Photo: Brandon, Ashley, Savannah, and Tucker in September 2018 just after Tucker’s adoption finalization

Ashley and Brandon’s Lutheran Family Service Adoption Story

When my husband and I were married, we quickly decided we would like to start a family. After struggling through infertility for 2 1/2 years God put Lutheran Family Service (LFS) heavy on our hearts. We contacted them and were treated with extreme kindness and love from day one. They cared about not only our journey, but birth moms, and child as well.

In January of 2017 our books were officially in at LFS, and on February 18th we received a call that we had been matched with our daughters birth mom, who was due in just 2 short weeks. LFS was there to support us through the roller coaster of emotions, answer all the questions, and help us walk through all the firsts of parenting and adoption. They showed us the beauty of adoption, and the hearts that are all connected to this process. Our daughter was born on March 5th, and I never knew my heart could feel so much love.

In November of 2017 God again put adoption on our hearts. We longed to continue to grow our family. We again entered the adoption process through LFS and in March of 2018 our phones again rang with excitement. Our son had been born that morning and was waiting to be held in our arms. We quickly packed bags and drove to him. Again, LFS treated this situation with love, grace, and understanding. They prayed with us and the birth family. They loved on our little guy when we were unable to be there, and they have truly shown us the true gospel of Jesus Christ through this process.

Our beautiful son and daughter are just 1 year and 4 days apart, and the best of friends. God has truly amazed us with the beauty of His perfect plan in joining our lives with our 2 kiddos. But God continues to amaze me with the strength and bravery of every single birth mom who has selflessly made the decision to place her child for adoption. His plan is perfect. His plan is beautiful. And His Grace is more than we could ever imagine.

In February of 2019 we again decided to enter the adoption process at LFS, and have again began our wait. We have seen in the last two years — God’s unfailing love for us, and we continue to trust Him in this third roller coaster journey. We are forever and ever grateful for LFS and 2 extremely beautiful and brave birth moms who gave our two children LIFE.

“Life takes us to unexpected places. LOVE brings us home.”

~Ashley & Brandon~