WELCOME, family and friends! It is with great excitement that we get to announce our plans for domestic adoption! Thank you so much for visiting our page and learning a bit more about our family’s story. We could not do any of this without your love, support, and prayers.
THE BACKSTORY:
Charles and I met (a bit) later in life and knew that we were ready to start a family after we got married in April 2017. The Lord blessed us with an awesome pregnancy and an even more AWESOME, little boy, Colton (born in March 2018). About a year later, I got pregnant again, but this time, it wasn’t as easy. Nor were the other four pregnancies that followed. After each loss, I wondered if God would ever take the desire for more children away from us. After our fifth loss, it became clear to both Charles and me that God had another plan for our family.
WHY ADOPTION?
It is NOT by coincidence that three of Colton’s best friends are adopted, or that we are constantly running into people at church, school, and work that have amazing adoption stories. God has put these families in our path for a reason and we are so thankful for His obvious guidance towards this decision. There are a lot of hoops and hurdles with adoption as well as fears and doubts that so desperately want to steer us in a different direction. But God… has been so patient, so present, and so persistent in keeping us on the path He desires for us. We cannot wait to see what He has in store for our family!
COSTS:
One of the biggest hurdles we’ve faced in our adoption journey, so far, is the overwhelming cost. Most people are shocked to hear that adoption-related costs can easily total $50,000 – $60,000 or more. Unfortunately, these costs are not collected in small increments over a long period of time; rather they are due in just a few, large payments. For example, we won’t be able to be put on our agency’s ACTIVE list (where we can see the birth moms’ profiles and share our story with them) until we can prove that we have access to $50,000. This money covers: agency fees, legal fees, and counseling services for the birth mothers.
FUNDRAISING:
Whenever the topic of fundraising for adoption would come up, I would cringe at the thought of asking friends and family for financial support. I just figured, Charles and I could take out a loan and WE would take care of it. But God… started to bring more friends into our lives that shared their stories with us and the idea of fundraising began to sound less horrifying. Where WE wanted to take full financial control, God wanted us to surrender and put our trust completely in Him. It’s time for us to admit that WE cannot do this on our own.
One of the ways we have started working towards our financial goal is applying for grants. We are excited to share that we have been awarded a $4,000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans and a $5,000 matching grant from our home church, Cottonwood Creek. That means for every dollar donated to our adoption fund, Lifesong and Cottonwood Creek Church will provide an equal donation up to their granted amount. We are beyond grateful.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
PRAY:
- That God would prepare our hearts and our home as we anticipate the addition of a new baby.
- For the health, safety, and God’s peaceful presence for the expectant birth mama and baby.
- For GOD’S WILL TO BE DONE!
GIVE:
- Please consider donating through our LifeSong page. Any amount is appreciated!
- Be a PIECE of our story!
We are creating a custom puzzle where the names of those who have committed to praying for our adoption and/or those who are able to donate to our Adoption Fund can be added. Donations will be tracked through our Lifesong account. If unable to contribute financially, please message us a notification of completed prayers and we will be sure to include your name on the puzzle. When the puzzle is complete, we will place it in our baby’s nursery. We hope that this will honor all the people who helped bring our baby home and also be a visual representation to our child of how many people loved, supported and prayed for him/her.
SHARE:
- Please help us spread the word by sharing this message with friends and family who may be interested in supporting our adoption journey or learning more about the process.
THANK YOU for joining us on this journey, and for reminding us that we don’t have to go at it alone.
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 “Sanders 11618”, 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