So, here it goes...

     As we shared before, we felt God prompting us to adopt again.  The questions facing us were; from where and how old.  As we began talking to God about it, He narrowed the options and made our path very clear that it would be from Ethiopia again.  Looking back on Kyah's adoption, we were very "safe".  We wanted young, less issues to deal with and not to disrupt our birth order.  For this adoption, we both felt we needed to completely place it all in God's hands.

     We are working with Bethany Christian Services again (in our opinion they are the best!) and they have what's called a "400 Campaign" which is basically 400 children who are waiting to be adopted.  They are children from all over the world and as we began looking at these children, God began to work.  These children are so beautiful, vulnerable, alone, and could be mine.  We felt any excuse we came up with was completely selfish.  It is not these children's fault they are orphaned and if we had faith that God was calling us to do this, than we needed to trust Him and leave it all to Him.

     Faith was needed here and a lot of it.  This could get real uncomfortable and messy.  Eventually we conceded and told God we would do whatever He asked and  wanted us to do.  By then, we had our eye on a girl from this waiting child list and began to think about how she would fit into our family and fell in love with her.  In several of her pictures, we  noticed  her with a specific friend.  When we looked at this friends profile, who was also in this "400 Campaign",  we would see "our" child in her pictures.  This began to really bother us.  How could we separate them?  We decided to ask about the other girl and were told from our social worker that because they were not biological siblings, their policy was that it needed to be 2 separate adoptions.  They would, however, check with the team in Ethiopia who knows these girls.

     We felt so strongly, right from the beginning, that they were to be together somehow, we began to pray about this situation.  If we couldn't adopt them together, we would pray someone from West Michigan would or we would get one child home and immediately begin the process of getting the other one home.  About a month went by and we heard nothing and decided that we would stick to our plan on getting one girl home and going back for the other.  Once again, God had other ideas.  I got a call from our social worker saying that it was recommended that the girls stay together and be adopted as "psychological siblings"!  Unbelievable.  Well, not really when God's in charge!  We are still a bit in shock and are humbled that God would call us to do this.


     Knowing with God that all things are possible, (such as this rare event of adopting non-bio siblings at the same time, getting a referral for 2 children so quickly, paper work going smoothly, changing immigration status from 1 to 2 children, etc., etc., ) I simply have confidence that God knows best and knows how to care for us and what each of us needs (which I admit I'm praying now that He doesn't think I need to drive a 15 passenger van!)

     As reality begins to set in, we are faced with challenges that go with this.  The adoption for one child is about $35,000  This is a bit of a stretch for us financially.   Now, with this amazing news of 2 children, the cost will be about $52,000.  Additionally, we will need to buy a larger vehicle (NO 15 passenger van please. ha!)  We know God will provide and He has so far.  We have applied for grants and are willing to borrow money to make this happen.  Since becoming debt free 4 years ago, borrowing money goes against everything we believe in, but will do whatever it takes to get these girls home and with our family!

     Living among this community of believers and having a strong sense that Todd and I need to do something about the global orphan crisis, I wanted to share all these details with everyone so you can get a better feel of all that God is doing here and all that still needs to be done.


  We are asking for your prayers with our adoption.  We know there are going to be many challenges ahead, so we covet your prayers!  We are getting as prepared and educated as we are able.  And, we want these girls home soon so they can leave the orphanage, have hope and join our forever family!  Join us in praying home our girls and our friends babies.  For Kerri, Carmen & Lisa who are desperately wanting their babies home and trusting  God will see this through.  Also, for those darlings still waiting on the "400 Campaign".

    Again, stepping out of our comfort zone, we are asking for help from whomever is willing and able.  Maybe your role isn't to adopt, but you can surround us while we do!   The cause of the orphan should be a priority.  God expects action from us, especially where orphans and widows are concerned.  What are we going to do about it?  I personally would love to be surrounded by the body of Christ and be supported in helping bring these 2 children into my family where they can belong.  We humbly ask you to help us with our adoption.  We are joining with a non-profit organization called Lifesong who has set up an account for us.

