Almost five years ago we adopted our now 7-year-old daughter, Lydia from Irkutsk, Russia. Since that time we have discussed adding another child to the family. Lydia is such a sweet, kind and wonderful child that the thought of adding another child both excited (oh, another child for the family) and terrified us (what if the "new" child isn’t as wonderful as Lydia). In the spring of 2000, I felt that God was telling me he had another child for us. After much discussion, we decided given Ron’s busy schedule that adding another child would not be beneficial for any of us, especially the child. Then I heard about Operation Hope and wanted to be involved. What a wonderful opportunity for those older children to come here and find their forever families. Not being ready to commit to adopting, we were placed as a back-up family.

Then on a Tuesday morning mid-July, Brenda Barker called and asked if we would be interested in adopting this wonderful 9 year old girl, Dasha. Needless to say, we were caught off guard. I started praying right away. God if this is what you want us to do, we will do it, but give me a sign. Well He did! I do the crossword puzzles in the newspaper and right next to it are the horoscopes (horrible-scopes as I call them because I regard them as far-fetched). Just for fun I read that day’s. The last line read, "Use energy sparingly, as your services are needed at the eleventh hour."

Wednesday I called Brenda and told her yes we would consider adopting Dasha, but we needed to spend as much time with her as possible. Dasha is 2 years older than Lydia and we needed to make sure it was a good fit as much for Lydia’s sake as Dasha’s. Brenda couldn’t give me an answer that day, but told me that by Friday we would know if Dasha could come to stay with us. Again, I started praying and read my horoscope: "Don’t let a minor schedule change throw off our entire day. Be calm and controlled." I prayed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I truly felt God was telling me that Dasha was going to be our daughter, so I had to trust Him. Even though I still do not believe in those newspaper horoscopes, I do believe God can work in mysterious ways and through any avenue He chooses. So Friday morning I read my horoscope: "You’ll receive the vote of confidence you need to make a decision, Tauras is making fantasies real." Well, I don’t know anyone that is a Taurus. I looked up the birth dates and you guessed it – Dasha is a Taurus! Then I received the call from Brenda and she gave us the green light.

We met Dasha for the first time that Saturday when the children from Shatalovo Boarding School put on a show for the families. Dasha was all smiles. After the program the kids went out to play so I took Lydia’s hand and Dasha’s hand. At that moment I knew that Dasha was my daughter, I felt just like I did when we got to hold Lydia

that very first time. We had a whirlwind 10 days together before she had to return to Smolensk on July 31st. I had 3 days to get our paperwork completed for our homestudy and dossier before I left on vacation the following Monday. On November 3^rd we received our INS approval (just 2 months after submittal of dossier – another gift)! We traveled the first of December to get Dasha and were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel with another family adopting from the same school. I know God was working during our entire process.

We are now a happy family of four. The girls are getting along quite well and are acting like siblings. Lydia favors me in hair and eye color and skin tones, so most people are surprised to find out she is adopted. Dasha has blue eyes and lighter brown hair, so I am amazed when people tell me how much she looks like me. Even at the Farewell Party last summer, one friend could not tell which child was part of Operation Hope because we all seemed very bonded and very much a family!

My name is Victoria (Vica) Voischeva. I was born in Omsk, Russia. I have a Master’s Degree in Foreign Languages (English and French). Three years ago I came to the United States to study and will be graduating this May with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

For three years I worked with the orphanages in Omsk. I visited the orphanages and the children's hospital where I would play with the kids, read to them, help the staff to feed them, and assist with many other needs. In Nashville I have been doing volunteer work with Eastern European Adoption Support Group for 2 years teaching Russian school.

This semester I have my Senior Internship with Children’s Hope International. I am very excited to be a part of CHI office and help children and parents find each other. All this experience has helped me realize my potential and a desire to do this for the rest of my life. I believe every child, no matter where she or he comes from, deserves to have a permanent home and to receive all the love and care they need to grow up healthy and happy!

We do have many wonderful waiting children in China who are not affected by this quota system.  Let me know if you are interested in any of these children!

I would love to answer any of your questions.

Vanderbilt Children's Hospital has announced that they will be opening an International Adoption Medical Clinic this Summer.  We are very excited for families to have this resource in the Middle Tennessee and Kentucky area.  We will keep you posted!

On Saturday, February 16, 52 people gathered in their beautiful Vietnamese dress to celebrate Tet at the Miss Saigon Restaurant. The children were showcased in a dragon parade, made crafts, and enjoyed Vietnamese food. This was a wonderful time for families and waiting parents to come together, and to share their experiences and learn from each other! Happy New Year!

Once again, Children’s Hope is happy to offer a support group for junior high students (middle school grades 6-9) to share their common concerns and interests with others their own age. This group is for adopted teens to explore adoption issues including birth parents, what it means to be adopted, self-esteem, family and friends, and other issues the group wants to discuss. This has been a great success. The group is for domestic and internationally adopted teens. It will meet for 6 weeks beginning March 12 at 5:00 PM at our office. Please call Vica at our office to RSVP .

Please join us for our first annual egg hunt! It will be on Friday, March 29 at Crockett Park in Brentwood at 3:00 PM. Children should come with a basket and ready to hunt! There will be games and other activities as well! Hope to see you there! (NO Rain Date). 

As many of you know, my son Samuel, who is 9 years old and adopted from Eastern Europe, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 4 years old.  The cancer relapsed this September.  He has spent over 100 days in the hospital, but was recently released after a successful bone marrow transplant.  Thanks to so many of you for your kind words and deeds of hope, inspiration, and comfort during this time.  We are forever grateful!

March 2 EEASG School 10:30-11:30 AM Catholic Charities

March 9 Dossier Class 8:00-10:00 AM Children’s Hope

Travel Class 10:00-11:59 AM Children’s Hope

Pre-Adoption Class 12:30-6:00 PM Woodmont Church of Christ

March 12 Junior High Group 5:00-6:30 PM Children’s Hope

Information Meeting 6:30-8:30 PM Children’s Hope

March 19 Home Study Group 6:30-8:30 PM Children’s Hope

March 23 EEASG Egg Hunt 3:00-5:00 PM Crockett Park

March 29 Office Closed/CHI Egg Hunt 3:00-4:30 PM Crockett Park

April 6 EEASG School 10:30-11:30 AM Catholic Charities

April 9 Information Meeting 6:30-8:30 PM Children’s Hope

April 11 Memphis Information Meeting 7:00-9:00pm Olive Branch, Mississippi

April 13 Dossier Class 8:00-10:00 AM Children’s Hope

Travel Class 10:00-11:59 AM Children’s Hope

April 15 Home Study Group 6:30-8:30 PM Children’s Hope

Thanks for reading our newsletter! If you are receiving this and do not wish to have a copy emailed, please let me know.

Hope to see many of you at the egg hunt! Have a wonderful Month!