We are so excited to share that we are ADOPTING!
In 2017, we began our journey with Jesus in trusting Him to build and grow our family!
When the physicians delivered the news that medically I would not be able to carry a baby in my womb naturally, we were crushed. We were filled and overwhelmed with disappointment, fears, and shattered dreams. In moments of darkness and sadness we chose to "hold onto Jesus". He rescued, saved us and gave us a hope and peace that would sustain us throughout the journey and seasons that we were about to embark on.
As we continue to walk in full surrender and obedience to Jesus, we have found our greatest fulfillment in His Will. The years to follow have been filled with challenges, tears, healing, a deeper understanding and revelation of who God is in our lives and our family, restoration of faith, hope and love! We have fully embraced that the life we live is not our own, but for the Glory of God and the fulfillment of His purposes and plan in our lives.
We have discovered our greatest JOY in the Journey which is remaining with Jesus!
In obedience, we've joyfully accepted every opportunity that God has placed in our lives to be a blessing to children in need through foster care parenting, hanai parenting and being volunteers at a non-profit organization that focuses on providing homes for single mothers and their children.
April 2021, we both felt God leading us to pursue adoption. We both felt a confirmation in our hearts and decided that this was the time and season for us to move forward.
From the beginning of time, adoption was written in Heaven for the Orupabo Family — God was just waiting (on us) to bring Heaven’s Will to earth — He has been preparing our hearts and now we are so excited to announce that, We Are Adopting!
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 $50,000 or more. This is why we have set a goal of $40,000 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 he/she grows up!
On May 25, 2022, we officially signed on with Texas Adoption Center!
As we walked through the "Presenting Stage", we patiently waited as we received and reviewed different birth mother cases.
Sunday, August 21, 2022, we received the news that we had MATCHED with our birth mother!
In just 2-short weeks, we have been preparing our hearts and home to travel to Texas to receive our newborn baby girl, who is scheduled to be born on September 14, 2022!
From the beginning of time, adoption was written in Heaven for the Orupabo Family. God was waiting on us to bring Heaven’s Will to earth — He has been preparing our hearts, and now we are so excited to announce that we are bringing Baby Oruapbo home!
Would you consider partnering with us in prayer, financially, or through a word of encouragement. We hope that by inviting you into this process, you will see yourself as part of the community we desire to build around our baby girl as she grows up!
God has been doing such a deep work in our hearts - I've personally felt like these last 3 months (February - April) God was again teaching me how to continue to "Wait Well" -
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:25-34 (MSG)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Presenting Stage” – Filling Out Applications: Our Home Study and family profile book is complete, adoption budget set, funding plan is in place and now we are ready to apply to agencies. On April 27th, we were presented a customized list of Agencies & Attorneys based on our preferences and budget. As a family, we will need to select and apply to different agencies in varying states and be placed as a “waiting family”.
Beginning of the “Matching Stage”: When the agency receives an expectant “birth mother” that fits our preference profile her case will be presented to us, to pray over and consider. If there is a confirmation in our hearts to commit, we will “present our profile & application” (us presenting is our 100% commitment to that mother and child).
Partner with us in Prayer:
1. God will give us wisdom & discernment to know which adoption agency/attorneys to work with.
2. "Birth Mother” – God will cover our future birth mom with peace, protection and grace through this process.
3. Our “Future Child” – We know God has called them by name and appointed them as a prophet to the nations. Protection in the womb (physically/developmentally, relationally, emotionally and spiritually) and through the birthing process. (Jeremiah 1:5)
4. Provision & Favor: God will continue to provide for our every need – Spiritually, Relationally (with our birth mom, agencies, attorneys), Emotionally, Mentally and Financially.
Home Study: is a screening of the home and life of prospective adoptive parents prior to being approved to adopt. A home study is required by law - and it is a series of administrative paperwork, reference reviews, interviews, pre-adoptive training classes, home visits, counseling, and background clearances.
(Post-adoption home study is required - but I can share and talk about that at a later time.)
In November 2021, when we began our journey through the Home Study stage - I was overwhelmed by the process. In our initial meeting with A Family Tree (Hawaii State licensed - family service adoption agency) we were met with the news and reality that due to the pandemic there was limited support and resources and this process may take us up to 5-6 months. At that time, I could not comprehend "waiting/enduring" a 6-month administrative process. My heart was heavy, but we knew that this was necessary, so we agreed and trusted the Lord. Thank you Jesus for His grace, peace and patience through every step of this process. January 2022, in my quiet time with the Lord, I felt a confirmation in my heart from the Lord, "Don't grow tired or concerned, I am with you, be obedient, be diligent and you will receive your home study by your 7th wedding anniversary". God is so timely when He speaks. I held onto His word, because I know He is a God of His Promises. As we diligently continued to complete each step, God gave us joy and we truly embraced the process, learning so much about ourselves and about the adoption process.
On February 24, 2022, we were so delighted to receive the news that our HOME STUDY was approved!!!
You are probably wondering, when is your wedding anniversary? We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary on March 7, 2022! God is so faithful and good - he is never late and ALWAYS ON TIME!
Next Steps: We are finalizing The Orupabo Family Portfolio - a book about our lives/our family that will be given to the agencies that we select to submit our adoption profile. The expectant birth mother will "Get to know us" by reading our profile book, prior to selecting or choosing to interview with us.
