Families Supporting Adoption St. Louis Chapter

New FSA Co-Chairs

2011-04-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

Marianne and Sean Power have volunteered to co-chair the St. Louis Chapter of Families Supporting Adoption.

They can be reached at:

mariannepower@sbcglobal.net 314-518-7253
or
seandpower@sbcglobal.net 314-657-5890

"Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held? "

2010-11-09T10:20:00.001-08:00

I was touched by this excerpt from Laura Bush regarding infertility. I thought of those with empty arms. I hurt for those struggling with infertility, a failed pregnancy, infant loss, waiting to be chosen, a failed placement or the agony of being "unchosen" in the adoption process.

"For some years now, the wedding invitations that had once crowded the mailbox had been replaced by shower invites and pink-or-blue-beribboned baby announcements. I bought onesies or rattles, wrapped them in yellow paper, and delivered them to friends. I had done it with a happy wistfulness, believing that someday my time, my baby, would come. George and I had hoped that I would be pregnant by the end of his congressional run. Then we hoped it would be by the time his own father announced his presidential run, then by the presidential primaries, the convention, the general election. But each milestone came and went. The calendar advanced, and there was no baby.

The English language lacks the words to mourn an absence. For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child or friend, we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful some not. Still we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only “I’m sorry for your loss.” But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives.Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held? "

Source: Spoken From The Heart By Laura Bush

From a birthmother on adoption and abortion

2010-11-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

Tamra- we love you and all you do for Families Supporting Adoption. I am so glad I was able to meet you at a conference.

From Nicole, Lullaby for a Birthmother

2010-11-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

Nicole

Celebrating Adoption Month Continues...
This song's poetic lyrics so beautifully portray the bittersweet emotions, love, and gratitude that changed our lives as soon as our lives intersected with W's birthmom. It's something that's hard to put words to. So glad someone else could.

Lullaby for a Birthmother
"Lullabies laid in our hearts unsung. Suspended for years on the tip of the tongue.
...Two roads converged at the point of our need. Merging our lives in the ache of this love. Our arms were empty, they're empty no more. You can be sure every [8th of September] we still remember your labor of love."

Chucky Cheese Event went well

2010-11-07T23:44:00.000-08:00

(Personal note- My darling baby was getting ready to go. When I was putting her shoes on her she vomited all over me and herself. She had been a crab most of the day. I didn't want to share the love with all the other kids.)

I am sorry it wasn't all set up how I wanted it to be but from the reports I heard it went well. THANK YOU FOR COMING! (Send me pics to post.)

Birth families, we recognize you today during National Adoption month

2010-11-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

Take a moment and read this beautiful, bittersweet post from a birthmother who placed her little one in 2009. It references an analogy taught at the 2007 National Families Supporting Adoption Conference.

http://stefaniejinelle.blogspot.com/2010/11/1car-anology.html

The original reference was posted my Mrs. R on the R house blog at http://therhouse.blogspot.com/2007/08/car-analogy.html

Don't forget about our party this week.

2010-11-01T08:24:00.001-07:00

Nov 4th at 6pm

At the Chucky Cheese in South County

Address is 720 South Country Centerway, St.Louis, MO 63129

We will be providing Pizza, Cake and Tokens!

Please RSVP the number of people, including kids,

that will be coming.

by e-mailing at

familiessupportingadoption@live.com

or calling

636-448-3223

(Please come even if you don't have Chucky Cheese aged children or are still waiting for your children. It's a great time for the adults to hangout and give each other adoption support. We would also enjoy to love all over the new babies that have been adopted this year!)

Finding Peace

2010-11-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

(Please share with us how you have found peace with your infertility and joys you have experienced along the adoption journey. I'll start the conversation with my feelings.)

Doctrine and Covenants 88: 33

"For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift."

Today in church this passage of scripture was read. I felt a profound manifestation of the spirit. I received a moment of personal clarity in which I finally felt complete peace with all that has happen to me in the past eleven years. It encompassed the vast abyss of infertility, miscarriage and agony of the death of two children. The humiliating, degrading and risky lows of the adoption process as well. All of it, even the parts that sent me into therapy. All of it, even the parts that haunted my dreams. All of it , even the Post Traumatic Stress like symptoms. All of it is a gift. The gift of mortality. The gift of understanding. The gift of experiencing the tangible humanness of the fall. The gift of spiritual awakening. The understanding of God and his eternal plan. The gift of excepting what is. The gift of not only blooming where you are planting but turning a spiritual desert into a sanctuary. The understanding that getting what you need is far better then getting what you want. The gift of loving what is. In addition it is learning to relove the God you came close to hating. The acknowledging that He was there all along the way. That He really did feel the pain and hurt with me but knew it was for the best. Dear God, I thank you for the gift. I thank you for my infertility. I truly do. Not in some abstract, "oh I am going to be a Job and feel better eventually so right now grin and endure it." No, it actually felt more like Joy. I had been looking at it the wrong way. For so long it has always been something I had to accept or something that needed to be endured. Today though, it actually felt like a blessing. I looked up bestowed and it mentioned conferring an honor. I feel HONORED to be infertile. I feel so HONORED to have chosen and been chosen in adoption. I feel a need to rejoice. To rejoice means to find joy in or great delight. I was pleasantly surprised by this unexpected awakening. Does it mean it still won't ever hurt? I don't think so. Some wounds won't heal until the Resurrection. I am a work in process. I just feel like I am no longer fighting against God's will. I not only accept the inevitableness of His will but I am beginning to understand it and deeply appreciate it.

Happy National Adoption Month

Elizabeth Ouellette

More about "My Hair", his daughter was adopted from Ethiopia

2010-10-20T18:23:00.001-07:00

2010-10-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Save the date for our Nov. Adoption Celebration

Adoption is a reason to celebrate! Join us for a party for families of FSA!

Nov 4th at 6pm

At the Chucky Cheese in South County

Address is 720 South Country Centerway, St.Louis, MO 63129

We will be providing Pizza, Cake and Tokens!

Please RSVP the number of people, including kids, that will be coming.

