The Shorts Family Adoption

San Luis Obispo, California

Hi! We are the Shorts family- Nick, Jessie, Ruthie, and Monty.

Our adoption journey as a couple, started 10 years ago (and earlier than that individually). After our first date, we were committed to pursuing adoption in our future. We have two biological kiddos- Ruthie (almost 5yo) and Monty (3yo). It’s a privilege and a gift to have the opportunity to raise our kiddos, and with what means we do have, we feel called to welcome another child into our home.

We understand adoption does not just represent beauty and celebration, but also grief, heaviness, loss, and more. In no way are we the saviors. Our own adoption into God’s family and the ability to lean on God as our Father because of Christ, is a driving force behind the call to adopt a child into our family. We have a heart for the marginalized, the needy, and those who are often overlooked. Our family is pursuing a waiting child, age 14 (almost 15), from Bulgaria! She is eagerly waiting for us to complete our paperwork and we are eager to bring her home.

To make this happen, we are humbly approaching our community to ask for financial help to complete this process. The fees of home study, paperwork transactions, language translations, education trainings, psychological evaluations, background checks, filing fees, medical reviews, dossier preparation fees, USCIS fees, travel/ accommodation (traveling to Bulgaria twice), foreign country program expenses, post adoption reports and services, not including maternity leave, and many other little expenses that add up, make this process an in depth and expensive step of faith- to say the least. Expenses are estimated at around $52,000. On our end, we are saving, fundraising, and applying for grants.

The call to adopt is saying yes to many unknowns and all we can do is trust in God’s plan, regardless of our own calculated, measured, controlled, or romanticised perceptions. We are fully given all that we have, and hope to offer a safe, loving, and nurturing home to a child.

We are not the only ones taking a step of faith. It was not just us alone making this choice. She is also saying yes. So will you join us in praying for her as she makes a huge transition in her life. Pray for safety, protection, God’s provision, adjustments, attachment, preparations, and anything else you might think of. We love you all.

Gratefully,

The Shorts fam

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”  -Isaiah 43:2