Baby Sampson Adoption Journey

Lauren & Nathan Sampson
Lauren & Nathan Sampson

 

We feel a strong calling to adopt our 2nd child and have been pursuing adoption for the last two years. We hope to not only grow our family, but to have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with our next child’s first family as well. Our hope is that we will make it easier for at least one more mom to choose life, and we are hopeful and expectant as we wait to watch how God wants to use our family.

 

We were previously matched with a mom who made the choice to parent. We don’t understand exactly why we had to walk through that, but we believe God has us waiting this long for a very specific reason.

 

We anticipate this adoption processes costing around 70k by the time it all said and done. We serve Jehovah Jireh and know that were He leads He will provide. Thank you for your support on our journey and taking the time to read our updates and pray for us as we walk out this path!

 

A few details about the expenses:

7k = Consultant fees + Home study services + home study requirements (doctors appointments, background checks, finger printing, etc)

25k = Agency fees for services which include, expectant mother support/services, ultrasounds, expectant mother needs, expectant mother counseling, expectant mother transportation and marketing.

10k = Legal fees

25k = Expectant mom living expenses during pregnancy and postpartum care

1500 = To cover the ICPC process to leave Florida and return to Alabama

3k-ish = 2 week stay in Florida after baby boy is born while we wait for ICPC clearance

 – We are so thankful to have been awarded $8000 in matching grants from We Care for Orphans & Lifesong for Ophans Adoption Funds. This means that the first $8000 we raised will be matched dollar for dollar.

– All donations are tax deductible.

Please subscribe (by clicking “Receive story updates”) if you’d like to receive updates about our journey!

 


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 “Sampson 10117”, 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
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Raised to date by 21 people
 of  $52,000
94 days left

My Story

 

We feel a strong calling to adopt our 2nd child and have been pursuing adoption for the last two years. We hope to not only grow our family, but to have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with our next child’s first family as well. Our hope is that we will make it easier for at least one more mom to choose life, and we are hopeful and expectant as we wait to watch how God wants to use our family.

 

We were previously matched with a mom who made the choice to parent. We don’t understand exactly why we had to walk through that, but we believe God has us waiting this long for a very specific reason.

 

We anticipate this adoption processes costing around 70k by the time it all said and done. We serve Jehovah Jireh and know that were He leads He will provide. Thank you for your support on our journey and taking the time to read our updates and pray for us as we walk out this path!

 

A few details about the expenses:

7k = Consultant fees + Home study services + home study requirements (doctors appointments, background checks, finger printing, etc)

25k = Agency fees for services which include, expectant mother support/services, ultrasounds, expectant mother needs, expectant mother counseling, expectant mother transportation and marketing.

10k = Legal fees

25k = Expectant mom living expenses during pregnancy and postpartum care

1500 = To cover the ICPC process to leave Florida and return to Alabama

3k-ish = 2 week stay in Florida after baby boy is born while we wait for ICPC clearance

 – We are so thankful to have been awarded $8000 in matching grants from We Care for Orphans & Lifesong for Ophans Adoption Funds. This means that the first $8000 we raised will be matched dollar for dollar.

– All donations are tax deductible.

Please subscribe (by clicking “Receive story updates”) if you’d like to receive updates about our journey!

 


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 “Sampson 10117”, 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
Read more

Specific Prayer Requests

March 7, 2024

Adoption update: still waiting and believing God has a super awesome plan for this season. It’s been two months since our disruption and there have been many many feelings to process. Nothing really tangible to report…just wanted to share my specific prayers for this season for anyone who wants to pray with us.

 

Prayers for our next child:

– Holy Spirit would guide us right to him 

– SO MUCH peace and joy

– Many opportunities to love on his first mama 

– 100% adoption fees covered 

– Wisdom to love and care for him well

– Grace to ENJOY the season of 2 kiddos

– Many moms would choose life because of his story

– Health for all 

 

Two verses I’m clinging through as I look at all the unknowns on this path:

Matthew 7:11

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

 

Meanwhile also trying to live in gratitude. A few things I’m extra thankful for in this specific season: good sleep, my job, all the special 1 on 1 time with Gabriel, and extra time and energy for adventures with Nathan! Going to keep livin’ it up in 2024!! 

 

Thank you so much for all of your love and support in this season as we continue to walk this path. We know He has called us here and that He will continue to guide us. We appreciate each one of you so much! 

 

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Unexpected News

January 12, 2024

Adoption update: our expectant mom has chosen to keep her baby boy and not move forward with her adoption plan.

So so many feelings. We are sad to not have a chance to connect with her more or hold this sweet boy, but we also are so thankful for her honesty about her feelings and that this baby boy gets to grow up with his mom. We feel honored to know her name and her story, have had a chance to love on her, and to be able to continue to pray for her. We are rooting for her and wishing them both the very best! I most likely will never get to meet this sweet child, but I get to celebrate his mom’s decision to choose life and I still get to pray for him as he, Lord willing, will get to live a long and full life.

