Pray NOW!

God himself might as well have been standing in front of us tonight at Steel City Pops.

We decided to venture out a little this evening and we went for a stroll at the park, and then decided to hit the new Tuscaloosa sensation for some sweetness.  Side note:  A buttermilk popsicle tastes JUST like cheesecake.

As we were standing in line, a sweet lady from our church came up to us and, noticing Maya, began making small-talk about her adoption and homecoming.  We chatted for a few minutes, and she went her way and we went ours.  Which wasn't far.  We were in line waiting on popsicles.

There was a couple and their daughter standing ahead of us in line, and after a minute or two, she said that she had overheard our conversation, and she, too, wanted to hear about what country she was from, how old she was, etc.  She then asked if Maya was going to RISE next year.  I explained to her that we had applied and were on the waiting list, but unfortunately, we didn't make it in for the next year.  She told me that all of her kids had gone there, and that she had a nephew who has Down's that also attended RISE.  He's working there, now, as one of their adult helpers.

We chatted it up for a few more minutes, and she ultimately tells me that HER SISTER IS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  She says, "Let me give you her phone number, and I'm sure she'd be happy to talk to you if you had any questions about anything".  Ummm, ok.  Yes.  Thank you.  That would be phenomenal.  YES.

So, I thanked her profusely, assuring her I would call.  I told Craig, "Do ya THINK God put us all here . . . right now?!"

But wait . . . the story isn't over yet.  We were sitting in the store, still eating popsicles, when she came back in a few minutes later.  I knew something was up, and my heart started jumping.  She told me that she had just called her sister, and that she wanted me to call her tomorrow.  This precious lady, who, indeed, is on the RISE board of directors, is going to try and get Maya a place there.  She had already heard of Maya's adoption, so, somehow, this wasn't a surprise to her. 

This lady's name is Teri Terry, and I hope its ok that her name is out here now.  I'm calling Mrs. Terry tomorrow, so PRAY HARD that things go as we would like, and that we can get Maya in this program.  RISE has EVERYTHING that Maya needs right now, so to be able to attend here would be a tremendous, overwhelming blessing.  She needs so much.  We're bonding with her, and we're doing everything we know to do to help her as best we can.  But some things only a place like this can provide.  She would receive all of her therapy, she'd be around children her own age that would hopefully encourage her to grow and develop, and she'd have another group of cheerleaders that want to see her become everything that God has intended for her to be.

Now . . . GO!  Hit your knees for this little girl that God has given us.  And just in case you're a newbie to Maya's story (some readers are sharing this), click here to see where it all began.

 . . . and thank you :).

Love,


Paige