Jamie Lee and Tommy Adoption Fund
Donation protected
The last three years have brought grief and challenges to the Orths that many never have to experience - four babies brought home to the Lord before they were known outside of the womb. After their fourth miscarriage earlier this year, the Orths felt the Lord calling them to adoption. But not right now - maybe in another year or two. The means and details were yet to be determined.
But of course, the Lord's timing is not our own!
Jamie Lee tells the story best:
"The story - On our 6th anniversary, August 31st, I wept in the kitchen while Tommy held me tight. The hardest year we had experienced was coming to a close. While I could reflect on the Lords faithfulness to us and our marriage that year, there was still so much pain - emotionally, physically, and financially. We went through the custody process for Ethan for the first part of the year followed by not one but three back to back miscarriages. So much joy & excitement, hope, fear, and disappointment over 7 months. Eventually, the Lord gave me a peace about adoption but we had decided we would wait 2 ish years to heal in all the ways. It was then I started praying Ephesians 3:18 and asking God to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine
Fast forward to 2 weeks later while at Disney World {the last time we were there was on the due date of Baby #1}, a dear friend from Ohio got in contact with me, not knowing our past year, just that we were previous foster parents. ‘I know someone who knows someone who is pregnant with twins and is looking for a Christian family to adopt them. Will you do it?’ I thought she was crazy, God was crazy, and Tommy’s ‘Yes’ were all crazy. None of it made sense to me. We weren’t ready in so many ways and wasn’t I doing what God had called me to do back in July? But God’s plans are not our own, so here we are a few weeks later, in the process of adopting twins that are due in December. It is one of the scariest things I’ve been a part of and am trying to choose joy and peace over fear knowing 1 John 4:18 - perfect love casts out fear and Isaiah 55:9 - his ways are higher than our ways. We covet your prayers as we walk this journey - for the babies, the birth mother, and our hearts."
***
Jamie Lee has been my dearest friend for 16 years - I know the joy, encouragement, light, and fun she has brought to my life is only one example of the many, many people who have been fortunate to have her in their life. And Tommy is pretty great, too! He lights up any room he walks into, selflessly gives wherever needed, and loves BIG. If you walk through town with Tommy you'll acquire at least three new friends along the way. My hope is that we can help Jamie Lee and Tommy bring two babies into a home that will embrace them, love them, and show them Jesus.
Adoption is not cheap. Since the birth mother resides in a different state, the Orths have to pay lawyers in SC and the mother's home state. They have to commit to paying hospital bills for the birth mother and twins that may not be covered by insurance. They will have to quickly set up house to bring home not one baby, but two. And Jamie Lee will go several weeks with no income once they bring the babies home.
Any small donation will make a big impact.
**Disclaimer**
As is true with most adoptions of newborns, there is always the chance the mother will change her mind once the babies are born. If this happens, there are a few ways the money can be used or returned:
1. Jamie Lee and Tommy have committed to helping with medical bills regardless of the birth mother's decision. Even if the adoption does not go through, some of the funds may go towards the care of the babies.
2. Any money that is not used for the medical care of the babies will be put into an adoption fund for the Orths that will only be used for future adoptions.
3. I will be happy to issue donation refunds if requested.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions!
With love and excitement,
Jenn (Roman) Ritchie
But of course, the Lord's timing is not our own!
Jamie Lee tells the story best:
"The story - On our 6th anniversary, August 31st, I wept in the kitchen while Tommy held me tight. The hardest year we had experienced was coming to a close. While I could reflect on the Lords faithfulness to us and our marriage that year, there was still so much pain - emotionally, physically, and financially. We went through the custody process for Ethan for the first part of the year followed by not one but three back to back miscarriages. So much joy & excitement, hope, fear, and disappointment over 7 months. Eventually, the Lord gave me a peace about adoption but we had decided we would wait 2 ish years to heal in all the ways. It was then I started praying Ephesians 3:18 and asking God to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine
Fast forward to 2 weeks later while at Disney World {the last time we were there was on the due date of Baby #1}, a dear friend from Ohio got in contact with me, not knowing our past year, just that we were previous foster parents. ‘I know someone who knows someone who is pregnant with twins and is looking for a Christian family to adopt them. Will you do it?’ I thought she was crazy, God was crazy, and Tommy’s ‘Yes’ were all crazy. None of it made sense to me. We weren’t ready in so many ways and wasn’t I doing what God had called me to do back in July? But God’s plans are not our own, so here we are a few weeks later, in the process of adopting twins that are due in December. It is one of the scariest things I’ve been a part of and am trying to choose joy and peace over fear knowing 1 John 4:18 - perfect love casts out fear and Isaiah 55:9 - his ways are higher than our ways. We covet your prayers as we walk this journey - for the babies, the birth mother, and our hearts."
***
Jamie Lee has been my dearest friend for 16 years - I know the joy, encouragement, light, and fun she has brought to my life is only one example of the many, many people who have been fortunate to have her in their life. And Tommy is pretty great, too! He lights up any room he walks into, selflessly gives wherever needed, and loves BIG. If you walk through town with Tommy you'll acquire at least three new friends along the way. My hope is that we can help Jamie Lee and Tommy bring two babies into a home that will embrace them, love them, and show them Jesus.
Adoption is not cheap. Since the birth mother resides in a different state, the Orths have to pay lawyers in SC and the mother's home state. They have to commit to paying hospital bills for the birth mother and twins that may not be covered by insurance. They will have to quickly set up house to bring home not one baby, but two. And Jamie Lee will go several weeks with no income once they bring the babies home.
Any small donation will make a big impact.
**Disclaimer**
As is true with most adoptions of newborns, there is always the chance the mother will change her mind once the babies are born. If this happens, there are a few ways the money can be used or returned:
1. Jamie Lee and Tommy have committed to helping with medical bills regardless of the birth mother's decision. Even if the adoption does not go through, some of the funds may go towards the care of the babies.
2. Any money that is not used for the medical care of the babies will be put into an adoption fund for the Orths that will only be used for future adoptions.
3. I will be happy to issue donation refunds if requested.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions!
With love and excitement,
Jenn (Roman) Ritchie
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenn Roman Ritchie
Organizer
Summerville, SC
Jamie Lee Orth
Beneficiary