Children's Hope International E-Newsletter

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Photo Essay
Returning to Her Homeland and Giving to Her Heritage

DEVELOPMENT AID:

Geneva Global Foundation
Lives Changed in Henan

PARENT-TO-PARENT:

Parent-To-Parent
Almost Magic - the Connection Between Mother and Child

KIDS CORNER:

Kids Corner
Kids Scrap for Favorite Memories

* * Calling all Young Artists * *

Stick figures to masterpieces - share your child's art with Children's Hope. Scan the art and e-mail the digital file to Jennifer Newcomb.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

	China A Surprise for 22 Children's Hope China Families, Referrals Received "Early"
	Colombia Homecomings!
	Ethiopia Ethiopia's First Adoptions
	Kazakhstan How it Works: Adopting from Kazakhstan
	Russia Awaiting Re-Accreditation
	Vietnam Healthy and Special Needs Referrals

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Our Accreditations

Wolf Family Adoption Blog

Famous Indeed

"Mom, am I kinda famous?" "Actually Barrett, yes you are kinda famous." A huge grin and little giggle emerged from our 6-year-old son. Barrett is famous! He has raised $2,100 as of today towards our adoption... here's the story:

Our oldest child Barrett came to us a few months ago and asked if he could go to Russia with us to "pick up" his new brother. We told him that due to the cost of the plane ticket and us now knowing how even Mommy and Daddy were going to get there, it wasn't going to work out. "But I have $135" was his matter of fact reply. We told him a ticket would cost more like $1000 and he headed off to his room. A few minutes later, Barrett returned with a well-thought out plea: "Well, since I am going to be his only brother, I think he wants to meet me first. And I think he wants me to see where he was born since he'll get to see where I was born. I can save $1000. I'll do extra chores. I really want to go to Russia."

Of course our hearts melted and we agreed to let him go under one condition: that he did pay for his own plane ticket. Barrett was THRILLED and saw the challenge ahead as a totally achievable goal. We decided that he could do a large recycling drive (in California we can turn in plastic bottles, soda cans, etc. for cash), some jobs in our neighborhood, and a few other fundraisers. He was pumped! He paid for his passport out of his own money and he was off... The recycling was an instant success: our kids LOVE the hunts for bottle and cans. We have a number of wonderful friends saving their recycling for us. Barrett even recycled at an Angels' game recently after nearly being moved to tears at the thought of leaving all those bottle and cans behind!

Around Mother's Day, I came up with a craft for Barrett's Sunday School class to make their moms and it has emerged (per Barrett's idea) into a massive effort towards Barrett's trip. Barrett makes bracelets. We started out thinking he would sell 50 or so to family and close friends...he is well on his way to selling 300! Barrett decided that his goal of $1000 was "too simple" for him and so now he is on his way to raise $5000--he'll pay for his plane ticket, food, hotel, and supplies for the trip, gifts for the orphanage, and perhaps his new brother's ticket home! We are so proud of him; and now due to the large success of the "Made for an Angel" bracelets, are all part of this crafting effort. He even has college students from the University where my husband and I work volunteering their time to try to keep up with the orders. Barrett buys all of his own supplies and has designed these adorable bracelets. He has a charm that says, "Made for an Angel" in the middle of each bracelet...of course that angel is his brother.

And so yes, Barrett is famous! Most people he asks to save their recycling for him or purchase one of the hand-made bracelets, agree instantly and get teary-eyed telling him what a great job he is doing. He has made us so proud and we KNOW he can reach his goal. It feels pretty cool to be the parents of someone famous!

--Posted by Melanie Wolf of California, August 9 on the Wolf Family Adoption blog, http://wolffamilyadoption.blogspot.com.

**Interested in purchasing one of Barrett's bracelets? Leave a comment with your email address on the family blog by following the link above and Melanie will get in touch with you. The bracelets are each "one of a kind" with various beads and colors. The adult bracelets are $10 and the kids sizes are $5. (Shipping charges may apply.)