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N e w s a b o u t b r i n g i n g f a m i l i e s t o g e t h e r f o r l i f e

F a l l 2 0 0 7

Reflections

On a December day like any

other, Frank and Cynthia

learned they were expecting. and

yet, this day altered the course of

their lives in many ways. after years

of praying and hoping to become

parents, Frank and Cynthia had

decided adoption held

their best hope for

bringing a child into

their family. On this

December day, a

birthmother, Priscilla,

had selected

them to become

the parents to

the child she

would deliver

in six months.

unknown to

them, this day would usher

them into an amazing journey of joy,

fear, devastating medical news and

the miracle of life.

In February, routine prenatal blood tests created concern that the baby could have Down Syndrome

or other congenital abnormalities. Follow-up examinations and tests by several specialists in lubbock brought frightening and devastating news. The baby’s diagnosis was Tetralogy of Fallot, a potentially complex and serious heart defect. Surgical intervention could be required immediately after birth to

make temporary repairs until the child could grow strong enough to tolerate more extensive heart surgery. It meant careful monitoring of the child’s growth and further surgical repairs over the years. The staff and board of aaa prayed regularly for this baby and for Priscilla, Frank and

Cynthia. The couple was given all the available information on the baby’s condition. Frank and Cynthia were unsure what to think or feel. Cynthia began to shift her mental picture from chasing after a healthy child, bouncing through life, to

What Can Heal a Heart? ... A Family’s Best Hope.

Feature Story“What Can Heal a Heart?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Helping the Hurting and the vulnerable

new Directors...Steadfast Commitment

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kid Quips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Parenting Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

From the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How To Help

Adoption Assistance

Agencyadoptionassistance.org

Phone: 505-821-7779 Fax: 505-821-4111

2800 eubank ne, albuquerque, nM 87112

In This Issue...

F a l l 2 0 0 7

nurturing and protecting a delicate child, who might never know the joy of running and jumping. Frank struggled to figure out how they would afford the intensive medical care that might be required. The couple knew that they could withdraw from the adoption if they felt they could not parent under these conditions. Yet amidst all the doubts and fears, Frank and Cynthia kept their hearts open to this baby and all that might mean. aaa caseworkers felt it would be best to bring Priscilla to albuquerque so that the baby could be seen and delivered directly into the care of specialists in Frank and Cynthia’s hometown. at the first appointment with a well-respected pediatric cardiologist in albuquerque, the ultrasound room began to fill with several ultrasound technicians and pediatric cardiologists. Following a lot of pointing to the ultrasound screen, readjusting the settings and murmuring in “medicalese”, a declaration was made. Priscilla’s blood pressure was dangerously high and she would have to be admitted for treatment. They also stated that they would refer her to another group of specialists for further evaluation of the baby’s heart. at unM Hospital while Priscilla was being monitored and treated, another ultrasound

was conducted. This time the ultrasound room filled with 13 specialists examining and re-examining the pictures of the

baby’s heart. Finally, in amazement, they announced that neither they nor the other specialists were able to find any evidence of a heart defect whatsoever! Such news was almost too wonderful

to be believed. Had the fine specialists in lubbock been mistaken? Were the specialists in albuquerque missing important cues on the heart ultrasounds? Or was it possible that God had intervened to heal this baby’s heart? On May 16, 2007, beautiful little Rachel made her way into this world, a strong, healthy little girl, with no sign of a heart problem. as Priscilla invited Frank and Cynthia to meet and hold their new little girl, her own heart was leaping in her chest. Joy and pain bubbled up intermittently, often uninvited. Her greatest comfort, she said, was the look on Frank’s and Cynthia’s faces as they cuddled perfect, healthy little Rachel. Their faces revealed that Rachel was the answer to their heart’s cry. Priscilla’s heart has a story all its own. What brings a woman to part with her baby? How does that heart heal? look for our next newsletter.

Kid QuipsKid’s Say the

Darndest Things!

When driving through Tijeras canyon and approaching albuquerque, two-year-old Taylor said to his mom “Did you hear that mom? Did you hear my ears burp!” (When his ears popped.)

Walking through Smith’s, four-year-old Brittany saw the stocker with a feather duster poking out of his back pocket and exclaimed “Mama, does that man have a tail?”

