Back in May 2020, Kahlie and I began the process of embryo adoption through the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) in Knoxville, Tennessee. For those of you who are unfamiliar with embryo adoption or the NEDC, you can find out more by reading two other blogs I’ve written—click here and here. Essentially, embryo adoption is the process of adopting other people’s frozen embryos, and the NEDC is a faith based non-profit fertility clinic that does incredible work. 

Eliza, A Sweet Gift From The Lord

In July 2021, I announced through a blog that Kahlie was twenty-one weeks pregnant with our first child, Elizabeth Jane McDuffie, through embryo adoption. And in the sweet providence of God, Kahlie gave birth to Eliza Jane in November 2022—it’s hard to believe Eliza is inching closer to her second birthday!

Let us from the beginning mingle the name of Jesus with their A B C. Let them read their first lessons from the Bible.

Charles Spurgeon

We Prayed For God To Grow Our Family

As the days and months rolled on by, we began to think about having more children. And while we thanked God for Eliza every night, we actively prayed that God would continue to grow our family. But if you know us, you know it hasn’t been very easy to grow our family due to unexplained infertility.

Children are not the fruit of chance, but God, as it seems good to him, distributes to every man his share of them.

John Calvin

Because of this, Kahlie approached me one day and asked if we should begin the process of embryo adoption again. Her reasons were solid: embryo adoption is a God-honoring way to grow our family, the NEDC is a great organization and made the process of embryo adoption very enjoyable, and we aren’t getting younger.

We Began The Process Of Embryo Adoption

She convinced me, so we began the process of embryo adoption again. NEDC approved our application and God graciously provided the finances to make it happen (we received a $5,000 grant from a non-profit out of Ohio and tons of support from our friends and church family). Our mock transfer was in January. Our actual transfer day was in May. So, in May 2023, we had two embryos transferred into Kahlie’s womb. By the grace of God, one of the embryos survived the transfer.

Kahlie Is Pregnant!

Kahlie is now twenty-one weeks pregnant with our second child, Owen James McDuffie—that’s right, we’re having a boy! And we sure are looking forward to his arrival in January. Pray for us as we prepare to welcome Owen into our little but growing family.