Surprise – We’re adopting!
We are so excited to finally be able to share our news with you! Adoption is something Josh and I (Chelsea) have felt called to since our dating days (circa 2010!!). For ten years, God has kept this longing on our hearts and we finally feel we’re at a point where we can bring a child into our home and provide a safe, secure, supportive, and healthy environment. We are so thankful for the children God has given us and we now feel ready to open our home and hearts to a child whose parents have chosen adoption.
Adoption is beautiful, but it is always tied to loss and brokenness. Adoption never happens when children are born into a stable environment which often means that the children often suffer trauma, whether or not they have memories of it. That being the case, while we ask for financial support, we need prayer and community support just as much. Josh and I are also undergoing special training and education in order to support our child in his transition to our home.
We also believe that adoption is obedience. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Josh and I take this literally and seriously!
Here are answers to some questions you may have:
Where are you adopting from?
For now, it’s in the best interest of the child to keep the specific country anonymous. But what we can tell you is that we will be adopting from a country in Asia.
Will you be adopting a girl or boy?
We’ve been told to expect to be matched with a boy as most girls are adopted domestically in this country. All children who are available for adoption go through a 5-month period where they are only eligible to be adopted in-country. If they are still not matched with a family after waiting for 5 months, they are eligible to be adopted internationally.
How old will the child be?
The child will most likely be 2 years old when he comes home with us.
How soon will the child come home with you?
We will most likely be able to bring home the child in 18-24 months.
Why aren’t you adopting domestically?
Josh and I strongly considered domestic adoption, however, due to the timeline of domestic adoption, we came to the realization that adopting an infant domestically would cause an 8 year age gap between our oldest child and our adopted child. It’s so important to use that this child feels like he is truly a part of our family and we very much want him to have a close relationship with David and Evy. That being the case, we chose a country program where the child we adopt will most likely be 2 years old at the time we bring him home.
How else are you choosing to fund your adoption?
While our fundraising goal ($25,000) may sound like a lot, the total cost for the adoption will likely be around $50,000. Josh and I plan to contribute a large portion of our personal income supplemented with adoption grants, fundraisers, crowdfunding, as well as adoption loans (although we’d like to avoid this if possible).
Will you be hosting other fundraisers?
Yes! Please be sure to follow along on Chelsea’s Instagram or Facebook page for updates on new adoption fundraisers and general updates in our adoption process.
