Hi there! We’re Luis and Allison from Northwest Ohio, and we’re honored that you’re taking the time to hear our story. Ours began all the way back in 2003, when we first met as kids at church. We grew up side by side, became friends, and eventually—many years later—fell in love. In 2017, friendship turned into marriage, and ever since then, we’ve been dreaming, planning, and praying about building a family.
Where We’ve Been
About two years into our marriage, we learned that natural conception would be extremely difficult. Allison was diagnosed with a unicornuate uterus, endometriosis, PCOS, and the loss of one ovary. Although we’ve thankfully never experienced the pain of child loss, we’ve walked through the grief of years of infertility and innumerable attempts to conceive.
After learning more about the medical risks of some procedures, our hearts were drawn toward orphans in need of loving, stable homes. Adoption didn’t feel like a “backup plan”—it felt like our calling.
Adoption had lightly been on our hearts for years, but this past December, we decided to take the nexts steps to build our family. We researched agencies, and in May we applied to Open Arms, an agency deeply committed to putting the needs of the child first and the care of our birth mom in close second.
Where We Are Now
The home study was eye-opening and affirming. Our three-day training on the realities of children in the foster care system changed our lives and confirmed that adoption would be part of our ministry. Throughout our home study, we have seen direct confirmation that God is guiding this journey.
Today, we’re officially a waiting family, ready to welcome up to two infants into our home the moment we get the call. As we wait, we pray daily for our child or children, their birth mom, their health and wellbeing, and for our own hearts to continue being prepared.
Who We Are
We believe that God is the One building our family, and we’re honored to follow His leading through the gift of adoption.
We’re both musicians and have been plugged into our church family for over 20 years. We strive to keep Jesus at the center of our lives. Allison is a worship leader and Luis oversees the sound ministry and plays any instrument he can get his hands on. Living a life that is worship to the Lord is a big part of our lives, and we can’t wait to share music, joy, and God’s love with our future children. We also enjoy simple, peaceful moments: walks, gardening, reading, fishing, and just being together.
More than anything, our hope is to raise children who feel deeply loved, safe, and cherished—not just by us, but by Jesus. We want our home to be a place of faith, laughter, grace, and belonging. We’re excited for bedtime prayers, family worship, vacations, daily life and all the beautiful moments God has in store for our growing family.
What Comes Next: An Invitation to Partner With Us
Private adoption is beautiful, ethical, and absolutely worth it, but also costly. Adopting one newborn through our agency could cost up to $50,000. These costs cover legal fees, birth mother support, finalization fees, post-placement fees, travel costs, interstate adoption fees and more. Through God’s faithfulness and generous donations, we have already paid close to 25% of this amount. We are trusting that the rest of this need will be met through intentional saving, fundraising, and donations from our community.
We’ve been blessed with an amazing gift and opportunity to partner with Lifesong for Orphans and Hope that Binds, in a matching grant of $6,000! Should we raise a matched $6,000, we will be another 25% closer to our goal! This is an answered prayer and blessing and we’re so grateful!
We’ve learned through this process that adoption isn’t something a family steps into alone – it truly takes a village. If you feel led to come alongside us through prayer, encouragement, or financial support, we would be deeply grateful. Your support isn’t just helping us grow our family; it becomes part of our child’s story and the community they are welcomed into.
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 “Garcia 11856”, 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