Kuipers Adoption
Here we grow again!
Yikes. I really can't believe we're saying this, but with love in our hearts and a confident trust in Jesus, we’re bringing home another baby in just a few short months! If we're honest, this isn't where we expected to be, but we couldn't be more excited anyway.
Our Story:
As so many of you already know, walking with the Lord in adoption is one of the greatest cries of our hearts. Our individual testimonies, our marriage, our family has all been written and wired for this - to love and to live out His call in caring for the orphan and the widow.
One glimpse of our family is evidence of the first, but we don't get to share as often our heart for the later. "The widow" in our lives are the birth mamas we get to walk alongside. We know they don't necessarily fit the literal definition of a widow, but they are often alone; they are often vulnerable; they are often unsheltered; they are often without provision or protection or power; and in all situations, they are staring loss in the eyes. In every other way, they are the women Jesus talks about in the Bible.
And in the days since bringing our girls home, we've fallen in love with their first mamas [in different ways and to varying degrees - absolutely - but it has become our honor to do life alongside of them in whatever way circumstances allow.]
That is why when Amelia's birth mama sent us a picture of an ultrasound, told us a story, and asked us to be this baby's parents on July 16, 2019, we said yes. No hesitation, no reservation. It seems like Josh and I had just finished telling each other the only way we'd grow our family at this time [after the year we just had] would be a bio sibling of one of the girls...Welp, here we go!
The phrase for each of our adoptions has always been 'Better Together', and we feel like it holds extra meaning this time around. Because we can imagine no greater way to show Mama C that we are 'in it' with her, that we are 'better together', than to move forward. We're honored she'd ask. And we're ready for the leap. But we're also inviting you to leap with us...because we're going to need you, family. Not just to overcome the financial obstacles; we're going to need your love and your prayer and your support (and maybe some of your babysitting hours, college kids!!) We can't do it alone, but we fall more in love with that realization each and every time we walk through this. WE, too, are better together.
Our image, though, has changed for this adoption. Something in my heart knew "WHEAT" was the word this time around. The more I've scoured the Bible [and the internet] for an understanding of why, it all begins to make sense. If you'd like to know more about the season we're coming out of, check out Millie's story on my blog! But in short, it's felt a LOT like winter. But winter wheat, planted before the soil freezes, endures the winter and rises in the spring.
That's where we are; we're rising. Like wheat, we're sprouting from the thawing soil after the barren season. Like wheat, we've risen in the dry climate. Like wheat, we've grown closely together. Like wheat, we need to be protected from weeds and pests. Like wheat, we require threshing. Like wheat, we will be offered as a sacrifice for Him to use as provision for the needy. Like wheat, we will rise out of death.
"Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it bears much fruit." - John 12:24
"...for the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field..." Matthew 13:44
We're selling everything and buying the field.
The Part You Can Play:
The adoption process is daunting, and it’s one we know we can’t take on alone. We’d love your support in a few areas:
PRAYER.
The next few months months will be a rollercoaster for us. We believe fully that we’re called to this, but we also fully expect the journey to be taxing; one filled with challenges and emotions. Would you commit to pray for and encourage us regularly?
FINANCIALLY.
Our adoption will cost around $30,000 - 35,000. While this is significantly lower than our previous adoption, it is still a hurdle we cannot jump on our own. We trust that God will provide, and that He’ll use our family and friends to help.
Cost breakdown:
New Home Study - $3,000
Post-Adoption Visits - $1,000
Adoption Attorney + Services for Mama C - $15,000
Birth Mom Expenses - up to $10,000
Travel - $1,000 - $3,000
Legal and finalization fees - $1,000 - $3,000
AWARENESS
The more the merrier! Would you share our campaign on social media? We'd be grateful.
Gifts:
We'd love to give you something in return for your support. We'll start delivering near the beginning of November. Each gifts include the phrase 'Better Together" and an image of wheat, declaring God's faithfulness - even in seasons of barrenness and "winter" - as well as the bountiful harvest He promises to provide.
Give $10+
We'll send you a 'Better Together' sticker as the constant reminder of something so true - we really are better TOGETHER.
Give $25+
We'll send you a 'Better Together' coffee mug. Because who doesn't want to sip a warm drink and remember they're not alone?
Give $40+
We'll send you a 'Better Together' t-shirt! So that you, too, can wear the promise: 'not for a minute was I forsaken'. And always be sporting Team Kuipers! [We l.o.v.e. catching glimpses of our last adoption shirt everywhere we go.] *Hoping for more than 1 shirt? You'll also get the code to our Bonfire Shop to buy as many additional shirts as you want to for only $30 each!
Give $100+
We'll send you everything: a sticker, a coffee mug, and a tshirt and the code to our Bonfire Shop. You're all in, and we love you for it! [We love the rest of you, too. Don't worry.]
BONUS! Give $200+
Choose to add an original art piece by Diamond + Amelia, a custom ornament by Lindsey, OR a remixed song with [someone’s] name in it by Josh in addition to your All In Bundle!
Really though, we just love you guys. These are all simply special ways for us to give back as you give to us and become a integral part of our story. 
