Hello!

It’s been quite the last couple of months for us. We are going to catch you up quickly and then share a few pieces of fun news.

May and June were both very busy months for each of us at work, and therefore it has been hard to find time to work on our required adoption education. However, we just started that time together again in these last few days, reading through our books and working through those requirements. We have both come to really enjoy that time together! We have just a couple books left to finish, and some online training and then we are set. Good timing… more on that later :)

Though we were busy, that didn’t stop us from starting to create the nursery space! It’s taking on a very calm and peaceful feeling, and we are excited to put the last few pieces into place. Once we are finished with it, we will for sure share pictures!

As you read in a previous post, our home study was estimated to start during this last Spring. It was hard for us to receive the news that it would not be starting, especially since we had already waited longer than was estimated. However, because God is who He is, and cares for even the smallest of our emotions, He provided a connection for Bethany to another adoptive momma who lives in the area. They also happened to adopt through the same organization we are going through. She was able to give Bethany some encouragement, and that really has helped set our feelings of “but, when…” at ease. We look forward to getting to know this family better, because the story of how we connected is just so good (definitely Holy Spirit driven)!

At the beginning of May, our agency reached out to ask if we were still open to a transracial/transcultural* adoption and if so, which races we are open to. We said “yes,” that we are still open to it, and that we are open to all races. At our agency, about 60% of adoptions are transracial/transcultural. We’ve known since early on in our process that this is something we are very open to, and we continue to be!

*Transracial/Transcultural adoption is defined as a child of one race or ethnic group being placed with parents of a different race or ethnic group.

At the beginning of June we received some hopeful news: our home study will likely be starting mid-August. We are definitely holding this loosely, as this process is always fluid and requires us to be as well. It is a joy to know this current season of waiting is almost finished, and we will be able to step into the next season soon. There are likely plenty more seasons of waiting to come, but this step is a big one, and we are excited that it’s almost here. With our adoption education requirements wrapping up soon, we will have all of our energy and focus pointed to the remaining home study items to hopefully move quickly through that process once it begins.

We are so thankful for the way God has provided for us financially so far to support this adoption. If you’ve donated, please know you’ve played an integral part in helping us reach the amount of funds needed to complete our home study. Thank you!!

Now that our home study is almost here, it is time for us to start fundraising and saving for the next financial responsibility, which includes all the legal fees, adoption finalization and the remainder of the agency fees. This is a pretty large amount, and the one that feels the most daunting. Not just because of how much is needed, but because we may need it at any moment as we never know when a placement will happen! And, while there is a bit of time in there, the last thing we want to do is worry about the financial pieces while welcoming a little one into our home.

Once our home study is complete, we will be eligible to apply for grants. We already have a list of grants that we plan to apply for. Bethany also applied for one that allows applications pre-home study. We have not heard back from that one, yet.

We wish that grants would be a guarantee and would get us the rest of the way, but that’s just not how it works. So we still have fundraising to do. Honestly, fundraising is one of our least favorite things! It can be quite uncomfortable, and for some reason when it comes to adoption, it can feel weird to fundraise for. However, Phillip’s dad recently shared a story with us (paraphrased):

A woman once told me, “don’t take my blessing away. I can’t run a camp, but you can! This is my way of being able to contribute to an important ministry.”

That has sat with us since he shared it. The reality is, not everyone can adopt, and not everyone feels called to adoption. But that doesn’t mean that those who can’t adopt don’t see its value. Adoption isn’t just what we are doing, it’s what we and all those who surround us are doing. It takes a village to care for the entirety of a family; we were created for a relationship with one another, after all! So whether it be prayer, reading this blog, cheering us on, or financial support, you too, are a part of this adoption. Honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way! Thank you for being a part of it and continuing to walk alongside us during this very long journey (even through the not so exciting pieces).

How can you support us in this next stage?

Please consider doing the following:

  • Pray for our process, our organization, and for the birth family of our future child. Share our blog, Go Fund Me link and apparel fundraiser link with others!

  • If you can’t support us financially, that is TOTALLY OKAY! If you are able to support us financially, there are a couple ways to do it, including ONE NEW WAY:

    • We just launched an apparel fundraiser featuring designs made by Bethany specifically for this very purpose. Not only will your purchase support us financially, but it will also encourage us when we see you wearing it, and is a great way to support adoption in general. You can find that apparel (in adult & kid sizes) here.

    • You can still donate to our Go Fund Me here

      • Someone shared with us that they rather not donate via Go Fund Me due to fees and would rather send a check instead. If that is your desire as well, feel free to send your donation to us.

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We really do appreciate you, and are grateful we aren’t doing this alone. We have felt so much love, support and community over the last year, and that is one of the greatest gifts we could receive. Stick with us, we will continue to need your support in the next several months to come.

With appreciation,

Phillip and Bethany