Hello,
We are the Ray family; Andrew, Maddie, and Selah. The Lord has been gracious to us throughout our adoption journey and we are excited to share our story with you! We first began to consider adoption a few years into marriage due to complications with pregnancy. In the midst of that journey the Lord blessed us with our daughter, Selah, who is currently four years old! We always knew we wanted to grow our family and as we began to experience pregnancy difficulties again we returned to the idea of adoption.
We began our official adoption journey at the beginning of 2023. We had each been thinking and praying about adoption separately without even mentioning it to the other person. God was working in each of our hearts uniquely and preparing us for what was ahead. When at a park as a family Maddie mentioned to Andrew that she had been thinking about looking into adoption, Andrew was able to express that he had been feeling the same way and had been wanting to look into it as well.
After considering our options, we both felt a desire for a newborn child and to be able to come alongside a birth mom. We are passionate about the sanctity of human life, and see adoption as one of God’s gifts to partner with birth moms in need. These desires led us to Lifeline Children’s Services who prioritize ministry to birth moms both pre and post adoption, and emphasize openness in adoption to continue to love and support them into the future.
It has taken us almost two years to arrive at the “approved and waiting” stage with our adoption agency, Lifeline. The Lord has taught us so much about our family, the adoption need and process, and himself over that time. There have been challenges and setbacks, but we know God is in control of it all and this is the exciting journey he has for us as we seek to grow our family through adoption.
We are at a point in the process where we can be matched with a birth mom and have our future child at any moment. We are purely leaning on the Lord’s timing at this point. With that comes the need to be prepared physically, financially, spiritually, and emotionally to add a child into our home with very short notice.
As we seek to do that, and help our daughter to do that as a four year old longing for a younger sibling, we hope and pray that you will partner with us through prayer, encouragement, and the giving of funds. Lifesong for Orphans has gracously gifted us with a $5,000 matching grant, which means whatever you choose to give will be doubled!
If you are reading our story please know that we are thankful for you and consider you our partner in this process. We are praying for you and how the Lord may use you to bless a birth mom and a newborn child through our adoption process.
Thank you so much for your time.
With love and hope,
Andrew, Maddie, & Selah Ray
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 “Ray 11238”, 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