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 March
2007   

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CHI is now licensed in Kentucky!  
We can now do your home studies
and all social work!!!
Contact our office or Michelle Satler,
the KY Outreach Coordinator,
at
michelle.satler@childrenshopeint.org

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The Russell Family, TN (Russia)

Hello everyone!

Court went very well today. We are the proud parents of Natalia Noelle! The whole process was 3 hours from start to finish. We left the hotel at 9:30 am for a 10:00 hearing, but the judge and secretary (court reporter) were 30 minutes late. When we started, the judge began the questions to us right away. Most of them were straight forward and easy. None were difficult; they just made us think about the proper way to respond. Dennis and I alternated answering the questions. We actually got the judge to laugh a couple times and crack a couple jokes. When he saw our pictures from the first trip, he said that Natalia looks like Dennis. Dennis responded by telling him how the orphanage workers asked if he had ever been to Astrakhan before. He laughed. Then when he was looking at our additional documents we had brought, he stopped at the FBI report and said, "The FBI says you were in Astrakhan!" He was laughing. It was pretty funny. After a
40 minute recess (we think he went to eat lunch!), he came back and read his favorable ruling, although our 10 day appeal period was not waived. He thanked us and shook our hand. That was it!

Outside of visiting with Natalia, we have been very busy with exploring Astrakhan. We have been to the grocery to stock up on food. We have also been to a sports bar called Forward, a café called Krem Café, and a restaurant tonight named Camelot. Our friends, the French's have been here a week already and have scoped out many places for us to go. It has been very fun to try to order our food from an English menu to servers who only speak Russian. Tomorrow we will walk to the mall to buys hats for me and Patrick
because we forgot ours and see if we can find some fun stuff to buy and do. It is amazing how much walking we do around here, when we don't have a driver to take us places. When we do have our driver drop us off at places, we usually walk back to the hotel. It is not scary or unsafe, especially in groups.

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes! They have meant so much to us. We are eternally grateful for helping us through this process. We are in the homestretch now!
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The Cheng Family, TX (China)
 

     

We want to thank you for the wonderful baby we have been blessed with. She is beyond words--an amazing little girl. We are so blessed to have her. She has filled our life with wonder. 
Thanks again for our little girl.

 

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The Robinson Family, NC formerly TN (Russia)



I attached a recent photo of Ryan.  Please share it with everyone. 
You will not believe how much he has grown.

 

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The French Family, TN (Russia)



 
Priviet from Astrakhan!! After the long, but uneventful flight here, we settled into the hotel and
immediately felt more comfortable than our first trip.  We were so nervous and overwhelmed at that point, but now we feel like we know the ropes better.  Monday morning, the nerves returned as we headed off to court.  The judge was very nice, and she spent about an hour and a half asking us each questions about our plans for Owen.  That day, we left the courtroom as parents!!!  For the next 10 days, we visited with our son daily, and sometimes twice a day, and we saw him come out of his shell more and more. The transformation was amazing as he became more comfortable with us and us with him.  Finally, day 11 arrived (today), and we can be a family.  No more visits to the orphanage.  No more limited time with our son.  He is ours
forever and we are extraordinarily proud.  After our big morning getting his birth certificate documents and checking him out of the orphanage, he was ready for lunch, and then it didn't take long for him to konk out for a nap (see attached photo).  He is such a good boy and we truly feel blessed for God choosing such the perfect son for us.  This entire experience has been so amazing, it's difficult to put into words.  It still seems so surreal. 

  There is nothing we can say to fully express our gratitude for all CHI (and specifically the two of you) has done for us to make our dreams a reality.  It does sound cliché, but this journey has been so much more than we could have ever imagined.  Thank you both, and to everyone who has had a hand in helping us along our way.

From Russia with love!


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The Reed Family, TN (China)

I just wanted to send you a picture of Seth's snowman he made this morning.  He was
so proud of himself.  It's hard to believe it's been 3 years since we adopted him.  Seems
like only yesterday.  He'll be 5 in April.  My how time flies!   He's doing so good. 
He's such a happy child.  He simply makes our hearts smile. 
We are blessed beyond measure.

 

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The Bridgeman Family, VA (China)



Today marks our two year anniversary of bringing Maggie home.  As I sit here, I am
listening to Maggie and her older sister, Cali, chat as they go to
bed.  We keep a monitor in there room in case they need us in he night.
They talk about everything from the days events to signing lullabies I have
taught them.  It is a true blessing and we are so thankful to CHI for
sending us on such a wonderful journey.

