KCSL Adoption Booklet

blanks of the last 22 years. She was married
and had four girls when she separated from
her husband. During that separation, she met
my birth father and she became pregnant with
me. Then she ended up reconciling with her
husband. However, he did not want another
man’s child so she gave me up for adoption.
Then sadly they ended up divorcing anyway.
Erma then tells me that one of my half-sisters
had been abducted, raped and murdered in
Tulsa exactly one year from the day I called
her. She was having a very hard
day and my call was a gift
from God.
We ended up meeting
and she is the sweetest
lady, and it is
funny the mannerisms
we share.
She explained
that she grew up
in and around
Hutchinson. Her
parents were
full Amish! Her
maiden name
was even Yoder!
It makes me
smile thinking
of the laughs
we had joking
that the horse
and buggy
people were my family…they probably were
relatives! We have gotten together a few times
and send letters once in a while keeping up with
one another. She sends my kids and me cards for
all birthdays and holidays, and on each one she
writes, “God Bless You Real Good.” I think He
has.
One day a few years ago on a Labor Day
weekend, I received a message on my home
phone late one night after a weekend at the lake.
It said to call her no matter what time it was. I
remember turning to my wife and I said, “I bet my
birth father died.” I called Erma and sure enough
I was right. Although Erma had told me about
my birth father I had never met or talked to him.
He had married and had a family and I didn’t
pursue searching for him. With Erma’s call I did
end up meeting my birth father, at his funeral. It
My Adopted Son
by Charlotte Stephens
Adopted a boy (pictured right) through KCSL in 1965.
was weird but interesting to see some physical
similarities.
I tell my story because it amazes me how God
has worked in my life and those around me.
Today, I walk in the KCSL building on 13th and
Custer as the Board Chair for the organization.
To piece everything together like He did takes an
amazing plan. I look forward to seeing what else
His plan has in store for me!
I share my story in hopes that someone may realize
that it is God’s plan for them to enter a child’s
life. Thank you to God for bringing my mom and
dad, Stan and Nell to me. Thank you to mom
and dad for as good a life as anyone could ever
wish for. Thank you to Erma for giving me to my
mom and dad and for her prayers and blessings.
After many years of marriage I thought I’d never see
The joy and contentment a child could bring to me.
I worried and I wondered and said with such dismay
“If only I could have a child to call my own someday.”
After many years of hoping and praying, God finally answered with such joy
He said, “For you to love and care for I’ve given you a boy.”
He said “It is your job to give him love and teach him right from wrong”
“That’s the only way he will feel secure and grow up to be strong.”
How many years later I can tell God “Thank you it was all worthwhile”
Because I know I did good when his eyes meet mine with that beautiful smile.
Now my job of raising him is over as I travel on through life
But now to add to my joy and happiness he has two children and a wife.
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