Callie and Eli Adoption

In 2016, Callie and Izzy fell in love. Eli was only 2 years old, and his birth mother was not in his life. Izzy knew Callie would be a good mother figure and the three of them began their life as a family. She took on that role with fierce determination to be the best at something she felt God called her to do.

Although Izzy moved out of town to work in 2020, Eli stayed with Callie and the stability she provided. Izzy always contributed financially and would visit freely and as often as he could. This arrangement worked and went on for three years.

In late January of this year, when Izzy was preparing to leave again after visiting for a few weeks, Callie prayed and repeated three times “God, I know I can do anything with you” reminding herself that she and Eli would be ok no matter what. There were reasons and signs that caused her worry, which will remain private, but she and God knew. Four days after he left, she was notified that he was in ICU after suffering cardiac arrest. He remained on life support for seven days before he went to be with Jesus.

Imagine the strength and bravery it took to tell her son that his daddy died.

Grief is hard and at the beginning it’s all a blur, but here we are at the nine-month mark and this girl is doing it. All of it. Working full time, has kept Eli on schedule with school, baseball, all-stars, after school care, church, Grief Counseling for both of them and carves out quiet time for the two of them to recharge. She is amazing. She went from co-parent to single parent. It’s true, with God she can do anything.

Callie has retained an attorney and begun the steps required to adopt Eli. She's been approved and was given Temporary Guardianship while the process moves forward toward adoption. Izzy’s entire family are all in agreement with Eli remaining with Callie. She is the only mother he has ever known.

Izzy worked hard to provide while he was alive, and did a good job as their main financial support, but there was no life insurance, or assets to help after he was gone.

Since then, she’s slowly gaining ground but has depleted her savings to cover initial legal fees and car repairs (2010 Mazda 3).

She needs our help. Help with legal fees, a down payment for a reliable car and a small cushion to put back into her savings for emergencies. This will give her a strong footing to get back on her feet and provide some relief from the financial strain. She never believed she would be raising Eli alone and making a life without Izzy. Some days are super hard. But because of her faith, strength, and bravery, Eli is growing and thriving! He just celebrated his 9th birthday. He is a typical 3rd grade rough and tumble little boy. He likes to joke around. He loves God and he loves his Mommy.

If you have the means and the call on your heart to donate, it would be a blessing. But more than anything, we simply ask for you to pray for them and do it often. Life goes on and with God, we know they’re going to be o.k.

Much love to all