Please RSVP for this event by Oct 31st

by e-mailing at

familiessupportingadoption@live.com

or calling

636-448-3223

Transracial Adoption Tuesdays

2010-10-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

Transracial Adoption Tuesdays

'Sesame Street' Teaches Self-Esteem for African American Hair

To read the ABC News article about this issue CLICK HERE

FSA Adoption training

2010-10-12T00:47:00.001-07:00

October 16th

There will be a FSA adoption training up in Independence, MO given by the Independence LDSFS FSA and we are invited to attend. Please kindly RSVP to Renee at jrh03@sbcglobal.net

517 W Walnut Street, Suite 2, Independence MO 64050. It will be from 10-1 and snacks will be served. There will be three classes. Adoption Education, Infertility and Grief, and Talking to Others About Adoption

I know it's a drive but you can turn it into a church history family tour as well!

Adoption Poem- author unknown

2010-10-12T00:45:00.000-07:00

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,But in my heart I know.

The love I feel is deep and real,

As if it had been so.

For us to have each other

Is like a dream come true!

No, I didn't give you

The gift of life,

Life gave me the gift of you.

(If you identify the source please let me know.)

Transracial Adoption Tuesdays

2010-10-12T00:43:00.001-07:00

Our Children

Our children are not ours because they share our genes...

they are ours because we have had the audacity to envision them.

That, at the end of the day...or long sleepless night,

is how love really works.

Author Unknown ((If you identify the source please let me know.))

poem

2010-10-12T00:42:00.002-07:00

Family Tree

We've added to our family tree, a stronger one to make...A child from another plant, has become our new namesake.

Just as a limb is grafted from one tree to another...

It alters and improves the plant, making it uniquely, like no other.

Our family tree has been improved, adoption made this so...

For love, much more than bloodlines, makes us thrive and grow.

We chose to share our life and love, and all the joys to come...

Our "Family Tree" has blossomed, with the arrival of our son.

Initial Author: Susie1506

Adoption Poem- author unknown

2010-10-12T00:42:00.000-07:00

"Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not remember. The other you call mother. Two different lives shaped to make yours one. One became your guiding star, the other became your sun. The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live it. The first gave you the need for love, the second was there to give it. One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name. One gave you the seed of talent. The other gave you aim. One gave you emotion. The other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears. One gave you up, it was all that she could do. The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you. And now you ask me through your tears, the age old question through the years. Heredity or environment - which are you the product of? Neither my darling, neither - just two different kinds of love."

(If you identify the source please let me know.)

Transracial Adoption Tuesdays

2010-09-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

A bit outdated. I bet if they did it again in 2010 the numbers would be much higher.

Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway

Link: Click here

Statistics

Although available statistics are rough estimates, several sources show that the percentage of transracial or transcultural adoptions in the United States is significant. For example, one source estimates that 1,000 to 2,000 African-American children are adopted by Caucasian families each year.¹⁰ Data from the Immigration and Naturalization Service show that U.S. families adopted 7,088 children from other countries in 1990. This means that there were roughly 8,500 transracial or transcultural adoptions in 1990. In that same year, there were almost 119,000 adoptions of all kinds.¹¹ Since approximately half of the adoptions in any year are stepparent or relative adoptions, in 1990 there were about 59,500 nonrelative adoptions. The percentage of transracial/transcultural adoptions (8,500 of 59,500) then, comes out to more than 14 percent.

Trans-racial Adoption Tuesdays

2010-09-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

On adoption.org there is an article on the transracial adoption board that reflects upon the common adoption agency question: (click here for link)

"Do you expect to treat your child of color the same as you would a child born to you?"

The writer, Robyn C. responds with:

"That last one is really the $10,000 question. It’s a gut reaction to say, “Of course I’ll treat the child the same as I would a biological child.” On some levels, that’s a valid response. I can’t imagine loving Jack any differently than I might a biological child. However, he has and will have issues that a biological (read: White) child of mine won’t have. He’s going to become a Black American Man, and there are needs to address. Or, as another question posits, “Will your child’s experiences be different from yours?” In some ways, yes. Let’s think about what those ways could be."

As a mother of a child of a different race and culture I agree with her statement. No, I am not going to love her differently then a biological child but I will have to treat her different. There will be topics we will have to address that would never have come up if she "looked" liked me. We have already had people call her names. We are also much more aware of racial stereotypes in the media. Our daughter is Latina and it seems that the majority of Latinos on TV or either maids or part of drug smuggling. Our country has recently been in a great debate about the immigration issue. My daughter's biological family is part of that debate. Despite who is right the fact of the heighten awareness causes attention. This is just one of the things to think of when considering transracial adoption. Despite the added concern it isn't something we think of all the time. Any child, including a biological child, will come with their own unique set of challenges. This is just something to be aware of when you check off that preference sheet when applying to adopt.

Welcome Kits for New Couples

2010-09-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

If you need a Welcome Kit they have some at the office now.

From LDS Church News

2010-08-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

Annual Families Supporting Adoption conference; 'Together by Divine Design'

By Marianne Holman

Published: Monday, Aug. 2, 2010

Click on the highlight words to go to the full article

National Adoption Day

2010-08-31T14:05:00.001-07:00

St. Louis County's Adoption Saturday Celebration

Family Court of St. Louis County
501 S. Brentwood Blvd.
Clayton, Missouri

November 20, 2010 at 9:00 AM - Add to a calendar

Event Details:

This will be the Family Court of St. Louis County's tenth year of participation in National Adoption Day. In our past nine years of involvement in this event, 302 children have found permanent families. This year, we anticipate finalizing another approximately 35 children's adoptions!

Contact Information:

Mary Blancett
Paralegal/Assistant to the Adoption Specialist, Family Court of St. Louis County
314-615-2947
Mary.Blancett@courts.mo.gov

Transracial Adoption Tuesdays

2010-08-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

Adopting a child of a race different then yours can have unique challenges and joys. The main difference in this type of adoption I have observed is that you can't live under the myth that your adopted children are assumed as being "yours." It is obvious that she isn't our biological child. We never wanted to "pretend" our adopted child was biological. We knew she wasn't going to have our DNA so it didn't matter to us what color our family looked liked. However, it can confuse others. When I do things with other adopted families, strangers, mostly assume that the family with a "white" adopted baby is their baby. For us though they don't. We get a lot of "Well, who is this?" , "Are you babysitting?" and "Is that your baby?" To adults I say "Yes, she is my daughter." If I feel like spreading positive adoption vibes I say "Yes she is. Isn't adoption wonderful?" If it is a child though I explain more because they may truly not understand. Regardless though, if you don't want to explain you don't have to. It is none of their business. I feel it is better to approach it positively. They are just curious and this may be the 1st time they have seen a transracial adoption in real life. It may get old after a while but it's part of the deal really. It's a small price to pay for having such an awesome daughter.

