Andrea and I met in January of 1999 at Asbury College in Wilmore, KY. Andrea had just returned from a semester serving in India with Word Made Flesh- a missions organization serving the poorest of the poor around the world. We met in one of Dr. Phil Thorton’s missions classes- which became a shared passion for us as we have sought out ways to be in mission throughout our married lives.

Our first date was to see the minor league hockey team in Lexington play. I had won free tickets the previous weekend at a game. We followed that up with half price appetizers from Applebees- which to a poor college student seemed like a good night out! I don’t remember much about that night other than conversation was very easy with Andrea- and that my heart skipped a beat hearing about her experiences in India, her passion for the poor, and her call to ministry. That night I told my friends that I thought that there was something special about Andrea and that I would marry her.

So what does this have to do with our adoption journey?

Very early on, I want to say it was at Applebees on our first date, the topic came up about adoption. While Andrea had spent time in India, I had served on a trip to Brazil- we both wanted to be adults or a family that seeks to live out James 1:27 by caring for orphans (and widows, but we weren’t talking about that yet!). Whether it was the first date or not, I am sure that the conversation took place while we were still dating. God was placing adoption on both of our hearts as a way for us to live out the Gospel and to follow Jesus. Nearly 15 years later, we are closer to becoming adoptive parents and fulfilling a dream- a calling that we both had while at Asbury College.

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We have been blessed to receive a $3,000 matching grant through Lifesong for Orphans as a way to help pay for our adoption of a little girl from China that will cost us close to $35,000. You can give online at http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate. Select “Give to an Adoptive Family.” Complete the online form and fill in Account Number with #4189 and Family Name with “LaMotte Family”

You can send a check payable to “Lifesong for Orphans.” In the memo line, note “Acct #4189″ and “LaMotte” to ensure that your gift is credited to the correct account. You can mail your donation to: Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744.

As gifts made through LIfesong are tax-deductable.