November 1, 2005
 

Click on pictures to see the full size!
 

NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH!!

• November 2005 Calendar with suggested activities to celebrate adoption in November (http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/adoptmonth/activities_calendar.cfm).
• National Adoption Day, (Saturday, November 19, 2005), a day when hundreds of children around the country will have their adoptions finalized in local courts and jurisdictions throughout the nation (http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/2005/).

SUBJECT: CHILDHOOD ADOPTION ACT OF 2005

There is pending legislation to increase the adoption tax credit from $10,000 to $15,000 making it much easier for families to adopt children and therefore for children to get into good homes.  Please take a moment to email your representatives and ask them to support this legislation.

You can link to contact forms via this link.  It also gives you a sample letter to use.

 http://www.rainbowkids.com/2005/08/news/adoption_bill.chtml

 

TN CHI GIRLS!

Here's a picture of CHI girls taken at Gentry Farms in Franklin a couple of weeks ago.  These girls have all played together since adoption.  Our families met during the adoption process and  continue to be together regularly.

 Zara Dorris, 4; Zena Dorris, 2; Zoe Pryor, 4; (not pictured Ava Pryor, 3), Kaki Catalano, 4; Becky Catalano, 4

 

THE SHAW FAMILY,  FL (China)

 I can hardly believe that we are getting ready for our last post placement report!  What a fabulous year we have had.  Lizzy has made some amazing progress.  She is one of the absolutely best things we ever did.  I don't know why I am surprised.  When God leads you to do something in His will, it is always the best thing!  As I sit here and think about the last 12 months, my heart is so full…of joy for the beautiful blessing of Lizzy to our family; of thankfulness to you and CHI and Shoahannah’s Hope to helping us bring her here, and sorrow for all the little girls I could not bring home.  I wish I could bring them all home.  I want to thank you again for your kindness, your help, and your prayers.  You and all those at CHI have such an important role in the lives of these little girls. Some day, Lizzy will know your name and how you helped us become a family.  Thank you again.  You will always be in our hearts and prayers.

THE MCLEOD FAMILY, TN (Russia)

I was just reading over the newsletter and I noticed that last sentence--"click here if you would like information about international adoption." It so took me back to that late December night in 2001 that I clicked on "click here" and look where I am today. Our family has gone for a quiet family of 4 to a very loud family of six in the blink of an eye!  Thank you for your caring heart and for all you and your staff do to make dreams come true!

THE FLETCHER FAMILY, TN (Russia)
 

Our court date was two years ago today... two very short years.  Then again (everyone says this, right?), it's like Miriam has been with us from the beginning.  Anyway, Teresa and I wanted to send you a current photo of the sassiest, sweetest, most beautiful girl God has created.  

THE ROBINSON FAMILY, TN (Russia)
  

 Look at this Halloween cutie!

THE BALES FAMILY , TX (China)

Savannah Joy

“Does it feel like she’s actually your daughter yet?”

When I was first asked the question, I had to stop and think. I hadn’t really thought about it like that. It’s kind of hard to explain what it feels like to be mildly jet lagged, experiencing a little bit of culture shock and still hungry for some kind of familiar food (any kind of familiar food) when a complete stranger who doesn’t speak a word of English places your daughter in your arms for the first time. The whole process of meeting Savannah (we were in a room with 12 other couples) was rather chaotic and surreal. Honestly, the thought that was going through my mind was more along the lines of, “do I feel like a dad to you?”

As we held her for the first time, Sarah and I told her that we loved her and that we’d been waiting a long time to see her. I said she was my sweet girl and that I loved her and even in those first moments I really did. At the same time, I knew all the words coming out of my mouth had to sound as odd to her as the words of the orphanage directors sounded to me. And I could tell by her smile when they touched her hand that whatever they were saying was more comforting than my words.

Last January, after our paperwork was logged in Beijing, we knew that the little girl we would be adopting was probably in an orphanage and already bonding with a nanny there. Two months before we traveled we got our referral and found out Savannah’s Chinese name (Xing Fu Ling) and which city she lived in. We couldn't wait to get to China to get her, but we also had our hands full preparing our home and our son for Savannah’s arrival. We tried to explain to Noah that he had a little sister in China in a way that it would make sense to a three year old; we talked about how when the sun went down we were sharing it with Savannah in China so she could play and said that there was a girl who didn’t have a mommy or daddy or any brothers or sisters and we were going to get her so she could have a family. He was generally agreeable with whatever we said and every night he’d pray his bedtime thank you prayers which almost all ended the same way. “God, thank you from me and for mommy and for daddy and thank you for my little sister. Keep her safe until mom and dad can go get her. In Jesus name, amen.”

It was really only in the last few weeks before we traveled to China that I started letting myself think about what she might be doing each day. As soon as I’d start down that road all the details and paperwork and deadlines and expense would get lost in the emotion of realizing that I already knew had a little girl, but she didn’t know that she had a dad yet.

