February 1, 2006
 

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CHI CHINA FOUNDATION STAFF

Brenda Barker, Southeast Director visits the Beijing office and our Hope Center.  It was a wonderful opportunity to hear all the wonderful things going on in China!  Not only was she able to meet all of our Beijing team and Guangzhou team, but also meet all the children at the Hope Center.  It is a marvelous work God has allowed and directed us to do as we work for the children and families of China! 

CHI ADOPTION STAFF

VIETNAM PROGRAM UPDATE 

ETHIOPIAN ADOPTIONS

Dwyatt Gantt our Executive Director is currently in Ethiopia exploring the great needs of orphans there.  The officials are very excited to work with CHI and our wonderful families.  We'll keep you posted on adoption developments, or contact Amanda@childrenshopeint.org.

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY, FORMERLY TN (China) 

10 years ago…

We're close to our 10-year anniversary of becoming a family. I thought you might like to know how Tessa is doing, since you played such an important role in her life a decade ago. She had her adolescent growth spurt last year (already) and constantly gets mistaken for a teenager -- which is to say that she gets funny looks when she asks for a kid's menu at restaurants or asks for an under-12  ticket price at the movies. It's not just that she's over five feet tall, she's not at all gangly like other girls her age.

She swims competitively (in the summer) and plays basketball (in the winter), draws, and loves analysis of any kind. Show her a masterpiece in a museum and she'll make a list of the different colors used and how many times they show up in different parts of the painting. I caught her rearranging my kitchen drawers the other day into a more logical order.

Yes, she loves math and science...reading she can do without, even though she's in the advanced reading group at school. Her two favorite things are her cat Charley and her iPod. She has friends at school, church and swim team -- no one special yet, but her teacher says that she has the ability to mix and match in any social group and setting. She's so easygoing and confident that it amazes me -- May the good stuff last all through adolescence!

Thank you for all you did to bring this amazing girl into our lives, and for creating our family.

THE WAINSCOTT FAMILY, FL (Russia)

This year, Zoe graduated from her crib, highchair, and diapers.  She knows her ABCs and several songs and talks up a storm.  At Thanksgiving, she gave up having to take her baby doll to school, totally on her own.  We sing "Night Songs" every night before bed, which is a Winnie the Pooh book with a CD.  She brushes her teeth (though we help), gets dressed mostly on her own, and loves to help with the housework.  She's now about 38" tall, quite tall for her age!  Of course, growing like a weed.  She's now ready to graduate to the three-year-old class at her preschool, though she's putting up resistance to the change.  But she's done that with every school/class change, and she ends up loving it soon after.  We find it amusing that two strangers who didn't even speak her language took her out of the only home she ever knew and she took the change in stride.  Now a move across the hall is traumatic!  We're enjoying watching all the changes and enjoying every stage along the way. 

THE MEMPHIS FAMILIES GATHER

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…Operation Hope Family arrives home! 

THE KREMPASKY-KUNA FAMILY, TN (Russia, Operation Hope) 

 Greg and Kathleen returned on Christmas Eve with their two children, Tolya and Yana, hopefully marking the beginning of adoptions in Smolensk Region! They left for Russia on December 19 and were back here on December 24!  The kids were happy and doing as well enjoying their new home in Tennessee!

THE PIERSON FAMILY, KY (RUSSIA) 

Here is our little man. We arrived home on Tuesday-Dec 13. Sorry I haven't written earlier but we have been busy!!!!!!  He has been amazing since we came home.  He has made such great progress in adjusting each and every day.  He is a happy, funny, sweet, and perfectly content little fellow.  He is even gaining control over the dog already.  We have truly been blessed with 2 awesome children.  

THE THIERAUF FAMILY, TN (China)

Without your agency, and your supportive staff, regardless of who was that particular social worker or specialist at the time, we wouldn't have been able to make Natalie a part of our family.  I can't believe how much I love her and how unknowingly, unfulfilled my life would have been without her. 

Every time I'm tired or busy, I can now keep that in check, because I think of her cute giggles or big bright eyes and it makes everything a little better, everyday.

