Hi Guys,
Just wanted to let you know that we have moved this blog to: theclausings.com
The new site will trace family life and Cam's studies as we look toward Edinburgh.
Hope you can journey with us there!
Thanks,
Taryn
The Journey through Adoption
A Clausing Blog
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, March 30, 2015
Continuing the Journey With Calvin Jack
It has been 3 months since we had the sudden arrival of
Calvin Jack. I thought it was about time to give a brief update on the little
man and where we are in the adoption world!
Our little Calvin Jack came to us as an 8lb bundle of joy
and now 3 months later he weighs in at a mere 17lb and just keeps growing. Our
pediatrician tells us that he is in the 90th percentile for his
height and weight – and he just keeps on growing and growing. He has a sweet
personality that shows itself in the numerous chuckles and smiles we get every
day. He is sleeping like a rock star – rocking out 12 hours a night! We are
simply in love with this little boy and are often still amazed how he came into
our lives.
We have had so many people ask about Lesotho and where we
are at so we thought it was about time to fill you all in on what we are
currently thinking. As many of you know we were originally setting out to adopt
two little ones from Lesotho. Many of
you helped us to raise all of the money for this. One of the reasons why we
were able to receive Calvin Jack so quickly was because we had all the funds
needed for his adoption already sitting in various accounts designated for
adoption. This, of course, now affects the adoption of two children from Lesotho. Currently, we do not have the money for
the adoption of two little ones from Lesotho.
We are still planning on pursuing the Lesotho adoption; however, we will
request to adopt one child instead of the original two.
What does this mean? Well, quite frankly it puts us back on
the fundraising path. We have around $8,000 remaining in our adoption account
which we will put toward the Lesotho adoption. Firstly, we need to update our
Home Study and request an extension from the U.S government, and yes, this all
requires money. We think we will need around another $25,000 for adoption #2 to
happen (been there before, right? ;-)). I am planning to jump back into grant
writing mode and see if we are able to receive most of the money that way. Many
grants allow you to re-apply up to three times so I will push the pen as much
as I can.
What about another domestic adoption? Sure. We are happy to
be included in the domestic program; however, the issue we have with the domestic
program is that you need the $30,000 available as soon as you get the phone
call. We are simply not in a financial position to do that (strange, huh?). We
think the best plan is to remain in the Lesotho program and if we are still
waiting when we reach the financial goal we will request to join in the
domestic program. The ease of the Lesotho program is that you are able to pay
as you go for different documents that are needed along the way. We are
reminded that in both of these programs the timing is out of our hands and thus
we trust that God is working perfectly in this situation and in our family.
So, here we are! Here we are on a very different path to the
one we set out on over a year ago. We would have never dreamed that our travels
would now include a new little Clausing born here in Tennessee! So, now the
three of us bumble ahead with the hope for a little brother or sister for Calvin
Jack.
And again, thank you for reading. We are so thankful for so
many, near and far, who have walked with us since the beginning, those walking
with us now and those who will continue to walk with us in the future. We have
been so encouraged by many notes and gifts in the mail that have shared in the
excitement of Calvin Jack. As we jump back on the road again, knowing that we
have no idea how long we will be walking on this particular journey for but as
we look across and see little Calvin’s smile, we know that we have been here
before and God did more than we could ever imagine. This, my friends, comforts
and guides us as we go forward.
We very well may get another rockin’ t-shirt for a
fundraiser in the future. Bare with us as we navigate new territory. If you so
wish to donate to our adoption account, you can go to www.smallworldadoption.com and
click on ‘Make a Payment’ and when completing information be sure to write that
the payment is for ‘the child to be adopted by the Clausing family’.
…and thus the journey continues.
So Thankful.
Taryn (&Cam)
Thursday, December 18, 2014
What a Week! What a Change! Welcome 'Calvin Jack Clausing'!
This time of the year is different. There are lights on the
houses, trees inside houses and families gearing up for time together. It
certainly is a time of change! Change is something Cam and I have somehow
become accustomed to in our four and half years of marriage…and this week has
been no different. Bare with me as I try and paint a picture.