There are a couple ways to donate towards our adoption.  You can send a check, written out to "Lifesong" and 100% of what you send in will go directly into our account.  Send your check to:
                   
                     Lifesong for Orphans
                     PO Box 40
                     Gridley, IL  61744

* in the memo, please write:  Klaasen # 4410

Your gifts are tax-deductible and you may ask for a receipt for your taxes.  Lifesong is a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization.

Or, you may simply click the "PayPal" button on the top of this page.  Again, using "Klaasen #4410"  There is an administration fee of 2.9% that will be taken out of the donation when using PayPal.

                    Fund Raising Goal date is May 26, 2014.

Please consider this as part of your tax deductions for 2014.  It would really mean a lot to 2 girls who need a family.

Words can not express our gratitude to God and our friends for the support and prayers we have received and we humbly thank you!
  

Double the BLESSINGS!!

God has been working overtime on our adoption.  I will post all the details in future updates, but for today I want to share what God has been up to.  Many, many details are things that typically do not happen.  Many, many details are things that I would never have even dreamed of.  Many, many details are proving, once again that I am loved and a chosen child of my Heavenly Father.

On March 18 @ 10:10 a.m., I received a call, THE call, with a referral!  And, not just one referral...we received a referral for TWO girls from Ethiopia!  Oh, they are so beautiful and my heart is so full of joy!  Still trying to grasp the fact that we are chosen to raise 2 more precious children of God!  

Verses and Quotes

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  James 2:14 - 17.

These were the verses focused on Sunday night at our Revolution service and they are hard to hear.  What are we doing in life if we don't ACT!?  We might say what others want to hear and make it all sound so sweet and good.  If we don't get up and even possibly out of our comfort zone and do something about it, we are dead.  I want to be the woman who both talks the talk AND walks the walk!!  Thank you Cory for making that so clear Sunday.

Live simply so others may simply live.  Mother Teresa

Simple and to the point, right?  And, complicated beyond anything that any of us can even imagine!  Check out these stats from 5/2013:

World Hunger Statistics
Total number of children that die every year from hunger	1.5 million
Percent of world population considered to be starving	33%
Time between deaths of people who die from hunger	3.6 seconds
Total number of people in the world who suffer from hunger and malnutrition	800 million
Total number of people who do not have enough to eat	936 million people
Total percentage who do not have enough to eat who live in developing countries	98%
Total percentage of world’s hungry that live in 7 countries	65%
Number of people who died of hunger today	20,864
Total number of people who will die of hunger this year	7,615,360
Total percentage of U.S. households that are at risk of hunger	11%

People, wake up!!  These are real people.  Real hurting people!  The majority of them children.  Children who didn't choose this kind of living situation or conditions, but find themselves in them.  Think about the children who find themselves in all alone and dealing with this.   

This one brings me to tears and I hope it does you too. 

The need is real and the need is urgent!  You can make up all the excuses you can think of.  In the meantime, children are dying. Don't think you could help? I guarantee if you could sponsor, foster or adopt a child in need that the blessings God will pour over you will be way more abundant than what you ever dreamed.

God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called! 

Step up and ask God to use you.  You will amazed at what door He opens and what He can accomplish if you just say "Yes" to Him!!

We live in the affluent USA and basically have and get anything we desire.  If I want a tall, double shot, french vanilla latte with whip cream, I simply go get one.  When I want my family to get new clothes for Easter, I buy them.  When I don't feel like cooking dinner, I pick up something.  I am completely spoiled!  While 20,864 die every day from the basic necessity of food and clean water.  What would happen if I save the $ I would have spent on my latte, clothing and a dinner out, and donate it to World Vision, Compassion International or the like?  Or, what would happen if I actually get up, get going and do something about it and ACT!!

*Side Note:  Watch to see what Jordan & Jesse wear on Easter.  They came up with this all my themselves and I LOVE the idea!!!

Lord God, I thank you for the Holy Spirit that is working in my life and helping me to be aware of the work that needs to be done. 