THE PEART FAMILY, TN (Russia)

Just wanted to send you a picture of our angel. He's wonderful and such a blessing! Every time we visited Merrit in the orphanage in Russia, he was riding a little rocking horse. We wanted to make him feel at home, so we got him one for Christmas (but we couldn't wait to give it to him so we gave it to him several weeks early! As you can see, he loves it. And we love him. He's only been home for a couple of months - and we can't imagine life without him. Thank you so much for doing what you do. We can't tell you how thankful we are for CHI.

THE SHEPHERD FAMILY, FL (Russia)

Just wanted to let you know that Alex has adjusted beautifully and is a happy active little boy!!  He grew 1-1/4" in 3 weeks, eats well and is now walking.  There are no issues with his motor skills!!  He's bright and has worked out how to topple the diaper bag to get extra height to see or reach things.  He laughs when he gets past us before the gate is closed to the kitchen (he's been trying to reach the cat food!!).  He's tried the dog food much to the delight of Scruffy (our 75lb dog who loves Alex).  

We are amazed at his adaptability.  In 2 months, he has settled right in, has met family and friends and taken it all in stride.  He knows who is Mom and Dad are and gives us that heart melting smile whenever one of us returns.  He entered day care 2 weeks ago and seems to enjoy it.  His teachers say he is always smiling at them.  We are still waiting for a few discernible words but he is trying. 

Both sets of Grandparents are totally in love with him. My sister is coming to spend Xmas with us so we are excited that finally we can have a happy holiday.  Thank you for all your work getting us through the process.  We feel very lucky to have such a wonderful addition to our family.

THE BASS FAMILY, TN (Russia)

My husband, Rick, and I had to do the hardest thing we had ever done on September 16, 2005.  We had to walk out of the orphanage after our third and last visit with the two little brothers we hoped would one day be our sons.  We knew this would be difficult.  Rick and I also knew the sooner we left, the sooner we would return.  The next three months we busied ourselves getting the boys’ room ready, buying clothes and coats, and praying that God would keep His hands upon our sons.   Finally the call came – our court date had been set for December 19, 2005.  We would spend Christmas in Russia!  What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus – receiving our own two little miracles!

     Rick and I departed for Russia on December 14^th.  Trouble with United Airlines giving our seats away, having to be rerouted with no luggage and arriving in Moscow a day later than planned did not dampen our spirits.  We knew that no matter what we WOULD make that court date and complete our family.  That is exactly what we did!  CHI was phenomenal throughout the entire United Airlines fiasco.  We contacted Mareda who phoned the Moscow office to give our new arrival time and day.  We were met at the airport right on time and preceded to our hotel.  We were once again back on schedule!  Rick and I, along with another couple, flew to the city where our children were, Novosibirsk.  This Nashville, Tennessee couple had to adjust to temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees, but we knew this was minor compared to all the adjustments our future sons would encounter.

     We were able to visit our future sons on December 18^th, the day before court!  I can not describe how terrific it was to once again hold those two sweet boys in my arms.  Rick and I were able to visit with them for a couple of hours – my how that time flew!  That evening (the night before court) we could barely sleep!  We knew the CHI representative, Marina, had done a fantastic job preparing us for court earlier in the evening, but we were nervous any way.  How could one not be nervous when the course of the rest of our lives was in the hands of a judge we had never met. 

     The next morning we headed to court!  We, as well as the other couple, were very nervous.  Marina did all she could to calm us down!  Now the time was here – our names were called and we entered the courtroom.  An hour later we emerged new parents!  The judge had awarded us our two sons!  Notice I did not say future sons – they were now legally our sons!  We looked around the courtroom after the judge gave her decision and saw everyone smiling – our interpreter, the prosecuting attorney, the social worker, and the orphanage director!  Our long journey to complete our family was now over – WE WERE PARENTS OF TWO BEAUTIFUL BOYS!  Rick and I were taken the very next day (December 20^th) to bring our sons to the hotel with us!  We will always remember those special dates, especially December 19^th – our ADOPTION DAY!  We plan on celebrating that day every year with Alek (6 years old) and Caelen (4 years old)! 

     We thank God every day for him leading us to CHI and those two little boys.  CHI very well prepared us for each and every step along our journey and was there whenever we needed assistance.  Thank you CHI! Without you our family would still be incomplete.

