Camp Premier

Here's what's led to an invite for Brent and I to go to this event-

Our church volunteers in 5 group homes now. What began as us just spending time with these kids in CPS care has turned into our volunteers getting involved in the lives of the kids, hearing their stories, calling caseworkers, becoming mentors, helping kids age out, and even getting some of the children placed in their homes and out of the shelters. OCJ Kids, the organization that helped get us into the homes, helped me get a meeting with the Director of Faith and Community in DES. We told him what we've been doing and what we'd like to do. He's working on getting us connected and also invited us to the Camp premier. Camp is a movie that I've been following the making of for a few years now. It's drama based on true stories of kids and counselors from Royal Family Kids Camp . The camp is for kids in foster care to get away, have fun and hear about God's love. Our Governor's son runs one of the camps in Arizona. It was an exciting event to see all the people that were invited to the showing just because they love the kids in foster care and are doing something about it. I would have loved to see a guest list to see and learn about all the organizations there.  And yes, we were thrilled to get a chance to talk to Governor Jan Brewer.
  You know, last year Brent and I really thought we ran into her shopping at Walmart, but it felt too ludicrous  to walk up to someone in Walmart and say, "excuse me, aren't you the governor?" But after seeing and talking with her this weekend, I am sure it was her! Ha.

Please check to see if the movie Camp is going to be shown in a theater near you. It's a great movie to support. And if you live her in Phoenix, It's showing here for the next week.

On the red carpet

Reception before the movie. Look! there's Brent in the blue shirt!

my pass

Brent and I with governor Jan Brewer

talking with the governor

our friends, Gary and Tammie Webb of OCJ Kids

Micheal Brewer and Director of DES Clarence Carteer

At the movie, governor in the front row, we are way up in the back, see Brent's blue shirt?

The director of the movie Camp presented the Governor a cast signed poster

And the winner is...

Kindle Fire Giveaway tonight!

Our CHIPIN somehow ended early. So we had to start another one for today as the drawing will be 7pm tonight. So if you've been checking the blog for a winner, it will be tonight and we've actually raised 30% of the $5000 goal, it just isn't showing up since we had to restart the CHIPIN. If you donated, don't worry, we got your donation and your name is in the hat. thank you so much for helping us bring home this precious boy.

Kindle Fire Giveaway!!!!!!!!!!!

Our next round of big adoption fees are due at the beginning of December. We've decided to do a giveaway to help raise the fees and  in thanks for everyone that is supporting us and helping us bring home Jack out of an orphanage and into his forever family. Soon there will be one less orphan in the world. We are giving away a new Kindle Fire. The Kindle Fire will be released on November 15th. Not only does it hold books like the Kindle, you can watch movies, read magazines and newspapers, play games and more.
   We have a CHIPIN on our blog. For every $10 donation to our adoption fund you will get one chance for the Kindle Fire. Every $10 donation and sharing the giveaway on any social media will get 2 chances (just let me know where you shared it). If you donate $25, then you will get 5 chances in the giveaway. The CHIPIN will end on December 1st and we will announce who gets the Kindle Fire in plenty of time for Christmas.

You can read more about the Kindle fire here

Thank you so much for your caring hearts.

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress

Red Thread

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." - Chinese Proverb

Brent and I wore red thread bracelets until Angie came home. We wore red threads until Amy came home. Now the whole family is wearing red thread bracelets until little brother- Jack, comes home. It's just a way to keep him close.

 His name is Jack did you catch that? Brent and I have mothers and their mothers that have the same first and middle names. Both of our Grandfathers had a brother named Jack. It's like we're related or something! :-) With Amy and Angie, we gave them a special name to us, as well as a tie to their Chinese heritage. They kept part of their Chinese name as their middle names. We are doing the same for little Jack. Jack Gaoshan Peak.

We're waiting for you Jack and can't wait til' you are home.

Something Fun

I thought this would be fun. For the next 2 weeks, every $5 donated to our adoption fund gets you entered for a chance to win this custom outfit in any size you want. You can donate on the CHIPIN on the right. Drawing will be Oct. 14th.

