I wrote about the family for a story about how Christian couples, churches and ministries are promoting adoption as a manifestation of their faith. (The story will run in The Gazette print edition on July 4 and is online now at gazette.com.)

Barna with 2-year-old Aiden

I enjoyed my visit to the Hassoldts home, though after a while the children began to wear me out a little with their exuberance. I don’t know how Steve and Shonni handle it all so serenely.

The Hassoldts live on five acres in Black Forest. While Steve works during the day as a team claims manager at State Farm Insurance, Shonni home-schools 9-year-old Kiana, born in China, 8-year-old Landon, born in South Korea, 7-year-old Garett, born in Vietnam, and the oldest daughters, Kalyn, 15, and Caresse, 11, both born in Colorado Springs. 

Meanwhile,  4-year-old Corbin, born in Tulsa, Okla., and the Liberia-born Alia, 4, Joeliana, 4, and Aiden, 2, play.

Also during the day, the children perform chores, such as cleaning the house and feeding the chickens.

The younger children can certainly be a handful, especially Alia, Joeliana and Aiden. But they also are a lot of fun. Aiden liked to walk up close to my face and laugh. Alia liked to make faces and bend my fingers. Joeliana liked to leap onto my  lap.

I also got a chance to spend time with Kalyn and Caresse, the two birth daughters, during my visit. They both seemed so mature for their ages. Kalyn’s passion is going on Christian missions. Caresse’s passion is alternative medicine. She talked about natural remedies for upset stomachs and runny noses.

Both girls seem to really enjoy helping raise the children. “They are a lot of fun and you never have a dull moment,” Kalyn said.

I hope to do a followup blog on when the Hassoldts bring home their Ethiopian child next year. Stay tuned!

T0 read more about the Hassoldt family, go to their Web site here.

Post from: The Pulpit