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

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.

Pizza Parties!

I delivered my first two pizza parties to two group homes tonight.

   In Arizona alone, 9,900 children are in the foster care system. Of these, 4,583 are placed in group homes, each home housing up to 10 children and youth ages 6-18. The majority of these homes are in Maricopa County or the Phoenix Area. These homes do not have house parents or foster parents, they have staff that rotate through in shifts to care for the needs of the children. They simply don't have time to make connections or play with the kids.

    I thought it would be fun to have a vitual bake sale to provide some treats for these kids and raise funds for our adoption at the same time.

   The first home I went to was mostly elementary age kids. They were SO excited to see me. I brought in Pizza and they all screamed PIZZA! I also had some donations of some toys and coloring books. When I had gone to the home the week before, they just had a plastic 3 door bin with some old toys, that was it. When they saw the toys they gasped, "Is that toys?? TOYS!!" They all thanked me and I was a teary mess by the time I left.

  Thank you for your donations to the bake sale/adoption fundraiser, know that you have made some kids very happy. It's a rare treat for them and not something that is in the budget to care for these kids.
  If you would like to help, I'd love to deliver more happiness. $10 and I deliver some cupcakes to a group home. A $50 donation on my CHIPIN on the right of my blog and I deliver a pizza party to a group home and a part of the proceeds go towards bringing our son home.
 Thank you!!

A heart for Orphans

So a little announcement here... We are adopting again! We've been working on our papers all summer. We've been looking at some files on a few children. This week our agency called us and told us that one of the little boys had just a few days left before his file was returned to China. I had seen his file go out to families several times and be returned again as the families were not pursuing his adoption and now his time was up. We said, "he's ours". Actually I said that before I had a chance to ask Brent so (eyeroll) they made me check with Brent first. :-) I can't post his picture yet. But he's 2 years old, cute as a bug and I suspect he will be Lucy's mischevious  partner in crime


 Why adopt, and why again? We're not collecting kids, we're happy with the family God has blessed with us. We advocate for orphans and help however we can, it's just that we feel we can still do more. We still have an extra bed, room at the table, another seat belt in the car; and out there there are so many children needing just one family to say "you're mine."
 

 "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

 Because his time is short, the adoption is going much faster than I expected and we have expenses due now that we don't have and we need some help. I love to give back and help the orphans whenever  I can. I thought it would be fun to do a virtual bake sale for the group foster homes in Phoenix. There's a CHIPIN on our blog. $10 and we will deliver cupcakes to an entire group home. $50 in our CHIPIN and we will deliver pizza to a group home. This would be a rare treat for these kids. It would be so fun to bless them with a Pizza Party. There are many many group homes in Phoenix, so I think we can stay busy.
  Just put in the memo on the CHIPIN cupcakes or Pizza.
 Thank you!!!

What a cutie!

This little boy is on the shared list from China. He is soo cute. He just had eye surgery and seems to be adjusting well. I'm a little partial, love a guy in glasses. He's had a cleft lip surgery and still needs surgery on his palate. you can read more about him here on Love Without Boundaries' blog.

Everything Changes

This is Zhuang Lu Hu. Zhuang is the last name of the Orphanage director, all the kids have that name and Lu Hu means butterfly. She was found on the side of a road, less than a day old wrapped in a red and white rag next to another little baby. Butterfly is a compound Chinese name and both girls have half of the word butterfly since they were found together. Almost all the referral photos I've seen of children overseas waiting to be adopted have this vacant stare.


This is Wu Hong Cai. Wu means the town she is from, Hong Cai means, "a pretty name for a girl". She was found abandoned in a hospital a few days old, and was taken to an orphanage. She waited for almost 3 years for her family to come scoop her up and say, "There she is! There's our little girl." And they scooped her up and brought her home.


This is Amy Wu Cai Peak and Angela Lu Hu Peak , sisters. Same little girls but what a change. Not that they are older, but they are different. They belong, they have family and they have a name. Not the orphanage director's name but their own parents name that were chosen for them.



