Since I was a child, God has always placed the desire of adoption on my heart. I went to a private school as an elementary student where numerous families adopted internationally. Some of my best friends growing up were peers adopted from other countries. Adoption always looked beautiful to me. As an adult, I realize that adoption only happens because there is harm, hurt, trauma, and pain. The same can be said for our path to adoption. My pregnancies and deliveries, while they yielded two healthy, beautiful children, caused me hurt, trauma, and pain. After my daughter was born, I was diagnosed with secondary infertility and am unable to safely conceive another child. This conflicted with my (our) desire to have a larger family. We desire to have a big, loud, welcoming family. While adoption was always on our radar, we thought God’s plan was to have one more biological child. We were wrong! Very soon after the infertility diagnosis, our prayers shifted from “please let us have another baby” to “please lead us to another baby.” Growing up Christian and practicing the Christian faith today, I know that Jesus had special compassion for widows, children, and orphans. Choosing to adopt is the crossroads between living as Jesus did and growing our family to fulfill what we believe to be God’s plan.
We began the adoption process in September 2023. We received home study approval the following April, US Immigration approval in June, approval from India’s adoption authority almost exactly one year after we started the process with our chosen agency. Then, two weeks after that, on October 7, 2024, we matched with a beautiful six-month-old little girl in central India. We eagerly await our time to travel and bring her home to be in our family forever.
We are so grateful to the Tim Tebow Foundation, administered by Lifesong for Orphans, for the opportunity to receive a $7,000 matching grant. This means that if you donate $10, we receive $20, up to $14,000 total. Grants like this one make it possible for us to afford the adoption by paying down our agency fees, international fees, travel costs, and costs of medical care upon arriving home.
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 “Vickstrom 11397”, 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.
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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.
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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.
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*3.5% fee for donations given with an American Express card