God writes the best adoption stories. Ours began generations ago when Brian’s grandmother was adopted, continued as we built our blended family with Brian’s daughter Bentley and our son Tate, and now He’s calling us to write the next chapter. We are Brian and Lauren Simmons, a Texas family following God’s call to grow through adoption.
Our Story of Blending
Our story is already one of beautiful blending – of seeing how God brings families together in unexpected and wonderful ways. When Brian and I met, we discovered we shared not just dreams of building a family, but a vision of creating one that would include both biological and adopted children. Brian’s own family history showed him how adoption transforms generations, while my heart as a woman of color has been deeply moved by the many children of color waiting longer for their forever homes. These aren’t just statistics to us – they’re precious children created in God’s image, waiting for families to choose them.
God’s Perfect Timing
After Tate’s birth brought medical complications, expanding our family through pregnancy became risky. Through weight loss surgery and working with doctors to address health concerns, we kept seeking God’s direction. Then came the moment of clarity – this was God’s way of opening the door He’d planned all along. James 1:27 became our family verse: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” As believers adopted into God’s family through Christ, we felt called to mirror His perfect example of adoption.
Our Family’s Heart
We’ve seen God’s confirmation through our children’s hearts – both Bentley and Tate have shown genuine excitement about welcoming a new sibling through adoption. Our home is ready to welcome another child to join our family game nights, holiday celebrations, and daily adventures.
Where We Are Now
We’ve completed our home study and chosen an agency whose heart aligns with ours – one that provides crucial support to birth mothers throughout their journey. Every day, we pray not only for the child who will join our family but also for their birth family. We understand the profound love and sacrifice in their decision, and we’re committed to honoring their gift by creating a family story that includes all of us.
The Financial Journey
Domestic adoption through our agency costs approximately $60,000, and we’re working to raise $45,000 of that total. Through God’s faithfulness and the generosity of our community, we’ve already raised about a quarter of these funds through personal donations and other platforms. While the remaining amount feels daunting, we’ve already seen how God is opening doors through the incredible support of people like you.
Your contribution, of any size, helps with essential costs like:
– Home study and background check requirements
– Birth mother support and counseling services
– Legal proceedings and agency fees
– Travel and placement expenses
How You Can Help
Whether you feel led to contribute financially, lift us up in prayer, or share our story, you’re helping us answer God’s call to grow our family through adoption. Each gift brings us closer to meeting the child God has planned for our family.
Thank you for considering being part of our adoption story. We can’t wait to share updates about how God uses your generosity to help bring our child home.
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 “Simmons 11302”, 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