I am sending you a picture of the "three amigos!!"  The red
head is Cali, Maggie's older sister, the blonde is Maggie's cousin, and of
course the angel in the middle is our precious Maggie.  These three are
inseparable.  They play together, have sleep-overs, and, as you can see, share
many meals together.  These girls have been forever changed over the last
two years.  God, CHI , and Maggie's biological mother's unselfish love are
the reasons.  Thanks to all for our blessings!!!!!
 

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The Berti Family, TN (Russia)

  

We are all doing great!!

 

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The Brosius Family, GA (Vietnam)

This picture was taken the first day home.  I haven’t had the time to take
pictures since. Thanks for calling and checking on us.

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The McHale Family, TX (Russia)

  

Hi All...Hard to believe 2 years has gone by (Valentines Day 2005) since we walked out
of the orphanage with Zachary.  He is doing really great and is a really happy little boy.  
 

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The Trombo Family, TN (China)
 

  



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The Bryan Family, TN (China)

This is what I saw when Gracie woke this morning......

 

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The Pingston Family, TN (Russia)

  

We are finally home and together as a family of FOUR!  It was so incredible to see Tatyana
last night at the airport and to see her reaction at seeing her baby brother for the first time. 
She kissed him, hugged him, rubbed his head and then played with his ears- wiggling
them back and forth.  We all thought it was so funny, so Nikolai turned and then played
with his daddy's ears also. What a great feeling!

Thank you all for your many prayers and letters of encouragement during our second
installment of the Pingston Quest.  It is now complete! 

Nikolai is doing great and had bonded well.  Much love and many thanks!

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The Garrett Family, TN (Vietnam)


Gabriella is a true blessing and I love her more than words could ever describe.  She has
 made so much progress since being with me and learned so many new things.  I love
watching her fascination with the simplest things. 

  I'll stop by the office and let everyone meet my Heaven sent Gabriella!!

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The Knox Family, TN (Russia)

  

Here are some new school pictures of Nikolai (Astrakhan, September 2005). 
He is 3 years, 4 months in this picture.  He just loves to be photographed!

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The Johnson Family, AR (Russia)

 Emma will turn three next month.  She is doing great, growing, and oh, so very happy. 
  In the year and a half that she has been home, we are so happy with the progress she has made. Everyday is a new adventure for her.  She is the life of the party and the light of our lives.  Thanks for all you all do for the children around the world.  But most of all, thanks for helping us to bring our child home.  We can NOT imagine our lives without Emma.


 

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The McCullough Family, TN (Russia)

Big brother enjoying his twin sisters!

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The Olander Family, MS (Russia)

   

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Oglesby Family, TN (Russia Operation Hope)

(Here is a story Oleg wrote.  I corrected all the spelling but left the words exactly as he wrote them.)

“I like play snow.  I and my friends play snow.  We are throwing balls of snow.  I fix home of snow and we play hide and go seek.  We hide in home of snow and I like build snow man.  I one time build a rabbit.  I like to sled of ice and I like ice skating.  I want all my family of America coming to Russia and play in a snow.  I like how people in a ice skate because all people happy.  I want all America coming in a Russia and be fun.  I think what American people can speak Russian because Russian people can teach English people.  I like how my mom speak little bit Russian language.”

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Vietnamese Tet Celebration!

  

     

 

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Chinese New Year at CHI!

Enjoying the good food, friends, and the Year of the Golden Pig!

          

 

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Hop on over
to the Children’s Hope International

EASTER EGG HUNT!!
 

Friday, April 6th

Beginning at 2:30 pm

At Otter Creek Church of Christ*
 

~Games, Face Painting, Egg Hunt, and More!!~

~Bring your Easter basket and come for a day of fun!!~



 

*Directions:  Otter Creek Church of Christ is located at 409 Franklin Road. From I-65, take exit 74B west towards Brentwood. Turn right on Old Hickory Blvd. Turn left (south) onto Franklin Road. The Otter Creek Church is a mile down the road on your right.

 
Please let us know if you are planning
to attend so we can get an accurate count! 

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Shand at (615) 309-8109.

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"Mei Magazine, a bimonthly publication, is wholesome and age-appropriate with a special emphasis on issues
specific to Chinese adoptees age 7 and up.

In every issue of Mei there will be articles on school-related issues, seasonal crafts, and health or fitness. Other features include an advice column dedicated to personal problems and solutions, and a forum in which readers will share their
feelings and opinions.

Mei is dedicated to instilling pride in our readers by providing information on the People's Republic of China as well as featuring a role model with the personal and professional successes of a notable Asian-American women.

