Tori Bates

October 27 Update

We've been "active" for over two and a half months. We're patiently and expectantly waiting for a phone call from our consultant, Courtney, to tell us we've been matched with a mama. It's been a emotional roller coaster already and we're buckled in tight for a long ride.

JB and I are taking each day as it comes, one at a time, and truly trusting in His provision and peace. A dear friend reminded us that the "cost" of adoption is a lot. Not just the financial cost, but the emotional, physical and mental cost as well. It's a heavy weight to carry but we are honored to do so and are forever grateful for an incredible community to support us every step of the way.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for loving, supporting and praying for our family!

August 11 Update

Exciting news… We've finished and submitted all of our paperwork! We shipped it off to FAC last week and hopefully will be "active" soon. Having the status of "active" means that we will be seeing cases and presenting our profile book to expectant mamas.

We're also launching our t-shirt fundraiser. We encourage our family and friends to purchase to not only support our fundraising efforts but to promote awareness and build community. See the link below to purchase shirts…

https://www.bonfire.com/baby-bates-adoption/

May 15

We have exciting news…we are adopting a baby!

We are so humbled to share this news with our family, friends and the world! After over a year and half of prayer and waiting, we are confident that the Lord is calling us to walk in faith with Him as He grows our family through adoption. We are unsure of what lies ahead, but we have an indescribable peace because we know the Lord is writing this story, not us. Our prayer is to have open hands and an open heart every step of the way. We find rest in two things - that our confidence in is God and that Baby Bates is worth it.

Here are a few details we know so far:

Are you adopting domestically or internationally?

We are adopting domestically. Our adoption will most likely be an infant adoption and we are open to adopting a child of any race.

What organization are you working with?

We're working with Faithful Adoption Consultants, based out of Georgia. They work with agencies in almost all states across the country. You can read more about FAC at faithfuladoptionconsultants.com

Where are you in the process?

We are gathering paperwork for FAC and preparing for our home study visit. After the visit, additional documents will be provided and our social worker will begin finalizing our home study. Additionally, we are working on our profile book that expectant mamas will read to get to know us. Once our home study is finalized, our FAC paperwork is complete AND our profile book is finished, we will be an active, waiting family!

How can we support you in this journey?

• Prayer - Please pray for all of the selfless birth mamas as are making the difficult decision to place their babies for adoption. Please pray for the sweet family that we will eventually match with and that we will be able to share the gospel and love of Jesus with them. Please pray for our hearts, that our hearts would align with His in the waiting and that our hope is found in Him alone.
• Giving - Our adoption will cost over $45,000. Through God's provision, we are currently able to pay about $10,000 toward this goal, bringing our fundraising goal to $35,000. Tax-deductible donations can be made here through our Adopt Together giving site. If you are willing and able to support us financially, we would be so honored. Thank y'all from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support and encouragement. One of the many beautiful things about adoption is that we cannot walk this journey alone. We are honored and blessed by your support and your willingness to join us in this process. We are confident that every story of our past and future points back to Christ and we cannot wait to see this story unfold. Baby Bates, we're coming for you!