OPEN DOORS & ANSWERED PRAYERS: HOW WE KNEW THE DOORS WERE OPENING FOR ADOPTION

We tried for over 18 months to get licensed for foster care. The system is broken. We get that, and we understood that from the start. We thought if we could just get through the training, we would be able to help at least one child.Afterall, we had heard many success stories too. That never became the case for us though. We started in 2023 with the licensing process, and never got past it. At times, it would take weeks or months to get a call back from the agency licensing us. Other roadblocks happened like legal name changes after marriage causing delays, background check delays, and training classes being too full to include us. After many roadblocks and two job changes for us, we could not finish the licensing during business hours, and there was no response from the agency or other agencies I had called to find other options for training. I left voicemails and emails. I never received responses. I believe the Lord was keeping doors shut because He had a different plan for us. 

In early 2025, my husband and I stumbled into a conversation about private adoption. We did not even plan to talk about it; it just happened. One second we were planning the meal prep menu, and the next, we were having a heart to heart about our desires for family and how adoption could be something we were being called to. We both knew there was a STEEP cost involved and that had always held us back. Afterall, who do you know that has $50-80,000 lying around? We certainly didn’t. The thing is, we were certain we wanted to be parents and sure that we could bless a child through adoption if given the chance. We agreed we would look into it and find out more details. 

If you know me, you know that as soon as I get started on something, I am going to work at it until I succeed. So sure enough I began researching, asking friends, and connecting with people on social media. I was consuming information and perspectives about adoption from every angle I could. During this time, I reached out to a friend from church who has three adopted children. We’ll call her “K” here, since I know she wouldn’t want her name all over the internet. I knew that our relationship was transparent enough for her to be comfortable with me asking questions about her adoption experiences. I also knew “K” was a wealth of knowledge. One meeting later, I was filled with info and confident that all of my fears were not worth giving a voice to. I believe that was an answer to a prayer I did not know how to pray. I had lost my spark in some ways. Her voice of truth in my ear through that conversation lit a passion in me that got quiet through the last few years of engagement, wedding planning, marriage, moving, and a home remodel to boot. I just had become disconnected with the need out there. Until she reminded me; Adoption is pro life and pro women. There is still a need for people to support women in a multitude of ways after they choose life for their baby. One way was through adoption. 

 I thank the Lord for placing my friend “K” in that conversation with me and for the reminder of the need out there. After that conversation, I knew what agency to contact; one that had our same values. My husband and I attended the orientation meeting, still a bit apprehensive about the costs but sure that we wanted to disciple through parenting and establish a relationship with a birth family. But…we also knew the starting fees to complete the agency application and home study were $4150 all together. I was nauseous at the thought. My husband had signs of distress on his face each time I looked over at him during that meeting and the car ride home. The money was going to have to come and we were going to have to trust God for it. We began fundraising plans immediately – God had given us talents, skills, connections, and work ethic. We were willing to “show up” & try.

We felt our friends and family may not understand our “why” or desire to adopt if we shared it with them. You can read more about our “why” for adopting HERE. We knew there would be people who would judge us. My side of the family was extremely encouraging and embraced our plans by giving us validation and support…another answer to prayer. Regardless of our fears, we drafted an honest, heartfelt, and vulnerable fundraising support letter and sent to close friends and family only. Within days after we had completed the orientation meeting and sent out the letter, we had the agency paperwork printed and we began the process to apply to the agency. We still did not know where the money was going to come from but little by little my faith was growing. On a whim, I said a little prayer:

“Lord, we have an Aga stove we can sell to prepare for the costs I think? It has been for sale for months and we cannot find the right buyer. I think it would sell for $5000 or more?….” 

I was going to ask for His guidance to bring us the right buyer but in all honesty, I fell asleep before I ever finished the prayer. The next day….we had a buyer lined up. More answered prayers. 

But, guess what? God is in the details & gave us encouragement from the buyers of the stove. They had done foster care and adopted a daughter and were praying for us! Little God winks were everywhere. The doors began to open one by one. (For those who are wondering, AGA stoves are english cooktops and are extremely expensive. The we bought it used with a dream of installing in our home (long story for another time) but never did get to install it. We sold the stove to a family who has a farmhouse just like us and they intend to install it & use for many years to come! You can follow along and see their journey here – Kayla, the new owner of the AGA stove has a highlight on her page about the stove too! They are a great family and we feel blessed that the stove went to such a loving home!)

I remember when I first talked to my friend “K” about adoption, I teared up telling her that $4000 would take a longggg time to save. That was less than 90 days ago. Since then, we have sold our stove for $5000…the exact amount I prayed for! We have also been able to fundraise $4150 for the homestudy and application costs (phase 1). AND we have even been able to fundraise almost all of phase 2 (another $4000) which will go towards the entire costs for the adoption consultants. 

I am so thankful and humbled – I know my husband is too. But more than that, I wanted to share this for those of you who are sitting in waiting. The Lord will provide. I cannot encourage you enough to take the leap to put yourself in a place where you have to trust the Lord to provide. This experience is far from over but has deeply encouraged me and built my faith even stronger. I looked at “K” with tears in my eyes, thinking it would surely never happen. And yet, I call that my mustard seed moment. Only a tiny part of me believed the Lord could make a way; and I only believed that because I had seen Him do it for others. 

He multiplies our little faith. Every yes that you give in obedience to Him is also a yes that brings Him glory. I’ll be back to share more soon. The story is still unfolding. 

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 

For His Glory, 

Meredith