For as long as we can remember, Laura and I have dreamed of becoming parents. We have spent our lives dedicated to caring for and nurturing children, each of us working with children for over a decade. It has been our greatest joy to love and guide children, and yet, our deepest longing has been to have a child of our own. We have prayed, we have hoped, and we have trusted in God’s plan. Now, we find ourselves standing at the doorstep of an incredible opportunity—the chance to adopt a beautiful baby who needs a loving home. Laura and I will celebrate three years of marriage this March, and for nearly two of those years, we have been on a journey to conceive. In the beginning, doctors assured us there was hope, and we clung to that optimism. We have undergone tests, treatments, and countless prayers, all with unwavering faith that God would open the right doors. While we are still believing in His perfect plan for our family, we have come to realize that His path for us to parenthood may look different than we originally envisioned. Our journey has already cost us thousands of dollars, but our hearts remain steadfast—if God is calling us to be parents, we will do whatever it takes. As we walked through this season of waiting, we felt led to become foster parents. This past year, we had the honor of opening our home to children in need, offering them love, stability, and security. Though our foster journey is far from over, it has only solidified our desire to provide a forever home to a child we can call our own. Then, in November of last year, God placed an incredible opportunity before us. A woman in California, pregnant and unable to care for her child, reached out to us and asked if we would be willing to adopt her baby. Without hesitation, we said YES. We are humbled and honored that she chose us to be the parents of this precious life, and we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the chance to welcome this child into our home. The baby boy is due in early July, and we are eagerly preparing to bring him home. This baby is already loved beyond measure. The birth mother, someone Dustin has known for a long time, loves this child dearly, and her decision is not one made lightly. It is a selfless, courageous act of love, and we are committed to ensuring this baby grows up knowing just how deeply he is cherished. Now, we face the challenge of making this adoption a reality. Private adoption is incredibly costly, with expenses often reaching $30,000 to $40,000. For our specific adoption, we anticipate the costs to be around $25,000. This includes: Legal Fees: $10,000 - $15,000 Home Study: $1,500 - $2,500 Travel Expenses: $4,500 (including airfare and two weeks of living expenses in California after the baby is born) Unexpected Costs: Adoption always comes with unforeseen expenses, and we want to be prepared. We are stepping out in faith, believing that God will provide. We know that we cannot do this alone, and that’s why we are asking for your help. Whether through prayer, financial support, or simply sharing our story, we would be eternally grateful for your partnership in this journey. We know that this child is already written into God’s plan for our lives, and we trust in His timing and provision. No matter what, we love and serve a faithful God who is in control of every detail. We surrender our story to Him, knowing that He is the ultimate author of our family’s future. “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him.” – 1 Samuel 1:27 From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for reading our story, for your prayers, and for any way you feel led to support us. This baby is a miracle, and we cannot wait to hold him in our arms, to tell him of the love that surrounded him before he was even born, and to share how an incredible community of faith and love helped bring him home. With love and gratitude, Dustin & Laura
