Still Trusting

First off, thank you all for your prayers today. It really was what helped me get through the day with such peace. Just to give you a little update, no decision was made today, meeting went well, and Caleb did great like usual. We are hopeful that a decision will be made soon. Therefore, we continue to ask for prayer.

Prayer for Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 24th at 12:30, Caleb's birth parents are seeing him in hopes that it will clarify whether or not they want to parent. Therefore, will you please pray at 12:30 tomorrow for:
-peace, comfort and strength for all involved
-decision made would be in the best interest for Caleb
-selfishly we do pray that birth parents can receive closure and confidence in the adoption like they have had in the beginning

I know tomorrow is not going to be easy, but Nate and I have faith that God will prevail and that His plan is perfect. We are holding onto His words that He does love us and knows what's best for us. Hopefully birth parents will be able to make a decision within the next week or so.

Thanks again for your prayers and we do hope that Caleb will forever be a Klauser.

village127 Launch

I posted awhile back the introduction for a ministry that Nate and I are super excited about and have such a passion for, village127. Today, we had the privilege to launch the ministry in front of our entire congregation. It was so beautiful to see the video we made, to see the support from the staff and see the interest of God's people when it comes to adoption and orphan care. Below are a few pictures of the amazing people Nate and I worked with in order to make this ministry come alive.

In photo above: Michelle Peterson, Patti Bertsch, Dan & Angie Leverence, Dave & Tiffany Bobendrier with boys, Silas, Titus, & Judah

Caleb's Dedication

Last Sunday, Nate and I debated on whether or not to dedicate Caleb without our adoption being finalized. After much talk and prayer we asked ourselves, "Why wouldn't we?" We have made a promise to Caleb's birth family that we would raise him in a home dedicated to the Lord, and what better way to keep that promise than to publicly display that in front of our church family and family. After all this stuff that took place this week I started to play games in my mind about dedicating him until I was in a beautiful prayer session with some brothers and sisters in Christ and one friend prayed these words, "Thank you Lord for Caleb, it was by no mistake that he was dedicated on Sunday, he will now forever be dedicated to you as one of your precious children." After I heard that, I cried of joy, thank you Lord for giving us the opportunity to dedicate Caleb.

The Man of the Hour- looking so handsome in a tie (thanks Aunt Kim)

On stage with Pastor Randy, dedicating and praying for Caleb

Celebrating afterwards with family and friends. A special thanks to all that showed, especially my brother, Steven, sis-in-law, Kim and adorable niece, Chloe for driving 11 hours to be apart of his day.

Caleb is 2 Months Old

Yesterday, Caleb turned 2 months old. Two incredible months it has been and as things are up in the air right now, all we can do is pray for many many more to celebrate in. As for Caleb's appointment, it went really well. Doctor Davis said he looked great and was growing on the chart very nicely. Only thing is that she said he has torticollis, which doesn't surprise us with a head at 98%. What does that mean? That means that Caleb is going to have to start therapy in order to prevent it from getting worse as he ages. Plus since we saw Elyse's therapist today (tip toe walking) she asked me before I even brought it up to her. Therefore, we are going to start next week.

Well here are his stats and his adorable two month picture.
Weight: 11 lbs, 5 oz (42%)
Length: 23 inches (54%)

Update

Once again we want to thank you all for praying! It means the world to us.
As I mentioned in the previous post, birth mother met with her birth counselor today to discuss what Bethany Christian Services can do to help her make a decision. They came up with a few things.
Therefore, it's comforting to know that hopefully this will all be concluded in two weeks, but I ache thinking two more weeks of this. Everyday wondering is this going to be my last feeding, holding, bathing and talking with Caleb. Don't get me wrong, I'm still hopeful that your prayers will be heard and answered and Caleb will stay, but I still have to prepare myself for the worst. I have so many thoughts and feelings right now that I don't even know how to express them in words. I'm just ready for God to reveal his final plan (hopefully resulting in our family of four staying a family of four forever).

As for prayer requests:
-God would reveal what's the best interest for Caleb
-Our relationship with birth mother and her family would grow and remain healthy especially for Caleb.
-Peace and strength in the next few weeks for everyone involved.
-Specifically for me, to be the mother I need to be to both kids the next few weeks. I find myself playing mind games or not being patient enough with Elyse because I am focusing so much of my time with Caleb instead of equally distributing it like I have the last two months.
-Above all, that people could see our faith in the Lord and how AMAZING, GRACIOUS and LOVING He is, and that living for Him and His plan no matter how painful the outcome is is 100% worth it.

For grandparents: Caleb's 2 month appointment went well today. Will post 2 month picture and stats tomorrow since I feel this post is more important right now.

Praise, But It's Not Over Yet

Let me start off and say that words can't express how grateful Nate and I are for all your prayers. Reading your comments and seeing you spread our prayer request around the world really provided so much strength. Not only strength but a praise. As of late afternoon birth mother stated that she wanted more time to make a decision. The praise is that Caleb will remain with us for now. Therefore, your prayers have helped move that mountain.

Yet we need that mountain to be thrown into the sea. Here's why, birth mother still doesn't know what she wants to do. Therefore, everyday we are anxiously having to wait to see if she calls asking for him to be returned that day. Therefore, we ask that you continue to spread the prayer chain in that the birth mother would open her heart to the confidence of adoption that she had seven months ago. Pray that she would sign rights tomorrow during her meeting with the social workers so that closure can be put into place. Please also pray that the birth mother can heal and this adoption doesn't become a battle for Caleb, but something that joyfully brings two families together.

Thank you again for praying and please don't stop helping Caleb forever be a Klauser.