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December
2006
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Welcome Home for the
Gansels, Dunnewolds,
and Shafers TN (China)
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The Spakes Family, AR (China)
Our hearts overflow with love for Sarah!
We are so thankful first and foremost to God for answering our prayers,
to her birth parents, for a caring Christian adoption agency who helped
us realize
our dream, and to family and friends who prayed for us for 14 years. God
answers prayer!
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The Bush Family, GA (Russia)
Greg and I have just completed our first
post-placement; what an awesome
way to reflect on our adoption journey this holiday season! We are so
thankful
for the beautiful presence of Amelia in our lives. Thank you all for
sharing in and being
with us throughout our adoption journey. We are so grateful for you all!
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The Millard Family, TN (China)
EmmaLi is just a doll. She seems to be very healthy
and is the
happiest little one! She just walked all around holding the balloons
people
brought and interacting with everyone. They said their trip was great
and
she easily adjusted to them. Naomi even mentioned how glad they were
that she
was a little older once they got her. Kent and Naomi were just beaming!
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The Hethcox
Family, TX (Russia)
We are
doing well here in Texas. It hardly seems possible, but Nathan begins
kindergarten tomorrow. We just celebrated his Gotcha Day. It hardly
seems like it has been four years. My how time flies! I thought I
would be ready for this day, but I am not so sure now! :) I have
caught myself several times today thinking back to our first meeting.
He was so small, so unsure of what was
occurring, but willing to be held by a stranger. Those big brown
eyes are still the same. That contagious laugh still fills the room.
He truly is a gift from God.
Lauren is doing great! Just this morning, her Sunday School workers
were reminiscing about her coming home. She has grown and changed so
much! She is imitating new sounds everyday and has certainly begun to
exert her new-found independence. Or, perhaps, I should say she
has entered the terrible twos stage! :) She is a delightful angel and
we cannot imagine life without her! She giggles
uncontrollably with her brother. What
did we ever do without them!?!
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The Dunn Family, TX (China)
Lillie has been home
just over two months. Wow, she is progressing.
She loves her brothers and they adore her (most of the time).
She loves to shop, loves her clothes, and is fascinated with pretty
things.
Lisa has a shopping buddy now!!
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The Carroll Family, LA (Russia)
Thanks for checking
on us. Our trip was wonderful,
and little Maria was
absolutely perfect! Here's a
really cute picture of her dad holding her.
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The Nelson Family, KY (China)
I just wanted to
share the "joys of our lives" with you.
Claire (7) and Audrey (4) are doing great. They have so much fun
together
and we have been so blessed. This is them playing "cowgirl" one night
after gymnastics.
Hope all is well with you and your family.
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The Hicks Family,
TN (China)
A few pictures from Emma Grace's birthday
party!
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The Petersen Family,
TN (Russia)
I just thought it was about time I
send an update. We are great--busy--but great. Ian just had his
7th birthday this past weekend and it was great fun to have 8 pirate
boys running around the
house for 2 hours. He is doing very well in Kindergarten and has lost
his 2 bottom teeth (the tooth
fairy came of course) and the big boy teeth are almost half-way in!
Kyle is growing in leaps and
bounds-- we measured him in July when we moved into our new house and
since then he has
grown over an inch! He is in K-4 this year and does very well. He
volunteers for everything and
has many friends. I just wanted to say hello and send some pictures--
enjoy!
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The Knights Family, KY (China)
Here's our cute
little ladybug, Mia. She had a wonderful time this Halloween. It did
not take her
long to figure out how to trick-or-treat. She was anxious to go from
house to house for
more candy. At each house, Mia said, "another house, more candy."
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The Suddarth Family, TN (Russia)
We are very proud of
our little Valerie and she is adjusting to life here in America
quickly.
She is being spoiled rotten by everyone. I am also attaching a
picture of her after arriving
into the Nashville airport. It had been a very long day! Thanks for
everything!
