Our Adoption Story

Robyn Wright Normal, Illinois

The journey to saying “yes” to adoption for each of us looked different from the other but we wanted to share with you all the intimate details of how God moved in each of our hearts to bring us here.

 

I, Robyn,  remember sitting in church one sunday when a group of children from His Little Feet International Children’s Choir stepped on stage to perform. I was overcome with emotion before they had even gotten a word out of their mouths. As I sat there literally sobbing, listening to them sing unto the Lord, I knew God was giving me his heart & a burden for the orphan. Many of the families in our church at that time had adopted children from around the world, but prior to this, I had no connection to adoption, until the Lord reminded me of something I used to tell my mom when I was a little girl. I remembered telling her that I was going to adopt little black boys when I grew up. Not growing up in a Christian home, or having any encounters with adoption previously, I knew all the more that this was something God had divinely planted in my heart even from a young age.

 

The final knowing that God was inviting me to be a mother to orphans was when I was receiving prayer from a guest at church. As this woman, who I had never met before, began praying over me, she declared that I would be a mother to the motherless, because I knew what it felt like to be fatherless. Little did she know, I had recently come to know God as my Father. This divine encounter & declaration came at a time when God was healing my heart of the father wounds from my biological father leaving before I was born & being raised in a home full of addiction, trauma & neglect. I knew I would adopt someday & bring healing to the orphan spirit that prevents children from feeling the love of Father God. 

 

When Wes & I got married, I was aware that adoption was not something he had a burden for. I also knew that it was just a matter of time before God would change this. I didn’t have to beg or convince Wes, only wait on the Lord. 

 

Fast forward 2 years into our marriage. It was taking longer than we were hoping to conceive a biological child. In a time of prayer & journaling as Wes was asking the Lord to open my womb & give us a child, he felt the Lord challenge him with a question. “Are you willing to take care of MY children?”. As Wes heard this question ring through his spirit, he instantly knew God was speaking about the fatherless. After humbly responding, “YES Lord,” not long after, he also began having dreams about rescuing orphans. His yes to the Lord, went from a willingness to a heartfelt desire. 

 

We soon began meeting with couples who had adopted children, asking them about their experiences. Then we started praying about whether the Lord wanted us to adopt internationally or domestically. As we sought the Lord in prayer, we each felt separately that God was saying domestic infant adoption. So, we found an adoption agency & began the process of getting a home study completed. Sure enough the week I received our finalized home study in the mail, I found out I was pregnant. Knowing that I was going to have high risk pregnancies (because of my first pregnancy, which resulted in preterm labor, an emergency c-section, loss of my daughter & diagnosis of an icompetent cervix), we felt it best to put the adoption on hold until after the pregnancy. About 10 months after having our son Samuel, we were revisiting the desire to adopt. AGAIN we found out we were pregnant, shortly after updating our home study.  

 

After this pregnancy, my obgyn strongly recommended we seek permanent birth control options, as my uterus continued to thin & put me at a higher risk of complications. We then knew that the next child we welcomed into our family would be through adoption. 

 

Our adoption story continues to look differently than we have had in mind. 2 years ago, our lives divinely intersected with a young woman who had a scheduled abortion. When we learned of her plans, we began interceding on behalf of the little one in her womb. Again, we said “yes” to the Lord, telling him that we would adopt this baby if he wanted us to. The next day, we let the mother know that if she would carry the baby but could not or did not want to keep it as her own, that we would like to adopt it. This thrust us on a beautiful journey of redemption as she canceled the abortion & allowed us to walk with her through her pregnancy, unsure of whether she would keep the baby for herself or adopt it to us. 

 

While with her in a counseling session at the pregnancy resource center & asked why she chose not to abort this child, when she had done so two other times, she responded, “her husband” pointing to me, and sharing, “I never knew I had any other options, and I knew if I aborted this child knowing there was another option, I would regret it for the rest of my life.” This sweet Mama ended up keeping her little girl, which we rejoiced in & were humbled that we got to be a part of such a sacred, partnership & miracle of God. And so our belief in adoption being the heart of the Gospel was solidified all the more. 

 

In February, 2022 we updated our home study with Illini Christian Ministries for the 3rd time & are excitedly awaiting being matched with a birth mother. Which brings me to a humble request for YOUR partnership as we wait. Will you prayerfully consider saying yes to our 2 greatest needs on this next leg of the journey?  

 

1. Pray Support:  

  • for divine alignment with a birth mother & baby in God’s perfect timing. 