Save the date for our Nov. Adoption Celebration

2010-08-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

Adoption is a reason to celebrate! Join us for a party for families of FSA!

Nov 4th at 6pm

At the Chucky Cheese in South County

Address is 720 South Country Centerway, St.Louis, MO 63129

Details to follow!

also....

October 16th

There will be a FSA adoption training up in Independence, MO given by the Independence LDSFS FSA and we are invited to attend. Please kindly RSVP to Renee at jrh03@sbcglobal.net

I know it's a drive but you can turn it into a church history family tour as well!

NCFA Adoption Ally letter

2010-08-25T21:00:00.001-07:00

NCFA Adoption Ally letter.pdf

2010-08-25T19:21:00.001-07:00

Adoption: Its about LOVE

2010-08-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Matching Mondays recent post

2010-08-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

Waiting Children

Families Adopt Children for many reasons. One reason is to provide a home to children who need one. Take a moment to check out these children who are waiting for their forever family to find them. You may not have considered an older child but I challenge you to look at these kids and not feel a tugging on your heartstrings.

Trans-racial Adoption Tuesdays

2010-08-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Trans-racial Adoption Tuesdays

Each Tuesday I am going to try to post something regarding the unique joys and challenges of adopting inter-racially. One challenge we have discovered is the general lack of dark skinned pretty dolls for our daughter. We discovered a great LDS artist who made a custom designed a doll just for our daughter. She matched her skin tone, eye color and even hair. I feel it is important for my daughter to be able to choose between a variety of skin toned dolls. As a child I remember being sad because all the dolls were blond and I was a brunette. I can only imagine how it must feel to see row after row of blond haired, blue eyed dolls when you are dark complected.

An example by

Christine Dallimore

at Chrisy Lee Creations

She makes many more style of dolls and accepts requests for specific details like hair, eye and skin tone.

Another idea is dolls, books and play things from Dolls Like Me.

(FSA does not endorse certain companies. These are just ideas for adoptive families. If you have any other sources please submit them to this blog.)

2010-07-21T17:57:00.001-07:00

Great news! Brandon Doman's keynote address will be live streamed through the Internet on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. MST. Simply go to this link to join us at the conference: http://stream.lds.org/2222-123456

Also, join our national facebook group for all the latest on Adoption and FSA. http://www.facebook.com/NationalFSA

Keynote speaker at the National Conferance

2010-06-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

Former BYU Cougar, 2001 Heisman Trophy Candidate, current BYU Coach ...and Adoptive Father, BRANDON DOMAN will be this year's keynote speaker. You won't want to miss it!

2010-06-12T21:08:00.001-07:00

The best way to find yourself

is to lose yourself in the service of others.

~Mohandas Ghandi

This year, Families Supporting Adoption will be hosting a service project at the annual conference. Collection baskets will be set up for conference participants to have the opportunity to serve two great organizations in collecting items that they are in need of. Please bring your donations with you to the conference.

The first organization we will be collecting items for is Birth Mother Baskets.

Birth Mother Baskets is a non-profit organization started by Gina Crotts. Gina is a birth mother and refers to the daughter she placed as her "little butterfly." In an effort to give back to the adoption community and serve other women who have placed and may need some additional love, Gina created Birth Mother Baskets. Donated items are arranged into beautiful baskets and sent to birth mothers in need. We are honored to be part of her cause this year.

Items that we would love to collect for Birth Mother Baskets include:

Journals
Lotions
Bath Salts
Bath Bubbles
Movies
Jewelry
8 x 10 or 5 x 7 photo frames
Music CD's
Inspirational Books
Hair Products
Make-Up
Fingernail Polish
Manicure/Pedicure Sets
Photo Albums
Magazines
Small Blankets
Slippers
Stuffed Animals
Gift Certificates (massages, spa treatments, pedicure, manicure, movies or book store, etc.)
Large Baskets (Gina recommends laundry sized wicker baskets at Wal-Mart for only $4.00)
Tissue Paper
Ribbon
Candles

We will also be collecting school supplies for The Christmas Box International.

The friendly environment of the Christmas Box Houses are unique. Children are brought into the shelter program after being removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Instead of spending the night in less comfortable circumstances, they are able to arrive at the House were the staff is immediately available to talk to children and explain what is happening, what will happen, and why. The House staff provides a sense of caring, warmth and continuity at a very difficult time in a child's life.

Currently there are three Christmas Box Houses located in the state of Utah in Salt Lake, Ogden and Moab. The Houses all have the basic concept of a child-friendly, calm, home-like atmosphere and have added programs and services to meet the unique needs of the children in the communities they serve.

School supplies that we would love to collect for The Christmas Box House include:

#2 Pencils
Glue Sticks
Backpacks
Boxes of Tissue
Pink Erasers
Broad Tip Markers
Scissors
Pencil Cases
Wide-Ruled Spiral Bound Notebooks
Pocket Folders
Crayons
Packages of Wide Ruled Loose Leaf Paper

We can't wait to see you at the Conference!

Don't forget to register HERE.

National Conferance Registration

2010-06-12T21:07:00.001-07:00

Registration for the

2010 FSA National Conference

is up and running.

Simply CLICK HERE to be taken to the registration page.

Registration looks something like this:

The Conference will be held at the Davis Conference Center in Layton Utah on Friday July 30, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM.

The cost of the conference is $35 per person.

Please contact the Hilton Garden Inn for lodging information. Use the Group/Convention Code located in the "Lodging" tab of the registration link.

This year we will have a myriad of classes for anyone interested in adoption.

Birth Father, Adoption Triad, Adult Adoptee, Adoptive Couple, Transracial Adoption, Ask a Birth Parent and Birth Parent panels will he held throughout the conference and have been a favorite of attendees for years.

Are you new to adoption? No problem! We will have classes on Drug/Alcohol Impacts in Children, Infertility-Spiritual/Gospel Insights, Understanding Birth Parents, Adoption Law, What Birth Parents Wished Adoptive Couples Knew, and FSA-Who, What, Where, When and How.

Are you looking for more resources and information on transracial adoption? We've got you covered there too. Classes will be held on Latent Racism & Racism & Racial Socialization and an overview of transracial adoption. We will also have the opportunity to view and discuss the film Living on the Fault Line.

We will also have classes on parenting available to attendees. Classes are scheduled to include topics such as Communicating/Talking About Adoption With Older Children, Openness, Communication Between Adoptive & Birth Families, The Power of Positive Parenting, Ages and Stages and Unequal Adoption Relationships.

