We started thinking about adoption as a couple about 6 or 7 years ago. It was a burden on our hearts to know that there were children who needed loving families. At that time, we were both in full time ministry on a college campus. Although we felt our hearts growing for children who needed homes, we both felt called to continue serving diligently in our college ministry roles.
A couple of years later, Jessica became an Elementary School teacher and Jordan became the Director of Missions at our church. There was an info meeting at church for foster care. We attended the meeting, and eventually decided to become licensed therapeutic foster parents. We provided respite care for about nine months.
A year or two went by as Jessica continued to work as a teacher and Jordan kept serving in his role at the church, and he ended up becoming the local pastor of our Downtown congregation. When Covid first started spreading in our area and had us living in a different pace, God opened up space for us to start thinking about what He had for us in orphan care again. It started to seem like He was leading us to pursue adoption in the near future.
As we moved forward in prayer, we applied to Lifeline Children’s Services. We have been in the adoption process with Lifeline since the end of January 2021. God has worked in many ways in our lives concerning adoption. We are depending on the Lord each day as we take each step in our adoption journey. There are a lot of unknowns, but we have felt God’s presence in multiple ways, including in His Word and through the community at our church. We will continue to depend on Him in the days ahead as we trust in His sovereign plan for us, our child, and his or her biological parents.
We have been generously awarded a $3,500 matching grant from Lifepointe Church Adoption Fund, administered by Lifesong for Orphans. We are grateful beyond words for this grant. This is just one way that God has confirmed our adoption story. Would you consider joining our journey through prayer and/or through a financial gift that is significant to you?
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 “Penley 09559”, 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.