“Hope resembles courage more than cheerfulness.”

This quote from Philip Yancey has been a bit of a motto in our family the past couple years.

We’ve always looked forward to the day that we would be parents. Like most people we assumed that getting pregnant would be easy. But life took some challenging turns as we walked through several years of infertility and illness.

Eventually God led us to adoption. We’ve often heard people say they always knew adoption would be a part of their story. We did not start our journey with that guidance but in time we are able to confidently say we are so grateful this is where God has led us! We spent a year preparing – home study, conferences, reading, fundraising. Adoption is messy and beautiful and complicated. We’re so grateful for the family, friends and resources God placed around us as we waded into this decision and looked to educate ourselves on this new path we were starting down.

Early in the summer of 2019 we were matched with a baby boy due in August. We traveled to Florida several times and were in the hospital when Grayson was born.  We had the amazing privilege of visiting him over several days – holding him, praying over him, feeding him, and taking a bazillion pictures. We will always treasure the memory of those hours we got to spend with him. Things were more complicated than we will ever understand. In nature there is always beauty and sunlight, rain and wind, shadow and lightning. And in our stories there are those moments when they all collide.

We came home without Grayson. A failed adoption they call it. Although we were brokenhearted we don’t believe it was a fail. We believe that God was in this time. Even if we never fully understand. We are thankful for the privilege of meeting Grayson and his parents, and believe that their lives will be blessed by all those that have prayed over them. We are so incredibly grateful for the family and friends who carried us through this time.

Two very long months later we walked into a hospital in Florida and our son Levi was placed in our arms. We were overwhelmed with joy to meet him and so extremely grateful for the opportunity to be his parents. We spent two wonderful honeymoon weeks in Florida with Levi waiting on paperwork before we traveled home where we couldn’t wait to introduce him to everyone! Levi means “joined in harmony” and although we recognize the pain and loss that is always a part of adoption we are so grateful for the ways God lovingly directed our journey together.

Each season with Levi brings a fresh awareness of what a privilege it is to be his parents. Our little buddy loves being outside, playing pounce with Daddy and painting with Mama. He’s a ton of fun, making up a new game every day! We never knew fake Easter eggs and a shopping bag could be so much fun, or that the box from Christmas could be a fort for months! This little dude lights up our life!

Our hearts’ desire is to welcome more children into our family. As we look to grow our family through adoption we are praying for God to direct our path and decision making. We are also praying for the expectant parents who will be viewing our profile and making decisions for their child’s future.

As you may have heard there are substantial costs associated with adoption. We have been saving for our second adoption for a while now, and would love to invite you to come alongside us and support us on this journey. We cannot do this alone. We were absolutely amazed by the way the Lord provided for us during our last adoption journey. We are trusting in His timing and His provision for this next adoption. Would you consider supporting us financially as well as in prayer for this next chapter of our story?

We are so looking forward to seeing what Levi will be like as a big brother! Our hearts are ready to bring another child into our home, and we can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to work!