We will also have information and classes available on Foster Care, Special Needs Adoption, Children Available for Adoption, Creating Profiles, Intercountry Adoption, Gifts for Birth Parents and Adoption Advocacy.

The FSA National Conference is not just for Adoptive Couples, Adoptive Parents and Hopeful Adoptive Couples. There is an entire track of classes devoted to Birth Parents and Birth Families. For more information on those classes, please see the previous post HERE.

*Conference registration for birth parents is free.

Classes are subject to change without notice.

FSA Conferance Presentation

2010-05-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

At the conferance Brian and Beth presented on Healing the Infertility Wound. The following link will take you to the Power Point Presentation. CLICK HERE TO SEE IT.

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Refined in Our Trials

2010-05-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Refined in Our Trials

2010-04-28T21:39:00.001-07:00

What IF? A Portrait of Infertility from Keiko Zoll on Vimeo.

Supporting Adoption Sundays

2010-04-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

All ready adopted? Great!
FSA still needs you! Your family is a great example that adoption does happen, that the waiting process does eventually pay off and that adoption isn't weird. You set an example everywhere you go of the joys of adoption. SO many times adoption is thought if as "SAD" instead your family can show that it is happy. You also can help smooth the way for future birthparents out there by dispelling negative myths about adoption. We always try to say positive things about adoption and about or relationship with our daughter's birthfamily.

2010-04-15T20:21:00.001-07:00

2010-04-11T19:10:00.001-07:00

Have you checked out the national blog lately!
Our chapter is on it and several other neat adoption posts.
Check it out

Health Care Bill

2010-03-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

From the Illinois FSA Chapter Blog

Health Care Bill

Regardless on your political affiliation or opinion of the Health Care Bill I've got something that will make you smile

Did you know that tucked away in that massive bill was the extension and increase of the Adoption Tax Credit? Beginning with your 2010 taxes, the federal adoption credit goes up by $1,000 to $13,170 per child and now becomes refundable.

Anyone else out there doing a little happy dance??

Conference Registration

2010-03-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

Conference Registration time has come! Please sign up soon. It is very easy to do. All you have to do is CLICK HERE. This link will take you to the official blog that will give you instructions. You will be able to sign up for the classes you want. It also has instructions for the fee. The fee basically covers the meals. Please sign up early so we can plan.

Families Supporting Adoption activity

2010-03-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

On April 13th at 7pm there will be a Families Supporting Adoption activity.

It will be held at the Butler Hill Building.

The address for the building is

4511 Butler Hill Rd

St Louis , MO 63128

We will be having a taco bar and Sam Scott from the Kansas City LDSFS office will be speaking.

We will be providing the taco meat and beans.

We ask that you bring a taco topping or two to share.

It will be a great time to connect with others that support adoption.

FSA Regional Conferance

2010-02-03T19:50:00.000-08:00

Listen up folks~

I am so excited to announce that we will be having a regional FSA conferance in Nauvoo, IL.

Save the dates!

May 14-15th

more information will be forth coming.

National Conferance Dates released

2010-01-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

2010 FSA National Conference Dates: July 30th & 31st Location: Davis County Convention Center

Plan your vacation around these dates. If you have never been to one let me tell you, it is life alterning. When I first attended one it felt like I finally belonged. Everyone there "got it." They knew how I felt and it was such a healing experience.

Blessed with an Eternal Family

2009-11-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

From the front page of LDS.ORG

http://www.itsaboutlove.org/

""Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3). Every child placed by a loving birth parent for adoption with LDS Family Services is not only blessed with a mother and a father, but an eternal family sealed in the temple. Learn more about free pregnancy counseling and adoption. "

National Adoption Month

2009-11-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

In honor of National Adoption Month they are making special adoption bows.
"It's About Love"

"Your Grew in My Heart"

A CALL TO ACTION

2009-11-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

Families Supporting Adoption

A CALL TO ACTION

RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ENSURE THE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT REMAINS PERMANENT
Private and independent domestic adoptions can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, and expenses for intercountry adoptions generally total between $7,000 and $40,000. Domestic adoptions out of foster care are typically much less expensive, usually costing the adoptive parent $2,500 or less.

Congress introduced the Adoption Promotion and Stability Act in 1996 to “help families defray adoption costs.”

Unfortunately, while the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) made the adoption tax credit permanent, the provisions which raised the amount that adoptive families can claim and increased the income eligibility phase-out range will sunset on December 31, 2010. Thus, beginning in 2011, the amount adoptive parents will be able to claim under the adoption tax credit will revert to the pre-EGTRRA levels of $6,000 per special needs child and $5,000 per non-special needs child. Additionally, adoptive families reporting $75,000-$115,000 in annual adjusted gross income will again be restricted in the amount they can claim, and those reporting more than $115,000 in annual adjusted gross income will again be prohibited from claiming the tax credit at all. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to repeal the sunset and make the EGTRRA reforms of the adoption tax credit permanent.

At the center of this debate is a recent Treasury Report which found that parents who adopted children internationally account for a disproportionately large number of adoption tax credit recipients, while parents who adopted children from foster care represent a disproportionately small number. More specifically, international adoptions accounted for 34 percent of all adoptions supported by the tax credit despite making up only 15 percent of all adoptions in the United States, while domestic adoptions out of foster care made up 18 percent of adoptions supported by the tax credit despite making up nearly 40 percent of all adoptions in the United States. This finding has led some to claim that the adoption tax credit is not fulfilling a primary goal of promoting domestic adoptions out of foster care. Some advocates have suggested that the federal government should therefore eliminate the adoption tax credit and redistribute the funds saved to other pro-adoption programs.

The Adoption Promotion and Stability Act of 1996 had two purposes, first among which was “to defray adoption costs for families seeking to adopt” by establishing the adoption tax credit. The bill made no distinction between adoptions out of foster care and any other type of adoption.

Increasing subsidies to adoptive parents has been one of the most effective ways of boosting the adoption rate.

Most importantly, the EGTRRA provisions to the adoption tax credit due to expire in 2011 should be made permanent.

For 2009, the maximum adoption credit has increased to $12,150. This amount is phased out if your modified adjusted gross income is between $182,180 and $222,180. You cannot claim the credit or exclusion if your modified AGI is $222,180 or more.

For information on Special Needs Adoption Tax Credit for 2009 go to www.nacac,org/postadopt/taxcredit.html.

