We have BIG news!
We are adopting a child!
From the moment we decided we wanted children, we had a desire to adopt, but we weren’t sure when we would pursue it. After experiencing our own infertility journey, we felt that the Lord was guiding us to pursue adoption. We believe children are a blessing and family is God’s idea. We desire to pursue the Lord and honor Him through this avenue of parenting.
We are beyond excited about the journey ahead and we are doing everything we can to prepare to welcome a beautiful new life into our home.
As part of our adoption process, we have started a crowdfunding campaign. Surprisingly, adoption-related costs can easily total up to $35,000 or more. This is why we have set a goal of $30,000 to help ease the financial burden that often overwhelms adoptive parents.
We hope and pray that by inviting you into this process, you will see yourself as part of the community we desire to build around our child as he/she grows up.
This past week Jessie and I had the amazing opportunity to participate in HEART training (Helping Educate Adoptive couples with Resources and Training) through our adoption agency Christian Adoption Services. At our training we were able to hear stories from case workers, birth moms and adoptive families about their beautiful adoption journeys. Additionally, we met and made friends with other couples who are also in the process of adopting. It was an emotional but joyous time. We feel more encouraged and ready than ever to welcome a child into our family. Praise God!
A special shoutout to all of those who work in the foster/adoption field. You are warriors who tenderly serve all individuals involved in the adoption process. Please continue to pray for the case workers, birth families, and us as we await placement.
The days of intense paperwork and home study interviews are over! As of January 2024, we have completed all document requirements to become a waiting family. We have an in-person training in a few weeks where we'll have the opportunity to hear the stories of Birth families and Adoptive Families. We'll also meet the other couples in our "class" that live locally to us. We're excited to start expanding our network of support with adoption. Our agency has put together a beautiful adoption profile album that show cases our lives and will be visible to birth families as they make a decision.
In the midst of paperwork and interviews, we spent the holiday season preparing the nursery for our future child. We're so thankful for family and friends that donated items to help us get it ready. We went with a rainbow & sunshine theme because just like rainbows and sunshine are a blessing after a storm (or in our case an infertility storm), we know this little one will be a blessing to us and everyone he/she interacts with.
Thanks again for y'all's continued support and prayers.
With Love,
Andrew & Jessie
As the holiday season approaches us, the Smith family has recently been reflecting on gifts and thanks.
Today, we often think of gifts as material things. Clothes, tools, candy, money, or other items that bring us comfort or pleasure. Certainly, all of these are blessings and are things worth being thankful for. But Jessie and I have so many more “gifts” to be grateful for.
As some of you know, Jessie and I have suffered through infertility and now 3 miscarriages. This suffering has truly been a "gift". As we endured the grief and mourned the loss of our three children, Leigh, Hayden and Micah, God has used this season to draw us closer to him and deepen our faith. We have the "gift" of being parents already, albeit not in the traditional sense, but parents none the less. We have the "gift" of friends and family who have supported us during these difficult times.
Now, during this season of adoption, we’ve experienced a whole new set of gifts. The "gift" of working with amazing case workers helping us through the adoption process. The "gift" of mothers and fathers and their sacrifice to put their biological children up for adoption. The "gift" of others being vulnerable and sharing their adoption stories and encouragement.
But most of all, Jessie and I are thankful for the "gift" of grace and our salvation through Jesus Christ. We pray that during this sometimes busy and chaotic holiday season, that you feel the love of Christ, the best "gift" of all.
With Love,
Andrew & Jessie
First, we wanted to say a special "Thank You" to y'all for supporting us thus far. We have been feeling overwhelmed with the donations that have been coming in. The Lord is proving His faithfulness through your generosity.
Second, while we wait for paperwork to come in, we have been utilizing our downtime to prepare ourselves & marriage for parenthood. This past weekend, we traveled to Tacoma, WA for the Fierce Families Conference. We had the pleasure of meeting families from all over and exploring God's vision for how our households shape society. We were challenged, encouraged, and equipped to press on as a family on mission for Christ.
We ask for your continued prayers and words of encouragement as we wrap up the paperwork stage. Once our adoption agency has received everything, we'll begin the home study phase. Waiting is hard, but with each day that passes we are closer and closer to bringing our child home. Thank you for your love and support!
With Love,
Andrew & Jessie
