Children have always been a desire for us both since getting married almost 9 years ago. We didn’t feel quite ready for them at the beginning of our marriage, but we began trying in 2020 to fill our home. As the months fell off the calendar and turned into years without a baby, we began to suspect that something might be wrong. A few visits to some medical doctors confirmed our suspicions in the physical sense, but we weren’t prepared for how much that diagnosis would shift our thinking from something being “wrong” to clarifying what God had planned for our family from the beginning. After countless hours of prayer, discussion with each other, counsel from pastors and friends, and honest self-examination of our hearts, we came to the realization that adoption wasn’t a “backup plan” for us, but rather a beautiful way to leave an impact on this world and live out a picture of our salvation as followers of Jesus Christ. Our family will forever be a constant reminder of the grace and kindness we’ve been shown.
Rachel’s family has been heavily marked by foster care and adoption - her mom and two of her sisters are adoptees, and they were all able to see the lifelong effects that opening one’s home can have on a child. We also have extended family and friends all around us that have offered their wisdom and input on our decisions so far, and we are immensely grateful to them.
Rachel and I believe that we are spiritually adopted by God as it says in Ephesians 1:5 and Galatians 4. Nothing we have done merits that adoption, and yet through it, we have new life that is incredibly abundant. We see this opportunity to adopt as one that will glorify God most of all, as it’s not anything we chose, and it has already forced us to rely on Him in so many ways that we wouldn’t have needed to or even thought of before. This story is and can only be written by God, and we are beyond excited to see the chapters to come. We can’t wait to welcome our Little One home, and we can’t thank you who are reading this enough for cheering us on and coming alongside us at every step of the way!
Currently, we are in the “waiting family” stage with Zoe’s House Adoptions. Our home study was completed at the beginning of this year, and while we don’t have an expected timeline as of right now, we are eligible to be matched any day. We continue to wait on God’s timing and provision for us, as we know that He alone is good!
We have been tremendously blessed to receive a matching grant of $7,500 for this campaign through the generosity of Aim 5 and Lifesong for Orphans! We’re so grateful to them and are thrilled to be able to use Lifesong’s platform to facilitate this campaign. And again, thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity, your prayers, and your willingness to share in this journey with us! Please, if you have any questions at all about adoption in general or our story specifically, we’d love nothing more than to share what our wonderful God has done for us these last few years.
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 “Culbertson 10981”, 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.
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