You can see more pictures here

Made just for fall, your little darlin can wear this through the whole season. Pumpkin print Apron top with matching ruffle pants. Wear it with short sleeves under the aprop top and when it gets a little cooler, wear a long sleeved shirt underneath. Great for those pumpkin patch pictures!

Thanks for helping us!

Ps. 68:6 "God sets the lonely into families"

Introducing...

Little man, you don't know it yet, but God loves you and he doesn't intend for you to grow up in an orphanage. He knows you would just love to have a house full of sisters to spoil you and as of today, China has granted preapproval for you to become a Peak!!! Chin up we're coming!

Adoption fundraiser AND Pizza Party

A friend pointed out the the CHIPIN title was confusing. So we renamed it "adoption fundraiser" as that is what it is there for. Our fundraiser right now is a virtual bake sale. If you give $10 towards our adoption we deliver cupcakes to a local group home for orphaned children. If you give $50 we deliver pizza. If you just want to give towards our adoption, that's much appreciated too, just put in the memo on paypal that you want it all to go towards the adoption. Thank you so much in helping us invest in the life of an orphan and stepping up to be his family. I'm also so excited to be able to bring some cheer to some local orphans in the process.

Thank you my friends.

I Pad giveaway

My friend is doing an I PAD giveaway to raise the rest of the funds they need for their adoption.

take a look and enter here

Thoughts for Amy's Birthday

I got a special treat in the mail this weekend. A friend sent me a long lost video of my first meeting with Angie at the airport. My friend had recorded it on a now out of date camcorder and we never got the tape for it. So if you are reading this Becky, thank you!

As I watched it, and of course cried over those precious memories of seeing my daughter for the first time, all the girls started asking questions about when I first saw them. They were all babies and it was very precious. Except for Amy. I've been thinking a lot lately of when we first saw Amy. Amy was older. Amy was almost 3 when she became a part of our family. Those of you who have adopted older children, particularly internationally, know what a ride that can be. I have friends in China now adopting a little girl close to Amy's age and it just takes me back.

   As a parent, I already loved Amy before I even met her. I had decided to love her and to adopt her before I knew her. I could not wait to get my arms around her and squeeze her and kiss her. I had been waiting for that day for a year.

Now from Amy's perspective, she didn't know me, she had a routine, she was unaware that life could be different. She was an orphan relying on caretakers to care for her needs, I don't know, but I certainly hope they did. But she had no parents. She didn't know what parents were.

Then the day came when we entered her life. Brent and I were so excited. Amy was not. We met her in our hotel lobby. She eyed us as the translator told her briefly, "Look! your new parents!" It only took her a moment to decide, "no thanks." The guides are very professional and know how to do 'the hand off'. Amy started crying and clinging to the driver of the car that drove her there from the orphanage. I have no idea if she knew him or he was just preferable to us.  Our guide and translator told us to get in the elevator and then she pushed Amy into our arms as the door closed with us inside.

Heartwrenching. We knew she was grieving. We knew we were strangers and couldn't even communicate with her because we didnt' know her language. We could imagine what she was feeling.

We also knew we were the best thing that had happened in her life thus far. We knew we were giving her a name and a family and love. We knew it was worth the grief.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11.

Don't you just love that God is our parent and sees what is best for us as well? He understands our grief and resistance when we don't understand, but he also knows the plans He has for us and it is worth the grief.

Fast forward 3 years. Today is Amy's 6th Birthday! She knows that day was the best day of her life. Well, if you ask her, she thinks every day is the best day of her life. But she laughs when we tell her how scared she was at first. Because now she knows that it was worth it.

Orphan alert beautiful 13yo girl, agency fees waived.

Helen will age out of adoption eligibility on January 20, 2011. She is smart, beautiful and has NO Special Needs. She just NEEDS a forever family!! :-) :-) She is very educated. She knows A LOT of English!!!!! !!!!!!! She is brilliant and very driven and motivated. She is a tough little cookie!!!!!! !!!

MAA is offering a Hope grant to waive all fees for this child if a family comes forward who can adopt her in time. (Any potential family MUST have a completed HS or one that is almost complete to be able to adopt her in time). MAA is also willing to transfer the file for any family who is LID with another agency who we feel will be a good fit.

Qingdao has also offered to waive this child's orphanage donation!!!