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The Cunningham Family, TN (China)
Sofia had so much fun on
Halloween! It cracks me up that in the pictures she's playing with the
Christmas decorations that are already up in the mall. Next year, I'm
not going to spend so much time making a costume that is only worn for
an hour or so! :) Yeah right, I say that now.....
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The Thurmond Family, TN (Russia)
My little
Tinkerbell!
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Our
Journey to Patrick...
We found
Patrick unexpectedly. About four months into our adoption process,
photos of a group of special needs children were made available for
viewing on CHIfamily.net. While my mind was urging me to stay the
course of hoping for a healthy boy, I listened to my heart’s desire to
see these children’s faces. After praying for the children’s well being
and for them to be discovered by prospective parents looking to adopt, I
clicked on the China icon to access the photo listing. To my disbelief,
I got only a screen with the message that the photos were not yet
available. Using the refresh function many times to reset the screen
was all I could do for almost two days. I thought the mishap might be a
sign that it was not meant for me to see this group of children.
However, a voice in me told me not to give up. With the help of our
wonderful social worker and a persistent computer expert in the St.
Louis office, I eventually clicked my way into the photo listings of
China’s special children.
Our lives changed forever in the next few
seconds. The picture of an adorable little boy caught my full attention
immediately. He seemed to be saying, “Hey, here I am! What took you so
long?” I was overwhelmed with what I can only describe in words as a
mother’s love at first sight. The child, now named Patrick, looked
happy and healthy. One of the photos showed a large birthmark on his
left leg. The birthmark was the special need. Being human, my joy
quickly turned to worries that we might have to wait in line to view the
child’s medical information. To my surprise, I got the news of
receiving Patrick’s file by fax two days later. I was thankful for the
voice that told me to look at the photos. It was a voice from above
that spoke straight to my heart. About six months later, we arrived
home with Patrick on the day before his 2nd birthday
celebration. God’s timing was perfect!
Our amazing journey to adopt Patrick also
gave me the perfect gift of closure to years of unresolved memories.
Even with a tight travel schedule, we were able to include Hong Kong as
a brief stopover on our way to Nanjing. It was my first return to my
birthplace in more than twenty years. We went to my father’s grave site
at the Christian cemetery in Hong Kong. I finally had the chance to
finish saying goodbye to my father. He passed away when I was sixteen.
Less than three weeks after his death, I was alone on a flight headed
from Hong Kong to the United States to start college. It was my
father’s dying wish for me to be educated and make a life for myself in
the U.S. In his absence, faith was all I had to sustain my survival in
a new culture, language, and to make his wishes for me come true. As an
adult now looking at the imprinted picture of my father on the grave
stone, I could feel the grief that I had felt since age sixteen
transform into a peaceful celebration of my father’s life. His values
of spiritual discipline, hard work, commitment to his family and love
for children have always been present in my life. It is so true that by
faith, my father speaks, even though he is dead. (Hebrew 11:4) I felt
at peace about my father’s death for the first time as I was leaving the
cemetery. A joyful remembrance of traveling with my husband and son
from China back to our home in the U.S. would soon take over the old
memory of my traveling alone to live in a foreign country when I was
sixteen.
In
memory of my father’s compassion for children, we spent the last few
hours in Hong Kong visiting the last known address of a former orphanage
that he founded thirty years ago. As if he had a crystal ball for my
future, he named the orphanage after me. Though the orphanage had
ultimately evolved into a charitable day-care center several years ago,
the facility remained a shelter for needy children until it closed about
two years ago. It was humbling to hear one of the elderly neighbors
speak fondly of the children and “the nice man who saved their lives”.
During our two-week stay in our next
destinations of Nanjing and Guangzhou, two special memories stood out
among many unforgettable moments. The first was from our visit to the
Nanjing special needs orphanage where Patrick used to live. Upon our
arrival, all of the “aunties” gathered around to lavish their love on
Patrick and greet his new parents. They offered insights about Patrick
generously. As I witnessed the outpouring of love to him, it was clear
to me that Patrick was well loved and received the best that was
available at the orphanage. Images of the other children reaching for
me with hands outstretched for a little affection will linger in my mind
forever. It was comforting to know that several more children there
would soon be united with their waiting parents. As we were leaving,
the aunties assembled again in the hallway to wish us farewell. Tears
welled up in my eyes as I saw Patrick’s former primary caregiver fight
back tears to put on a smiling face before she waved goodbye to him.
