Tuesday, October 14, 2014

We are now able to accept tax-deductible donations to Abigail's adoption fund!

We are very thankful that as of today, we are now able to accept tax-deductible donations toward Abigail's adoption fund thanks to Lifesong for Orphans. Some supporters had asked me about this a while ago so we're so excited that this is now an option!

LS Logo
If you would like to make such a donation, here are the details...

Give by Check
Please make checks payable to Lifesong for Orphans.
In the memo please note your gift preference with Family Account Number and Family Name.
(Marshall, 4789)
Please mail checks to:
Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744
Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all US administrative and fund-raising
costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to
the need…helping orphans.

Give Online through the bottom below.
Or...
1. Go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate
2. Select Give to an Adoptive Family
3. Complete online form and fill in Family Account Number (4789) & Family Name (Marshall) Fields
*Please note that PayPal will charge an administrative fee (2.9% + $.30 USD per transaction). Your
donation will be decreased by the amount of this fee.

Individual donations $50 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax deductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $50 will gladly be sent upon request.
Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.

In addition to this exciting news, we were so happy to receive our first grant last week in the amount of $500 from Families Outreach!!



It's adding up and God is providing in His perfect timing.

As always, thank you for your support!!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Sunday, November 2nd is Orphan Sunday!

On November 2nd, Christians around the globe will stand together with one goal: to rouse believers with God's call to care for the orphan and what our role is in response.

Please see below if you're interested in learning about how you can be involved in this amazing ministry!  

On a personal note, if you feel called to help us bring Abigail home, we are still in need of financial assistance. We're waiting to hear back from some grants but still have a long ways to go. Our next meeting with our adoption worker is on Thursday, December 4th. Our hope is that someway, somehow we will be able to define where the remaining funds are coming from at that time so that we can move forward with the process. The thought of being able to have our adoption profile book shown to birth moms in the beginning of the year is very exciting! We still need help to get there and appreciate every prayer and every dollar that comes in. 

(Donate Button on the right or donations can be mailed to Benson & Heather Marshall at 
PO Box 8334 Richmond, VA 23226 
Ref: Abigail's Adoption)

Thank you all!

"Orphan Sunday isn't about charity; it's about the mission of Christ. I pray that every Gospel-transformed congregation will observe Orphan Sunday, calling all Christians to our mandate to image Christ by caring for his little brothers and sisters, the fatherless of the world." -- Dr. Russell Moore, author Adopted for Life


Does your family, small group or church have plans for Orphan Sunday? There are so many ways that we can honor orphans collectively as the Body of Christ on Orphan Sunday. If you don't have plans or haven't heard of an event near you, here are 4 ways you can engage in this year's Orphan Sunday:
  1. Advent for Orphans Calendar -- see explanation below.
  2. Orphan's Table -- share a meal eaten by orphans around the world. Gather with family, small group or church for the meal, discussion and prayer.
  3. Plan an Orphan Sunday event with a Partnership Package -- easy-to- follow Orphan Sunday event plan, enabling you to partner with an organization to create a simple event!
  4. Contact your Regional Orphan Sunday Coordinator with questions, to seek ideas as you plan, or to let them know that you will be holding an event.
Be sure to also check out their other resources which include videos, prayer guides, sermon notes, t-shirts & more! Together, let's stand for the orphan!

To learn more about Orphan Sunday or find an event near you visit OrphanSunday.org

Advent 

Calendar 2014

Get your FREE Advent Calendar & celebrate with purpose! 


See how your family, small group or church can celebrate the anticipate the birth of our Savior in a special way that also shows love to orphans.

Limited supply of Advent for Orphans calendars available! Learn more & order your calendar today at www.lifesongfororphans.org/advent.
We started feeling a tug on our hearts toward adoption many years ago and we started praying, researching and talking about it. Even though we felt we were being called to adopt a little girl (and even knew what her name would be!), we did not feel like we were being led to do it at that moment in time. Well...5+ years later the desire is still there and we feel confident that is because God is the one who planted the desire in us in the first place.

We'd love to say that everything has fallen into place perfectly (including the funds to adopt) but that's not the case. Regardless, we believe God is telling us it’s time to take a huge leap of faith and act on the desire He planted in us to adopt. We have no idea how it's all going to work out but we know we serve a mighty God!! Without a doubt, we can’t do it on our own and don’t think God intended for us to. So, with His help and yours, we hope to be able to introduce you to Abigail Grace in His perfect timing!

There are many ways that you can help. First and foremost, we ask for your prayer through this journey! We know that it is likely to be a long process. We need God's guidance and peace for as long as it takes and for any obstacles we may encounter.

Secondly, the simple fact of the matter is that we need funds to make this happen. In that regard, you will see a "Donate" button if you would like to make a direct donation which will be applied at 100% to Abigail's adoption fund. In addition, we have some great fundraising links that you will find here including SendOutCards, T-shirts, Coffee and Flowers. Please know that anything you can do is greatly appreciated!

Thank you all!

Love and Blessings,
Benson and Heather


1994

Our Love Story

Ours is an unusual story of love and committment. We met at a very young age. It didn't take us long to realize that this was the real deal so we made the "crazy" decision at the ages of 16 and 20 to get married. Twenty years later we are still going strong and ready to add a little girl to our family.

1994

When people ask us for marriage advice, the first thing we tell them is "Please don't assume we have it all figured out because we don't." But, there is one thing we know without doubt! God brought us together. He means for us to be each other's for life and we don't pretend to know better than Him. As anyone in a good marriage will tell you, it's not always easy but it's worth it. With God at the core of our relationship, we believe it will only get better as the years go on! And, we're looking forward to sharing future years with Abigail Grace in God's perfect timing.



Prom (1997)

Our Wedding Day (July 8, 1995)