Please contact diana.maa@ comcast. net (without the spaces) asap if you are interested in this child. Please also help spread the word about this gorgeous child.

Orphan Alert: 13 yo girl ageing out soon.

This sweet girl has lived her entire life in an orphanage. She will turn 14 in January when she will no longer be eligible in China to be adopted. Can you imagine dreaming your whole life for a family and slowly watch the dream fade? She just has 4 short months for the miracle to happen for her. Most children look forward to each birthday on their teen years, a sign of maturity and more responsibility. This birthday will indeed mark the end of childhood for her, and a new responsibility of trying to figure out how to make it on her own for the rest of her life. Please, lets find a family for her.

She has a repaired cleft lip and palate. Contact Dick and CHeryl Graham of Bringing Hope to Children at iaap2000@gmail.com for more information about her. I'm not aloud to post her name on a public forum but you can ask for more info about the girl that will age out in January. Her birthday is 1/19/97.

Adoption fundraiser raffle

This couple is trying to raise last minute funds for their adoption. Their little boy is waiting for them in China. They are leaving Saturday and are still short $2000. They are holding a 24 hr Raffle for an IPOD touch. Every $5 gets an entry. Who can't part with $5? We are so blessed.

Here's a link to their blog and their story. The CHIPIN for the Raffle is on the right. Thank you!

http://mycupoverfloweth.blogspot.com/

Orphan Alert: girl with the curls, 3 year old bundle of fun

It's such a tiny picture, sorry about that. I saw this child's profile on Rainbowkids.com this is what they say about her:

When she had just entered the orphanage, her personality was lively and outgoing. She liked to talk and to smile, and she liked to snuggle in the nanny’s arms. She likes to play games together with the other little children. Now, she is already over two years old, and she is incredibly sweet. She can put on and take off her own clothes. Upon seeing another little child drop a toy, she will run over very quickly and pick the toy up. She likes for the nanny to praise her. Every day she is happy and joyous; to see her is to love her. She had some delays and one seizure in 2008 which was treated successfully with no more episodes. She is currently in foster care and sharing her exroverted personality with them all. She is doing well and needs a family to continue to help her developmentally. Date: August 1, 2009

Her file is with Chinese Children Adoption International

Orphan Alert:The little boy with the awesome hair looking for his Family

Don't you love his hair? I saw his picture on Rainbow Kids. He was born Jan 3rd, 2010. He is Asian but he is here in the United States, no need to travel! He has malformed ears and some degree of hearing loss. You can contact AAC Adoptions for more information on him. You can reach them by phone (970) 532-3576 or by email info@aacadoption.com for more information about this child or about their programs in general.


This little Emperor needs to find his family. His name is Nathan. It says on the site that right now they prefer the family be from Colorado, NM, California, Wyoming, Nevada or Utah. Man, Arizona is the only Western state not listed there!

Orphan Alert: Boy ageing out in July!

Please take a look at this boy. His file is listed with Madison Adoption Associates and his name is David. He is aging out in July and his file is being sent back THIS WEEK and he will lose his chance at having a family forever.
He was abandoned when he was 7 years old. Please email Diana at diana.maa@comcast.net if you think you might be interested. He is listed as being healthy and helpful but struggles in school because of a lack of knowledge. Please help this young man!!!!

Orphan Alert: 4 yo sweetheart

This little sweetie sounds like my Amy in personality. Some lucky family is gonna have fun with her!

She's 4 years old and her file is with Bethany Christian Services if you would like to know more about her.

Here's her description:

Ling Ling lived with her grandmother until approximately 2007. The grandmother was mentally unstable and neglected the child and left her alone. She came into care in 2009 and has been living in a foster family. Ling Ling has moderated delays in all areas of her development. It is unknown at this time how much her delays are due to the deprivation and lack of care she received in her early years. She receives speech and occupational therapy and progressing slowly. She can be stubborn but if talked to calmly, she is able to follow instructions given. She is very affectionate with her foster family. Her foster mother is teaching her boundaries with strangers. Ling Ling always wears a smile and will need a family to accept the unknowns of her potential

Orphan Alert 3yo Sweetheart

This precious little boy's file is with Hawaii International Child, You can contact them for more info.