  • for God to tenderly care for & protect the birth mother & baby as it is being knit together inside of her womb.

  • that God would prepare Wes, Samuel, Rowen and I’s hearts & home for the upcoming changes to our family.

 

And

 

2. Financial Support:

  • Will you please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us cover the $25,000 for our adoption expenses of agency, lawyer, birth mother & hospital fees?

We are excited to announce we have received a $5000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans, so every dollar you donate will be matched up to that $5000 amount. Our goal date is October 31, 2022, but funds will be accepted towards our adoption until the adoption is complete. 

 

  • Please make checks payable to “Lifesong for Orphans.” In the memo, note “ family account number, 10056” and “family name, Wright” to assure it goes to the correct account. 

  • Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744. Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all U.S. administrative and fund-raising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption. 

  • Another option is to give online. Click the DONATE button on this page.

  • In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use. 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. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. 

 

Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances—it will be an investment with an eternal return! We believe that whole, healthy families are going to change the world! We look forward to updating you with details as we receive them. In closing, 

 

“Now to Him who is able to carry out His purpose & do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes or dreams according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever & ever. Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21

 

Love & Blessings, 

 

The Wrights


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 “Wright 10056”, 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
Read more
Raised to date by 16 people
 of  $25,000
72 days left

My Story

The journey to saying “yes” to adoption for each of us looked different from the other but we wanted to share with you all the intimate details of how God moved in each of our hearts to bring us here.

 

I, Robyn,  remember sitting in church one sunday when a group of children from His Little Feet International Children’s Choir stepped on stage to perform. I was overcome with emotion before they had even gotten a word out of their mouths. As I sat there literally sobbing, listening to them sing unto the Lord, I knew God was giving me his heart & a burden for the orphan. Many of the families in our church at that time had adopted children from around the world, but prior to this, I had no connection to adoption, until the Lord reminded me of something I used to tell my mom when I was a little girl. I remembered telling her that I was going to adopt little black boys when I grew up. Not growing up in a Christian home, or having any encounters with adoption previously, I knew all the more that this was something God had divinely planted in my heart even from a young age.

 

The final knowing that God was inviting me to be a mother to orphans was when I was receiving prayer from a guest at church. As this woman, who I had never met before, began praying over me, she declared that I would be a mother to the motherless, because I knew what it felt like to be fatherless. Little did she know, I had recently come to know God as my Father. This divine encounter & declaration came at a time when God was healing my heart of the father wounds from my biological father leaving before I was born & being raised in a home full of addiction, trauma & neglect. I knew I would adopt someday & bring healing to the orphan spirit that prevents children from feeling the love of Father God. 

 

When Wes & I got married, I was aware that adoption was not something he had a burden for. I also knew that it was just a matter of time before God would change this. I didn’t have to beg or convince Wes, only wait on the Lord. 

 

Fast forward 2 years into our marriage. It was taking longer than we were hoping to conceive a biological child. In a time of prayer & journaling as Wes was asking the Lord to open my womb & give us a child, he felt the Lord challenge him with a question. “Are you willing to take care of MY children?”. As Wes heard this question ring through his spirit, he instantly knew God was speaking about the fatherless. After humbly responding, “YES Lord,” not long after, he also began having dreams about rescuing orphans. His yes to the Lord, went from a willingness to a heartfelt desire. 

 

We soon began meeting with couples who had adopted children, asking them about their experiences. Then we started praying about whether the Lord wanted us to adopt internationally or domestically. As we sought the Lord in prayer, we each felt separately that God was saying domestic infant adoption. So, we found an adoption agency & began the process of getting a home study completed. Sure enough the week I received our finalized home study in the mail, I found out I was pregnant. Knowing that I was going to have high risk pregnancies (because of my first pregnancy, which resulted in preterm labor, an emergency c-section, loss of my daughter & diagnosis of an icompetent cervix), we felt it best to put the adoption on hold until after the pregnancy. About 10 months after having our son Samuel, we were revisiting the desire to adopt. AGAIN we found out we were pregnant, shortly after updating our home study.  

 

After this pregnancy, my obgyn strongly recommended we seek permanent birth control options, as my uterus continued to thin & put me at a higher risk of complications. We then knew that the next child we welcomed into our family would be through adoption. 