Today in church we heard a message on adoption as the church announced the launch of our new Orphan Care ministry, Hands of Hope. The message was about how Christ adopted us, our names were changed and we were given the title, "Child of God". But so much more than that, our before and after adoption tale is more than a fairy tale. Before we were forlorn, undesirable, unlovely and rejected by the world. When Christ adopted us, we went from no hope, no love to a bright future with God and Everlasting Love.

I just love looking at before and after pictures of adopted children. The before pictures are so sad, so forlorn. The after pictures are without a doubt, beautiful children with breathtaking changes from their before adoption pictures. What is the difference?

Love.

Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow.
(Isa 1:17)

Orphan Sunday

This Sunday is Orphan Sunday. I am thrilled to be a part of a church that is participating this year. We will also be introducing our new Orphan Care ministry Hands of Hope at the church this Sunday. May God use it to united Orphans and Families.

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

She's mighty cute!

Abigail 3 Years Old Limb Deformity - Left Arm Abigail is described by her caregivers as quiet and nice. She enjoys playing with her roommates and playing games. She smiles to strangers. She likes teasing and tickling. She loves children's songs. Her left arm is missing below the left elbow. If you would like more information about this child please contact Small World Adoption.

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.

Boy ageing out. He's been studying English in hopes of being adopted!

Holt has a boy on their website that will age out on March 27th. He is
healthy, has been in care since 06 because his parents died and his
uncle could no longer care for him. He is described as kind hearted,
outgoing, adaptable, and gets along well with others. He's a nice
looking boy too. My favorite part of his description though is that he
is so eager to be adopted, it says he has been researching international
adoption and studying English to prepare for his transition. I have
never seen anything like this posted in any description of a waiting
child. Unfortunately it looks like his dream is not coming true.

If you can move fast and are interested in an older healthy boy, he
really does look great. The website is holtintl.org, no password
needed. Click on waiting children in East Asia. His photo is #B09-80.

Somebody adopt this little cutie!

Isn't she sweet? This little girl is looking for her mommy and daddy, are you out there? She is in an orphanage in Korea and she is a year and a half.
She has Spina Bifida and it seems to be very manageable. She can walk with assistance and her bowel control seems to come and go. How they can tell at that age, I have no idea.

She likes to be cuddled, and is reported to have a sweet personality .

There is assistance available for her adoption.

Please adopt her or I will have to!

You can see more info on her on Rainbow Kids at:
http://www.rainbowkids.com/ChildInfo1.aspx?id=5728

you will have to sign in and create a password to see the page.

Update on Orphan Alert

The Boy I posted about a few days ago, J.D. has a family. Praise God!

Orphan Alert! This boy is so loved by God

Oh how I wish I could adopt this boy. Could you please help find him a family? Read his story:

JD came to the orphanage in four years ago when he was 9 years old, crawling on his \knees because his feet were deformed. Up to that point, he had survived by dragging himself along the side of the road selling newspapers and hiding his earnings in the bushes. At the orphanage, JD's feet were amputated and he was fitted with prosthetics. Today, he proudly stands and walks quite normally. But a profound piece of his life is still missing.



When we met with him, JD was so nervous he was shaking. His caretakers told us he'd had blinding headaches for days because he was so worried about meeting us. When I asked him why he was nervous, he said simply: "Because you're my last chance for a family."

JD is a 13-year old boy with a very sad history, whose time is running out. If he's not adopted before he is 14 he will be ineligible for international adoption, and never have the family he so desperately wants. He can't remember ever living with a family but does remember years of living on his own on the streets. He remembers surviving by crawling along the road selling newspapers and hiding his earnings in the bushes.

His hands appear somewhat different but he can do everything he needs to with them. He is able to write, feed himself and take care of his bodily needs.

