Hi! Thank you for taking the time to read our story. This is a very vulnerable thing for the two of us to write, so we appreciate your openness to hearing us share.
UPDATE:
We are FULLY FUNDED!!
We are beyond grateful that Lifesong and Highlands Church in Scottsdale have awarded us $8,000 in matching grants, doubling the first $8,000 we raise! Forever Home Foundation has also awarded us a $10,000 grant!
Our journey to parenthood has been a bit untraditional. We started off by becoming foster parents and had the absolute honor and privilege of parenting three children in two years. We always say that a 2.5-year-old boy in Spider-Man Crocs, standing nervously in our doorway one Friday night with a plastic bag as a suitcase, made us parents. Many of you walked that journey with us and prayed endlessly for our family. We cannot express in words how grateful we are and how much it means to us.
The last few years have been a roller coaster. While fostering, we had a baby called home to Jesus as we suffered a devastating miscarriage after years of praying. While we are unsure of what lies ahead for growing our family through biology, we remain focused on the promises of God to us.
In January 2023, after 15 months, we said goodbye to a sweet baby girl who we thought, and for all intents and purposes, was set to be our forever daughter. Nothing can truly prepare you for when a child leaves. We’ve seen the movies, read the books, and heard the stories, but until you’re in the trenches of heartbreak, it’s incomprehensible. Each goodbye takes a piece of our hearts. Every holiday, every vacation, every celebration, even the mundane, there will always be someone missing. Saying goodbye to our girl is one of the hardest things we have ever done, and not a day goes by that we do not miss her. Grieving someone who is alive is a tricky thing. We closed our foster care license, and for the time being, we’re not sure what the future holds for that chapter of our lives.
In complete transparency, there were a lot of angry conversations with God. We genuinely questioned if we were ever meant to be permanent parents. It felt as if every time we had hope, the rug was pulled out from underneath us. We questioned what God was trying to teach us or if He even heard our prayers.
Over the last 15 months, we have taken time to grieve, reflect, fast, and seek God to discern our next step. Individually, God gave us each a word that we will have multiple children in multiple ways. In the last few months, He has made it abundantly clear what our next step is, and that is private domestic adoption. This is something that we have kept close to our hearts for a while as we began the process.
To be honest, this was hard for us to process at first. While we knew adoption would be part of our story one day, putting ourselves in a vulnerable position for heartbreak again so soon was not something we were sure we were ready for. But we are trusting in God and His sovereignty, and we know His plan is far more than we could ever imagine. Although our lives were drastically changed on January 2, 2023, when we said goodbye to what we thought were our dreams coming true of being forever parents, we stand firm on the promise that happened seven years earlier on January 2, 2016, when we became husband and wife. The foundation of our marriage is based on 1 John 4:19, which says, “We love because He first loved us.”
Adoption has never been a Plan B for us. We have known from the start of our relationship we wanted a lot of kids. And we’ve always said that however many children God gave us, and however He gave them to us, we would be thankful.
Now for the awkward part, private adoption is expensive. It costs around bewtween $45,000-$60,000 to adopt domestically. This inlcudes agency fees, legal/attorney fees, birth mom pre/post medical expenses, any travel needed(out of state adotions have a 2 week minimum stay typically), and post-placement home study fees. We have personally paid all expenses thus far to become licensed and active with agencies, totaling over $8,000 and are actively applying to grants. Asking for help is not something that comes easily to us. But this is beyond our scope, and we know God will make a way. We humbly ask that you consider contributing, financially and/or prayerfully. We would also be more than happy to discuss further with anyone who has questions.
We cannot wait for the day we become the luckiest two people on the planet when we bring our child home. Thank you for being a part of our story and coming alongside us. God is faithful, and we know we will see His goodness throughout this journey. Psalm 23 has been a constant in our home over the last few years, and we will leave you with this: God is our shepherd, and He restores our soul.
Under His Mercy,
Lorenzo + Emily
A few details- please consider sending a check rather than making a donation online as we will have 0 processing fees deducted for checks.
Send a check payable to “Lifesong for Orphans”. In the memo line please write “Albanese 10996”, to ensure it is credited to our account. Please mail to:
Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.
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 “Albanese 10996”, 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