August 30, 2020
A book that has shaped our vision of this adoption is “You Can Adopt Without Debt” (Julie Gumm). Could a debtless adoption process be possible?… for US? A half-dozen fundraiser ideas bounced around in our heads and conversations for several weeks until we decided (around late May) to plan a garage sale fundraiser.
For months, we had gradually compiled dozens of donated items in our basement. Our yard and neighborhood could not adequately provide the space to host, so our siblings graciously invited us to hold the event at their home in northwest Ohio. After several months of hard work and preparation, we were ready!
The sale ended with tears of gratitude.
We are undeserving of the grace we experienced. The weather was inviting… customer turnout was encouraging, complete with inquiries about adoption followed by prayers and well wishes… and the combination of purchases and financial gifts produced an end result that exceeded our goal.
We experienced a miracle. A multiplying of the loaves and fish. To everyone who donated, prayed, or even thought positively about this event: we thank you, because it has advanced the Kingdom.
Though we are significantly closer to our final financial goal, we are still working HARD to raise the remainder of the funds. Thank you again for your support and prayers.
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August 24, 2020
This weekend is our fundraiser garage sale. The final few forms of the homestudy phase are being finished in the coming days. Our three visits with our social worker - which included a safety audit of our home - are complete and went very well. Not much is left of the homestudy process; we wait for the agency to approve the homestudy process.
Anticipation and eagerness and a whole host of mixed emotions are on the rise for us. It calms and reassures us that family and friends are voicing their love, care, and support to us. Not much time until we begin the FINAL phase of the process: matching!
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August 2, 2020
We have completed our first meeting with our social worker, providing extensive background on our childhoods and marriage. There will be two other meetings to complete the homestudy phase of the adoption process; one of these will be a thorough inspection of our home, including having a fire inspection and safety audit. Talk about some extensive planning and preparation!
After frequent deliberating, we decided to host a garage/yard sale fundraiser in order to offset some of the funds associated with the adoption. Already, there has been gracious provision and support shown from family and friends alike. The sale is planned for the final weekend in August.
Our aim is to complete this phase as quickly as we can manage. This has left us feeling as though we are sprinting a marathon. We are making every effort to glean enjoyment from this process (as much as one is able to draw enjoyment from paperwork, stress, and uncertainty). We are ready for completion and to meet our child!
Please consider praying with us and for us as we draw nearer to the end of our homestudy.
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July 18, 2020
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OUR STORY
Adoption was GOD-ordained from the beginning. It was through our individual life stories and marriage story that led us to choose adoption. The adoption seed was planted and has been watered and nurtured through a myriad of circumstances.
Caleb's Heart for Adoption
My years actively learning, growing, and serving - both in the Nazarene church and in Christian higher education — forged an increasing care and concern for those GOD cared about deeply; this included children and orphans.
It was in my church’s youth group that I met Tesia. As our love deepened, I learned about her story. In her story is a heart for adoption, which further nurtured my consideration to adopt.
The commitment to adopt a child was never a “lightbulb moment” for me, but rather it came to fruition through innumerable times when my small life encountered the larger life and family of GOD.
Tesia's Heart for Adoption
As many of you know, adoption is very dear and close to my heart. My years growing up with an adopted older brother gave me a love and passion for the many ways that God can use and bless an adoption. Over the years, I have come to understand more fully how this compares to adoption into God’s family. We are all orphans until we are adopted into God’s family.
God has been working on my heart for adoption for many years. I always wanted to adopt but never dreamed that it would happen for me too! What an exciting new journey and we are thrilled to see what God has in store!
Our Marital Heart for Adoption
We are faith-inspired and walk-by-faith people; we believe in the truth of Scripture. GOD tells us that we are adopted by Him (Galatians 4:5). And “how great the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of GOD” (1 John 3:1). It is profoundly life-giving, life-affirming, and life-changing that we are known and parented by Him. For us, this truth holds eternal significance. And we believe GOD has called us to extend and emanate this love to our own human family — in particular, to our future children.
June 20, 2020
We are adopting a child!
We are beyond excited and are doing everything we can to be prepared to welcome a beautiful new life into our home. As part of our adoption process, we have started a crowdfunding campaign. It may surprise you to hear that adoption related costs can easily total up to $25,000 or more. This is why we have set a goal of $10,000 to help ease the financial burden that often overwhelms adoptive parents.
We hope that by inviting you into this process, you will see yourself as part of the community we hope to build around our child as they grow up.