Kendra said to Jeff: “Jeff, Santa Claus is our parents.” Quickly, Jeff replied: “no, mom and dad are our parents!”

Feature story continued from cover...

What Can Heal a Heart?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Her greatest comfort...

was the look on Frank’s

and Cynthia’s faces as

they cuddled perfect,

healthy little Rachel.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F a l l 2 0 0 7

Dear Friends,My name is Rick Brittain and I am a member of the Board of

Directors here at aaa. I am a pastor in albuquerque, and I love being a part of the ministry of this agency. I was talking with a friend the other day who was telling me about a new tactic being used by the “pro-choice” crowd. Some are accusing Christians who claim to be pro-life of really just being pro-birth.

What’s the difference? Well, the charge is that our interest in- and care for- people ceases once they are born; that we are really interested only in birth, not in quality of life. an interesting tactic, and possibly accurate in some cases. But that’s what I love about aaa. We are pro-life all the way.

Our motto, “Bringing Families Together for life”, sums up that attitude beautifully. Our ministry is about helping children and loving parents find each other and develop beautiful lives together. Our staff can do a much better job than I can of telling the stories of life-change we see on a regular basis. But I have seen enough to know that this ministry is all about life. It is about creation and beauty and beginnings and becoming. It is about abundance.

and lest we forget, aaa is also about building life through loving service and ministry to birth mothers who come seeking help- and often find new hope- for their own lives. Praise God for allowing each of us to be a part of aaa. let me encourage you to find a way to serve with our staff and join the ministry.

–PastorRick

Pastor Rick Brittain

...for Parents.

HeRe IS SOMe “Buzz” On CHIlD DevelOPMenT

anD DISCIPlIne.

BaBIeS & TODDleRS...

Be sure to set your expectations for behavior in accordance with your child’s developmental capabilities.

Keep in mind that particularly during infancy and the toddler years some of the emotions and impulsivities of the child are directly related to brain development and not always an act of the will.

When your baby is crying she or he is talking to you not screaming at you. listen carefully.

aGeS 4 TO 8

Don’t forget to use humor when you can to diffuse escalating behavior. Often, a good laugh is all everybody needs.

Pointers

Christmas Open House Come see our renovated office space and share

some Christmas cheer with our staff!

December 4, 2007 • 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm Call us for more details.

F R O M T H e B O a R D

new Directors...Steadfast Commitment. Penny Allen and Sharon Allcorn Introduce Themselves

Penny Allen, Lpc executive Director For those who do not already know her, Penny allen is the new executive Director of aaa. Besides being with adoption assistance agency since March of 1999, Penny brings a varied background to her position that includes a Bachelor’s of Medical Technology degree from nMSu, a career in laboratory medicine and teaching medical technology, and a term spent in mission work in the Gaza Strip. after returning to the united States in 1989, Penny served on staff at the Baptist Student union at unM for 10 years. after beginning to work with aaa as an intern to fulfill requirements for completing her Master of Professional Counseling degree from liberty university, Penny came to work as the agency’s first fulltime paid caseworker in January of 2000. “at my initial interview, I was asked if I would consider directing the agency some day. I now carry the title of executive Director, but Sharon allcorn and I are co-directors of the

agency. When we knew we would be at the helm of the agency, we decided that the best way to continue helping clients face-to-face and still provide the direction and supervision that is needed for the agency was to function as co-directors. I now oversee the administrative functions of the agency and Sharon oversees

the clinical functions.”

“I am here because I want to continue to be the ears that hear the cry of adoptive parents who long for the opportunity to have a child, to be the arms of support to birthparents struggling to choose for their child’s future, and to be the shoulders upon which adoptive and birthparents can weep or rejoice. I want to continue to be there for those whose deepest hope is to provide a future and a hope for a miraculous child. I want to help precious little ones find their way home to safe and loving families.

“I am here because

I want to continue

to be the ears that

hear the cry of

adoptive parents

who long for the

opportunity to have

a child...and to be

the shoulders upon

which adoptive and

birthparents can

weep or rejoice.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F a l l 2 0 0 7

each adoptive parent, birthparent and child is a precious person to whom we seek to provide excellent care and service.”

