Our journey of wanting to grow our family began in May of 2015. Even before this, there was a desire to adopt a child at some point in our lives in addition to conceiving naturally. In the last six years, we’ve gone through many trials that tested our patience and trust in God’s timing. In May of 2017, Erica had surgery to remove a large cyst on one of her ovaries. The surgery also resulted in the removal of the ovary to ensure that the surgeon removed everything they needed to. We hoped this would also help resolve some fertility challenges, but a diagnosis of endometriosis complicated matters more. This resulted in several consults with medical professionals in an attempt to treat the endometriosis symptoms, all the while hoping that it would also help us to become pregnant.
In January 2017, we started preparing a room in our home as a nursery for the child/children we would have one day. Even though we had no timeframe as to when this would happen, we felt that this was an important outward sign of faith and a reminder that we believed God would answer our prayers in His timing.
In October 2019, we felt God prompting us to start actively pursuing adoption. We started working with an agency and spent the next 18 months filling out paperwork, having conversations with our social worker, completing a home study, and fulfilling educational requirements. We are grateful to God for bringing us this far in our journey, and we are so excited for what our future holds!
As part of our adoption process, we have applied for some grants to help cover a majority of the costs. The total cost is $29,600. So far, we have been kindly gifted with a $2,500 grant from a local church, as well as a generous $5,000 matching grant from Orphan Care Alliance Fund, administered by Lifesong for Orphans. In order to receive the full $5,000 matching grant, we are responsible to raise $5,000 of our own. We are also aiming to collect an additional $17,100 to cover the remaining costs.
We appreciate you taking time to learn about our story and to consider supporting us both financially and through prayer. Thank you for coming alongside us in this journey. Your support and encouragement are sweet reminders that we are all working together as the body of Christ.
If you would like to reach out to us personally, you can email us at ericaandymiller@gmail.com.
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 “Miller 09633”, 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.