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