Tears have come off and on, but there are also feelings of peace and gratitude as we climb yet another hurdle in our adoption story. There is peace KNOWING that God is orchestrating all of this and that we won’t miss our baby. It WILL all make sense whenever we are holding our little one someday. There is gratitude knowing we could have felt the loss much more deeply financially and emotionally if she would have waited until delivery to make this decision. Even in this valley, the silver linings are evident.

We are back in the place of not knowing when or who or how our story will go…but we will continue pressing forward knowing God put us here for a very specific reason.

Thank you to everyone who has been following our story and been so encouraging along the way! Prayers appreciated that we are still able to hold our baby SOON and that peace would continue in this season of waiting. 

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WE MATCHED!!

December 8, 2023

ADOPTION UPDATE: WE MATCHED!!!!

 

BABY BOY coming in May!!

 

We feel so honored and humbled that an amazing woman felt a connection to our family and is choosing to trust us with the most precious gift. We are so excited for the opportunity to love her and this baby for the rest of our lives.

 

It all still feels so surreal, but suddenly all the nos before this make sense, we were supposed to be HERE for this mom and THIS baby boy!

 

We got a case details on a Monday, Nathan and I both instantly wanted to say yes. I wrote our letter Tuesday and sent it in. Heard on Wednesday that they were meeting with mom on Thursday. Thursday roles around and my consultant texts me to say they haven’t met with her yet but would I mind hopping on zoom for their staff meeting to answer some questions about my experience as a client. I hop on (completely believing her) and she SHOCKS me by telling me that they actually HAD met with mom, she chose us and wants to know if we will parent her child. On November 30th (5 days before our 18mo contract was set to end) we got the news we’ve been hoping for from day 1! Thank you, Thank you, Jesus! 

 

Thank you so much for all of the financial and emotional support throughout this journey. We mailed in a very large amount this week and are so so thankful for His provision through our community and our jobs! 

 

 

 

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Attitude adjustment ;)

November 20, 2023

ADOPTION UPDATE:

The last month has been a rollercoaster of emotions🎢 A string of more nos had me feeling like God has just been messing with me. BUT I’ve also had a pretty cool heart change over the last weeks + a feeling of peace and rekindled EXCITEMENT for what is to come! God has us waiting THIS long for a VERY specific baby(or babies!) and a very specific mom to love, I know it’ll all make sense one of these days❤️

 

Each time we say yes to an adoption case we hand write the expectant mom a personal letter to be sent to her with our profile book. I’ve tried to remember each time that this journey is not about me. God called us here to make it a little easier for 1 more mom to chose life for her child and to love on each woman during a vulnerable season of her life. I’ve gotten attached to every single one of these (over 30) women and every no has felt like a rejection of sorts. 

 

If this many families are adopting, does God really need us in this space? Realization: not one single no has been wasted on this journey. Each case was a chance for me to pray for that mom by name and to send her words of love in a letter. They may not have chosen us, but the words were not wasted and the prayers have eternal impact. God also has shifted something in me through every no and I am believing this season of (painful) pruning is going to yield a beautiful return. And yes, I still believe God has called us to this space and we will press on until He tells us otherwise!

 

This is my new attitude when writing letters: I’m writing the letter as if the mom isn’t going to choose us and this is my ONLY opportunity to show her the love of Christ. When the future nos come, I can have peace knowing my letter wasn’t wasted and count it an honored to have had a chance to love her however briefly. ❤️

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Still here:)

September 2, 2023
Adoption update: still waiting.
As the months accumulate since we first started our adoption process (18 so far) I’m leaning in to the perseverance and endurance mental muscle that I’ve spent a lot of time developing in my athletic pursuits. When it feels hard and fatigue is setting in: dig in, one more step, then one more, then one more until I cross that finish line.
In this season of adoption, it’s one more yes. No matter how much the last no stung. We will keep saying yes, until we come to the finish line and we are holding our next child. ❤️
We’ve had a string of VERY specific cases lately that we were unable to say yes to due to our family/location not being what the moms wanted and we’ve gotten a few more “not yets” from cases we have said yes to. One case recently we heard the mom had narrowed down the families and we were were in her top picks! She ended up choosing a different family, but it was still encouraging to know that at least one mom out there connected with SOMEthing about us.
We’ve raised 50% of our fundraising goal through the generosity of friends and family and applying for grants. It feels a little weird, having nothing to “show” for those gifts yet…but know that the money raised so far is sitting safely in our fundraising account. It feels good to know we can easily pay the first half of the agency fee that will be due within 48hrs of when we match. THANK YOU for your support in this process, I still plan to get thank you notes made with our new family photo and mailed to each one of you…sorry they will be coming a year or two later than I’d planned. (Man those are going to be so fun to write someday)
Been hanging out in Phil 4:6&7 A LOT. Trying to stop and pray every time I feel sad or anxious in this process. I know we have not been picked yet because our mama hasn’t seen us or found us yet and God is using this season to equip us to love her and our next child well. Resting in the truth that God lead us here for a very specific and special reason and His timeline is perfect.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we walk this unknown path!❤️