And now the quote helps me realize why I am doing what I do:

"I always questioned if I was ready to adopt and then I realized - No child was ready to be an orphan".

Author Unknown

Tags:

world hunger statistics ? how many people suffer from hunger or starvation ? how many people will die from hunger every day ? how many people are malnourished or hungry?, what percentage of americans are at risk of starvation?, what portion of the world is at most risk for death from starvation ? how many children are starving ? what percent of world population is starving ?

What's happening in 2014...

It's beyond time to update this blog!  Time has really gone quickly since the last entry.  I have been thinking about what and how to update and thought I'd pull my better-half in on this one! 

Things are going well with our kiddo's. Gabe is doing well @ MSU, he text's often and comes home most weekends.  Jordan is now 15 1/2 and anxious to get her license... and date.  =)  Jesse is stepping up to the responsibilities of Middle School and doing Gabe's old job in our barn.  Solomon remains creative and chatty.  He's always coming up with new craft ideas and I have to hide the tape from him or it's always gone.  Kyah is now 2 1/2 and doesn't miss a beat!  We are amazed to see how God continues to "peel back the layers" as she blossoms into a crazy-little Klaasen.  

Kyah with baby-dolls: LuLu, Shawna & Florida-Georgia Line  =)  LOL

It's all about pink, baby-dolls and good hair

She loves the iPhone and is a genius using it

Her new princess dress!  Again, it's all about pink & good hair  =)

Todd wasn't excited about me starting a blog.  He didn't want everyone to know all the details in our lives and made it very clear that when our adoption with Kyah was complete, that I would discontinue the blog.  However, Todd now admits that when I started this blog, within a month of people knowing our adoption story and specific prayer requests, we got our referral!  Realizing now that it was the prayers of all you great people that helped.  Todd says "I was wrong".  

We have enjoyed settling in with Kyah, getting used to being a family of 7 and enjoying the moment.  A big thing that we learned from taking classes with Bethany Christian Services was to step back and learn what it's like to be a family as a bonding time with Kyah.  This has proved to be the BEST thing for our family!  We have decided to try to keep it this way.  We do not fill up our calendar and have become better at saying no.  Knowing that this is all for the better of our family life.  And, it's working and is a huge blessing!

The adoption of Kyah has made an incredible impact on our children!  Even after having her home for 16 months, the "newness" of having her here hasn't wore off.  They all love her so much and help her any way they can. They have learned to love someone who is not a biological sibling and realize that all orphans desperately need a family.  We are so thankful that God has moved in such an incredible way for ours. 

It is so important to have a God-based goal for your life and for your family. And we would challenge all families to prayerfully consider what God is calling your family to do.

This past summer, we both had a sense of Holy discontent.  Things were good, but a sense that God wanted more from us.  We were preoccupied with Gabe beginning college and what adjustments that would mean for us.  Are you noticing a trend here?  It's all about "US".  Nothing about what GOD wants.  We were tied up and constantly thinking about our own concerns and transitions.

After much discussion and prayer, we now know we are being called, once again, to ADOPT!

Stay tuned..........

One YEAR ago today!!!!!

Amazing to think....one entire year has gone by since we brought our precious little Ethiopian home forever!  As I write this and exactly one year ago and at this exact time, we were in the GR airport awaiting our welcome home from our dearest of family & friends!  When I think back to all the emotions of that day, it's still overwhelms me.  We waited for this little gift-of-a-girl for a long time and finally all of our prayers were answered as we welcomed the newest member into her awaiting family.  What a wonderful celebration of a day that was!  
Kyah was instantly "one of the family" in every way.  She has grown so much in so many ways.  She surprises us with her growth and intelligence when we think of her beginning; living for almost a year in an orphanage, being malnourished, giardia (more than likely!), no momma or pappa to call her own and most damaging, no one shared Christ with her.  
Today....this little curly-haired cutie is surrounded by those who absolutely adore her!  Her personality is shining through in wonderful ways and her vocabulary is enormous (is she trying to keep up with Solomon!?!)   

