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James & Marissa are hopeful adoptive parents from Missouri waiting to adopt a baby.

If you are pregnant and considering placing your child for adoption, please read the following Dear Birthmother Letter.

Letter to Birthmother Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for taking the time to let us introduce ourselves. We love and admire you for your ability to make this most difficult decision. We pray for you that Heavenly Father will guide you in caring for this precious child. Thank you for being the answer to our most heartfelt prayers. We know that good things will come to you because of your willingness to give. We are trying to think of what questions you might have for us, and what you would want to know to help you make this decision. We pray that the lord will guide our pen.

Our names are Jim and Marissa. We have been married for 6 years. Jim is 30 and Marissa is 28. We met at a church activity, although Jim had his eye on me for several weeks. It was love at first sight once we actually met. We were married just two months later. We have a very loving and open relationship. We take good care of one another and always show our appreciation for the other. We love spending time together and making each other happy.

I (Marissa) am originally from Idaho. I come from a large family who loves to be near one another. There are five kids in my family, three girls and two boys. One of my siblings is my identical twin sister, Lara. In High School I was always involved in something. I played volleyball, basketball and fast-pitch softball, sang in the choir and was even a cheerleader for a time. Another interest in my life is singing and dancing. I like ballroom, swing and even square dancing. I love playing games of any kind. My family is very into water sports. We like to float the river and swim. I love doing arts and craft projects. I like to make jewelry and fancy Christmas ornaments. I like to cook and try out new recipes on my husband. I also love to attend musicals. My family owns an outdoor summer theater up in the mountains in Idaho. Every summer I make a special trip to be able to see all of the musicals. I also love to read.

I majored in Marriage, Family and Human Development at Brigham Young University. I have worked in finance at my in-laws property management company. Recently I decided to stay at home and prepare our life for children. I stay very busy as a volunteer leader for our church primary or sunday school, which is so fulfilling. I like to think of myself as a second Mom to so many of these kids at church. I simply adore them and relish the opportunity to be with them every week. Besides serving as the Primary President, I am also currently volunteering at a family history library. I also like to work out with a friend several times a week and I try hard to make time for craft projects that I enjoy doing with friends.

Now for Jim: I got my BS degree in Business Management, also at Brigham Young University. My family has been in the property management business for the last 18 years or so and I have followed suit and also work in the family property management business. I was recently made a partner in the company, which has been really exciting! When I’m not at work, I am usually busy doing some project around the house or planning something for our church men's group. I like working around the house and I think I’ve become quite the handyman. It feels good to be capable around the house. My wife thinks I am a bit of an emergency preparedness nut. I just consider myself a big Boy Scout. Last year I even dabbled a bit in gardening to grow some of our own vegetables! It was really fun!

I also really enjoy the outdoors. I recently served as Scoutmaster for our church Boy Scout Troop and the monthly camping trips were the highlight of my month. Hiking, camping, hunting, shooting, water skiing, and swimming are all some of my favorite outdoor activities. I also really enjoy reading, watching movies, having a good BBQ, and spending time with friends and family. I usually find the most joy, not in what I’m doing, but in who I’m doing it with. It’s the people that make life fun.

Whenever there are kids around, you can be sure that Jim will be with them. Kids gravitate towards him and he to them. Whenever we are at a church dinner or some other activity, you can bet that we’re both helping someone with their kids and trying to make them laugh. Another favorite pastime for Jim is that he loves to make me laugh. It is his ultimate goal in life to make me smile. And he does a pretty good job of it, too!

While we love spending time alone together, everything is more fun with kids around. Our niece and nephews are our favorite pastime when they are around, and we only wish we could see them more often.

We are very active in our church and we spend lots of time with our family. We love our Heavenly Father very much and love serving when and wherever we can.

We can only imagine how much love and courage you are showing by your decision to place this child for adoption. You have so much love for this child. We’re sure you’ll be interested in receiving updates on what they are like and how they are doing as they grow up. We are definitely open to sharing letters, pictures and occasional gifts. All of our children will know of the tremendous blessing they are in our lives and the miracles that brought them into our lives. This child will know how much love and courage you showed in making this decision.

Both of our families have been blessed by adoption many times. Several of our cousins on both sides of the family have been adopted. Marissa has foster sisters that lived with her when she was younger, and even our family name comes from the family that adopted Jim’s great grandfather. We feel that the Lord’s hand is guiding both you and us to be brought together. Every child deserves a warm and loving home to be brought up in and we hope to provide that for your child.

We thank you for this opportunity to introduce ourselves and we pray that the Lord will be with you as you make this very important decision for your baby. We know Heavenly Father loves you and your child and will always be there for you.

We love you and thank you!

Jim & Marissa