 

 
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1 year

June 5, 2023

 

Adoption update: Today marks 1 year of being “active” in our adoption process (meaning our home study was complete and we were clear to adopt at any time) I definitely thought we would have met our baby by now, or at the very least have been matched at this point in our journey. The calling to adopt was SO CLEAR, I just assumed we’d jump right in and it would just HAPPEN. Well…the calling is still very much here, but the timeline is still unknown. 

 

If you know me, you know I’m Mrs. Positivity…but this road has definitely been challenging that title. Recently I’ve had this realization about how SAD I feel about having not been chosen yet. I think I’ve been trying to stuff the sad feelings cause I simultaneously feel guilty/bad for being sad when I can look at my life and find SO MUCH to be grateful for. We’ve had a string of no’s lately…I’ve actually lost count. We are somewhere around 16 or 17 nos so far on this journey though. Tears flow each time those e-mails come saying the mom we had said yes to chose a different family. 

 

I have seen God moving in my heart though. This time last year the thought of an open adoption SCARED me…but my heart has grown so much towards all these expectant moms that we’ve had the privilege to know about. I’ve also read a lot of books and talked to a lot of people about the beauty of open adoption. I am now at a point were I really really hope for an open adoption and hope our child gets to grow up with a relationship with their first family. We’ve also sad yes to cases recently that we were not open to a year ago (like twins!!!)… Noticing the heart changes have been encouraging because it feels like some kind of “progress” in the journey.

 

I KNOW that God has a perfect plan and it’ll all make sense someday, but a lot of days lately it FEELS like it’s not ever going to happen. My theme verse for this season:

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably MORE THAN WE ASK OR IMAGINE, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20&21)

 

 

 

 

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April Update

April 7, 2023

Adoption update: not much to report🙃

It’s interesting: I know I’m not in control mostly always, but right now I KNOW I’m not in control. Ha. We are doing all the things: saying yes as often as we can to cases, saving money, keeping our home study up-to-date, praying, etc…but no baby yet. I can’t force anything to happen quicker, I just have to chilllllll😎

 

We’ve gotten a few more no’s since my last update, went through the long process of updating our home study (lots and lots of paperwork, dr appointments, finger printing, another visit with our social worker, etc) but mostly just over here chillin’ and trying to enjoy THIS season while we are in it. 

 

Cool things: I’ve been able to witness several friends get matched or bring home their babies over the last few months❤️A couple of them got phone calls the DAY their baby was born, others waited/are waiting 6+ months til baby’s due date. It’s so fun to hear all the stories, see all the baby pictures and be reminded of God’s perfect plan for each of these little lives. 

 

I’ve noticed a cycle every time we get a no: I’m numb/apathetic for first hour, then the next 24hrs I’m REALLY sad and almost believing it isn’t ever going to happen, then about 48hrs post-no I start coming out of it and remembering the truth: that wasn’t our baby, we won’t miss our baby, God has baby # 2 already picked out for us and it’s going to be SO GREAT whenever I get to hold that baby! Just going to keep on dreaming (and praying!) and riding this rollercoaster(and trying to keep perspective and let go of all expectations)🙏🎢

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Learnings in the wait

January 24, 2023

A couple weeks ago we got TWO no’s in one week…that didn’t feel real great…One of the moms specificly wanted an “athletic Christian family”!! I thought our chances of being picked were so good…but nope, not yet.

 

Allll kinds of doubt comes in, “Should I  have said something different in our letters to each mom?” “Is something wrong with our profile book?” “Is anyone ever going to pick us!?” 

 

Nope. Nope. And Yes. God called us here…His timing will be perfect. Asking Him to teach me what I need to learn in the wait!

 

ALSO, this really isn’t about me. It’s about these mamas feeling supported as they make probably one of the hardest decisions of their lives. I’m so thankful they are choosing life and that so so many families are ready and waiting to love on these moms and babies! I’m learning to be happy for them despite the sting of another no: that they found a family they connected with and can trust to love both them and their baby well! THAT is why we are here: so one more mom can choose life and to have the opportunity to share the love and hope of Jesus with her and her baby. 

 

One day our mom is going to love all the bright colors in our profile book, appreciate how active we are, and want Gabriel to be her child’s big brother.

 

Extra blessings in this season: new friends in our adoption community who GET alllll the feelings and provide so much encouragement and support. Every one of my no’s is also a yes for another waiting family and that’s a beautiful thought.

