Adoption has always been a part of the conversation for David and Karissa. They dreamt of having a beautiful blend of biological and adopted babies in their family. They knew adoption was a possibility with Karissa’s PCOS. Thankfully the Lord blessed David and Karissa with two beautiful miracle daughters. They experienced medical complications amid the birth of their first daughter and were hesitant to try for another baby. Almost three years of trying, and prayers seem unanswered. They needed time to heal and cope with the fact that their first child might be their only. Eventually they looked into other ways to have babies, considering embryo adoption, adoption, and IVF. They decided on IVF. In the process, they found that they were expecting their second daughter born February 2022. About six weeks postpartum, complications arose again.
Months later the song Oceans spoke to Karissa. It was a vivid direction of the way they were supposed to walk through the adoption process. “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior.” This song was a sure sign of the faith that it will take to go into this journey and to trust the Lord to lead.
As time went on, several discussions were had about expanding their family again. These conversations were regarding adoption, weighing out the pros and cons and the effects it could potentially have on their families. The Lord was constantly working and revealing things to them both, laying out a foundation for the path the Lord was sending them on. In many ways, David was receiving little hints and nudges from the Lord affirming the plan of adoption. One day, David had a thought come to mind. “Go as if you can’t go back. Burn the ships.” Then he thought Jesus was not Joseph’s biological son, he was adopted by Joseph into the line of David. So technically Jesus was only from the line of David by adoption, not by blood. That same day, Karissa was doing her bible study and it was about how we all as Christians are adopted into the family of God through salvation. Adoption is a part of all Christians redemption story. Then, the Lord revealed the same thing to Karissa as He did to David regarding Jesus’ earthly adoption.
They are on this amazing journey because they are stepping out onto deep oceans with complete trust in God, and their faith is being made stronger because the Lord wanted them to seek him and they listened; God wanted them to ask. He revealed a door, they knocked, and the door opened.
This adoption journey will not be an easy journey and they continue to seek the Lord and trust Him every step of the way. They are asking for prayer and are excited and ready to welcome another Dobbins baby into their family.
They have had several successful fundraisers and just recently have been awarded a matching grant up to $7500 from Lifesong for Orphans and The Cheryl Green Fund, an "Outside the Walls" partner who supports Lifesong adoptive families. What an amazing blessing and answer to prayer!
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 “Dobbins 10705”, 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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