As many of you know we have been waiting to adopt two little
ones from the gorgeous country of Lesotho. We had bags strapped to our back and
we were bracing ourselves for a long road ahead. And we were walking and
trusting.
Then…this week happened. Early Monday morning I woke to
intense pain and eventually was taken to the hospital in an Ambulance. Cam was
a superman, though pretty nervous, but was the greatest servant in this
situation. By 8:00am I was transferred from the emergency care in Spring Hill
to Williamson Medical Center in Franklin where the testing began. I must admit
that I was pretty out of it but they managed to get the pain under control. I
was released Wednesday night with the prognosis of an extreme arthritis flare
up – which I have never experienced before. Anyhoo – I am home now and on the
mend.
All that to say, while we were in the hospital, we received
a phone call from our adoption agency to say that they have a little boy for
us!!!! Whaaaaat! This is totally unexpected…especially because we were quite
happy on the road to Lesotho. What happened to Lesotho? Well, to be honest, we
don’t know. We never intended to be in the domestic program, however, five
weeks ago our agency called us just with a simple introduction to the domestic
program and asked if we would consider being in that program. At that time, we
declined and said though we were interested in domestic adoption after our
international was completed, but we were happy where we were at, so basically,
a thanks, but no thanks. So, back on the road we went. Until….last week, our
agency called us again with a more of an ‘inquiring’ phone call. During that
phone call, the agency mentioned that they had a meeting the previous day and
that they thought we would be a good fit for a birth mother that were talking
with. They were unable to give us many more details due to privacy and the fact
that we weren’t in the domestic program. Once we discovered that there was no
cost in joining the domestic program and that we were still able to stay in the
Lesotho program, we thought we would go ahead and see where this part of the
journey takes us.
Then, Tuesday happened. A phone call, while we were sitting
in a hospital room, a phone call that informed us that the birth mother had
actually picked us out five weeks ago when we received our first phone call. She
had looked at our photo and told the agency that she wanted that family to
adopt her baby boy. Our case worker did mention that she also fell in love with
our puppy dog who was also in that photo (which happens to be the same photo at
the top of our blog). This is crazy, right?
One of the reasons why we were always nervous about a
domestic adoption is with the issues that can arise. It just made us nervous.
It made us nervous that there was a revocation period when the biological
parents have a right to request the child back. Being first time parents, we
were just a little nervous about some of those things. Amazingly, God took care
of that! The biological mother and father had terminated their rights and the
revocation period has passed. Just like our agency said ‘this is the kind of
adoption that people dream of – it’s perfect! Yes, it is perfect. We were expecting
an international adoption, we got a domestic adoption. We were expecting two
little ones at once, but we got one. God knows what we needed.
So, the short of it is that we have a little two and a half
week old who we have named ‘Calvin Jack Clausing’ and came into the Clausing
home today, December 18th. As
you can imagine, we were not expecting this and not prepared for this. But we
are so excited about this…...a little overwhelmed but we know that God has us
right here for this.
So many of you have
walked with us, some from afar and some right where we are. We know our story
so far does not just include us, but so many of you. We are sincerely so
thankful for the way in which so many of you walk with us and encourage us to
keep on trekking.
Here’s to a great Christmas! Here’s to our first Christmas
with a little baby!
We’ll be in touch!
XX
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Happy 1 Year, Travelers!
The Journey – one year down the road!
This month marks one year of our journey to adopt two little
ones from Lesotho. This time last year we had our empty rucksack out, the
packing list on the bed and we were crossing things off the list like mad
men. The rucksack was bulging with homestudy paperwork, government paperwork,
and loads of grant applications…and then we were off, with the rucksack slung
over the shoulder (actually, more like “Cam, can you carry this for me?”), a bounce
in every step (actually, I probably dropped my bundle a few times) and
whistling to the tune of “I will walk 500 miles and I will walk 500 more”
(nothing like some Proclaimers to keep you marching). Once we hit the road and
off-loaded the right paperwork to the right people the rucksack began to fill
with cash…beautiful cash from people all over the world who for some, were
gazing from afar, and others were kicking the stones along the road with us.
We kept walking and as different people needed money to make
something else happen, we simply opened the rucksack, counted the greenbacks,
paid our dues, zipped the bag up and carried on. We carried on.