The other special memory was from the
awesome experience of Christian worship in Guangzhou. We attended a
bilingual Sunday service at a Christian church within walking distance
from the White Swan Hotel. The pews were filled with hundreds of local
Chinese believers and visiting American adoptive families. We prayed,
sang hymns and listened to the worship message in Chinese and English.
The message was about God’s love and power to save the lives of those
who believe in Him. It inspired me to think of how adoptive parents are
instrumental in God’s promise of love by saving the lives of orphans
through adoption. Throughout the service, I wished that my father could
have been there to see how Christianity has prevailed in China. Born
and raised in the mainland, my father had made tremendous sacrifices
over fifty years ago in order to preach the promises of God in China.
He later became a lay preacher in Hong Kong where he raised his children
as Christians. As I prayed before leaving the church, I could almost
see my father smiling at me in peace and triumph.
We
have many reasons to be smiling as well. Our adoption journey was a
success from start to finish. Everything went smoothly according to a
well-planned itinerary. We were blessed with having no glitches in all
of the adoption proceedings in Nanjing and Guangzhou. Being able to
speak to our son in his native language was an added blessing for me.
We were also gifted with a great family from our home state to be our
travel companions. Their beautiful daughter and Patrick were both from
the same orphanage. We could not have asked for better circumstances
for Patrick to meet his new parents!
The faith in me tells me that I was called to adopt an orphan long
before I ever conceived of the possibility myself. I hope to be able to
follow my father’s footsteps in paving the way for more orphans to
receive loving parents and permanent homes. For now, I will continue to
pray for Patrick’s birthmother to be blessed with the peace of mind that
her son is loved, thriving in his growth, and being given a full chance
at life. I will also pray for the birthmothers of the remaining orphans
to be comforted for giving up their children so that their lives might
be saved through God’s protection.
Dorothy Walters (TN)
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PROGRAM AND COUNTRY FEES WILL BE INCREASING
Please note
that all countries will have an increase of fees starting January 1,
2007.
Please, if you are considering adoption, go ahead and get your
application in to us to avoid those fees!
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Russia Updates
Exciting news!
We are happy to announce that on November 4th, the
Governmental Regulation concerning the non-expiring accreditation and
NGO status was officially signed. We expect to receive our
Accreditation by the end of November. All of our documents for
accreditation have been submitted.
Families can also access the information on our Russian website at:
http://www.childrenshope.ru/en/general/news/?PHPSESSID=489dbe5593b30537c7b3dab4b3078f86
New
Travel Hotline
CHI is
also happy to announce the Travel Hotline for our Families with any
travel questions!
The Moscow staff has
devoted staff members to work a travel hotline (314) 480-3291 on Tuesday
and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST. They will only answer
general travel questions about hotels, weather, exchanging money, etc.
It is an opportunity to speak to someone about what to expect from
travel in Russia, but NOT about the adoption process or specifically
WHEN a family will travel. Any questions that the Moscow staff is unable
to answer will be redirected to their St. Louis coordinator. Please use
this line to educate yourself in preparation for travel. Let us know
after calling if you find this helpful. We are doing this on a trial
basis as an added service to our families.
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Federal Tax Credit
As you know, there are
millions of children throughout the world
waiting for forever families. For many families and children, the
federal adoption tax credit of $10,000 has made their adoption dream
possible. There is currently a proposal to increase the federal
adoption tax credit to $15,000 and raise the income level at which
the phase out begins. Acceptance of this legislative bill will make
a significant difference to many families who have considered
adopting. You can help by contacting your representative in
Congress to let them know of your support for this
tax credit
increase.
The proposed bill is H.R. 1561. In May, 2006, the bill was referred
to the House of Representatives' subcommittee on education reform.
