My name is Lalaine Cripe. I got married in 2017, in my late 30s. My husband and I met through our church's dating website. He visited me twice in the Philippines, and on his second visit—about a year later—he asked for my hand in marriage. Being married was already a beautiful manifestation of God’s love for me, but even more so, being married to someone like Aaron—the kindest, most respectful, God-loving, and God-fearing man I know—is truly a blessing.

We both loved the idea of starting a family about a year after getting married. Since we were already in our late 30s when we got married, we felt we shouldn’t wait too long. I became pregnant a year after our wedding—but things didn’t turn out the way I had hoped.

My first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. It was devastating—especially because it happened just a few days before Thanksgiving. I remember thinking, “What do I even have to be thankful for?” I felt incredibly lonely, especially while missing my family back home in the Philippines during those times.

I am truly grateful for the constant support of my husband. I know he also mourned the loss of our unborn child, but his love and presence sustained me. He consistently encouraged me and gently pointed me back to God during one of the hardest seasons of our lives.

We were advised to see a fertility doctor, but we didn’t move forward right away due to financial reasons. My heart breaks every time I hear someone is pregnant or has just had a baby. I am genuinely happy for them, but I would be lying if I said that being childless hasn't taken a toll on me emotionally. There were times I cried out to God, asking, "What about me, Lord?"

Two years after my first pregnancy, I got pregnant again. We were both overjoyed to see the positive results. We scheduled our prenatal appointment and excitedly talked about whether it would be a boy or a girl, baby names, and when would be the right time to share the good news. We were filled with hope—planning, dreaming, and imagining what it would be like to have our little one in our home.

But once again, that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.

I felt numb. I knew God was there, but I couldn’t feel Him. I kept asking, “God, why did You allow this to happen?” I chose not to tell many people because I didn’t want them to feel sorry for me. When I did talk about it, I kept things light and avoided going into the deeper conversation. I didn’t want others to see how much I was struggling with something I longed and prayed so deeply for.

In the years following our second miscarriage, we pursued fertility treatments. It was exhausting—physically, emotionally, and financially—as we underwent numerous tests and procedures. But even with all the effort, the treatments were not successful. Each time the nurse from the fertility clinic called to tell us the results were negative, our hearts broke all over again.

I know my biological age has passed the typical childbearing years. And while it’s hard to admit at times, I still hold on to faith—believing that God can do something miraculous, because nothing is impossible with Him. Yet, there are also days when I wonder if perhaps God has something different planned for us.

Through it all, He is teaching us a deeper trust—a trust that goes beyond outcomes. A trust that believes His plans are good, even when they involve pain and waiting. A trust that surrenders, fully and completely, to His will.

I was encouraged by the conversation between Little James and Jesus in The Chosen series. Jesus told Little James that, according to the Father’s will, He could heal him—and that would indeed be a powerful story to share about Jesus’ miraculous healing. But Jesus explained that many people already have that kind of story to tell.

James’ story, however, would be different.

Even though Jesus didn’t heal his limping feet, James would still praise God in the midst of his suffering. And that, Jesus said, would be a testimony—showing others that he could endure pain patiently on earth because he knew he would spend eternity free from suffering.

This deeply encouraged my faith. It reminded me that God writes a unique story for each one of us. His plans are never one-size-fits-all—they are beautifully personal. God’s plan for my family is different too. It’s been a journey to surrender to that plan, especially when I don’t fully understand it. But I’m learning to trust Him more, even when it doesn’t make sense to me.

After everything we’ve been through—the heartbreak, the waiting, the unanswered prayers—we’ve come to realize that God is still writing our story. And though it looks different from what we imagined, it’s still filled with hope and purpose.

One verse that continues to anchor us is Proverbs 3:5–6:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

We may not understand why certain doors have remained closed, but we are learning to surrender our plans to the One who sees the full picture. In His goodness and perfect timing, God has gently turned our hearts toward adoption.

Adoption is not a second choice—it’s a sacred calling. It reflects the very heart of God, who has adopted us into His family through Christ (Ephesians 1:5). We believe with all our hearts that there is a child out there whom God has already chosen for us. A child who is not growing in my womb, but who is already growing in our hearts.

This new chapter requires faith, patience, and a lot of trust—but we are stepping forward with open hands. We know that the journey won’t be easy, and the cost is significant. But we also know that with God, “nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

So here we are—praying, preparing, and moving in obedience. We are pursuing international adoption with a child from Taiwan, and we trust that the same God who planted this desire in our hearts will provide everything we need to bring our child home.

We will keep updating this page as we progress towards our adoption journey. May we kindly and humbly ask for your support through prayers and if you are able to partner with us financially.

The cost of international adoption is significant—ranging from $39,000 to $60,000. These funds cover agency fees, home studies, legal paperwork, immigration, travel, and more. While the amount feels overwhelming at times, we are trusting that God will provide through the generosity of those who believe in the beauty of adoption and the power of God’s plan for families.

If you feel led to give, pray, or simply share our story, please know that you are part of something much bigger than just helping us become parents. You are sowing into the life of a child—giving them the gift of a family, a future, and the love of Christ.

Thank you for walking with us. Your love and support mean more than words can express.