Some fun things about Kyah:
 * She claps and yells "yah!" every time the Chick-fil-A cow "moo's"
 * She is clunky!  She will put her arms gently up and tell herself to "slow down" ....usually after spilling    =)
 * Is an expert on the I-Pad.  She can unlock it, find Siri, and we have found her "talking" into it asking for it to find Luke Bryan!   lol
 * Yes, she still loves all of Luke Bryan's songs
 * Grampa Jack is about one of her favorite people
 * Will eat almost anything if she thinks it has cheese in it
 * Sings along with the Biggby Coffee advertisement
 * Recognized our street!  Even from a few miles down, when we turn onto it, she will announce "Kyah's road!" 
 * Gets crazy happy when Gabe comes home from college
 * Is always asking if we are going to church (where she finds Bo!)
 * Loves babies!  She will get a high pitched voice and say "oh, cute! A baby!, Pretty eyes"  (Especially baby Paige!)
 * Thanks God for everything.  Like when I gave her a donut she said "Oh, donut!  God made!  Thank You God!"
 * Counts like this...... 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 (the 7 sounds like: nigh-nighn)
 * Loves Ethiopia and Africa!  She recognizes the shape of the African continent and proclaims "Kyah, born, Africa, Airplane, Get Kyah home!"   

I talk about Africa and adoption with her all the time.  =)  I know she truly has no idea, but I want her to love Africa and Ethiopia.  I do!  And, I often think about what her bio-Ethiopian family is missing out by not being in her life.  It's hard to contemplate all of this.  Knowing that this is how God planned it,helps make it easier to accept.  Oh, how I love being momma to this little angel!  She is, as her name suggests, my diamond in the sky!!

First family vacation to the Great Wolf Lodge

Lovin' on her pappa!

Carrying her babydoll, Lulu, in her doll sling   =)

Dancing in Lake Michigan with big sister

Klaasen Girls

Solomon 7 1/2, Jesse 11 1/2, Kyah 2, Gabe 18 & Jordan 15

Subway picnic

Moving Gabe into dorm @ MSU

Kyah & big brother, Gabe

Playing with her friend, Luke    =)

Kyah's "Big Girl" chart for using the bathroom

Hanging out with Luke

Kyah riding shot-gun with Solomon

This week is about remembering.....

August 11, 2012, one year ago today, we were on our way to Ethiopia with great anticipation of all that God planned out for us!  Gabe, Jordan, Todd and I were so excited to leave GR and begin our 26 hours of travel to Addis Abbaba where we would meet our families newest member!  Our family has been reliving this time, talking about what a fantastic trip it was, looking through the photo albums and reading the journal that I wrote.  

I know you're not supposed to wish time away and that living in the past isn't good either...but oh how I wish I could relive what we experienced a year ago!  Having never traveled out of the country (except to Hawaii and the Caribbean) it was an anxious and yet exciting time for me.  I am not gonna pretend that my stomach wasn't in knots a few times or that I didn't pray many times for protection, and I still am humbled how God proved Himself faithful over and over.  

We met so many wonderful people in Ethiopia!  We keep up with them through email when we can and talk of getting together one day again.  I truly fell in love with Ethiopia and dream of going back one day.  

This past week, Jordan and I stepped outside to the smell of smoke from a fire.  Jordan immediately said "Oh, I smell Ethiopia!"  It has such a unique smoky smell that you never forget and that we learned to just love.  I smelled it immediately and just teared up.  Although it was more than likely someone burning their trash, it was a sensory flashback that gave me chills.  ...someday...

Not sure I shared this before, but this the referral picture that we received of Kyah on July 13, 2012.   Just one month to the day later, she was in my arms!