We carry on. This is a peculiar journey in the fact that we
do not know how long we will be on the road for. We do know that this journey
has been walked before, by a myriad of people, so we know we are not the only
ones. But, we also know that this is a personal journey, a journey that Cam and
Taryn Clausing will take – together and will have its very own story at the
end. A story, our story that includes so many others.
Sometimes, when I am walking and thinking about everything,
the thought pops into my head ‘we don’t even know who we will meet when we get
there’. We don’t know if we are going to have two boys, two girls or one of
each. There are no faces to push us on…..yet! But – we get up, put our rucksack
on because we know that when we get there, it will be just right! We know that
two little ones who are orphans will be orphans no more. We know that our
Father has set the lonely in families. That, my friends, carries us around
every corner, up every hill, down every slope and pushes us right to the end.
Happy 1 year, travelers!
Taryn
Monday, September 22, 2014
A Look Forward and a Look Back
I often ask Taryn to write something. Thus, I think it
only fair for me to take on some of this responsibility. Therefore, I have been
thinking this morning about what exactly write. I could be the typical Presbyterian
and give you all the facts of things that are happening. It will take
everything in me not to do this as I write. Facts do not make for an engaging
blog.
This week I have been thinking about where Taryn and I
have been in the course of 3 years (yes 3 years) in the States now. It has been
a whirlwind time. We almost moved back to Colombia at least twice. Numerous
times we have talked about moving to Australia. Life has had its lows and its
highs. It is funny how in those moment of lows one forgets all about the great
times. We have had a car blow a head gasket the day we bought it (right after
signing a sheet of paper saying we understood that we did not have warranty).
We rented a house that was way too expensive and almost went broke. We have
struggled through sickness. We have worked jobs just to make ends meet and
still couldn't make that happen some months. Life has been hard.
However, each of these moments has been met by the
grace of God. When our car broke down, someone in our church lent us their car
for as long as we needed it. We broke contract on the place we rented and were
able to rent a place that was much cheaper (probably one of the cheapest places
in Franklin), and ultimately were able to buy our own home. We have found
amazing doctors who walk lovingly and carefully with us every step of the way
in sickness. I have been ordained and have a great job where I learn everyday
and grow. God's grace to us in the past has been manifold.
This Sunday as I was sitting listening to the sermon
at the church where I work. The passage was from Nehemiah 4.1-14. I was struck once again by
the fact that I need to remember these moments and our God. In the midst of
this process, there can be exciting times; times when we are getting things
ready and sending them off to Lesotho. Then there are times that are
discouraging. This can be one of those discouraging times. Nothing is happening,
we are just sitting and waiting. We don't hear anything all that often from our
agency. Those outside of us and we ourselves can be discouraging. We often look
at each other and say, “I really want babies in the house.”
Isn't that just the way we are? We always see the bad.
We also look for the negative. All of us have a little Puddleglum in us. We
want things to happen when we want them to happen. If that doesn’t happen, we
get downcast and discouraged. However, what Nehemiah calls us to do is
remember. Remember the Lord and His great faithfulness. We remember that the
battle is the Lord's and we are called to do the next right thing. Oh how hard
that can be in the midst of the wait. Oh it can be hard to extend grace in the
wait, but I am learning. I am learning to not be afraid and to wait for the
Lord.
Now, because I am a Presbyterian, I cannot end this
blog without some facts and figures. First, we are still only $3,000 from being
fully funded (that's pretty amazing). You can still help out if you would like
to just click on the Small World Adoption Agency Ad on the side
bar. If you have any questions on what to do, contact Taryn she knows all.
Second, We are coming on one year in this process (that's pretty crazy). That
means that this thing could happen at any point. They told us at the start of
this process that it could take anywhere from 12-24 months. Next, some of you
may know about the news from Lesotho. If you want read about, it check out the BBC's coverage. There was a coup of sorts, but everything seems to be back
to normal. Lastly, a family from our agency just got their referral for their
child from Lesotho. We are really encouraged by that because it means that
people are making it through the process, and children are getting their
forever families.
Thanks for reading. Taryn does a much better job, but
I thought it would be good for me to relieve her once in a while.
