Our adoption journey started 13.5 years, on our second date. Adoption has been a dream of ours since before we were even a family. God calls us to care for the orphans and widows, and that is exactly what we wanted to do. We began this process about 6 months after being married by starting the process to become foster parents. That process quickly got put on hold when God blessed us with a biological baby.
Six years later, God began to emphasize adoption through verses and friends. I (Kimmie) told Eric I was seeing these things and that we should begin the fostering process again. He wholeheartedly agreed and just 59 days later, we became foster parents. We fostered for 4 years with 16 placements and 42 kids coming through our home. We remember each of them and pray for them often. We had several heartaches, and the loss of friendships and playmates began to affect our biological children. We knew it was time to close our license because of how it was affecting them. This was a very difficult decision since we never had the opportunity to adopt, like we thought that journey would lead to.
After praying together as a family for weeks, we decided to begin to look into international adoption. This was very scary because we knew it was a long, tedious, and very expensive route. As we investigated it, our hearts longed for that child we have not met yet. God showed us this desire to adopt is still there. It was really neat to see God confirming this decision through little circumstances such as both of us (Eric and Kimmie) falling in love with the same agency and country. We know this journey is not over, but we are honored God has chosen us to take it.
Any help to relieve the financial burdan of this journey is a huge blessing! Thank you for considering being a part of our story!
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 “Blakely 10083”, 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