Since we met, Chris and I knew adoption would be part of our story. At first, our pull to adoption was simple. We knew there were children in the world who needed a loving home and we could provide that. From our earliest discussions, the idea of adopting a child into our family felt like a powerful and tangible way to live out the Gospel story. God has adopted us as sons and daughters through the love of Christ. And we can share that love by bringing a child into our home.
We got married and started a family. From the beginning, it wasn’t a question of if we would adopt, but when. Our daughter, Rosie, was born in 2015. She changed our world in so many core, beautiful ways. Before, we knew that God created each of us unique and with immense value. But watching our daughter grow, learn, and develop into such a special individual made this real to us. As we loved and parented her, the idea of children in the world going without that broke our hearts in new ways. We knew that each child God creates is just as precious and worthy of love and care as our Rosie girl.
In 2017, we welcomed our son, Dax and around the same time, the pull to adoption grew strong in us. We began talking about it often, wondering when and how God would weave the thread of adoption into our story. We researched different options, but most of all, enjoyed getting to know adoptive families at church and hearing their personal stories. While each one was unique, God’s story of redemption and grace rang true in each word. There was one story that changed the course of this process for us. I asked an adoptive mother why they chose a specific location to adopt from. Without hesitation, she looked up and said, “Because that’s where our son was.” She went on to say that there were logistical things along the way that steered them in that direction, but she sees now that God was just leading them to their boy who was already chosen for their family.4
At the time, I thought, “Oh how sweet! But really…. why did you choose it?” But as time has gone on, I understand this in a whole new way. In ways that I can’t explain, God started to lay China on my heart. There were times I questioned it, but He always brought it back. We’ve heard the question, “Why China?” often. My answer has always been, “There is a pull there I can’t explain.” There were things that made us question that. For example, right as we were about to start the process, China changed the required age of the youngest child in our home, adding another 18 months to our wait. We thought, well, maybe we do something else. But God would not let me shake China from my mind or heart.
One night, I was talking with the Lord and I desperately asked him some hard questions. Why did I feel this pull to China? And why couldn’t I put it into words? Why was it something my heart latched onto without an explanation to back it up? He whispered into the depths of my soul, “You feel that pull to China because your baby is in China. It’s that simple.” And there it was. The clearest reason that I couldn’t argue with. There is a child across the world and they are waiting on their forever family. They’re waiting on us because God has already named them a Jackman. We just had to go through the process to bring them home to their family.
For the last twelve years, the idea of them has been in our hearts. For the last three years, we’ve been actively gathering information, preparing, and praying. For most of the last year, we’ve been filling out mounds of paperwork. And here we are, just a breath away from bringing them home. They are already ours. Before they were born, God wrote their beautiful story and intertwined the thread of it with ours. And now, we absolutely can’t wait to meet them.
We want to thank all of our amazing friends, family, and support system who has already loved us so well through this process. We couldn’t go through life, much less this process, without each one of you. Most of all, we are grateful for your prayers as we continue down this road. Specifically, we ask for prayer for this precious baby who is waiting on us. We pray that they are safe and comforted by loving hands until we can be those hands taking care of them. We also ask for prayer for our family as we continue preparing and waiting for them to come home. Prayers for patience are also appreciated. We’re all anxiously awaiting this new addition, but Rosie and Dax are especially antsy and don’t quite understand the waiting period.
For those who want to help support us financially, we are so grateful. While this is an expensive process, we have zero doubt that it is more than worthy. We’ve set a fundraising goal of $20,000 that should cover about half of the overall cost. We’re so thankful for a matching grant from Lifesong of $5,000. If we raise $5,000, they will match it dollar for dollar.
Thank you for reading our story, for loving our family, and for covering us in your prayers. It means more than we can say! We can’t wait to one day introduce you to our new son or daughter.
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 “Jackman 09114”, 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.