 

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Waiting (expectantly;))

December 26, 2022

Today was the due date of one of the babies that we said yes to. I cried the most over this “not yet” back in October…yet I can still find so many silver linings: I know she is/was placed with another great family in our adoption community, she is growing up so so loved, and I know this: she wasn’t supposed to join our family because someone else is supposed to.

 

This adoption journey has been so interesting. It’s cool to see the things God has done and changed in my heart over the last 6months of waiting…makes me wonder what else He wants to do in me over the next little bit while we wait? Praying He equips me for whatever is to come and helps me be that much better of a mom to my kids. (Thinking about claiming “Equip” for my word for 2023😇)

 

Waiting…been here before about other things in my life, and I’m sure I’ll be here again in the future. It’s a constant reminder that I’m not in control, but I know I can rest in the One who is in control. Trying to wait with grace and hope… Also thinking about a lot of people I know who are waiting for their baby too (wether biologically or through adoption)…trying to remember to pray for all of you when I am feeling impatient. There is a reason for this season that we can’t see yet. ❤️

 

Hoping to be able to announce soon that we’ve been matched or that we are bringing home our newest little one…but until then I’m going to hang on to these two verses:

 

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

 

Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

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Adoption update 11.3.22

November 3, 2022

Last week, we said yes to a mom of a little girl due in December and got our second “Not yet” on this adoption journey. 

It surprised me how sad I was about this no! We only had to wait a few days to get our answer, but my heart got very attached in those 72hrs. (Special thanks to my co-worker who let me ugly cry on her shoulder at work the day I got the news❤️) I felt a little silly feeling it THAT deeply and getting attached so quickly…but the truth is that that wasn’t our baby, and that is ok. God knows exactly when and who will join our life and I’m clinging to that truth in the sad moments. I know when I hold our next child someday I’ll understand and be thankful for all these temporary no’s.

My giant silver lining in waiting longer is: more one on on time with Gabe! Gosh, that kid is SUCH a blessing and so sweet and fun to be around…soaking up every day of this season and trying not to rush to the next season too quickly. 

We’ve raised 33% of our fundraising goal! So humbled and thankful. Adoption is expensive! But we know that God has called us to this path and money isn’t an issue for Him. 💪

During the waiting it helps me to have actionable steps to take: praying for our future birth mom, applying for every adoption grant possible, and reading all the adoption books (my current favorites: “I’m chocolate and you’re vanilla” & “20 things every adopted kid wish their adoptive parents new”) 

Life is good, waiting isn’t the most fun thing ever, but there is so much peace knowing we are right where we are supposed to be…one sweet sweet day at a time! 

 

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Comments

$3,500

Lindsey

Jan 7, 2024

“I've been following your story on facebook for two years. It's been inspiring to me to see both your struggle and your faith. Thank you for sharing your journey - and I'm so excited that God's come through for you with this baby!! I want adoption to be part of my story one day. God hasn't made a way so far, so this year I want to help out someone who's already on the path.”

$3,200

Hidden

Dec 31, 2023

“We love y'all! Looking forward to the Spring with hope!”

$1,000

Hidden

Dec 27, 2023

“Excited!!!”

$100

John & Amanda

Dec 4, 2023

“God bless your growing family!”

$25

Jennifer

Nov 21, 2023

$100

Rebecca

Sep 2, 2023

$200

Becci & Noel

Jun 5, 2023

“Wishing you and Nathan and Gabriel all the best on your journey as you continue to find your new little one ❤️”

$2,500

Hidden

Feb 21, 2023

“We love y'all. Keep trusting the Lord. His will is perfect.”

$1,000

Hidden

Feb 13, 2023

$200

Rebecca

Jan 23, 2023

$1,000

Gemma

Dec 5, 2022

“Praying over you guys and this precious babe whenever they get to join such a wonderful family! Love you guys!”

$50

John

Nov 5, 2022

“Impressed by your plans to adopt. The right child situation will come along soon.”

$50

Felicia

Nov 3, 2022

“Hey! Wish I had known you were fundraising for this sooner! God speed and many blessings along this journey.♥️”

$200

Tosha

Nov 3, 2022

“Praying that God matches you with a beautiful healthy baby ❤️”

$100

Ashley

Nov 3, 2022

$5,000

Hidden

Oct 24, 2022

“💕💕”

$1,500

Hidden

Sep 26, 2022

“Much love, Julie and Josiah”

$300

Offline Donation

Sep 13, 2022

$5,000

Syndicate

Aug 23, 2022

$500

Jennifer

Aug 19, 2022

“So excited for you guys!! Whoooo!!!”

$1,500

Meghan

Aug 5, 2022

“What a joyful thing, indeed. Love y'all! - The Elliotts”