To take the credit or exclusion, complete Form 8839 (PDF), Qualified Adoption Expenses, and attach the form to your Form 1040 (PDF) or Form 1040A (PDF).

See irs.gov (topic 607 adoption credit)

“The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213.” Written to repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the expansion of the adoption credit and adoption assistance programs. This legislation will make the tax credit permanent. Unless legislation is passed, the Federal adoption tax credit that allows many adopting families to take a credit of up to $12,150 (2009) is scheduled to expire in December 2010. (For information on other legislation involving adoption go to adoptioncouncil.org/policy/fed_leg.html.)

Help Make the Current Federal Adoption Credit Permanent by Writing to your Representative

Here is how:

1. Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representative and Senators at http://www.congress.org/. To find e-mail addresses, click through to the Senator’s or Congressperson’s Web site.

2. Next, log on to http://thomas.loc.gov/ to find out whether your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. On the thomas.loc.gov opening page, under “Search Bill Summary and Status,” search by bill number for H.R. 213. Then click on “Bill summary and Status.” On the page that comes up, click on “Cosponsors,” “Text of Legislation,” or “All Congressional Actions” to follow the progress of the bill.

3. If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how important the tax credit was to you when you adopted your children, or how much you and other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future.

Act today, your efforts make a difference.

The adoption option - UBStandard.com - Uintah Basin Standard Online

2009-11-03T11:53:00.000-08:00

The link will take you to an article regarding adoption and National Adoption Month. Josh and Savannah are the FSA Chairs for the Uintah Basin area.

The adoption option - UBStandard.com - Uintah Basin Standard Online

2009-10-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a sample of the Care Kits we are making for the FSA event in Nov. My Relief Society put together 10 care kits. We need to make 10 more at the FSA event in NOV. We HAVE books, folders and lotions. We need candles, journals, stationary and body wash badly. E-mail me with what you are bringing.

Supporting Adoption Sundays, National Adoption month

2009-10-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Join with others in your area by celebrating adoption at these events. There will be free food and entertainment for the kids.
St. Louis

St. Louis County's Adoption Saturday Celebration

Family Court of St. Louis County 501 S. Brentwood Blvd. Clayton, MO 63105

November 11/21/2009

9:00 am to Noon

Contact:

Mary Blancett - Family Court of St. Louis County

314-615-2947

Mary.Blancett@courts.mo.gov

Event Details:

This will be our ninth year of participation in National Adoption Day. We anticipate finalizing the adoption of 40 children. Our celebration will include refreshments, gifts and special appearances from Ronald Mcdonald, Goody Bear and others.

Springfield

Greene County Adoption Day Celebration

1010 N Boonville Springfield, MO 65802

November 11/20/2009

1pm to 4pm

Contact:

Pam Drake - Greene County Children's Division

417-895-7829

pamela.drake@dss.mo.gov

Event Details:

This is our first year to celebrate Adoption Day and we plan to finalize 12 adoptions at the event. There will be balloons, cake, etc. and a party like atmosphere. "Louie" from the Springfield Cardinals will be in attendance

Supporting Adoption Sundays

2009-10-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

a day late...

November is National Adoption Month

This idea was shared in a recent FSA regional board phone conference.

Does your local library know? Offer a little suggestion to them that they make a display featuring adoption. We have pamphlets you could have them display as well. The librarians I know would be receptive to the idea. It doesn't take much effort to write them a little note or visit with them about it. The worse they will say is no but they probably won't.

Part of supporting adoption is normalizing it. Adoption affects a lot of people in this country and it should be socially acceptable to discuss it. Having public displays of adoption books and materials will help make adoption more socially acceptable. It will at least get people thinking about adoption.

To learn more about National Adoption Month please visit

2009-10-08T23:08:00.000-07:00

Subscribe-

If you enter your e-mail into the box on the right you will auto-matically be sent an e-mail everytime there is a new post. It will really help you stay in the loop of what is going on with FSA.

Supporting Adoption Sundays

2009-10-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Attend adoption events. This is put on by Missouri DCFS
Nov 21, 2009

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. St. Louis Co. National Adoption Saturday Celebration " A Family for Every Child" - St. Louis County Courthouse, 7900 Carondelet, Plaza Level, Clayton, MO 63105

Co-Chairs needed

2009-09-30T18:49:00.001-07:00

Co-Chairs

Our chapter needs a co-chair. It can be a couple working together. What you would need to do is relatively simple but very vital. Our chapter is supposed to be having 4 activities a year. All you would need to do is help me plan and implement 4 activities. It would require coordinating through e-mal or phone and coming to 4 ACTIVITIES a year. That isn't a lot of commitment but would be a big help.

I am going to try to bribe you.
The first couple that signs up will receive a set of the new FSA t-shirts.

If anyone else would like to volunteer to do other things let me know. If you would like to host an event in your home or have a great idea of an activity PLEASE let me know.

Supporting Adoption Sundays

2009-09-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a little way you can promote a positive view of adoption. You can gently correct someone when they use adoption terms that have a negative connotation. Many people are simply unfamiliar with the terms and are grateful you gave them the correct term to use. Here are some examples of positive adoption language.

“The words we use when talking about adoption can send unintended messages. When writing about or discussing adoption, please consider using language from the right-hand column.”

A link to these terms can be found here.
Negative Terms --------------------------Preferred Terms
Gave up her child for adoption---------Placed her child for adoption
Real parent; natural parent -------------Birth parent, biological parent
Adoptive parent -----------------------Parent
His adopted child ----------------------His child
Illegitimate-----------------------------Born to unmarried parents
Adoptee ------------------------------Child who was adopted
To keep ------------------------------To parent
Adoptable child; available child -------Waiting child
Foreign adoption ---------------------International adoption
Track down parents ------------------Search
Unwanted child ----------------------Child placed for adoption
Is adopted ---------------------------Was adopted

Did you know FSA has a blog just for birthparents?

2009-09-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

Adoption Pass along cards.

2009-09-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

This is a cute example of a pass along card you can have made up to give out to promote your adoption. The picture is the front and the red is the back. There are several companies but this one seams to be prices well Spaces For Faces

Adoption Celebration, NOVEMBER 14TH 4:00PM-6:00PM

2009-09-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

Adoption Celebration
Saturday, Nov. 14th, 2009

4:00-6:00pm

Lake St. Louis Building.

