Last year our family adopted a baby girl after seven years of secondary infertility. We walked a very long and painful journey, but I would re-live every single second we spent on that road seven times over to bring our daughter into our family.
God used those seven years to refine me as an individual and us as a family, and taught us that we need to love Him despite our circumstances and trust His plan even when it is different than our own.
Our story is one of high highs and low lows, of loss, despair, hope, joy, and ultimately of a miracle. When we thought we couldn't afford to spend one more penny, God provided, and we were able to complete a $35k adoption.
One of the things that has always really frustrated me is the fact
that the cost of fertility treatments and adoption can make these options unattainable for some families. It is the salt in the wounds of infertility, and it is the reason so many children are without a home.
Since experiencing this painful reality myself, I have felt that at some point in my life I would become an advocate for these families.
Recently God made it clear that the time has come for me to step up to the plate. And the Choose Joy Event was born.
Choose Joy will be a one day faith-based conference event geared toward women experiencing infertility and/or desiring to build their family through adoption.
There will be a luncheon, some break-away sessions where women can choose to hear about topics closest to their heart and situation, and then a final session with some special surprises and where I will share my story.
But the best and most exciting part is that at the end of the event we will be raffling off funds to help one lucky attendee grow their family!
If you are walking the painful and often lonely road of infertility, or even if you have never experienced infertility but still have a desire to grow your family through adoption, I would love for you to attend this event! Registration will open Tuesday, October 9th.
If you have an organization that would like to offer informational services to our attendees, please email me.
If you own a business and would like to sponsor this event with goods, services, or advertisement, please email me.
If you have a heart for this topic, and would like to offer financial support to this event, you can make a donation by clicking on the Donate Now button in the right sidebar.
Breakaway Session Topics:
Blending Bios and Adopted children & Transracial Adoption {Jamie Fink}
Having a Heart of Hope: Overcoming the Hurt from Infertility {Lesli Westfall}
God's Heart for the Hurting; Waiting Hurts, Waiting Perfects {Rachel Goode}
Fundraising for Adoption {Kathleen Ellis}
Infant Loss & Miscarriage {Julie Carson}
When Adoption is your First Choice {Chrissie Rouse}
Foster Care {Allison Dalke}
Living Hannah's Prayer {Amy Srch}
Living in 2 Week Seasons; Waiting in the Lord's Timing {Beth Lauder}
When Adoption Fails {Dena De La Toree & Lisa Frattone}
Open Adoption {Lesily Davis}
Special Needs Adoption {Lyndsay Boulton}
The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly of International Adoption {Vanessa Clairmont}
The Ethics of Infertility {Scott & Marlo Kurz}
