and with a pretty nasty illness. Eventually, this adoption was also complete and their family of five was all together. All three girls are doing wonderfully! Watching them adjust so well and mesh together as a family has been a blessing to myself and anyone that has been watching their story.
"Debra and Ray" are going back one last time. As I already shared, they hosted another girl this Summer and they are headed back to adopt her and her younger sister. It is hard to say "no" once you get to know these kids. For sure when you know you can help them...even though you know what lies in your path and how tough it is going to be. Anyone involved in adoption knows that the costs of adoption are high. When you get them home, the bills continue to pile up as you have years of medical and dental neglect to attend to, special education needs, tutoring, counseling, etc. Not to mention the obvious normal expenses of raising a child.
I am asking for your support and I am appealing especially to those of you that have never been involved in the adoption community. Why? Two reasons: First, because most adoptive families are already tapped out either dealing with their own expenses or giving heavily to other adoptive families. Secondly, and most importantly, because many of you are missing out on a huge blessing. How often can you actually give to something that is going to make THAT BIG of a difference as rescuing an orphan out of an orphanage? "Rescuing" you say? As much as I hate it called that now, I said it anyway. As I mentioned over a year ago, I didn't rescue my girls, I went to go and get my daughters. I don't see our trip as a rescue mission and my girls don't think of me as their rescuer. I am their daddy. The truth is, "Debra and Ray" are going to be even more blessed by these two girls than they already have been with the first three. But yes, these girls are going to be "rescued" from a life with almost no hope for any type of a future by being adopted. Any money donated will directly impact the lives of two little orphans in Ukraine. How cool is that!?!
How you can help...
As the flyer below states, I am asking for per lap pledges for the World's Toughest Mudder which my brother and I will be competing in on November 17th and 18th. I am also accepting one-time donations but I prefer the pledges due to the extra motivation it provides (call me selfish). The estimated cost of the adoption is $25,000 and the distance to Ukraine is 4,533 miles. That is $5.50 a mile. Will you consider a pledge of $5.50 per lap or more?
Fundraising Flyer
Keep in mind as you consider a pledge, that I am old (43) and feeble (just look at me) and only 261 people completed even a second lap last year.
Most dropped due to hypothermia while many others broke bones or were otherwise injured. My shoulder still isn't at 100%, I haven't lived in a cold climate for years, and I hate crawling through water on my stomach while getting shocked with electricity. HATE IT!
Not to mention, I don't really like exercising, and running for miles on end bores me to tears. Basically, I am lazy and weak. Surely I will only be able to do one lap? Perhaps I will almost rip my arm off my shoulder like last time or maybe the 12,000 volts will finally knock me completely senseless so I can't continue? It seems like even a $55 / lap pledge is safe?
Perhaps you just like seeing people suffer. I understand. Part of the reason I enjoy both Crossfit and these supposedly extreme events is that I get to see others suffer. If that is you too, won't you pledge a little extra to see me suffer more? I will do my best to share my experience both during and after the event if it makes you feel better.
The event...
So the event is pretty simple. At 10:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning we start and we will attempt to complete as many Tough Mudder laps as possible. The obstacles are a harder than a typical Tough Mudder (which to be fair aren't very hard) and there are more of them. Some will have penalties for failure while others will disqualify someone who can't complete them. The weather may or may not be extremely cold. That is all part of the fun. Whoever completes the most laps by 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning wins and everyone else has up to four hours to complete the lap they have started.
More details can be found on the Tough Mudder website at:
www.toughmudder.com/events/worlds-toughest-mudder-series-finals
So that is it. Thanks in advance for your consideration and please check back for more updates.
-Loren
P.S. The attached flyer leaves off a good bit of information since this is a public blog. For my family and friends, I can send you a more detailed flyer (including a photo of the girls they are going to adopt) if you wish...just ask.
