Throughout our 10+ years of marriage, whenever the topic of growing our family came up, our conversation always led to adoption. We never felt particularly called to have biological kids, but the thought of adoption has always pulled at our heart strings. We’re often asked why this is the case, and it’s hard to give a simple answer. What we do know is that when we think about kids who grow up without parents, it makes us sad. We also believe adoption is a beautiful picture of God’s love for us, since we are adopted children of God. And adoption seems like a little bit of a crazy thing to do, and we tend to gravitate towards crazy things.
Over the past six years we have hosted young adults, college students, and high school students in our home. In September of 2019, we became host parents to two fifteen year old boys (one from France and one from Japan). Over the 6 months they lived with us we became their “American family” until the pandemic cut our time short. Host parenting wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies, though. There were awkward parent-teacher conferences, occasional door slamming, and heavy use of the internet kill switch. But we loved sharing meals around our table, exploring DC together, and creating memories. Through this experience our hearts increasingly desired to have a more permanent family structure, where we could pour into a child’s life from a young age and watch them grow and mature into a young adult within our home and community. Looking back, it is clear to us that this was the adoption seed being fully planted in our minds and hearts.
In late 2020, when Emily transitioned from active duty Air Force to the Maryland Air National Guard, the last puzzle piece fell into place. This gave us stability and assurance that we could stay in our house and remain in our community in DC for the long haul. And shortly thereafter, about ten months ago, we began the adoption home study and application process.
So that’s our adoption story in a few paragraphs! We hope that you can become part of it too. If you’re interested in giving to help us cover some of the cost, we would deeply appreciate it. Domestic adoption is expensive. Our estimated total expenses range from $55,000 – $71,000. This cost includes things like medical care, housing, food, basic needs, counseling, and birth- related expenses for the birth mother, agency fees, legal fees, profile book preparation, travel expenses for us to receive the child, post-placement social worker vists, and finalization.
So many of you have already partnered with us in prayer, provided reference letters, or have encouraged us along the way and and we’re so grateful. Please continue to pray for for the birth mother, the child, the process, and our family. Send us a note or drop by our place for a drink. Our door’s always open.
Love,
The Linebaughs
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 “Linebaugh 10076”, 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.
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