Our Story
Almost 10 years ago, Katie and I were sitting in a foster care licensing class in Asheville, NC. At the time, we both felt a strong conviction around two things: first, we wanted to grow our family biologically, Lord willing. Second, we wanted to get involved in adoption. At the time, we thought foster care would be the way we pursued it. We weren’t sure which would come first.
It only took a few weeks into that class before we learned that Katie was pregnant with our first daughter. It quickly became clear that the focus for the next few years would be growing our biological family.
Over the course of four years, from 2017–2021, we welcomed three beautiful girls into our family: Emma (8), Sophie (7), and Claire (5).
We’ve been out of the haze of the baby and toddler years for a minute now, and the conviction around adoption has never left us. In fact, over the last few years, we’ve both experienced a renewed sense of urgency to pursue adoption.
We aren’t doing this because we feel like our family is “incomplete,” or because I don’t have a male heir to bequeath my lawnmower to.
Our primary motivation for pursuing adoption is rooted in the reality that God has adopted us into His family, so we can adopt someone into ours.
No one gets into God’s family through biology.
We would like to do for one what we wish we could do for all: provide a loving, gospel-centered family to a child who was born into circumstances he or she did not cause and could not control.
Katie and I have felt a conviction to pursue adoption for nearly a decade, and we both believe that now is the time to step out in faith. We are now pursuing a domestic adoption of an infant through Christian Adoption Services.
If you’re reading this, we’d love for you to partner with us in a few different ways:
Give
God has already been faithful to provide a great start to our fundraising through our church, Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, NC, along with a few close family members. Even so, we’ve still got a ways to go to be fully funded. The all-in cost of this adoption will be approximately $46,371. We are incredibly grateful for anything you would be willing to give toward helping us bring this child into our family.
Pray
Pray for the child God is preparing for us to adopt. Pray that our biological kids would experience this adoption journey as a mission we are on together as a family. And pray that Katie and I would maintain healthy rhythms in our marriage throughout the process.
Share
Consider sharing our story with the people you know who might want to help make this adoption a reality. You never know who God might use to help write the next chapter of our story.
“Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”
Ephesians 1:4–5
Much love!
Seth, Katie, Emma, Sophie, and Claire
STRIPE charges an online processing fee (2.2% +.30 USD per transaction)*. Your donations will be decreased by this amount. You may also send a check payable to “Lifesong for Orphans”. In the memo line please write “Brown 12272″, to ensure it is credited to our account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.
Lifesong has been blessed with partners who underwrite all U.S. administrative and fundraising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption.
- In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong for Orphans. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use.
- Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Individual donations of $50 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $50 will gladly be sent upon request.
- *3.5% fee for donations given with an American Express card