Adoption Conference by LDS Social Services

Adoption Conference Sponsored by LDS Family Services

When: Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 starting at 6pm, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 starting at 8am

Where: ASU Institute Building, 1000 S McAllister, Tempe,AZ

Who: Anyone who is thinking about adoption, thinking about placing a child for adoption, adoptive applicants, birth families, adoptive parents, those who were adopted, Stake Agency Representatives, Adoption Professionals, and others.

What: Over 30 classes to choose from with topics such as Adoption Basics, Infertility, International Adoption and Cultural Identity, Adoption Advocacy, Adoption and Schools, Avoiding Adoption Fraud, Post Placement Expectations and Communication. Also hear some stories of adoption from panels of Adoptees, Birthmothers, Birthgrandparents, and Adoptive Parents.

We will be privileged to hear from and visit with amazing adoption advocates such as Lindsey Redfern of "theRhouse" blog, Kerstin Daynes author of "Infertility: Help, Hope, and Healing", Heidi Naylor of the National FSA Board, Lewis Tenney, Sharon Slater of Family Watch International, and other amazing speakers and entertainers.

We will also have representatives from AZDES Foster Care, other adoption agencies, adoption attorneys ,etc to learn about option to adopt in ways other than through LDS Family Services.

Cost: $22 per single and $40 per couple (this will cover the cost of food, materials and a conference t-shirt)
Free for Birthmothers/Fathers and 1 guest ($10 for each additional guest)
$10 for Agency Representatives.

Go to http://swregconf.info to register.

Registration: Regular registration now until Sept 30 at http://swregconf.info
Late registration will run from October 1-9 @ $25 per single and $45 per couple
There will be no registration at the door.

It's Nacho Ordinary Saturday Night!

The General Relief Society Broadcast will be held on Saturday the 25th at 4pm at the Stake Center. Come to be fed spiritually, as well as literally with some fabulous Mexican food! See you there!

Relief Society Temple Trip

On Thursday, September 23rd, join the Releif Society sisters for a temple trip! Meet at 5:30pm in the cafeteria for dinner and then we'll be attending the 6:30pm session. And afterwards (about 8:30), meet at Nielson's Custard for desert! It located at 1901 E. Southern (NW corner of Gilbert and Southern). Please meet us for dessert even if you're not able to attend the session!

Exchange Students Need Homes!

Here are a couple of kids who need emergency new homes!

First - Alex from Barcelona, Spain has been living temporarily with my family (Natalie & Dave Whitlock). His original family changed their minds but he already had his school acceptance and his ticket to Phoenix, so he came. We adore him and have NO complaints. Unfortunately, the school insists he reside within their boundaries and we don't... SO, we are desperately seeking a home for him within the Chandler High school boundaries. They want him moved by monday!!

The other student in need is a young lady from Finland, Saara. Her host mom lives in an older home and her bedroom is in the basement. Saara appears to be allergic to the mold/dust there or in some way the environment is making her sick. I was skeptical at first but she's been to the doctor and now again last night, the emergency room. Her sinuses are infected and inflamed and getting worse. Her natural family is very concerned and wants her moved asap. I can't say that I blame them. And frankly, she was going to have to move anyway, as the current host family is loosing their home and moving into an apartment, so better now than later I suppose :) She attends a charter school in Queen Creek but they also bus, so the possible locations where she could live are more flexible.

If you would think on these two situations, spread the word, make a few calls, post to your facebook, or ANYTHING you can do to help find a family (temp or permanent) for one of these students, it would be so appreciated! We've been working on them for days (weeks in the case of Alex) and we're at a dead end... We may also have a girl from South Korea and one from China needing new homes soon too... Most students and their families work out great but there are always a few despite everyone's best efforts that for one reason or another need new homes, and it's obviously a challenge :)

Thanks for your help and we hope to give these kids some good news soon!

Please contact:
Natalie & Dave Whitlock
480-722-1530 home
480-528-8242 cell
nwhitlock@edutrav.org

Time Out for Women

Time Out for Women will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center on October 15-16. It might be fun for some of us to all go together! The cost is $47 for the two days, and if 5 or more people register together as a group, there's a $10 discount! You can find more information here. Anyone interested in attending can email or call Ann Johnson (988-6074) the sooner the better, but at least by September 14th.