Two years ago we started discussing ways in which to grow our family. After months of prayer and research, we decided to pursue a domestic adoption. Adopting a child was on our hearts as individuals before marriage and the desire has only grown stronger. We know our God is big and He has an amazing plan for our family. We look forward to the day when we can welcome new hearts into our family, our child and hopefully their birth family!
Since January of this year, we have prepared and completed our home study, created a family profile, applied to a number of adoption agencies, have presented our profile to several expectant mothers, and are currently waiting for the mother who will say yes to us! Over the past few months, God has called us to pray for women in these difficult situations. Through this He has shown us how critical it is to rely on Him in all circumstances.
We cannot begin to explain how excited we are to see God's plan unfold. We look forward to seeing little Chris become a big brother, having a new baby in our home, and to meeting and, hopefully, developing a beautiful relationship with our expectant mother. We are excited to have the family that God is creating for us because we were once strangers too and He adopted us into His family.
In the midst of all of the excitement, dreaming, believing, we have to admit that adoption is very expensive. In fact, the number one reason couples do not pursue adoption is because they do not think they can afford it. Knowing this, and being slightly nervous, we chose to move forward anyway because we felt it is what we are called to do.
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 puzzle fundraiser as a way to help us find our missing piece. It may surprise you to hear that adoption-related costs can easily swell above $35,000 or more. This is why we have created this fundraiser to help ease the financial burden that often overwhelms adoptive parents, including us.
We hope that by inviting you into this process, you will see yourself as a piece of the puzzle that has helped bring our family together!
1. Pray - We absolutely need your prayers first and foremost. Please pray that God's will be done, for our expectant mom as she makes an impossible decision, and for patience for us on this journey. We know that as we are making decisions and trusting God that we need to be absolutely covered in prayer.
2. Support - We have purchased a simple puzzle with a heart on it that is 252 pieces. Each puzzle piece if for sale by donation, any amount will be a tremendous blessing to us. We will write your name on the puzzle piece and assemble the puzzle as we sell pieces. Once it is completed, we will frame and hang the puzzle as a beautiful reminder of all of the people who have taken the time to pray, encourage, and support us. You are a piece of this beautiful puzzle and we are grateful for you.
3. Encourage — Regardless of if you choose to buy a puzzle piece or not, your encouragement is one of the best ways you can support us. This is a marathon and having those cheering us on to finish has more of an impact than you can imagine. It has been an uphill battle so far, but we know that it will be worth it in the end.
Thank you very much for your love and support. We look forward to sharing our new addition to our family with you hopefully in the near future!
Love,
Chris, Stephanie, and Little Chris