The vision on Mei Magazine is twofold: To instill confidence and to create a forum in which 'our girls' can share and
enjoy their special sisterhood!"

 

Visit  www.meimagazine.com to learn more and to
 read the reviews of parents just like you!

 

 

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Introducing

Our Newest Junior Orphan

Ambassador, Jenny Wooten!

 

Jenny Wooten of Franklin, TN decided that instead of getting gifts for her
6th birthday she would ask her friends to donate money for orphans in
China, her birth country. As a result of her efforts, Jenny raised $540!
Jenny designated her donation to be used for the
Birthday Gift for an Orphan Project. 

Thanks, Jenny, for your kind heart and generosity!
 


   

 

You too can become a member of CHI's Junior Ambassadors club!
Just email or mail in a description of your effort and its results. 

Visit http://orphan.childrenshope.net/Junior-Ambassadors.33.0.html to
find out more.

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Helping Families Adopt Act, H.R. 628

Children's Hope is requesting that each CHI family contact their
U.S. Congressman to co-sponsor and support the Helping Families Adopt
Orphans Act, H.R. 628.  When contacting your U.S Congressman, please include a copy
of the information below:


Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515

HELP FAMILIES WITH INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

Dear Colleague:

We have recently reintroduced the Helping Families Adopt Orphans Act,
H.R. 628, which will help families who are adopting orphans from foreign
countries by making the application process simpler and less burdensome
on families.  Please join us in supporting this legislation.

The legislation would extend the validity of the I-171H "Notice of
Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advanced Processing
of Orphan Petition" form to at least two years.  The I-171H form is
issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, an agency of the
Department of Homeland Security.  The form is currently valid for 18
months, although the time needed to complete the adoption process has
significantly increased over the last few years.  This is because of
delays in the travel approval, visas for orphans, and additional
processing time to gain approval of orphan adoption by foreign governments.

The I-171H form has an application fee of $545, plus $70 per person for
fingerprints.  Several other forms are needed before receiving approval,
including a home study to ensure the home is safe and stable, birth and
marriage certificates, health and financial records, criminal background
checks, and other information.  The entire cost of international
adoption can be thousands of dollars.  If the I-171H form expires before
the adoption is complete, a family must reapply and re-submit all
applicable forms, fees and evaluations.  This can be prohibitively
costly for many hopeful parents.

The Helping Family Adopt Orphans Act is one simple change we can make to
build strong families.  To cosponsor this legislation please contact
Jessica Friedman at 5-6316 in Rep. Wilson's office, or Bradley Edgell at
5-6531 in Rep. Marshall's office.

Sincerely,

Heather Wilson (Member of Congress)
Jim Marshall (Member of Congress)
Dr. Tom Price (Member of Congress)

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 *March is Project Sponsorship Month!*

You can choose from dozens of humanitarian aid projects in the countries of China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, Vietnam, and the United States. Lots is going on at Children's Hope, so you will have a variety of choices and opportunities to provide help. Below are just a few of the projects you can participate in.
 

                                                                      Ethiopian Orphanage Construction     Indian Child Receiving Medical Attention           Medical Supplies in India

                                                                
  Kazakhstan Holiday Celebration                    Russian Skills Training                Physical Therapy Equipment
                                                                                 for Older Children                                      in Vietnam

                                                                
 Warm Clothes for Russian Children            Nutritious Meals in Vietnam               Heart Surgeries in China


 Visit http://orphan.childrenshope.net/ to learn

 about these projects and more.

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Upcoming Information Meetings 



 

UPCOMING EVENTS
 

March       2007  ~   Dossier/Travel ~  8:30 AM to 12:00 PM ~  Children's Hope

................................................

A MESSAGE FROM BRENDA BARKER

Welcome to Spring!!   As Spring roars in like a lion today, it reminds me of the many families who are ferociously working on their paperwork to get their dossiers together, so they can be joined with their child.   Having just put a dossier together myself (yes, my husband and I are adopting again!!) I know the tenacity and determination this step takes.  I also know that it is all worth it when you finally look into the eyes of your long awaited and dreamed of child.  Hang in there and know we are here to help any way that we can!  I can't help but also be reminded of the children who desperately need parents and have no one to care for them and hover over them like the "Momma Lion" with ferocious caring, love, and protection.  These children need you....so, if you are planning on beginning your adoption journey, there is no time like today.   Here's to a happy and rewarding Spring to all! 

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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Our Accreditation

 Click on the logos to read more

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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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