Josh and Amanda Palmeri

are adopting a child from India

We have wonderful news! We are adopting a child!

Back in 2021, God spoke to us very clearly to start the process of adoption through the agency America World Adoption. When we prayed about where, he clearly spoke India to our hearts.

Our oldest daughter was so excited to hear the news and has been eagerly praying for and asking about her sibling in India since.

Since 2021, we have diligently worked together doing everything we can to be prepared to welcome a beautiful new life into our home. From gathering paperwork, background checks, medical reports, blood work, to meeting with our home study agency to complete our list of requirements. Finally, here we are in 2023 getting closer to our final steps before referral. It has certainly been a family mission God has called us.

As part of our adoption process, we have started a crowdfunding campaign. To date, we have seen over $31,000 in expenses. God has provided and we are truly grateful! It may surprise you to hear that adoption-related costs can easily total up to 35,000 or more. For us it is looking between 41,000 and 51,000. This is why we have set a goal of $10,000 to help towards these adoption costs.

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 she grows up. Thank you!

Adoption Status

Home At Last

Adoption Agency

America World Adoption Agency

Updates

  • Update 11

    Appointments Begin 🚕

    June 12, 2025

    Today was a successful day! We packed up from our hotel in Patna this morning, had breakfast and hired a driver and car for the day. Started at 9am. We began our appointments with Abi’s passport appointments. Two appointments at two different locations in Bihar.

    Went to state passport offices to submit the application. Praying it turns around quickly. Should be ready on Tuesday the latest.

    We were done with passport appointments by 2pm so we were able to have a nice sit down lunch at Swaaddesh, an Indo-Chinese restaurant. Our waiter “Jiggie” was a Christian and he was very happy when he heard we were Christ followers too. When we asked if he would like us to pray for him, he shared four things (his relationship with God, resisting temptation, deliverance for brother on drugs, and for his relationship with his dad to be restored). He was so encouraged.

    Abi is doing great. She’s already started to develop a healthy attachment to Amanda. When I go to hold her, her lip quivers and she starts to cry the cutest sounding cry! It’s okay — it may some time for her to attach to me as well. I’m expecting that to happen by the end of the trip, but we trust God and move at Abi’s pace.

    Got to the airport around 4pm. We needed to add Abi to our plane tickets at the counter window outside the airport. I stood at the counter window surrounded by a crowd of people. There are no lines in India — only groups of people asserting their perceived position as next in line. Before one person is done being serviced, two others are handing the service attendant their ticket and start talking saying what they need. It’s just how it’s done in India 😂 Learning so much about the culture here. Having our guide with us is such a blessing!

    Checked into airport and waiting for our flight. Departs at 8:25pm and lands 9:50pm local time. It’s a quick flight.

    We are tired! Tomorrow is Friday. Day of rest. We need it. 😊 Looking forward to giving Abi a good bath too!

    Oh and also — 101 degrees today. And we have never been sweating so much in our lives 😆 All worth it!!

  • Update 10

    Meet Abijah Jasmine Palmeri 🥰

    June 12, 2025

    We made it to our baby girl!!! 🥹❤️

    It was wonderful meeting the social worker at the orphanage and the caretakers and staff. They were really so welcoming and wonderful. They had such love and care for “Mitthi”. We felt such a mix of emotions seeing how loved she was. When we got to see Abijah and spend time with her for the first time, she cried a lot. And every time she saw one of her caretakers she cried again! Our guide Abigail reminded us of what we heard many times - this is a good thing because she has healthy attachment and knows she is well cared for. That stirred in us a wave of emotions! Not wanting to take her from people who care for her. We kept reminding ourselves that God ordained for her to be here for an appointed season and now it is time for her to be with us as her family. 🥹

    Today was a mix of… Excited. Uncertain. Joyful. Elated. Waves of emotion!

    Overall — walking right into the moment God had planned for Abijah Jasmine ❤️ She is so loved and has been prayed for since well before she was even born and had been through three major surgeries by the time she was 6 months old. God is sustainer and protector of her life! Thank you all for supporting our family and praying for her!!!

    On the car ride back from the orphanage, we just got a few smiles for the first time! That was special. Lot of bonding time, especially with Mom. She didn’t throw up — a 6.5 hour drive now. She’s a champion. She ate some veggie and fruit snacks and drank water too.

    We are grateful! Flooded with gratitude. Taking it slow. Enjoying and trying to move at her pace.

    Now the journey truly begins. We will spend about two weeks here completing all of the necessary appointments (passport, visa, medical, exit permit, etc.) and will do some sightseeing while we wait for those documents to be issued through the coming days. One we have everything done, we can come home!

    Thank you friends and family ❤️

  • Update 9

    On our way to Abi ❤️

    June 11, 2025

    We started our journey to Abi’s orphanage at 6:30am today. We are on our way to see her in person for the first time! Should take us about 5.5 hours to get there.

  • Update 8

    Made it to Patna!

    June 10, 2025

    Today, we made it to Patna via a 2 hour flight from Delhi!

    One step closer to our baby girl.

    Tomorrow morning, we will depart from our hotel here in Patna at 6:30 AM. We will drive about 5 to 6 hours west to take custody of Abi!

    Please pray with us for Abi as we prepare for this moment! For her to just well with us. And for her during the trip back!

    Thank you friends and family! We are continually reminded over the course of this journey that God our Heavenly Father has adopted his children — it’s all about Him and His love!

  • Update 7

    Landed!

    June 9, 2025

    We have landed in India 🇮🇳!!! Yay!

    We got to our hotel around 11:30pm (India Time).

    Getting a few more papers in order.

    We are both running on little sleep but expecting a good rest before flying tomorrow.

    We meet Abi in about 48 hours!

$4,100 raised of $5,000 goal
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Donations 21

  • Christine McKay gave $30
  • Vincent Parisi gave $100
    Beautiful family.
  • Anonymous gave an undisclosed amount
    God bless your growing family. 🙏🏼💖🥰
  • Javen & Caitlin gave $85
    We love you! It's an honor to stand with you in faith for your baby girl to come home!
  • Anonymous gave an undisclosed amount
  • Anonymous gave an undisclosed amount
  • Anonymous gave an undisclosed amount
  • Anonymous gave an undisclosed amount
    Blessings as you grow your family and strength and wisdom as you go through the journey to get there.
  • Anonymous gave $50
    Keep going! Prayers up! : )
  • Veronica Henry and Lexi Penna gave $100
    Hi Family!! Cannot express how proud we are of all of you! Thank you for including us on your journey to adopt. Our family joins you in prayer. God is so good and will complete what he has placed in your heats. Love The Pennas