An

Child: An (boy, DOB October 2006) a 3 year old boy who is active and a little shy but enjoys being pampered by his caregivers. He is developmentally normal but has Hepatitis C.

Parent Requirements: Parents must be: between 25 and 55 years old, be in good physical and mental health; be married for over two (2) years; be reasonably educated; and have no more than three (3) children.

Orphan Alert! Soccer player needs a home

He lost his parents, separated from his brother, Boy, 11, healthy needs a family. $9750 waiver/grants.

Dear Family,
Some time ago we shared information on a boy, HH from Asia. At that time we were still researching if he had a brother. We have finally found out he does have a brother but sadly the brother is not eligible to be adopted as he is now too old. We would very much like to find a family for HH so he does not age out as his brother did. HH has told us he would like to be adopted even though it will be without his brother.
If you know of anyone interested in HH please feel free to ask them to contact us.Cost FamilyFinders@ wacap.org. There is no fee to see his full file.

HH boy age 11. There's a lot to like about this child because he is outgoing, active and ready to smile. He is a very typical boy for his age and likes to watch cartoons and participate in active play. He is described as a sensible child that enjoys school and helping out around the institution. He is healthy and developmentally on target. He is an avid soccer player and loves painting and reading. He is described as extroverted but he appears shy around new people. He enjoys playing with his pals and is helpful with younger children. To receive his information simply fill in the application on our web site www.wacap.org (there is no fee).HH.1098. 15730.01

Financial Aid: There is a $4000 Promise Child grant for eligible families. Eligible families make less than $125,000 a year averaged over the last two years. Families may subtract $3700 per child living in their home. There is a possible additional fee reduction of up to $5000 for this adoption. The application fee ($250) is waived. Pre-approval fee ($500) is waived. Please ask your tax expert about the Federal adoption tax credit of over $12,000. Please ask us about our list of private adoption grant and loans.

Please contact FamilyFinders@ wacap.org or call 1-800-732-1887. WACAP (www.wacap.org) is a non-profit adoption agency

Girl needs to be adopted by March 9! fees waived!!

URGENT
Extreme Emergency Adoption

Girl from Asia, Blind, Aging Out Agency Fees waived* up to $12,650 financial aid available

Requirements:
Do you already have a dossier and an approved I-600 (not I-800) logged-in - including singles. Are you approved to adopt two children? Are you approved to adopt an older child with special needs? Do you have a cooperative USCIS office? If so, please contact us immediately regarding this girl.
She must be adopted by March 9. This child's adoptive family must have a dossier already logged in with China, with an I-600 approval, in order to complete her adoption before she turns 14.

Description:
YTY. Girl. Despite her small size, she is 13. She has been able to make the most of the opportunities offered in the boarding school for the blind which she attends. She has learned Braille, enjoys studying language and makes good grades. However, a family who can offer her love and attention as well as a full spectrum of resources for the sight impaired, will help her blossom. She has some vision in her left eye; she does not have a right eye and she has a heart issue (involving bicuspid II SM). When she turns 14 she will no longer be able to be adopted domestically or internationally. Agency adoption fees are waived for eligible families* for this adoption. PLEASE ask about possible additional assistance.

Contact:
Please contact a Family Finders Case Manager for more information.
WACAP (www.wacap.org) is a non-profit adoption agency. Please email us at FamilyFinders@ wacap.org 1-800-732-1887 or 206-575-4550

Financial Aid:
Waived means there is no fee.
Application Fee $250=WAIVED
Pre-approval fee=$500=WAIVED
WACAP agency Fee Part 1= $3000 =WAIVED
WACAP Intl Proc Fee part 1=$700 =WAIVED
WACAP agency Fee part 2=$1000 WAIVED
WACAP Int'l processing fee Part 2=$700 WAIVED
WACAP Intl processing fee Part 3=$1500=WAIVED
Required Donation =approx $5000 = Please inquire about financial aid for this donation

Families will be responsible for:
Homestudy fee- $1550-$1850
Dossier processing Fee $500
Document expenses-$400- $700
Transmittal fee=$100
Country Fee=$630
Immigration fee-$830
Visa=$400
Legal expenses $1100
Post placement -$600
Finalization $500-$1500
Travel= $3350 per person approximately
Please ask about additional private grants and loans for adoption.