Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our journey to starting our family through adoption!
Our journey to start our family began soon after we got married 4.5 years ago. After 4 years of trying to get pregnant, two rounds of fertility testing, the doctor gave us a prognosis and recommendation for treatment. But leaving the doctor’s office, we began to grieve almost immediately.
Not knowing if it was the realization that starting our family would be an uphill battle or the initial feeling that the doors were closing to having biological children of our own, we leaned into prayer. We decided that we would take time to pray and listen for God to give us guidance on what our next steps were.
After a few weeks, Chris and I felt that God was telling us to wait. We weren’t sure if it was wait and proceed with the treatment down the road or wait for a miracle, but we knew we had to be obedient to what God was calling us to.
About a month had passed and I asked Chris, “Do you think God is calling us to something different…Do you think He is calling us to adopt?” After all, adoption was not foreign to us. Adoption is part of Chris’s family story, and we have several friends who have adopted. We had always talked about the desire to adopt one day. Chris thought about it and said, “I think we need to wait like God has told us to. After the first of the year, we can start praying diligently about that.”
It was now the middle of December 2021, and I was sitting in our final staff meeting of the year (I am on staff at our Church). One of our lead Pastors started to go over the calendar for the new year and they announced that January 26th would be an informational Foster + Adoption Night; The Church’s first event for fostering and adoption to hear about the process and provide resources for those who feel led to do so.
We attended the event and had the opportunity to hear testimonials from those who have fostered and who have adopted internationally. In the next 4 months, Chris and I discussed every option…Fostering, Foster to Adopt, but we didn’t consider infant adoption an option due to the expenses involved. Fostering was a need we so badly wanted to fill, but I couldn’t bear the thought of having to let a child go.
After lots of counsel from family and friends, lots of prayer, and me getting in my head…We decided to attend an Infant Adoption Training Seminar in April (2022) to learn more. We ended the Zoom call and I asked Chris how he was feeling. “Terrified but excited.” The feelings were mutual, and without any vocalization of a decision, one was made. We didn’t know how we would make it happen, but we knew God could regardless.
Since that evening, God has continued to show up and provide in the most incredible ways. It has strengthened our faith and given us confirmation in every step that this is the right path for our family.
We are now in the infant adoption program, which means we will be adopting at birth or up to 6 months old. We are adopting within the state of Idaho. We are currently home study approved and are actively applying for grants to help us lessen the financial burden before we officially enter the waiting pool. Lifesong for Orphans has graciously awarded us a $4,000 matching grant. For every dollar donated to our adoption through LifeSong, they will match up to that amount.
Any donations received will help to cover the transition fee to enter the waiting pool, matching fees, placement fees, legal fees for finalization and the medical expenses for the birth mother.
We are asking if you would prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating, sharing our story, or praying with us. We are praying for the birth mother who we hope will become part of our family, our future child, and over all the details that need to come together to complete this process.
We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love, encouragement, and support through this journey. Thank you!
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 “Boaz 10303”, 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