Because he began school so late and has been hospitalized for surgeries, he attends classes in the orphanage where he is said to be good learner who works very hard at his studies. As he left, he looked at us pleadingly saying, "I wish I could have a family." We want his wishes to come true his id is JD.1096.16763.01 and we will be happy to share his information with you.

There is a $4000 Promise Child grant for eligible families for this adoption and a possible additional fee reduction. Please contact us at FamilyFinders@wacap.org or 206-575-4550 WACAP(www.wacap.org) is a non-profit adoption agency.

Please spread the word and help these precious children!!

Abundant Life

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have life more abundantly".(John 10:10)

January is Sanctity of Life month. In memory of the Roe vs Wade supreme court decision that happened in January 1973, We've tried to reclaim the anniversary as a time to honor all life.

I remember as a teenager I told my friends and told them to spread the word, if they ever faced abortion, to please let me have the child before they did that. I don't know what I thought I was going to do if anyone ever took me up on that offer, but I knew I meant it.

Six years ago in January, I heard Steven Curtis Chapman's testimony on the radio about their decision to adopt. They had adopted a baby girl from China. We had buried our stillborn son a year and a half before and we were childless and empty. The testimony was very moving to me, I had wanted to adopt, but couldn't convince Brent to look into it. The very next day, my friend Lavonne invited me to lunch. She and her husband had also experienced infertility and loss and she wanted to tell me over lunch that they had decided to adopt a baby from China and wanted us to go with them and adopt as well.

Six years ago in January, Sanctity of Life Month, God laid on our hearts the call to adopt. A decision that changed our lives and our calling forever. It is amazing thing to allow God to use you in a big thing. It takes a long time just to be willing sometimes, but when you are willing, you will never be the same.

I confess, it would have been easier remain as we were, there's a lot of mess with paperwork, money and children with all their baggage. But I truly shudder to think what I would be missing out on if we had not opened our hearts on Sanctity of Life month to BE the difference of life or death to a child. You touch the heart of God when you care for orphans. We have now taken 2 little girls as our own. Given them names, love and a family forever. What a privilege to be a mirror in a small way of what God has done for all of us.

Since our first adoption, we began to get involved in finding homes for children, helping others adopt and even helping care for orphans who are not adopted. This is an abundant life, and we look forward to living more abundantly.

"You will come and have mercy…because the time has now come." Psalm 102:13 (NCV)

My heart hopes for a home,
A family to call my own.
I need your love…
When will you come?

I lie alone and I'm cold,
There is no one to hold.
I need your touch…
When will you come?

The days turn to weeks,
In silence I plead.
I only speak with my eyes…
When will you come?

As I lie in my bed, I am living yet dead.
I pray for hope to arrive,
Please hear my cries…
When will you come?

by Jan Beazely

Orphan Alert: 9 year old boy with waivers and grants to help the cost

Passing this along. This little boy sounds so sweet.

Hi Everyone,

We need your help. A child we know, a nine year old boy with scoliosis, has been waiting for his family to arrive. But, the family approved to adopt him cannot complete the adoption for reasons that have nothing to do with this child.

We are beyond heartbroken, because this is the second family that has backed out on this child at the 11th hour. He is a smart, kind and completely adorable little boy whose entire demeanor changed when he learned that a family wanted him. He was beaming in his update photos. Now, if we cannot find parents for him, he will have to be told that no one is coming after all.

If you know anyone who is paper ready, or almost paper ready, who might speak up for him, PLEASE have them contact us right away. Nancy and I are quite distraught over this, because we have met this child and spent time with him. He has waited so long and has been so hopeful. We thought he would be part of a family by now.

If someone can adopt him, there will be no agency fee and there is some extra funding available. We did some fund raising for this child because we really felt for him and we knew that not many families would be open to a boy of his age.

If someone who is pre approved to adopt would be open to adopting a second child on the same trip, that may be possible. He's in Jiangsu Province.

It is very painful to think that this child will be left behind...please let families know about him. If you think he could be your son, call us at 845-727-0500 or email homelandadoption@ aol.com

Many thanks,

Pam Thomas