Shorts Family Adoption

Nicholas Shorts San Luis Obisp, California

Hi! We are the Shorts family- Nick, Jessie, Ruthie, and Monty.

Our adoption journey as a couple, started 10 years ago (and earlier than that individually). After our first date, we were committed to pursuing adoption in our future. We have two biological kiddos- Ruthie (almost 5yo) and Monty (3yo). It’s a privilege and a gift to have the opportunity to raise our kiddos, and with what means we do have, we feel called to welcome another child into our home.

We understand adoption does not just represent beauty and celebration, but also grief, heaviness, loss, and more. In no way are we the saviors. Our own adoption into God’s family and the ability to lean on God as our Father because of Christ, is a driving force behind the call to adopt a child into our family. We have a heart for the marginalized, the needy, and those who are often overlooked. Our family is pursuing a waiting child, age 14 (almost 15), from Bulgaria! She is eagerly waiting for us to complete our paperwork and we are eager to bring her home.

To make this happen, we are humbly approaching our community to ask for financial help to complete this process. The fees of home study, paperwork transactions, language translations, education trainings, psychological evaluations, background checks, filing fees, medical reviews, dossier preparation fees, USCIS fees, travel/ accommodation (traveling to Bulgaria twice), foreign country program expenses, post adoption reports and services, not including maternity leave, and many other little expenses that add up, make this process an in depth and expensive step of faith- to say the least. Expenses are estimated at around $60,000. On our end, we are saving, fundraising, and applying for grants.

The call to adopt is saying yes to many unknowns and all we can do is trust in God’s plan, regardless of our own calculated, measured, controlled, or romanticised perceptions. We are fully given all that we have, and hope to offer a safe, loving, and nurturing home to a child.

We are not the only ones taking a step of faith. It was not just us alone making this choice. She is also saying yes. So will you join us in praying for her as she makes a huge transition in her life. Pray for safety, protection, God’s provision, adjustments, attachment, preparations, and anything else you might think of. We love you all.

Gratefully,

The Shorts fam

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” -Isaiah 43:2


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 “Shorts 11784”, 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 38 people
 of  $20,000
Campaign Ended

My Story

Hi! We are the Shorts family- Nick, Jessie, Ruthie, and Monty.

Our adoption journey as a couple, started 10 years ago (and earlier than that individually). After our first date, we were committed to pursuing adoption in our future. We have two biological kiddos- Ruthie (almost 5yo) and Monty (3yo). It’s a privilege and a gift to have the opportunity to raise our kiddos, and with what means we do have, we feel called to welcome another child into our home.

We understand adoption does not just represent beauty and celebration, but also grief, heaviness, loss, and more. In no way are we the saviors. Our own adoption into God’s family and the ability to lean on God as our Father because of Christ, is a driving force behind the call to adopt a child into our family. We have a heart for the marginalized, the needy, and those who are often overlooked. Our family is pursuing a waiting child, age 14 (almost 15), from Bulgaria! She is eagerly waiting for us to complete our paperwork and we are eager to bring her home.

To make this happen, we are humbly approaching our community to ask for financial help to complete this process. The fees of home study, paperwork transactions, language translations, education trainings, psychological evaluations, background checks, filing fees, medical reviews, dossier preparation fees, USCIS fees, travel/ accommodation (traveling to Bulgaria twice), foreign country program expenses, post adoption reports and services, not including maternity leave, and many other little expenses that add up, make this process an in depth and expensive step of faith- to say the least. Expenses are estimated at around $60,000. On our end, we are saving, fundraising, and applying for grants.

The call to adopt is saying yes to many unknowns and all we can do is trust in God’s plan, regardless of our own calculated, measured, controlled, or romanticised perceptions. We are fully given all that we have, and hope to offer a safe, loving, and nurturing home to a child.

We are not the only ones taking a step of faith. It was not just us alone making this choice. She is also saying yes. So will you join us in praying for her as she makes a huge transition in her life. Pray for safety, protection, God’s provision, adjustments, attachment, preparations, and anything else you might think of. We love you all.

Gratefully,

The Shorts fam

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” -Isaiah 43:2


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 “Shorts 11784”, 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

Comments

$100

Hidden

Mar 1, 2026

“Love you guys!”

$100

Bethany

Feb 16, 2026

$500

Hidden

Jan 29, 2026

“Love you guys. And incredibly proud of your courage. Go get her!!!”

$50

Hidden

Jan 28, 2026

$1,000

Hidden

Jan 27, 2026

“We love you guys!! Praying over this transition for each member of your family”

$250

Paul

Jan 27, 2026

$1,000

Hidden

Jan 25, 2026

“tried to give last night yet thwarted - go to it, Shorts!!”

$200

Hidden

Jan 25, 2026

“Praying for you and thrilled for you. Didn’t have this money available at the event last night. So here’s a little extra today.”

$440

Ron & Debbie

Jan 24, 2026

$210

David

Jan 24, 2026

$250

Todd and Jill

Jan 24, 2026

$1,000

Hidden

Jan 24, 2026

“Praying for a smooth adoption process!”

$1,000

Stone

Jan 24, 2026

“Happy to support you all!”

$100

Dannene

Jan 24, 2026

“Consider this a gift from Shaye. You know she would make us all donate. She is so proud of you & your family.”

$100

Sage

Jan 24, 2026

“We love ya!”

$100

Heather

Jan 24, 2026

$100

Brendan

Jan 24, 2026

$250

Joe

Jan 24, 2026

$20

Megan

Jan 24, 2026

$80

Molly

Jan 24, 2026

$80

Megan

Jan 24, 2026

$100

Laura

Jan 24, 2026

“We love you guys!!”

$100

Hidden

Jan 24, 2026

$200

Nina

Jan 24, 2026

$260

Hidden

Jan 24, 2026

$100

Cindy

Jan 24, 2026

$60

Jenny

Jan 24, 2026

$40

Cindy

Jan 24, 2026

$100

Rachel

Jan 24, 2026

“We love the Shorts!”

$60

Alex

Jan 24, 2026

$20

Jenna

Jan 10, 2026

“Excited to see what God is doing in your lives!!”

$500

Hidden

Dec 31, 2025

“Thank you for continuing to walk by faith and answer God’s callings in your life!”

$1,000

Hidden

Dec 30, 2025

“God is good, continue to trust in Him!”

$750

Hidden

Dec 28, 2025

“We love you guys and are praying for you as you welcome your daughter into your family”

$105

Dan

Dec 2, 2025

“Love you guys! Thanks for serving in this way”

$100

Hidden

Dec 1, 2025

$150

Molly

Nov 30, 2025

$400

Hidden

Nov 27, 2025

“Rock on, Shorts family!”