I vividly remember when Noah was born. I was eagerly awaiting “the moment” of epiphany or emotion or elation as I saw my son for the first time. I also remember seeing him and thinking, “he doesn’t look quite like expected.” That was the extent of my big revelation. But I also remember the slower realization that he was really my son and I was his dad. I didn’t feel like a dad. I felt more like a kid (and honestly I still do most of the time). But I knew he was my son, and I wouldn’t give him up for the whole world.

When Sarah first told me were going to have Noah, it was a bit of shock in and of itself. At that point Sarah and I had assumed that we would probably adopt. We knew that the doctors didn’t hold much hope that Sarah and I would be able to have children. But as soon as we started to think it might be a good time to try … ta da. Sarah’s doctor looked over her chart when she went in to see him a few days later and just shook his head, “You know you’re not supposed to be able to have children.” Noah is truly a gift from God.

For the next year and a half we didn’t talk about adoption again. We had our hands full with a very active little boy, and we just assumed that Noah had answered the question about adoption. But as we got settled into the rhythm of being a family with a kid, we started talking about it again. Over the next months, the realization slowly started to grow in my heart that God didn’t plan for us to adopt as a way to have children, but that the desire was in our heart because there was already a little girl half way across the world who was our daughter. A little different way of becoming a parent, but just as miraculous conceiving our son.

I can’t really explain it, and it doesn’t really matter to me if people think I’m just being sentimental. Savannah isn’t ours because we filled out the paper work and paid the fees. She’s our daughter for the same reason Noah is our son, because of the goodness of God.

During the trip, one of our translators was talking to an older Chinese woman who wanted to know why were adopting girls from China. She told us later that us that the woman had told her, “those are blessed little girls.” With a confident grin she told us that she had quickly corrected her, “No. These are blessed parents to be getting little girls from China.”

THE YOUNG FAMILY, TN (China)

Just pics!  We just love her so much!

THE BILLS-KUNTZ FAMILY, TN (India)

CHI Presents 

“Getting to the Heart of the Matter” 

Understanding the Developmental Challenges of the Adopted Child

 November 12, 2005

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Brentwood Hills Church of Christ

5120 Franklin Pike

Brentwood, TN  37220 

Click here for more info and registration form

CHI FOUNDATION

before we know it ....

... 2005 will be history and we will have 2006 appointments to keep.  This fall, CHI will be sending  each of our families "Our Best Wishes for 2006," an appointment calendar for the new year.  This calendar will feature photos of some of our adopted children and some of the children left behind.  It will also feature monthly gift coupons to be used in support of those beautiful children destined to grow up in orphanages around the world. You may order extra copies togive as gift to family members or church groups.  Watch you mail box for your copy of CHI's Best Wishes.

Walk for Hope 2005- A BIG thanks to all who participated and/or supported this year’s Walk for Hope!  The Walk took place Sunday, October 9, 2005 at Granny White Park in Brentwood, Tennessee.  We had lots of great silent auction items, food and most importantly, walkers! This event was aimed at raising money for children around the world who remain in orphanages and need life changing medical surgeries.  We raised just over $4,000 to benefit these children. 

Time of Giving- An opportunity to shop, save and support CHI Foundation!  Saturday, November 19, 2005, Time of Giving takes place at Cool Springs Galleria.  For $5 buy a coupon booklet for stores inside the mall.  All proceeds go to benefit CHI Foundation.  It looks like there are lots of good savings!  Stop by the office to purchase one, or buy one at Heart of the Matter seminar, Saturday, November 12, 2005.  For more information, contact Rachel Messer at     (615) 309-8109, or rachel.messer@childrenshope.net.

Help make wishes come true by donating now!

UPCOMING INFORMATION MEETINGS

UPCOMING EVENTS

For latest news please also visit: http://www.childrenshopeint.org/latestnews1.htm

 

 

A MESSAGE FROM BRENDA BARKER

Happy Thanksgiving!!  Hope you are able to spend the holidays with your family and loved ones.  And, I hope you are able to celebrate National Adoption Month in a memorable way!  Please share with us how you celebrated!

We don't want to burden you with a lot of information, but we do want to help you if you are looking for a way to adopt. If not, please let us know and we will regretfully remove your name from our newsletter.   E-mail me at my address below with any question you have.  I would love to hear from you. 

Brenda

 Southeastern U.S.
 Brenda Barker, Director
 7003 Chadwick Dr. Suite 350
 Brentwood, TN  37027
 615-309-8109   Fax: 615-309-8483
brenda@childrenshopeint.org
Also serving the following states: TN, KY, GA, AL, AR, MS, VA and LA

Click here to request an information packet regarding international adoption with Children's Hope International: send info, please. . .