DECEMBER 2002 NEWSLETTER 

Caring for and serving families in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama,  Mississippi,

Florida,Texas, and Louisiana 

A SAMPLING OF THE EMAILS WE RECEIVE FROM FAMILIES……

THE STOLZ FAMILY, GEORGIA WHO ADOPTED FROM RUSSIA

We are all doing great!  The boys act like they've always lived here.  Other than the Russian, you would never know they didn't.  We communicate very well.  Our only problem is making ourselves and our other children speak English.  We always convert to Russian when speaking to them.  Even our 11, 10 and 7 year olds.  But I believe that has really helped the boys feel comfortable.  They are learning several English words and even starting to use a few.

We are so happy.  Children's Hope has been wonderful to us.  Even though we had a very difficult time without Yuri in St. Louis, I don't know what we would have done.

 Thanks to everyone for helping make our family complete.  Angie Stolz, Ellijay, Georgia

THE NAGEL FAMILY, WHO ADOPED FROM CHINA

Our trip to China was fabulous!  Little Blayre is so happy here at home, but I'm still exhausted.  She's sleeping 12 hours each night while I tend to wake early and can't fall back asleep.  And luckily, Blayre immediately accepted her new big two sisters!  She won't let anyone else ever hold her, but loves the four of us.

 Our CHI coordinator in China, Maria Yu, was absolutely wonderful!  She did a fabulous job!!!  Maria is very organized and well connected.  She obviously cares about every family and every new addition.  Maria was extremely helpful any time we had a concern and she always brightened our days.  I've attached a photo of "Happy Blayre" in Jiangxi after she well adjusted to us.  She's always smiling here at home and loves crowds.  Her face really brightened up after a few long first days!

 Blayre is very happy and we are truly blessed!  Karen Nagel, Atlanta, Georgia

THE SWAN FAMILY, WHO ADOPED FROM CHINA

I have been meaning to drop you a note to let you know what a terrific time we had in China!  I cannot begin to tell you how indispensable were the two CHI helpers, Maria and Anika.  The service and attention all 14 in our group received were detailed and exact.  We all felt well taken care of.  The service we received from CHI was well beyond any expectations and well beyond the call of duty.  Let me share with you two such examples: 

Sunday June 16th, Father’s Day, we all boarded an Air China airplane to fly to Xian and later that day were to get our babies!  Our daughter's birthday happened to be June 15th, and halfway through the flight to Xian, a camera crew started filming various passengers on the plane.  This seemed a bit odd, but none of us paid much attention.  Then the announcement came overhead that aboard the flight were 14 families set to adopt 14 babies, and on Father's day much less, they would be getting their children.  Not only that, but they announced a special celebration that one of the children had had a birthday and that they would like to present them with a birthday cake!  That was our baby!  It brought tears to my eyes!  They presented me with the cake and took lots of pictures with me carrying the cake along with the lovely Chinese flight attendants. 

The very next day (Monday), slipped under my hotel room door was a Father's Day card.  That isn't the amazing part; someone had thought to purchase a card with a message from a 'son' - referring to my son at home, Noah!  I was very touched and flabbergasted that such care to detail was taken!  Someone was really on the ball! 

The adoption went so smoothly that at times I thought that something must be wrong.  But we sailed right on through, and it was all because of the hard work and attention to detail Maria and Anika paid to all of our paperwork. 

Kudos!  Dr. Mike Swan, Nashville, Tennessee 

THE MARTY FAMILY, WHO ADOPTED FROM INDIA

I feel like I owe you an email on Ellie's progress.  I have been so busy I haven't had time to communicate as much as I would like.  I am back at work now and Ellie started day care yesterday.  She was fine, but I cried as soon as I left the building. She is adjusting well and is very happy and outgoing.  We went to Michigan last week to see my family and she had a great time and adores her grandpa. 

Not really any big problems.  She is picking up English pretty quickly and my Hindi has improved quite a bit over the last 6 weeks.  I am keeping in touch with the family we traveled with, and Ellie has had the chance to talk to Khushi over the phone.  Hopefully, someday they will get to see each other again, but I would like for them to at least keep in touch. 

Thanks again for all your help!  Lori Marty, Nashville, Tennessee

Please know that there are many older waiting children in all of the countries we work in, including sibling groups. If you are interested in our Wonderful Waiting Children, please email brenda@childrenshopeint.org .  I would love to answer any of your questions.

Please join us for free information meetings:

December 10, Brentwood, Tennessee

6:30-8:30 PM

CHI Office, 7003 Chadwick Drive, Suite 350

January 14, Brentwood, Tennessee

6:30-8:30 PM

CHI Office, 7003 Chadwick Drive, Suite 350

January 30, Nashville, Tennessee

7:00-9:00 PM

University School

December 4                         Waiting Mom’s Coffee                        9:00-10:00 AM                      Children’s Hope

December 14                       Dossier Class                                     8:30-10:00 AM                      Children’s Hope

                                                Travel Class                                         10:00–1:59 M                       Children’s Hope

                                                Pre Adoption Class #2                       12:30–6:00 PM                     Woodmont Hills Church of Christ                                                FCC Preschool                                    3:30-5:00 PM                        University School

January 11                            Dossier Class                                     8:30 AM                                  Children’s Hope

                                                Travel Class                                         10:00 -12:00 Noon              Children’s Hope

                                                FCC Preschool                                    3:30-5:oo PM                        University School

The chorus of the familiar song, “We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” continue to echo in my head tonight as I write to you!  That is of course not only our wish for you, but for all of the children of the world!  Let us help fulfill your dreams of enlarging your family, with the dreams of a child to have a family of their own!  There is no greater joy this holiday season to see the magic in a child’s eyes at Christmas and Hanukah, Chinese New Year, and Tet!  It is indeed a season to celebrate, and we want you to join in the celebration of adoption!  If we can ever do anything to help, please do not hesitate to contact me a Brenda@childrenshopeint.org.

 We don't want to burden you with a lot of information, but we do want to help you if you are looking for a way to adopt. If not, please let us know and we will regretfully remove your name from our newsletter.   E-mail me at my address below with any question you have.  I would love to hear from you. 

Brenda

Brenda@ChildrensHope.com
Also serving the following states: TN, KY, GA, AL, MS, FL, TX and LA