 

Our adoption story continues to look differently than we have had in mind. 2 years ago, our lives divinely intersected with a young woman who had a scheduled abortion. When we learned of her plans, we began interceding on behalf of the little one in her womb. Again, we said “yes” to the Lord, telling him that we would adopt this baby if he wanted us to. The next day, we let the mother know that if she would carry the baby but could not or did not want to keep it as her own, that we would like to adopt it. This thrust us on a beautiful journey of redemption as she canceled the abortion & allowed us to walk with her through her pregnancy, unsure of whether she would keep the baby for herself or adopt it to us. 

 

While with her in a counseling session at the pregnancy resource center & asked why she chose not to abort this child, when she had done so two other times, she responded, “her husband” pointing to me, and sharing, “I never knew I had any other options, and I knew if I aborted this child knowing there was another option, I would regret it for the rest of my life.” This sweet Mama ended up keeping her little girl, which we rejoiced in & were humbled that we got to be a part of such a sacred, partnership & miracle of God. And so our belief in adoption being the heart of the Gospel was solidified all the more. 

 

In February, 2022 we updated our home study with Illini Christian Ministries for the 3rd time & are excitedly awaiting being matched with a birth mother. Which brings me to a humble request for YOUR partnership as we wait. Will you prayerfully consider saying yes to our 2 greatest needs on this next leg of the journey?  

 

1. Pray Support:  

  • for divine alignment with a birth mother & baby in God’s perfect timing. 

  • for God to tenderly care for & protect the birth mother & baby as it is being knit together inside of her womb.

  • that God would prepare Wes, Samuel, Rowen and I’s hearts & home for the upcoming changes to our family.

 

And

 

2. Financial Support:

  • Will you please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us cover the $25,000 for our adoption expenses of agency, lawyer, birth mother & hospital fees?

We are excited to announce we have received a $5000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans, so every dollar you donate will be matched up to that $5000 amount. Our goal date is October 31, 2022, but funds will be accepted towards our adoption until the adoption is complete. 

 

  • Please make checks payable to “Lifesong for Orphans.” In the memo, note “ family account number, 10056” and “family name, Wright” to assure it goes to the correct account. 

  • Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744. Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all U.S. administrative and fund-raising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption. 

  • Another option is to give online. Click the DONATE button on this page.

  • In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use. 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. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. 

 

Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances—it will be an investment with an eternal return! We believe that whole, healthy families are going to change the world! We look forward to updating you with details as we receive them. In closing, 

 

“Now to Him who is able to carry out His purpose & do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes or dreams according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever & ever. Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21

 

Love & Blessings, 

 

The Wrights


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 “Wright 10056”, 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
Read more

Comments

$1,500

Wes

Feb 18, 2024

$1,500

Broc

Oct 10, 2022

“Appreciate you both and love the way you serve the kingdom! "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." - Luke 12:48b”

$1,400

Kelsey

Oct 8, 2022

$1,500

Hidden

Sep 17, 2022

“We love you guys! Praying for the continued preparation of your hearts as you wait to receive this incredibly blessed little one.”

$100

Rachel

Sep 5, 2022

“Moved to tears by your reel. My heart is to someday adopt. Super excited for y’alls journey. God is going to move like crazy to make this dream happen. Keep shining your light bright as a family for Him!”

$50

Hidden

Aug 18, 2022

“Good luck Robyn. With love, Tracy Sokol”

$50

Hidden

Aug 17, 2022

“Congratulations! Beautiful story of faith!”

$25

Julie

Aug 17, 2022

“I don't know you at all, but I came across your story/post on Lifesong's site and I just knew I had to give! I am getting married in October and my fiance and I both have hearts for foster care and adoption. I was so encouraged reading your story and will be praying for your family!”

$2,500

Steve

Aug 16, 2022

“From the Home Fellowship”

$1,000

Sarah and Daniel

Aug 15, 2022

“We love you guys. Thank you for the years and years of pouring into us. You beautifully sowed the seed into us, and we are who we are today because of you both.”

$1,000

Amy

Aug 14, 2022

“Love you guys! So excited for this journey you're on.”

$250

Mike and Katie

Aug 14, 2022

“We love you and are praying for your family and this adoption! <3”

$100

Robin and Laurie

Aug 10, 2022

“Praying for you guys!”

$50

Hope

Aug 9, 2022

“Your family is beyond incredible. I cannot wait to see how the Lord continues to bless you in this journey. Continued prayers & much love being sent your way!”

$50

Hidden

Aug 8, 2022

“Prayers and blessings to your family❤️”

$100

Kelly

Jul 29, 2022

“Congratulations!! Excited for this upcoming season for your fam! Love you!”