God, Father to the fatherless, has placed a lonely in my family....

In 2015, I began the class to become a licensed foster parent. God had placed a deep seeded passion and dream in me to care for the least of these and to provide a home for a child that might not have hope otherwise. After completing the class and finalizing my home study, Lifeline Children's Services, the agency I was licensed through, prayerfully asked if I would be available to sit with a child in the NICU who was being placed for adoption. The social workers understood the importance of someone committing to pray for this child and providing loving care while he was in the NICU and I was honored to receive the request!

After much prayer, I felt like this was something I was called to do. That's how I first met the child I hope to call my son, Marty.

While Marty was in the NICU, an adoptive family was sought for him. But no families felt they could care for his significant special needs. His entrance into the world was met with great physical trauma and subsequent health issues. Through each step in his NICU stay, I prayerfully considered investing more. More time. More love. More of myself. It became absolutely clear to me that I was chosen to adopt Marty and permanently make him a part of my family.

Marty was discharged from the NICU and sent home to me with hospice care. His prognosis was grave and we were given very little hope from his medical team. BUT, I know Marty's worth! I know he is loved and I know he is cared for by the Great Physician, who has a grand plan for his life! 

Since his birth, Marty has spent a great deal of time in the neonatal and pediatric ICUs. During his stays, a deluge of surgeries and specialized care were executed and put into place. These include, but are not limited to, a gastronomy tube, hormone and genetics testing, neurological testing and care, a tracheotomy and respiratory care, and treatment for seizures. We have been met with the health and medical journey of our lives. But God is SO GOOD! Marty has miraculously defied the odds and continuously amazes me. He is growing and positively progressing. He is smiling and laughing. He knows he is loved!

I have started a fundraiser on Pure Charity for two reasons: to raise the funding that is needed to make our adoption possible and to support his medical care costs. The donation goal of $16,000 will go towards the final cost of the adoption as well as his medical expenses. It has been the depths of my heart's dream to care for children who have walked through hard situations and come from hard places and I am beyond honored to care for Marty. I hope and pray that you will consider helping me make this dream a reality, ensuring that Marty is placed in a home where he will be cared for and loved all of his days!

Every donation, no matter the amount, is invaluable and will help make this adoption a reality and success. I humbly ask, would you kindly consider gifting a donation? Also, I would greatly appreciate your willingness to share this with others who may want to participate in helping us become a family. 

Thank you so much for being a part of our lives and helping to accomplish something that is so important to all of us: caring for the least of these!