Sharon Allcorn, MSW, LISWClinical Director

Sharon allcorn is the new Clinical Director at aaa. like Penny, Sharon brings a rich background and a strong history with aaa into her new role. From 1990 to 1996, Sharon worked with Family Therapy of albuquerque, which piqued her interest in counseling. In 1992, Sharon finished a Bachelors degree in Family Studies from the unM with a minor in Psychology, and then completed a Masters in Social Work in 1996. Her first full-time job as a social worker was working at a school from 1996 to 2000. In 1997, Sharon began to do contract work with adoption assistance agency, and in 2000 she left her school job to work exclusively with aaa. Married to husband Bob for 24 years, the allcorn’s have four children and one grandchild. Bob is a teacher with the Moriarty School District, and the head football coach, as well as assistant girl’s basketball coach and assistant track coach.

From an early age, Sharon has had a heart for hurting people. “My own struggles and challenges, hurts and disappointments- and the experience of finding peace and joy on the other side of heartache- have fashioned my desire to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Once, while sitting with a couple who were contemplating adoption and reflecting on infertility, the wife said to me. ‘If only people would understand

that we are the walking wounded.’ Indeed! What she said had a profound impact on me that day, as I vowed to always strive to not let this

calling become just “work”, but to always stay in touch with the hurting human heart that longs for healing, and to do that by ministering a kind word, a compassionate smile, a word of encouragement, and hope for the future.”

“My work is truly a calling- and it is a privilege to get to share in the lives of individuals, couples and families. By partnering with our adoptive parents as they journey through the heartache and pain that accompanies their yearning to become parents, I get to witness the great joy that results in seeing their dreams come true through adoption. It is an equally tremendous privilege to walk with birthparents through one of the most difficult decisions they face in their lives. To share and cry with them, to listen to them, and to offer hope and encouragement as well as the pro-life option of adoption is a great blessing. each client truly touches my life.“

“My pastor encourages our congregation to ‘live by faith, be a voice of hope, and to be known by love.’ My prayer is to have maximum impact in the life that I live and the work that I do. Teddy Roosevelt said it well: ‘Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.’”

Contact Penny or Sharon directly at 821-7779.

“My own struggles

and challenges,

hurts and

disappointments-

and the experience

of finding peace

and joy on the other

side of heartache-

have fashioned my

desire to make a

difference in the

lives of others.“

Helping the Hurting and the vulnerable

aaa exists to serve two purposes. Our business charter is to function as a licensed, professional adoption agency that provides the highest quality of care and service to all of its clients. Our second purpose is to minister to the hurts of those who come to us in vulnerable states. While we try, we can’t meet many of the other needs that come packaged in people’s lives through our adoption fees. Perhaps you can help us meet some of those needs through a one-time or monthly contribution, which include: • Pregnancy counseling, free of

charge, to any birth parent needing help to sort out pregnancy options in a positive, healthy way.

• Giving a hand up to pregnant

women who are in need of housing, food, or clothing until they can make a positive, healthy choice for themselves and their child/children, even when that choice is not adoption.

• Helping families who have all the love and commitment to parent a special needs child, but may not have all the financial resources that are needed.

• Counseling, free of charge, for birthparents who have unselfishly given their child a future through adoption.

• Educational scholarships for

birthparents who have unselfishly given their child and future through adoption and are seeking to build a future for themselves.

• Adoption supplements to help

solid, loving families of modest means afford the costs of an adoption.

• Counseling scholarships for clients

of limited means for counseling with one of our licensed therapists for a wide variety of personal and family issues.

• Adoption education to the

community so that adoption may be seen as a viable, healthy option.

We can use the following “gently used” supplies for our birthparents apartments. These items are often needed by birthparents, but not covered by the adoptive parent’s fees.

• Household appliances:• TVs no larger than 24”• Microwaves, Toasters,

Coffee Makers• Kitchen Supplies• Pots and Pans• Flatware and Knives Sets• Dishes/Cereal Bowls• Cups/Glasses• Linens• Sheets (twin, full, queen)• Pillowcases• Towels & washcloths• Blankets

We could also use a couch and loveseat and/or chair for our family/play room in our office to help us create a pleasing environment for our families. Thank you!

* For a more comprehensive list of specific items needed, please visit our website at AdoptionAssistance.org under “Current Needs”.

Currentneeds

H O W Y O u C a n H e l P