1401 S Henke Rd

Lake St. Louis, MO

Special Guest Speaker:

Trudie Day

The Days have opened their hearts to many children through adoption. They advocate for birthparents and transracial adoption. They run a support service for birthmoms.

Activity:

Service Project

Assembling Care Kits for women experiencing a crisis pregnancy. Please bring a photo of your family to include in the bags to show the positive outcomes of adoption. Please bring items to add to the bags. The list is on the back

There will be a nursery for young children.

Light Refreshments will be served.

Not being able to be a mother.

2009-09-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

This quote from Sheri Dew's book made me cry so hard

This is how I felt for so many years:

" Motherhood is at the very heart of a woman's divine nature. I know this is true. I know it because I cannot imagine ever getting over not bearing children in this life. I have the consolation, or at least reassurance, that the Lord has directed my life and that it is in accordance with His mind and will, but that doesn't ease the pain of not bearing children. And I can testify to the emptiness that comes from trying so hard, for so long, to find a companion and begin a family, and yet finding that dream unfulfilled- and coming to the stark realization that part of that dream can never be fulfilled in this life. If i believed that this life were the end, the sense of gloom and doom would be too much to bear.
P. 107-108 God Wants A Powerful PeopleSheri Dew, 2007 Deseret Book

For me adopting Elora took all the pain away. The ache was gone. However, I do feel a tug at my heart every now and then but it is bearable now.

UPDATE LDS Family Services Care Kits

2009-09-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Families Supporting Adoption, LDS Family Services Care Kits

At the November Activity We are making Care Kits for LDS Family Services to give to women who are experiencing a crisis pregnancy. My ward Relief Society is helping out and will be sewing the bags and making 10 kits. The fabric has been donated. I hope to make 10 more kits at the FSA event in November. I’ve already had a lot of items donated. Hopefully 20 kits will be enough for our area for a while.
Care Kits will include:
A homemade, sewn fabric tote bag

A small framed or laminated picture of Christ

Lotions, scented

Body wash, scented

Pregnancy pops or suckers

Bath salts

Toothpaste (someone donated 40)

Journals

Pen

Disposable Camera

Candle with votive holder

Stationary or pack of note cards

Individually wrapped snacks

Chocolate

Three Pronged folders filled with:

Proclamation on the Family

A pamphlet from LDS family Services

Pass along Card for a free Bible

Ensign Articles on Adoption

Handout from Birth family classes at the National Conference

One sister has volunteered to donate 10 copies of “What to Expect When Your Expecting.” She can get them cheap but has to pay for shipping. If you would like to help with shipping please let me know.

I am asking the members of the FSA group to bring a photo of their family and a note expressing their appreciation for birth families to be included in the bags. I think it would also be a good idea for “expectant” couples to include a pass along card. Please bring any items you have collected to the next FSA event in November.

Special Needs Adoption

2009-09-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

By Brittany:
(To learn more about Brittany click on the title to her blog below.)
An Eternal Family In Progress
Are you a family that is waiting to adopt a child? How long have you been waiting? I bet it feels like forever. So I'm going to say the "scary words" that a lot of adoptive couples avoid-

Special Needs Adoption

My question for all of you is, "why?" Why are you reluctant to adopt a child with special needs? Every day, I am thankful that I get to work with adults with disabilities. They are some of my closest friends, and very dear to my heart. And YES, some of these adults have SEVERE disabilities. But that doesn't matter. I love them love them love them!

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. You're thinking- "Well, she doesn't have room to talk. She hasn't adopted a special needs child, and she's matched with a birthmom who is expecting a healthy infant." So, please know that Malone and I were considered VERY seriously for at least four different special needs situations. We tried our dangdest (yep, I really just used that word) to bring one of those babies into our family, and we were extremely disappointed when each situation fell through. Heavenly Father just had another plan for us. For now.

Now, on to the meat of this conversation... Today I saw pictures of four absolutely precious brand new babies. These babies are waiting for their forever families. So this is my challenge. For just a moment, lay aside all of your "requirements" for the baby you want to adopt. Open your mind completely. Now, go take a look at these adorable children. I dare you not to fall in love. Click HERE to check out Christopher, Johnny, Ryan, and Sarah with Spence-Chapin adoption services. If you are worried about finances, just toss that thought away. This adoption agency is VERY affordable. I will warn you that they are difficult to get a hold of though.

Now, I have shown you four amazing opportunities. But keep your mind open for a moment longer, and let me introduce you to one of the greatest resources out there for waiting families.

Not long ago, we attended the National Families Supporting Adoption Conference in Layton, Utah. It was FANTASTIC. Every class was extremely informative, but there was one class that really stuck. It was taught by a woman who has adopted a number of special needs children internationally. And she has done so incurring very little expense. She has recently begun a sort of matching service where she connects waiting families with waiting infants who have special needs. These disabilities range from mild to severe. The best part? Her services are FREE. Let me just say that again... FREE! Did you catch on to that? Let me emphasize that one more time... FREE. What in the adoption world is FREE? NOTHING. You're crazy if you don't take advantage of this opportunity.

Anyway, in the class she said that in just a short time she had already placed lots of babies with families, and had to send away TEN little babies because she couldn't find enough families. We were shocked. When we got home from the conference, we signed up for her service right away. Ironically, just shortly after we finished all of the paperwork for her, we were selected by our birthmom, J, through LDS Family Services. BUT, right after our paperwork was completed, we received tips about FIVE different babies that were immediately available for adoption. Some of these babies had very severe disabilities. Some had only minor problems. Had J not matched with us right before that, we definitely would have said yes to at least one of those babies. I am not exaggerating when I say that after signing up with this service, you could potentially be parents within the next month. That's how badly they need families.

So, do I have you chomping at the bit? I hope so. Click HERE to visit her website and read more about her services. After all, just reading about it doesn't obligate you. So give it a go.

Now, I know this is getting long, but let me give you one more incentive. Go and sign up with this service. Then, if you receive information about a child with a disability that you are unfamiliar with or have questions about, I want you to CONTACT ME. Although I am not a total expert on disabilities, I am very familiar with many of these disabilities. If it is a disability that I work with, I will tell you EXACTLY what it is like to work with a person on a day-to-day basis with that disability. I will also be able to provide informational resources about that specific disability.

