We have very exciting news to share!
We are adopting a child!!
Wow. Did we just say that? Overjoyed and overwhelmed doesn’t begin to express our feelings because here is the kicker. WE HAVE A MATCH! That means a mom has picked us to be the adoptive parents for her baby. And another kicker… she is due January 11th. WHAT? That is 3 weeks away. Holy Toledo! We feel like we just got the wind knocked out of us.
Things are going to move fast! We are so excited but we have been told to be cautiously optimistic (which is how all adoptions work). This means there are no guarantees until 24-48 hours after birth, which is when rights are relinquished and we are given temporary custody. (Permanent custody happens typically 6-8 weeks after birth in a court hearing). Our expectant mom is amazing by the way! She is sweet, shy, and very brave. We can’t believe she picked us!
I wish we could tell you more about our journey. We will try to give some more insight as the weeks progress on how we got here. We knew it was clear from the very beginning that both of us wanted a family, and not only that, but both of us had a heart for adoption/foster care. The 400,000 + kids in foster care breaks our heart. Just in Kansas alone, there are 50 + kids needing a foster care home every day! Adoption is a huge way to help alleviate this. So, we have been on a list to adopt and as of September ’18 we have been licensed foster parents. Our calling has been clear every step of the way.
Now, we need some MAJOR help and would like to invite you to join us now in this journey. It may surprise you to hear that domestic adoption costs can easily total up to $35,000 or more. Luckily, we have an agency that works hard to keep the costs very low. With social worker, attorney, and health care costs, our adoption will cost $13,500 to $15,500. This is why we have set a goal of $13,000 to help ease the financial burden that often overwhelms adoptive parents. We have been saving, which should help cover some, but our home study and initial fees already took a good chunk of it. So, we need help, and we need it fast!
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 he grows up…. Did you catch that? That’s right! We are expecting a little boy into our home! So, would you consider supporting us? We have a week to come up with $9,500. Yikes! The remaining $4-6,000 will be due in two weeks. (Any gift through this web site is tax deductible by the way.)
Lastly, we understand that not all of you are in a place to give. Please know, we do not expect anything from any of you! We wholly believe if this is from the Lord, HE will provide. He has brought us this far, and we are confident He will see us through to the end. Either way, we would covet your prayers. Pray that God would provide for our financial needs. Pray for our preparation, our relationship with our baby’s mama, and for a healthy baby boy! We sincerely appreciate you all so much, your prayers, and any support you may give. Thank you!!!
