We are Michael and Jessica McElroy and we have been married for four and a half years. Three years into our marriage we decided that it was time to grow our family. By this time we had purchased a home, we were comfortable in our jobs and had just found a church that we both enjoyed and felt like we belonged. Things could not have been better in our lives.

     Difficulty getting pregnant is nothing new. It's a problem many couples face for various reasons. At first we weren't too concerned but after months of trying without success, we thought it would be a good idea to check with a doctor. The first doctor didn't exactly give us the news we had hoped for, and suggested we see another specialist. Several doctors and many tests later, we received the news that no person is ever prepared to hear. It's the news that you sometimes see dramatized on television in shows like "Friends" and "How I Met Your Mother." The news that you cannot have biological children of your own.

     Needless to say, we were shaken. That news was obviously a huge detour from the life that we envisioned for ourselves. We cried. We cried a lot. But we also prayed and spoke with our parents, siblings and church leaders for guidance. We had been presented with a challenge, but in the midst of it all we knew that we still wanted to grow our family. Once we allowed ourselves the necessary time to grieve for our child that would never be, we began to research and learn about growing our family through adoption.

    After much praying and planning we decided to work through the adoption agency Bethany Christian Services. Bethany is a national organization that is well trusted and respected, not to mention grounded in the beliefs and ideals that we both share. The wonderful people at Bethany have been such a huge help. They have made the seemingly impossible seem very possible and very real. While mountains of paperwork and legalities can be daunting, perhaps the most overwhelming aspect of adoption is the cost. We knew that it could be expensive endeavor, but really didn't know how much until we started this journey. It was a shock when we saw an actual number on paper representing an estimate of the price associated with adoption. How could we afford that amount? Should we create more debt for ourselves? Do we really want to do this? Yes. We absolutely want to do it.

     We so want to be parents and we know that we can provide a wonderful home for a child who needs one. Price is not an obstacle we are afraid of but it is an obstacle nonetheless.

     We ask that you please consider using the provided link and help us fund our adoption. Please help us become the parents and the loving family that we know we can be and we feel that we are called to be. Thank you for your consideration and for your help in making our parenting dreams come true.

- Michael and Jessica McElroy