Nate and Rachel Kaser gather with daughters Kaylee, Bailey, Adalyn and Rylee Kaser.
Courtesy of the Kaser family
WAPAKONETA — After years of prayers, one family’s long-awaited miracles have arrived. Nate and Rachel Kaser, from Lima, hoped to have children soon after being married in 2006. Unfortunately, it did not happen right away. Rachel Kaser’s sister, from Maryland, introduced the couple to fostering and adoption. In 26 years, Kaser’s sister fostered 84 children and adopted five.
After feeling led to walk the same path, the Kaser family decided to give foster care a try.
“We got in touch with Allen County and of course got through the pre-service training and home inspections,” said Rachel Kaser. “We were certified in February 2018. We did not get a call until April. We got Kaylee and Bailey. In May 2020, we got a call that there was a sibling to Bailey. Adalyn was only six weeks old at that time. She needed to be placed as well. In January of this year, we officially adopted Bailey and Kaylee. In April of this year, we adopted Adalyn.”
Not only were they blessed with three girls through adoption but they were able to give birth to a daughter in the midst of it all.
“In the middle of all this, in November of 2021, God blessed us with a biological baby,” said Kaser. “Rylee just turned 1 almost two weeks ago. We have all girls now; they are 11, 6, 2 and 1. We went from zero children to four children in under four years.”
“Adoption has always been in the back of our hearts,” added Kaser. “The desire was always there. We just never took that formal leap until God said it was time. We are fully dependent on God. If we do not have faith we do not have anything. It is amazing to see how God has worked through the kids and through us.”
According to Allen County Children Services, November is nationally recognized as Adoption Awareness Month. The ACCC has several programs for families hoping to foster children or adopt.
To families that are considering adoption, Kaser said to think about the smallest thing you could do for someone else and that is just the tip of the iceberg of what you could offer a child.
“These children just want and need love,” said Kaser. “They need safety. They need compassion. They need someone who will listen to them regardless of their age. Whether they can communicate or not. Not that everything will always be okay but it is okay to feel the way you do.”
Although the journey turned out differently than expected; for the Kasers, it was greater than imagined.
“A cousin of mine, when we first started this, told me a quote that came from his pastor,” chuckled Kaser. “If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.”
If you or someone you know is interested in foster care or adoption contact ACCC at 419-227-8590.
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
