How did we get here?
Kayla and I have been married for almost 11 years, but the desire to adopt started before we were married. I remember us having conversations expressing the desire to adopt when we first started dating, but not knowing how or if God would weave it into our story. Well, fast forward many years, and after wrestling through infertility, battling for contentment in the Lord while waiting, and seeking to use our extra time and capacity well to serve others, we feel that the Lord is leading us to pursue adoption now. This wasn’t a decision that was made in isolation but through the sweet help and counsel of pastors, friends, and family, and we couldn’t be more excited to find the child (or children, it could be twins!) the Lord has for us.
Why adoption?
There are lots of reasons why we landed on adoption, but the primary reason is that children are a precious gift from the Lord and that He loves adoption! We know that we live in a fallen world marred by sin where not every child gets to grow up with their biological mom and dad, but the Lord, in His kindness to children (and us), can redeem some of that brokenness through the gift of adoption. What a great mercy of God! To give a couple the desire to be parents, and, in fulfilling that desire, meet the needs of the most needy and vulnerable among us, giving them a mom and a dad.
Where are we in the process?
Currently, we are wrapping up a few remaining pieces of paperwork and training, but the primary thing we are waiting on is funding to be open. The agency we are working with currently needs more couples to be open, as they have moms due in August/September/October without a match. The reality is that as soon as we have funding, we will be open and expect to be matched and meet a need very quickly! We don’t know the exact timeline, but the Lord does, and we trust His perfect timing in the midst of the unknowns. Personally, we would love to be placed with a child before the end of the year! The sooner the better!
How can you support?
First off, please pray for us! As first-time parents, there will be many challenges, and we will need all the prayer we can get! Second, with all this exciting news comes the reality that adoptions are expensive, and we estimate that, between our agency, legal fees, placement visits, and potential travel expenses, our adoption will cost $60,000. While this number is high, we are confident that the Lord will provide for us through both personal savings and the generosity of other people and grant agencies willing to partner in this story.
We have already seen the Lord start to provide mightily for our adoption through a $7,000 matching grant through Lifesong funded by our church. This means that for every dollar donated, we will receive a dollar of grant money up to $7,000!
Your partnership will not only help bring down the financial barrier that adoption is, but it will also allow us to say “Yes!” to the child the Lord has for us. Friends/family, we are so humbled that you would even read this and consider helping in prayer and financially. I (Matt) am writing this with tears in my eyes, thinking about the kindness of the Lord on display through people like you, and thinking about the joy that we will get to experience by becoming parents because of the Lord’s grace and mercy extended through your support and generosity. What a gift that we feel so undeserving of, but isn’t that just like our Savior, Jesus Christ, who brings the lavish gift of salvation to all who believe, even those who don’t deserve it. Praise God!
FAQ:
Q: What kind of adoption are you pursing?
A: Domestic, local adoption in the state of GA.
Q: How old will the child be?
A: He or she could be anywhere from 0-12 months, but will most likely be a newborn.
Q: How much does adoption cost?
A: For our adoption we estimate the total cost to be $60,000, this includes agency fees, legal fees, post placement visits, potential travel expenses, and more.
Q: How can you pray?
A: Please pray for our future child, that the Lord would protect and keep them safe. Adoption never happens outside of great loss of some kind. Pray for us that we will continue trusting the Lord and that He would give us great wisdom and unity as we navigate all the challenges and complexities that come with parenting in general and the specifics of adoption. Also, pray for the birth mom, that the Lord would give her comfort and peace in the midst of all of this.
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 “Williams 12273”, 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