We are Michael and Nicolette Shipley. We’ve been married for nearly a decade and have one daughter. Michael is a Captain in the US Army so we’ve had the opportunity to live all around the world. Adoption has been something we’ve talked about and dreamt about, but we never knew when the “right time” was to pursue it. In March of 2021, we found out we were pregnant with our second child. We were over the moon and could not wait to grow our family! However, at 8 weeks Nicolette ended up in the emergency room. After hours of waiting and praying, we were told that Nicolette was experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and needed emergency surgery. During this surgery, they removed Nicolette’s fallopian tube and our precious and perfect baby-to-be. Gestationally, they measured exactly where they should’ve been. The only hiccup was the placement. Fallopian tubes do not make great homes for babies to thrive in. Through the weeks and months that followed we experienced deep grief. But we were carried by our wonderful community. We felt like the people carried to the feet of Jesus in scripture. We could not walk this road on our own, so our church, our family, and our friends picked us up and carried us until we had the strength to stand. During this time we kept praying and seeking the Lord’s guidance on our next steps. Was this the time to pursue adoption? That fall we started to research agencies and started to talk more in-depth about the process with the other adoptive families we knew. We felt a deep and unwavering peace that adoption was our next step. At a doctor’s appointment in the winter of 2021, our doctor confirmed what we already knew in our hearts. Nicolette’s remaining fallopian tube was blocked and surgery to fix it was not an option. Therefore, conceiving without major medical intervention was also not an option. Even though this was and still is a difficult truth to grapple with, the Lord graciously prepared our hearts and minds to hear it. After that appointment, we talked about our options and knew what our direction would be. We felt the peace that we read about in the book of Philippians. A peace that truly surpasses all understanding. We felt peace, joy, and hope. We were moving towards adoption, and this was the first step in the journey.
Since then, we’ve partnered with Faithful Adoption Consultants and were home study approved in our home state! However, shortly after we were approved, the Army relocated our family. We are currently working with a local agency to complete our home study. We've also have been awarded $8,000 in matching grants from the Murray Family Adoption Fund + Lifesong for Orphans. This has been a huge answer to prayer! We are incredibly grateful for the Murray Family and the Lifesong for Orphans team.
Our road to adoption, like so many hopeful adoptive families, has been filled with long pauses and rough terrain to navigate. But we know that He who promised is faithful. We are eagerly praying and hoping for the child the Lord has planned for our family.
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 “Shipley 10587”, 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