A related bill for the tax credit increase is H.R. 4866, which makes
the needed changes to the internal revenue code. When contacting your
congressperson, you can mention both bills or just H.R. 1561.
To find out who your congressperson is, go to
<http://www.congress.org/>
http://www.congress.org. You will
need to
enter your zip code in the "write your officials" box along the left
side of the page.
To learn more about the proposed bill for the increased tax credit,
you may go to: <http://thomas.loc.gov/>
http://thomas.loc.gov or
<http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=H.R.1561&congress=109>
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=H.R.1561&congress=109.
Please also encourage your friends and family to contact their
congressperson in support of this credit increase.
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 Holiday Gifts for Orphans
Imagine a child experiencing the holidays without a family and without
receiving
even one gift. You can brighten an orphan's holiday season with
a donation of just $10. Your donation will provide a holiday present
such as a storybook, stuffed animal, or other traditional gift for an
orphan in China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan,
Russia, or Vietnam.
Download the flyers at left and print them out to share with your
family, friends, churches, and organizations. Or email the file to your
more technical contacts. Holiday gifts for orphans is a great project
for families, Sunday School classes, clubs, and more. Click on the
flyer to download the file and share the message with family and
friends.
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House of Hope opportunity...
For the past two winters, Children's Hope
has had the privilege of
providing the funds for a winter's worth of coal for a poor
non-government orphanage in Jilin Province in Northern China. Many of
the orphans at the House of Hope are refuges from North Korea, whose
parent's have died either through starvation or
during the escape
from North Korea.
Because of Children's Hope humanitarian aid projects in China have
been restructured with the beginning of our orphan sponsorship
program, Children's Hope is unable to provide the $1800 for the
heating coal for the House of Hope this year.
Would you like to make sure the kids in the House of Hope
stay warm in the harsh winter of Northern China?
Go to www.ChildrensHope.net
to designate that you would like
to give
coal to the House of Hope in Jilin Province.
Or call Valerie at
314-812-1711.
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Holiday Dreams can come true...
Watch
your mailbox for our CHI 2007 Dreams brochure. While little children
with moms and dads are
entertaining visions of sugarplums, ipods and animated dollies, orphans
around the world can only dream of good food, medical care and a warm
bed at night.
YOU have
the power to make some of their dreams
come true. Don't miss your opportunity to
give little children their dreams.
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Upcoming Information Meetings
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UPCOMING EVENTS
December 9, 2006
~
Dossier
Class ~
8:30 AM
~ Children's Hope
December 9, 2006
~
Travel
Class ~ 10:00 AM
~ Children's Hope
December 9, 2006
~
Pre-Adopt
I ~
12:30 PM -
6:00 PM ~ Children's Hope |
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A MESSAGE FROM BRENDA BARKER
It
is always hard to believe that Christmas is here...we wait and long for
Christmas all year! I know my kids can't wait for Christmas to
finally be here! That is how so many orphans around the world feel
about parents. They long for parents, not for the gifts that
they will give them on Christmas, but for the love and family they so
desperately need and deserve. We have many ways listed this month
that you can help an orphan with our humanitarian aid projects.
Please know that no gift is too small....you are touching the life of a
child forever!
We don't want to burden
you with lots of information, but we do want to keep you abreast of the
changes and current status of adoption and orphan sponsorship around the
world. If you no longer desire to receive this email newsletter,
we will regretfully remove your name. And if you are thinking of
adoption, there is no better time than today to turn in your
application! As you have already read, many country fees will be
going up starting January 1!
Wishing you a very
Merry Christmas!
Brenda
Southeastern U.S.
Brenda Barker,
Director
229 Ward Circle, Suite C-22
Brentwood, TN 37027
615-309-8109 Fax: 615-309-8483
brenda.barker@childrenshope.net
Also serving the following
states:
TN, KY, GA, AL, AR, MS, VA,
LA & SC
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Click here to request an
information packet regarding
international adoption with Children's Hope
International:
send info, please. . .
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