Hello from the Blacks! Thank you for visiting our mySTORY page to learn more about our adoption journey. We are thrilled that you are here, and we are grateful for your support, whether that comes through prayer or giving. Read on to learn about how God led us to adoption, how the process is going, and how you can be involved!
How did we get here?
We have always desired to be an adoptive family. When we were dating, we discovered a shared passion for adoption, and after marrying in 2017, we spent nearly seven years preparing—Garrett pursuing ministry and Lauren learning everything she could about the adoption process, the importance of doing it well, and the ways we could be preparing for our own adoption journey. As we learned about international adoption, domestic adoption, and foster care, our hearts were especially drawn to domestic infant adoption. With Lauren’s background in infant care and a growing desire to support expectant mothers in crisis, we knew this was the right path.
In 2023, we welcomed our biological daughter Chloe into our family! Becoming “momma” and “dada” to our sweet little girl has been our greatest joy. Knowing that God loves his children with a love that surpasses our own, parenthood has only deepened our love for Him and has strengthened our desire to pursue adoption. Though we don’t know exactly what lies ahead, we’re stepping forward in faith—ready to listen, grow, and love—trusting God to guide us as we seek to honor birth families, support vulnerable children, and reflect the grace we’ve been given.
Where are we in the process?
Domestic infant adoption is a multi-step process that often takes several years to complete. Very broadly, you can break it down into the home study, fundraising, applying with agencies, matching with a birth mom, and bringing baby home. We were home study approved earlier this year, and have spent the past few months applying to several non-profits that offer grants and matching grants to help offset the cost of adoption. Having received encouraging results from that initial round of applications (in May alone, we received confirmation of $9,500 in grants and matching grants!), we decided we were ready to set up our crowdfunding platform here on mySTORY.
Here’s a quick check-list for how we hope the process will go from here (this is a difficult process to predict, but this list follows the most-common outcomes for adoptive families):
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When we have raised at least $16,000, we plan to start applying to agencies. This will allow us to cover any up-front fees an agency may charge, plus allow us to say “yes” to a quick match if it came along.
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Using the guidance of our adoption consultant, we will use a multi-agency approach with the goal of expediting the matching process by increasing the number of situations we can present to. Our hope is to enter into an open adoption, so that our adopted child can know their birth parents, and birth parents can know that their baby is happy, healthy, and growing.
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In the Lord’s timing, if we are matched with an expectant mother, we will follow agency guidelines and the adoptive mother’s wishes about contact, and will start to draw up our travel plans! During this time, we will not be publicizing baby’s information (location, family, health conditions, etc.), and we are committed to respecting the birth parents’ privacy during and after the adoption process.
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After the baby is born, paperwork is signed, fees are paid, and important laws are adhered to, we can bring baby home!
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Several months after baby comes home, our social worker conducts a final in-home visit to verify baby’s well-being, and the adoption is finalized.
Why is adoption so expensive?
We get this question a lot, and we’ve asked it ourselves. The high cost of adoption comes from several factors, including health care and sometimes postpartum housing for birth moms in crisis, counseling services for birth families, legal fees to make sure the process is done correctly, agency fees, travel fees, and post-placement fees. While the high cost can sometimes feel like barrier, we are grateful to the many organizations and individuals involved who prioritize the safety of children, the well-being of birth moms, and the security of adoptive families. We would be so grateful if you helped us reach our goal!
How can I help?
Already in this process, we have experienced incredible kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity from others. We would be forever grateful if you:
1) Committed to pray for us and for our future child
2) Checked back here for regular updates
3) Gave financially to help us reach our fundraising goal
4) Shared our story with your friends and family
Right now, you have an opportunity to maximize the impact of your gift. With tremendous thanks to Lifesong for Orphans and Josiah’s Adoption Fund, we have $6,500 in matching grants lined up to match every dollar you give! Please consider helping us to reach that matching number, which will launch us into the next step of the process – applying to adoption agencies!
How can we pray for you?
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Pray for Garrett and Lauren to be humble and well-equipped adoptive parents
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Pray that God would prepare Chloe to be a loving big sister
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Pray for expectant mothers in crisis who are making an adoption plan
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Pray for the unborn infants waiting to be matched with their forever family
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Pray that God would provide the funds necessary and that he would lead our family to mirror Christ throughout every aspect of this journey
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Pray that in all parts of this journey, God would be glorified
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 “Black 11497”, 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