Dear Family + Friends,
Thank you for taking the time to visit our adoption page. We have been incredibly humbled by the outpouring of love and care for us as we have struggled with infertility for the past three years. In God’s kindness, he has brought us people to weep alongside us and pray for us, as well as others who have also struggled with infertility and pursued adoption. It is through these friendships and seeking the Lord that we’ve felt him open our hearts to adoption. We see this as not only a way to grow our family, but to give a child a family. We would be honored to parent any child that is entrusted to us. Though there have been many days where we have wrestled with God’s plan, we are hopeful and excited to see how to he continues to write our story. We would love it if you joined us on our journey!
“The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 145:8
We are pursuing domestic infant adoption and have been working with an adoption consultant to guide us in the adoption process. Our homestudy is approved and our adoption profile is complete, which means the next step is applying to agencies to start looking at adoption cases. It is so exciting to be making steps closer to adopting! While the cost of adoption seems insurmountable, we are trusting that the Lord will provide if this is what he desires of us.
The average total agency and placement cost for adoption is between $40,000 – $60,000. This includes birth parent care and support (examples include rent, utilities, medical or medicaid processing, and social worker support for birth parents) as well as adoption agency and legal fees, and travel.
We are excited to share that we have been awarded $8,000 in matching grants from Highlands Community Church + Lifesong for Orphans. This means that with every dollar donated to our adoption fund, it will be matched up to $8,000 – so by raising $8,000, we will receive $16,000 to go towards our adoption.
We are asking if you would prayerfully consider donating financially to help us as we pursue adoption. If you are unable to donate, would you please pray for us as we continue to seek the Lord’s will in this. Please also pray for whatever expecting parent we hope to connect with, that the Lord would give them an overwhelming sense of peace as they make an adoption plan for their baby.
We hope to keep this page updated as frequently as possible, but if you ever want to connect with us personally, we would love to connect with you!
Thank you again for you love, prayer, and support. We are so incredibly grateful for you!
Love always,
Evan and Emily
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 “Jarms 11717”, 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