Now, why would I do this? The answer is simple. I'm willing to do this because I think most of you are either completely uninformed about specific disabilities OR you have been given misinformation. And it makes me sad that you are rejecting opportunities based on that. I have been asked before which disability I find easiest to work with. My answer? Downs Syndrome. Does that surprise you? I know it surprised the person I was talking to. This is just one example of a disability that is WIDELY misunderstood. I could go on forever with more examples, but I'll stop. (FOR NOW) However, I will leave this open invitation- if you have questions ASK ME. I'm not afraid to answer questions openly and honestly. If there is a disability that is VERY difficult, I will tell you. If there is a disability that is VERY expensive, I will tell you. Email me at maloneandbrittanyadopt@gmail.com. My only request is that you pray, and ask God to help you open your mind and heart to the possibility of adopting one of his special children. After all, they need love too.

Children waiting to be adopted in Missouri.

2009-09-04T18:46:00.001-07:00

Missouri Heart Gallery

For those of you in the St. Louis area there will be a display in St. Louis:

October 7th - 9th City Museum
701 N 15th St
St Louis, MO

Trudie Day- Eternal Adoptions referral service.

2009-09-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

Click here to learn more

Care Kits

2009-08-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

Hello! I hope you all have had a great summer. I am very excited about FSA right now. The conference was wonderful. I'll be mailing out a newsletter soon with all the fun details of the exciting changes happening with in Families Supporting Adoption. I also wanted to give you a heads up for our activity in November. Part of the activity will involve a service project.

We are going to make Care Kits for women facing a crisis pregnancy. I spoke with several other FSA leaders who do this for their local agency. What do you think I should include? I want the kits to help these ladies to feel loved, pampered and supported. There will be some adoption pamphlets and handouts in there but I would like to include more.

So far I have thought of:
A handmade tote to put the items in. (The material has been donated.)
A journal
A small candle
A few Ensign articles. Some on adoption, some for encouragement in difficult situations.
Chocolate
A handout on internet sites that may be helpful.

Please let me know what your ideas our and if their are any items you can donate to these bags. I would like it if we could at least make 10.

I will be getting a date for the event soon.

Free gift idea for birthparents

2009-08-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

TODAY ONLY
Walgreens.com is offering a Promo for a free 8x10 photo collage. The promo code is: FUNDAY

Gotta love a freebie. It would make a great addition to your adoption profile or as a birthparent gift.

From the National FSA blog

2009-08-24T06:52:00.002-07:00

"Letting Love Lead"
To read the full article, click on the title above.

"What an honor it was to have Troy Dunn speak at the conference. His realistic, personal and unique look at adoption was both entertaining and inspiring.

A gift storyteller, his experiences and anecdotes had us laughing one minute and touched to the point of tears the next.

The Church News covered the event and highlighted excerpts from his address, including how his mother explained to him the concept of adoption as they were waiting to adopt Troy's youngest brother.

Celebrating adoption - 'Letting love lead'

"My mom introduced the beautiful concept of adoption in a very simple manner," Brother Dunn said. "She said, 'There is something that is called prayer trading, and we're going to trade prayers with somebody. Somewhere out there is a girl praying for a good family for her baby. We are going to pray for a good tummy with a baby in it, and we are going to answer each others' prayers.' "

A heartfelt thank you to Troy for his willingness to leave his family vacation and come and share his thoughts with us, shake our hands, listen to our stories and share a piece of himself with all of us attending the conference.

Many of you have asked if any of the conference will be available to those who were not able to attend. Once duplicated, a DVD will go to each chapter chair and each LDS Family Services office. There will also be a video stream link on the FSA site. This includes Troy Dunn's address.

Quote of the Week

2009-08-24T06:52:00.001-07:00

"Adoption is not a breaking of trust but a keeping of faith...not the abandonment of a baby but an abandonment of self for a baby's sake."
-Curtis Young (2001)
Quote of the Week

FSA National Conference

2009-08-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

If you didn't get to go don't worry. I am going to make sure that you get the information from the conferance. As soon as recordings and transcripts are released I will pass them on to you.

What do all those medical terms on the checklist mean?

2009-08-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

"For many years, adoptive couples have expressed concerns about filling out the preference checklist/birth conditions form. They have found this, at times, to be difficult and frustrating to fill out. To help ease the frustration, Ogden FSA decided to sponsor a class where a medical professional came and gave acurate medical knowledge regarding many conditions listed on the preference checklist/birth conditions form.

The couples who came to the class found it very informative and we received a good deal of positive feedback after the class. It is something we're considering doing again in the future. Above are some of the slides used during the informational class."

2009-07-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

CONFERENCE BASICS

July 31, 2009 to August 1, 2009

The conference will be held for a second time at the Davis Conference Center.

SCHEDULE

Below is the schedule overview at-a-glance. For a more detailed description of the classes including the class descriptions, times and locations as well as bios on the presenters, click HERE.

Friday, July 31st

Registration	9:00-9:30
Breakout session 1	9:30-10:30
Breakout session 2	10:40-11:40
Lunch on your own	11:40-1:10
Breakout session 3	1:15-2:15
Breakout session 4	2:25-3:25
Breakout session 5	3:35-4:35

Awards Banquet	5:30-7:00
(Semi-formal dress)

Saturday, August 1st	8:00-9:00

Registration	9:00-9:30
Keynote address by Troy Dunn	9:30-10:30
Birth Parent Panel	10:45-12:00
Lunch	12:00-1:00
Breakout session 1	1:00-2:00
Breakout session 2	2:10-3:10
Breakout session 3	3:20-4:20
Closing session and raffle	4:30-4:45

REGISTRATION

To register, CLICK HERE.

This is for registration and payment purposes only. Please disregard any information related to Temple Square events.

Some clarification for registration:

Couples are $60 each, so they only need to register for ONE ticket. This is located toward the bottom of the registration, and is not part of the special code. Once they select one ticket and click continue, it will ask if they will be coming both day, ($60), one of them both days/both of them one day ($30) or one of them on day ($15). Sorry for any confusion. Please email us at the email address below if you have any problems.

Adoptive parents and hopeful adoptive parents are invited.

We also are inviting expectant parents, birth parents, and their families again this year. A great amount of effort has gone into planning breakout sessions for them. Expectant parents and birth families may register for free by typing in “itsaboutlove” in the special code field on the registration form. Regular fees apply to their guests.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

A few hotel rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn (762 West Heritage Park Blvd, Layton, Utah, 84041) are blocked out for a discounted event rate. You may reserve a room by phone or through the hotel’s Web site. Call 801-416-8899 and make sure to mention the group code, which is “LDS” and the group name, which is “LDS Family Services.” You may also register online here. In the group code field, enter “LDS.” In order to get the discounted rate of $89, you must be registering for the blocked date (July 31^st). We will be posting other hotel options when the hotel is full.

