The Self Family are Adopting!

Brandon & Natalie
Brandon & Natalie Celina, Texas

We’re so excited to take this next step in our adoption journey!

Adoption has been on our hearts since before we were married, and now, years later, we’re stepping forward with joy and anticipation. One of the most special parts of this season is that our son, Max, is old enough to understand and be a part of the journey. He’s been a constant encouragement as we walk in faith and obedience.

We’d love to share a story that’s been especially meaningful to us. When Max was about six years old, he started praying with us at home, asking God to bring a sibling into our family. Not long after that, on a Sunday morning while we were on stage leading worship, we looked down and saw Max quietly walk to the front of the church during our time of corporate prayer. There he was, all on his own, praying with one of our incredible prayer partners for a baby sister.

In that moment, we were so overcome with emotion that we had to stop singing. God gently reminded us: I’m doing something in Max through this, too. It was a powerful picture of childlike faith, watching our son boldly bring his biggest prayer before God. We’ve always prayed for Max to grow in his love and trust for the Lord, but seeing him live it out so fearlessly touched us deeply. That moment marked our hearts and continues to remind us that God is growing our entire family through this process.

We are incredibly thankful for the love, support, and prayers of our friends and family. We don’t know exactly what lies ahead, but from the beginning, God has simply asked us to trust Him and take the next step. We’re honored to be on this journey and look forward to sharing updates as we walk it out with hope and open hearts.

Already, we’ve been blessed with incredible support. We’re honored to have received $8,500 in matching grants through the Matthew 6 Foundation Adoption Fund and Lifesong for Orphans. We’re so grateful for their partnership in this calling. If you feel led to give, know that your generosity will have double the impact and bring us one step closer to bringing our child home.


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 “Self 11450”, 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 15 people
 of  $45,000
336 days left

My Story

We’re so excited to take this next step in our adoption journey!

Adoption has been on our hearts since before we were married, and now, years later, we’re stepping forward with joy and anticipation. One of the most special parts of this season is that our son, Max, is old enough to understand and be a part of the journey. He’s been a constant encouragement as we walk in faith and obedience.

We’d love to share a story that’s been especially meaningful to us. When Max was about six years old, he started praying with us at home, asking God to bring a sibling into our family. Not long after that, on a Sunday morning while we were on stage leading worship, we looked down and saw Max quietly walk to the front of the church during our time of corporate prayer. There he was, all on his own, praying with one of our incredible prayer partners for a baby sister.

In that moment, we were so overcome with emotion that we had to stop singing. God gently reminded us: I’m doing something in Max through this, too. It was a powerful picture of childlike faith, watching our son boldly bring his biggest prayer before God. We’ve always prayed for Max to grow in his love and trust for the Lord, but seeing him live it out so fearlessly touched us deeply. That moment marked our hearts and continues to remind us that God is growing our entire family through this process.

We are incredibly thankful for the love, support, and prayers of our friends and family. We don’t know exactly what lies ahead, but from the beginning, God has simply asked us to trust Him and take the next step. We’re honored to be on this journey and look forward to sharing updates as we walk it out with hope and open hearts.

Already, we’ve been blessed with incredible support. We’re honored to have received $8,500 in matching grants through the Matthew 6 Foundation Adoption Fund and Lifesong for Orphans. We’re so grateful for their partnership in this calling. If you feel led to give, know that your generosity will have double the impact and bring us one step closer to bringing our child home.


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 “Self 11450”, 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

July Adoption Q&A with The Self Family

July 21, 2025

Check out our newest video on YouTube at 

https://youtu.be/XKh0olm7yn8

 

Friends and Family,

This summer has been amazing. We’ve had the opportunity to travel and lead worship a lot as a family—which we absolutely love. We also got to visit my brother in the Tampa area, Max ran his first 5K and crushed it, and we celebrated Brandon’s birthday! It’s been full of moments we’ll never forget.

We honestly can’t thank you enough for the love, encouragement, and support you’ve already shown us as we walk through this adoption journey. Every message, prayer, and kind word has reminded us we’re not walking this road alone—and that means the world to us.

We want to keep you in the loop as things move forward, not only so you can stay informed, but so you can continue to pray with us in specific ways and feel a part of this story from the very beginning.

Right now, we’re about to have our first orientation interviews, and it’s all starting to feel very real! We’re excited to officially get things moving and take these first big steps toward bringing our next little one home.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions—we love sharing about what God is doing! Your prayers and presence are such a gift, and we are beyond grateful for each of you.

We’ll be sharing video updates throughout the journey, so be sure to check them out and follow along—we’d love to have you with us every step of the way.

With love and gratitude,

Brandon, Natalie, & Max Self

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Comments

$2,000

Jesse

Dec 16, 2025

“Love you guys and so excited to meet the child that you guys will adopt!”

$143

Bradley

Jul 25, 2025

$100

Cynthia

Jul 21, 2025

“So happy for yall! Prayers!”

$100

Hidden

Jun 26, 2025

$100

Kate

Jun 22, 2025

“Love you guys! Praying with you!!”

$100

Cindy

Jun 21, 2025

“Praying with you through this journey ‍”

$250

Casey

Jun 21, 2025

“We love you guys - adoption is the best!”

$103

Katie

Jun 20, 2025

“So exciting!!!”

$100

Courtney

Jun 20, 2025

“So excited and praying continually! Love y’all!”

$400

JONATHAN

Jun 20, 2025

“This is so exciting! We hope and pray the process is as painless as it can be. We love y’all and miss y’all. I can’t believe your kid is so old!”

$500

Natalie

Jun 20, 2025

“I am so very happy for your decision to adopt. May God always be with you. Love you my friends.”

$100

Melissa

Jun 20, 2025

“Love you guys! Love your servant hearts! Love your faithfulness! Keep killing it! Miss you guys!”

$100

Bradley

Jun 20, 2025

“I love you guys! And I can’t wait to meet our new cousin!”

$200

Susan and Stephen

Jun 20, 2025

“We love y’all!”

$100

Jennifer

Jun 20, 2025

“Partnering with you in prayer! For God’s chosen sibling, in His perfect timing; And for God to bless this offering and increase it.”