This is Dongite (her Ethiopian name) at one year old.  She weighed 17 pounds and was 29 inches long.  She was malnourished for the first year of her life.  When moved to a "nicer" orphanage, she ate corn porage, mushed carrots and sweet potatoes, lots of noodles and was on formula.  She had absolutely no protein foods at all.  When we had initial labs taken on her back in the US, she was very anemic (no doubt with that diet!)  And eventually were referred to a pediatric hematologist at DeVos Hospital for further testing.  Thankfully, as her diet improved, so did her hemoglobin!  I can't imagine where her iron levels would be had she not been given eggs, ham, chicken, and good ol' Klaasen beef!  I am so thankful that she has this opportunity to flourish!

 

 

 

 

Which brings me to this topic....we in America have it made!  We may at times not think so, but comparatively, we absolutely do!!  Even the poor here in the US will be able to go to a food pantry, soup kitchen, get welfare, food stamps, WIC cards, Bridge cards, free health care, live at a mission, etc, etc....  Most places in the world, if you're poor, you're poor.  It's as simple (or complicated) as that!  Perhaps if you are fortunate enough to live in a place where World Vision, Compassion International, or the like, are available, you are able to receive daily necessities.   I found this following information staggerding:


If your family income is $10,000 a year, you are wealthier than 84 percent of the world. If it's $50,000 or more a year, you make more than 99 percent of the world. (taken from Oregon Live in August of 2012).

Why is it that God plants you, where He plants you?  I have come to the conclusion that God has put me here in the affluent United States of America to see what I can accomplish for His Kingdom.  Not that I can make everything all better, but that I can use my gifts and my heart to help where I can.  Todd and I have sponsored kids through World Vision since the day we married. (over 22 years of being sponsors!)  It is something that we see as a privilege and are honored to do so.  We are raising our children to have hearts for others who need help and I see them jumping to causes that they are able to in order to help others.  Gabe, Jordan and Jesse each have their own children whom they sponsor.  We didn't tell them to do it, they each, on their own, did it!  We are fortunate that we have a small business in which they each can work at and make their own money.  And, they are using their money to help others!  Each of them have a really cool, unique story, but I have to say that Jesse's is tops!  I don't want to publish his "story" in this blog, so if you see me sometime and ask about it, I'll be glad to share it. It'll put a tear in your eye.

What can YOU do for what the world considers garbage, unwanted and useless?  Each person created was created for a purpose and in God's own image.  Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone is called to help.  Christians should get it.  But, many just don't.  It's really sad to me!  Orphans are people.  Many are all alone.  No hope.  No chance.  No future.  No purpose.  Is God calling you to make a difference in just one little life? 

Kyah turned 2!

We had a great time celebrating Kyah's 2nd birthday the end of June!  She would sing "happy to you" all day with a smile on her face.  =)  It truly was a special time being with her on her birthday this year!  

wasn't so sure what to do with everyone singing and looking at her!

Didn't take her long to figure out what to do with her birthday cupcake!

Our family creating a ceiling tile at Africa's Child, for adopting a child from Africa!
(It's right up front by the check-out, take a look!)

Picking up Jesse after Camp Geneva....so sweet!

Summer family picture

Klaasen grandchildren with grampa & grama (and one is missing!)

the 2013 Klaasen gang!

picnic time at Timber Town

Fun time playing!

Todd's parents went on a hot air balloon ride (their 3rd time!) for their 52nd Anniversary and his mom's 80th birthday!!

This is THE best!!

Kyah really likes the pool!  She's brave and jumps in...as long as not too much water splashes on her face.  If it does, she yells "towel!"

Yes, Jesse is rip-sticking holding Kyah.  He's really coordinated or I would never let this happen!

Kyah and her friend Joseph relaxing in our hammock

Lots of fun pool days! Our friend Kelli and her 2 boys, Charlie & Joseph, from TN, came for a visit and we spend a day together which involved LOTS of swimming!

Kyah decided that she no longer needed to be carried while we jumped on the trampoline!

Finishing Todd's Big Gulp while getting more trampoline time.  Good multi-tasker!

Luke is home!!!  These are our friends, Brett & Robin, whom I have been asking you to pray for!  They returned home on 7/20/13 with their newest addition!  He is precious and it was a WONDERFUL airport welcome!  Thanks for all your prayers on bringing this little honey into the arms of his forever family!!