CHILDREN'S ROOM

A children’s room will be available again during the conference and banquet. Please email Narda Emmett (imaemett@yahoo.com) to register your children. The cost will be $10 per day, per child. She will provide you with the details.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE

From the airport Express Shuttle - 801-596-1600.

QUESTIONS?

If you have general questions, please email contactus@ldsfamilyservices.org with “National Conference” as the subject.

Adoption by lds.org

2009-07-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

Adoption Voices Social Networking site

2009-07-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

Adoption Voices is a new Social Network, similar to Facebook, for those in the adoption community. It is a great place to find information on birthparent perspecitves, international adoption, and other great topics, or just connect with others involved in Adoption.

This is not an LDS or FSA site and is open to the general public. As always, please use discretion before becoming a member.

Click on the button to go to the site.

CONFERANCE !@@

2009-07-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars!

July 31, 2009 to August 1, 2009

The conference will be held for a second time at the Davis Conference Center

In Layton, UTAH!

Well worth the trip.

For tickets click here

$60 a couple for 2 days, $30 individual or you can do one day at a time at $15. This includes meals.

Here is a schedual:

National F.S.A. Conference

2009-03-26T12:53:00.001-07:00

National Conference on July 31 and August 1, 2009. The conference will be held at the Davis Conference Center in Layton, Utah.

FSA National Blog

2009-03-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

(click on the button)

Chucky Cheese Night

2009-02-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Families Supporting Adoption St. Louis Chapter

Chucky Cheese Night

Friday, March 13th 2009 at 6 pm

(Tokens and Pizza Provided )

2669 Veteran's Memorial Drive
St. Charles, MO 63303
636 946-3444

It is right off of the outer road.

Please R.S.V.P. with the number of

people you are bringing.

The Gift of Adoption

2009-02-01T12:14:00.001-08:00

There is a great eight page article in the February 2009 Ensign regarding adoption. You hear from the Birth Mother, Birth Father, grandparents and an adult adoptee. It is very powerful. Be sure to take a moment to check it out.
Click on the title to find a link to the article.

The Gift Of Adoption

If you feel so inclined you might want to consider sending a word of thanks to them for the artical.

Adoption and Abortion

2009-01-31T17:16:00.000-08:00

New National FSA Website

2009-01-22T12:04:00.000-08:00

New FSA Website
FSA Member,Greetings from the National Families Supporting Adoption Board! We are excited to announce that the Families Supporting Adoption website is live at familiessupportingadoption.org. In order to see the contents of the web site, you will be prompted to register, and to create a username and password for future use. The following are just a few of the many features you will find on this site:
*Calendar of upcoming FSA events
*FSA Chapter newsletters across the country
*Items for sale at the FSA store*
Detailed information on FSA's core efforts and activities*
FSA National Newsletter*
Presentations from national and regional FSA conferences*
Official FSA Handbook
*And Much More!
Thank you for keeping the spirit and practice of adoption alive!

Wondering what you can do for National Adoption Month?

2008-11-14T22:08:00.000-08:00

Adoption.com has set up a calender with a different idea for each day of the month. There are recipes, crafts, links and cute ideas on each day. Just click on view details.
http://www.adoption.com/national-adoption-awareness-month/

Part of the mission of FSA is to help promote adoption in a positive way. Help spread the word. You can do this even if you haven't adopted yet or aren't planning to adopt but want to support the concept.

FSA Meeting, Notes

2008-11-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had a FSA get together at the LDS Family Services Office. We ordered pizza and had a nice visit. To all those who came we say THANK YOU. We talked about having a meeting in February that will be fun for the whole family. We also have a date for the National Conference. It will be July 31 and August 1st.

The National Family Supporting Adoption website is:

http://ldsfsfsa.bluestep.net/shared/home.jsp?_a=120060_U129161__151987
Or you can just type in Families Supporting Adoption into a search engine and it pops up. I recommend you join. They have some nice things on there and a mini store.

Also, as a reminder Saturday, November 15th is National Adoption Day!

Poem on adoption

2008-11-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

He Is Mine by Valerie Kay Gwin

I tiptoed into your room one night.
I watched you sleeping there.
Your tiny body looked so snug
Wrapped in peaceful slumber's care.

I thought of how you came to be
The child we'd longed to know.
I wondered at the sight of you:
"How could she let you go?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I
Felt the pain she must have known.
For I will have to let you go
Some day when you are grown.

A mother I might never meet
Had given me her son.
Yet, surely as you've filled my heart,
A piece of hers you'd won.

"How could she let you go?
"The question kept returning.
And in the depths of my own heart.
A question kept on burning.

"How can I ever let you go
When years have come and gone?"
I stood there by your crib until
The nighttime turned to dawn.

And as the sun peeked through the shades,
The voice of God broke through.
"I trusted her to give him life
And now I'm trusting him to you.

"To show him what is right and wrong,
to love him and to be
The one who teaches him the way
To come back home to me.

"He wasn't hers to give, you know.
And he's not yours to own.
I've placed him in your life to love
But he is mine … on loan."

Just a reminder...

2008-11-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

There will be a FSA meeting Friday at 7pm. It will be a potluck dinner at the LDS Family Services Office in Bridgeton, MO.

Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery, NOV 5TH

2008-10-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

You are invited to attend the 2008 Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery Celebration and National Adoption Month Proclamation. On November 5, 2008 in the Capitol Rotunda at 10:00a.m.

Invitation:
http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/adopt/activity/pdf/hginvite08.pdf

Can't make it? You can view the Gallery on-line at:

http://www.moheartgallery.org/Files/tour.htm

Program Booklet:
http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/adopt/pdf/2008hgallery.pdf

FSA conference general session broadcast video.

2008-10-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

Didn't make the conferance? Here is a chance to watch the keynote speaker. Click on the link below.

http://stream.lds.org/LDSFS/FSA_2008_08_01_FamiliesSupportAdoption__eng_.wmv

FSA meeting

2008-10-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

Join us for an evening of friendship. It's a great time to connect with others interested in adoption or who have adopted.

November 14th, 7 pm

LDS Family Services MO Bridgeton Office

12843 Pennridge Drive

Bridgeton, MO 63044-1238

Potluck Dinner

Please bring a dish to share.