MAY 2002 NEWSLETTER 

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

John Parker, and his wife Susan have taken on a unique challenge and are discovering some unexpected rewards.  After raising four biological children, the Parkers were made aware of the plight of a young girl in China by some friends who had already experienced the adoption process. Jin Min (she now goes by Madison) was fast approaching her fourteenth birthday. In China children become ineligible for adoption after age fourteen. When asked about Madison’s situation, the orphanage director responded, “Well, who would want her?” Hearing this sealed the deal for John and Susan. John believed it was if God were instructing them.  Working against the clock, John and Susan proceeded with the adoption process.  John and Susan’s own experience in China had more twists, turns and suspense than a Hitchcock film. Shortly before Madison was to become ineligible for adoption, the paper work was completed.  Madison celebrated her 14th birthday in her new home with her parents.  In the two years since she has been with John and Susan and their four children, she has done remarkably well. She is currently a 9th grader. She has made many friends and does well in school. John admires how hard she works.  She comes home from school and studies for hours. “I can’t say that about myself or my other children,” he chuckled.  The decision to adopt, especially after raising four children, was not automatic.  “We spent a lot of time praying about it. We had the time, we had the space … and after raising teenagers for seventeen straight years, we believed we could handle it.” John also emphasized the support of their community as essential to their success. Their church has been very helpful and John’s employer has been very understanding about the time he has needed to travel and help the children adapt after their return. John believes the experience has strengthened his relationship with Susan. “We appreciate each other more and realize how dependent we are on each other.”

 The Parkers’ experience with Madison has been so enriching that they recently added three more members to the family. Catherine Sheldon Parker (age 5 ½), and brothers Graham Wilson Parker (age 6), and Robert Miller Parker II (age 9) arrived last month from Russia.  “The children are all now in school and gaining weight. We can see the changes in them almost daily.” The changes are not reserved just for the children. The whole experience seems to have shaped the Parker family. “They’ve done as much for us as we have for them,” remarked John. The Parker’s oldest daughter is studying to teach English as a second language, and their son and his wife are expecting their first child. “After just becoming parents again, it’s hard to believe we’ll soon be grandparents!”

If the story of the Parkers touched you, 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. 

 We are so excited to offer a parenting class taught by Karen Shaw, a noted parenting teacher and expert in the field.  Karen has taught parenting classes for over 6 years, and has a wealth of knowledge.  Whether you are waiting, a first-time parent, or an experienced parent, you won’t want to miss this seminar!  Please join us on Saturday, May 18^th, from 1:00-4:00 PM at Woodmont Hills Church of Christ for this exciting class!  Email Cheryl at Cheryl@childrehopeint.org or call 615-309-8109 for more information. 

 Operation Hope is fast approaching.  Hopefully 10 children from Russia will be coming to Nashville for three weeks, beginning July 5th.  We are still in need of three more families for three delightful little boys.  Please email Tanya if you are interested at Tanya@childrenshopeint.org or call  (615) 309-8109.  Could this boy be your son?

     Vica will be graduating this month, and returning to Russia to get married.  We will miss her greatly.  Sherri Hails has also decided to work full-time at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Emergency Room.  But, I know many of you will see her when you take your children to the ER.  Giver her a hug for us!

      Cheryl Hales has recently joined the CHI staff as the Special Projects Coordinator.  Her responsibilities will include public relations, planning events for the families such as picnics and holiday parties as well as special group gatherings.  She will also arrange for the informational meetings throughout the Southeast Region and coordinate fundraising activities.  She is an experienced social worker and her role at CHI will also include social work.  Cheryl has several years experience as a pregnancy and adoption counselor and has also trained families to become foster and adoptive parents to special needs children through the MAPP (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) Program.   Cheryl graduated from Belmont University and has been happily married for twenty years.  She and her husband have one teen-age daughter.  "I am very excited about joining such a great organization.  I look forward to working with the staff and the families and consider it a blessing to be here."

Yuri Kudinov, our Russian Program Developer and Director visited with us in the Nashville office. 

Many families attended a reception in his honor, and enjoyed not only visiting with Yuri, but also seeing each other.

By Lisa Smith, Shelbyville, Tennessee

This Mother’s Day will be my 18^th Mother’s Day.  Every year that goes by I appreciate more and more the word “mom” that my two older children call me and “mama” that my youngest calls me.  Each of my children have brought such joy to me.  Bryan, my first born and only son will be 19 years old this month.  I still get hugs and kisses from him, and my love for him is greater than ever.  Next comes my precious Julie, who is almost 15.  Even though her independence is showing, she still needs TLC—“tender loving care” from her Mom.  Last we come to Alexis, our 16-month-old daughter from Vietnam.  She is always ready for a snuggle with kisses and hugs.  During our adoption process, everyone said you will get the child meant for you.  We did—she has a little of all of us in her.  Bryan’s temper and strong will; Julie’s love for people and wanting to entertain; her Daddy’s eyes; and she has my spirit.  Yes, my mother’s day will be joyous as my quiver is full!

Who walk around the house all night with their babies when they keep crying and won't stop.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

 For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

 This is for all the mothers who froze their buns off on metal bleachers at football or soccer games Friday night instead of watching from cars,
so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

 This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies.  And for all the mothers who wanted
 to but just couldn't.

 For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year.  And then read it again. "Just one more time."

 This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted
 for Velcro instead.

 This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for all mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd,
even though they know their own children are at home.

 This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there,
only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby,
cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

 Or is it heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
 The need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

  This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation.
And mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without…..