Cam & Taryn
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Wait
You know it has been far too long since my last update when
people are texting me for updates. Sorry for those who have been visiting the
blog to only realize that they have read the same thing over and over again.
It has been quite a month or two. While Cam was away in
Honduras, I was fortunate enough to get back home to Australia for a fleeting
two-week visit. It was amazing, as usual, to spend time with so many special
people. It is always hard to leave a
place that feels so much like home but it was made easier this time with my
best friend, Bec, returning to the States with me. While she was here we
managed to hit New York, Chicago and Wisconsin and, of course, Nashville. It
was a special time of travels and talks with a friend who knows me all too well
J
The key word for this update on our adoption journey is
‘waiting’. We are simply waiting for the Lesotho government to match us with
our two children. The strange thing about this ‘wait’ is that we really have no
idea how long this ‘wait’ will be. We know that the wait could be over in
months and we also know that a year or years could very well be a possibility.
The more I read other stories, the more I am reminded that there is no rhyme or
reason to adoption, but I do know it is perfect timing for every family.
I am also thankful that our wait will not be filled with
anxieties about funding the adoption. This is really mind-blowing but the fact
is that we are only around $2,000-$3,000 short of the $48,000. And this has all
happened since October of last year. This actually stuns me sometimes. God just
took care of it.
Some of you might remember our Both Hands project fundraiser
we completed in June. To date, that fundraiser alone, gave us around $21,000.
Yes. $21,000. Stunned. And to think that on the work day we were sitting around
$3,000. That simply humbles us and fills us with gratitude.
So, as we wait, we know there is no need to fret and worry
because this is far bigger than us and we know the One who is working all
things for His good pleasure. So, we wait.
Until next time,
Taryn
Monday, June 30, 2014
So Close to Being Fully Funded...So Close!
Charles Dickens said
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
Over the last couple
of months, Cam and I have had our fair share of burdens to carry, but we have
not carried them alone. One lesson that I continually learn is that I do not
need to carry my burdens all by myself. I want to, but I don’t need to and
usually, they, quite quickly, turn from being just my burden but rather a
shared experience of encouragement with others. Other lives open up and serve
as a reminder that some have been where you are and even if they haven’t there
are some that are willing to walk alongside you and help carry a specific
burden.
Even when the road is
hard there are moments of overwhelming joy and gratitude for how far you are
one the road. It’s times like these when all you can do is sit down on the side
of the road – in silence. Tears begin to fall and make their mark in the dirt.
Overwhelmed with gratitude.
On Saturday, June 14,
around forty of our friends came together to work on a widow’s house. We had
prepared for this day. There were team meetings, lists and letters. Our plan
was to work on a widow’s house for the entire day and raise money so that two
orphans would no longer be orphans. And what a day it was – simply amazing. If
you haven’t watched the video yet, you need to. When I watch it, not only am I
reminded of how hard everyone worked, how much fun we had but also that I
really, really do have an Australian accent J. Recently, we learned the final total of the
funds that came in from all over the United States AND Australia. We raised a
total of $14,094.74. Yes! Really - $14,094.74!! And we also learned that we can
use $3,000 of that toward one of our matching grants which means the Both Hands
project will have raised $17,094.74. Oh man! You see, when the burden is heavy
and news like this comes, I sit – in silence – in tears and am overwhelmed by
God’s provision for us and two orphans whom we are yet to meet.
Back in October of
last year we began the journey of adoption. As we were packing our bags with
everything we needed at that time we also slipped the price tag into one of the
pockets. A $48,290 price tag. We are not sure when this particular journey will
end or how many more hills we need to climb but as we sit down for a bit we can
now pull out the price tag and find that as of today it reads $5,000!!!! Now,
that is much lighter than what it was in October. Cam and I just look at each
other in amazement because so many people have joined us and helped us to raise
$44,223 so far!
Our journey continues
to humble us and remind us that it is not about us. The story is about the one
who has adopted us and makes us His own.
Thanks for reading.
Taryn (& Cam)
Make a donation to our
adoption fund here: http://smallworldadoption.com/
Check out our Both
Hands video here:
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