Dear Family and Friends-
We have exciting news…we’re adopting!
We’ve wanted to become parents since we were married in 2011. Christina has been interested in adoption since she was a teenager. When we got engaged and discussed desires for growing a family, Christina shared her longing to adopt with Paul. What a relief and joy when Paul said he was open to adoption too! While we've struggled with infertility and endured a traumatic loss through an ectopic pregnancy in 2014, our desire to be parents has never wavered.
While it’s been easy for me (Paul) to think of adoption as something we’d do “down the road”, in the last year God has moved in our hearts to cause us to prayerfully consider that we’re both finally ready–financially and emotionally. We’re happy to share that we’ve completed the home study process through a local adoption agency and have been legally approved to adopt in the U.S.!
Join Us on this Journey
By inviting you into our adoption story and process, our hope is that you would see yourself as part of the beautiful community that will surround this child (and hopefully children) for years to come! There are a few ways you can join us on this journey. First, please pray with us and for us for wisdom, peace and patience as we navigate the griefs and joys of the challenging adoption process. Adoption always starts with separation and loss so please pray also for the child(ren) who will be placed in our home, as well as their birth parents/families.
In addition to prayer, you can support us in fundraising. It may surprise you (as it did us) to learn that a private adoption in the US costs, on average, somewhere between $40,000-$60,000 which covers home study costs, adoption agency applications and fees, birth mother expenses (including medical care and counseling), newborn medical expenses, travel, and legal fees. We’ve been privileged to be able to save enough over the years to cover a big chunk of these expenses, but we have a gap between what we can responsibly spend and the total cost of adoption.
As we’ve continued saving up and applying for grants and loans, a non-profit organization called Lifesong has generously awarded us with a $5,000 matching grant! This means for every dollar you donate to us through Lifesong, they will match that donation dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000! Anything raised over $5,000 will still be applied toward our adoption-related costs. Our goal is to raise a total of $20,000 through giving and matching to our Lifesong account by January 31, 2025.
All gifts made through Lifesong are tax-deductible. In accordance with IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong for Orphans, which retains full discretion over its use but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use. 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. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
There are two ways you can give:
-Online (preferred): Use the Donate link on this page
-By Check: Make checks payable to “Lifesong for Orphans” and must include “Basham #11087” in the memo line. Mail to: Lifesong, PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.
Thank You
We want to thank you for reading a bit of our story and considering how to support us in this journey in whatever capacity that looks like now or in the future. We are thankful for your presence in our lives and can’t wait to introduce you to the child or children God puts in our lives one day soon!
With our love,
Paul and Christina
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 “Basham 11087”, 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