THE AGEE FAMILY, TN (China)

The Children's Hope people in China could not have been better. They made everything so smooth and enjoyable. The woman that was with our group for the whole trip, Wendy, was so pleasant and helpful, above and far beyond what was necessary.

 

THE SHOEMAKER FAMILY, TN (Russia, Operation Hope)


We are doing great! Sasha is adjusting easily and is learning English much sooner than we expected. Sasha is so outgoing he never went through a period where he was afraid to try new English words. He communicates through a mixture of English, Russian, gesturing, miming and LOTS of sound effects. He understands quite a lot. He’s smart though. If we are telling him to do something he doesn’t want to do, he’ll look confused, shrug his shoulders and say, “I don’t know.” If it’s something he wants to do, he can easily understand much more complicated sentences! He’s so excited about his birthday next week, and he goes around the house singing, “Happy Birthday To You”. He keeps telling us, “Papa’s happy birthday is 17 and me is 25”
(January 17th and 25th).

Ben started by filling in the gaps with math. He really didn’t know his math facts, so we did quite a bit of flashcard drill. Now he’s working easily in a 5th grade math book. He’s already learned all his letters and their sounds, and he enjoys reading the beginning stories. We also have him working through another English program, but he doesn’t
like that as much.

We are just amazed at how quickly he’s adapted. Sasha is very open and loving and shows his affection easily. He gets along with the other children well. He seems to be proud of having so many new relatives and thinks it’s pretty cool that he’s called Uncle Sunshine by his new niece.

The Operation Hope program was a blessing for us. We would never have been brave enough to consider adopting a nearly 11-year-old boy otherwise. We’d love to participate again in a couple of years!
 

CHINA PROGRAM UPDATE

Wait Times for Referral
The current waiting time from log in date until referral is 9 to 10 months.  Although the CCAA will not provide agencies with a maximum projected wait time, we are anticipating the wait could grow to 10 to 12 months.  We will continue to monitor actual wait times and communicate them through our CHI Yahoo groups and program updates.

The wait time for China referrals has gone up to 9-10 months.  We are sorry for the delays in receiving referrals from the CCAA, but obviously CHI has no control over time lines in intercountry adoptions.

ASK THE ADOPTION DOCTOR

Get your questions about international adoption-related medical, psychological, social work, and legal issues answered online at no cost. Every month, the adoption medicine specialists and associates of AdoptionDoctors.com will answer your questions about your concerns in these areas. These questions and more are part of a new feature that has been added to our International Adoption site: Ask the Adoption Doctor. Visit Ask the Adoption Doctor, check out the newest questions and the archives, and submit your own question.

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION CLINIC CLASS

International Adoption Clinic introduces Community Classes:

Date: Saturday, February 4th, 2006

Something new. . .
for CHI GRANDparents!!!

Prospective parents aren't the only ones who get nervous. They aren't the only ones who are full of questions. They aren't the only ones on the verge of happiness, either.  All those waiting grandmas and grandpas need someone to talk to.  Grandparents want to share, too. So we have something new - it's the CHI Grandparents' Club.  Right now, it's a chat group, but we're hoping it will grow into local chapters complete with knitting circles, fundraisers and fishing trips.   

GRANDPARENTS:  Email  Ann.Tollefson@Childrenshope.net  .  Tell her your name, address, email address, phone number and the name of your family member in the CHI adoption process.  

Who knows where our wonderful CHI grandparents will take us? 
Tell your  folks about this group and we'll soon find out!

CHI FOUNDATION

Watch for upcoming information about child sponsorship beginning in March!

Help make wishes come true by donating now!

UPCOMING INFORMATION MEETINGS

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

A MESSAGE FROM BRENDA BARKER

FAITH, GRACE, JOY AND BRENDA BARKER AT THE TAJ MAHAL, THE GREATEST MEMORIAL OF LOVE EVER BUILT!

The month of love is here!  The Bibles tells us “That there is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  And you are my friends if you love one another.”  There is no greater self-sacrificing, laying down of one’s life, than the love of a parent for their child.  Give your children an extra hug and kiss this month!  And for those of you waiting or contemplating adoption, there is of course no greater time than today to start your adoption plans and build your "family of love!"

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. . .