How Faith Led to Family: The Cole’s Adoption Miracle After 14 Rejections
This is Part 2 of our conversation with Brandon and Bethany Cole from Eternal Family Adoptions. If you missed Part 1, where they shared their struggles and their adoption journey, be sure to check it out first.
Brandon and Bethany Cole's adoption journey proves that persistence through endless setbacks can lead to exactly the right child at precisely the right moment. After four years of international adoption failures and domestic disappointments—including 14 rejections—this missionary family serving in West Africa experienced a miraculous 48-hour turnaround that brought baby Ezekiel home.
In this second part of their story, shared on the Eternal Family Adoptions podcast with hosts Donna Pope and Nathan Gwilliam, listeners hear how the Coles navigated the emotional highs and lows of adoption while serving with Final Command Ministries in Mali and Senegal. Their experience with Heart to Heart Adoptions offers hope to families in long waiting phases, showing how faith, perseverance, and divine timing can come together in ways that far exceed human understanding and planning.
The Waiting Game and Building Resilience Through Repeated Rejections
The Cole family's transition to domestic adoption with Heart to Heart Adoptions initially seemed like a fresh start after years of international setbacks, but the waiting process proved to be its own unique challenge. Every one to two weeks, they received emails asking if they wanted to show their profile to expectant mothers considering adoption. Each presentation created a cycle of hope and preparation as the family mentally and emotionally prepared for potential placement scenarios, including travel logistics and family adjustments that would accommodate a new child.
The mathematics of modern adoption created a challenging environment where multiple families competed for each placement opportunity. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, there were about 3.60 million babies born in the United States in 2023, and in 2024 that number was approx. 3.63 million. While NFCA's Adoptioin by the Numbers report 2019-20 estimates that about 18,000-25,000 newborns are placed for domestic infant adoption each year, creating intense competition among waiting families. The Cole family experienced this reality firsthand as they received 14 rejections over several months, with birth mothers consistently choosing other families despite their compelling international background and strong family foundation.
Each rejection required the family to rebuild emotional resilience while maintaining hope for future opportunities. The cycle of anticipation followed by disappointment tested their faith and patience, particularly after years of previous setbacks in international adoption. However, their experience serving in extreme poverty situations across West Africa had prepared them for delayed gratification and uncertain outcomes. The family continued their daily prayer routine specifically focused on their unknown future child, building spiritual strength that would sustain them through the extended waiting period.
The 48-Hour Miracle That Changed Everything
The transformation of the Cole family's adoption journey happened with stunning speed after months of patient waiting and prayer. Following their disappointment in New York and return to Arkansas for family visits, they received an unexpected phone call about another potential opportunity in Utah. After experiencing so many previous setbacks, the family approached this new possibility with cautious optimism, having learned to protect their emotions while remaining open to God's timing and direction.
The rapid progression of events defied their previous experiences with lengthy adoption processes and extended relationship building. Within two days of the initial contact, they found themselves on a phone call with the expectant mother, followed immediately by travel arrangements to Utah. The speed of this development contrasted sharply with their previous experiences of months-long relationship building followed by disappointment, creating both excitement and apprehension about another potential loss after emotional investment. By contrast, most domestic infant adoptions take 6-18 months from matching (or being chosen by the birth mother) to placement, with 62% of adoptions through agencies happening within one year and ~82% within two years ,according to an article posted on adoptionswithlove.org. This made the Cole family’s experience—going from first contact to finalization in about 48 hours—all the more striking.
The successful completion of the adoption process within days of their arrival in Utah demonstrated how adoption relationships can develop quickly when all parties feel confident about the match. The birth mother signed relinquishment papers shortly after meeting the family, creating the legal framework for baby Ezekiel's placement. This rapid success after years of waiting reinforced the family's belief in divine timing and preparation, showing how their previous experiences had prepared them to recognize and embrace the right opportunity when it finally presented itself.
Financial Provision and Building Relationships with Birth Mothers
The Cole family's financial challenges in pursuing adoption reflected the broader cost crisis affecting modern adoption. Costs for private domestic adoption in the U.S. can range from about US$30,000 to US$60,000+ depending on agency, legal, birth parent medical, and travel expenses. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, independent adoptions (handled through attorneys rather than agencies) typically cost US$15,000 to US$40,000, while international adoptions often total US$20,000 to US$50,000+ once travel, immigration, and related fees are included.
Having already invested significant funds in unsuccessful international adoption attempts, the Cole family faced difficult decisions about whether to move forward with domestic adoption without substantial financial reserves. Their work as missionaries added another layer of complexity, as they had to balance fundraising for personal missionary support with seeking assistance for adoption costs and navigating limited eligibility for grants, discounts, and adoption tax credits.
The family's approach to funding their adoption included researching and applying for adoption grants, a growing resource for families facing financial barriers to adoption. Bethany dedicated significant time to identifying grant opportunities and completing application processes, competing with thousands of other families for limited funding sources. The persistence required for grant applications paralleled their adoption waiting experience, requiring sustained effort without guaranteed outcomes while maintaining hope for eventual success.
The financial breakthrough came precisely when needed, with a grant approval arriving while the Cole family was still in Utah completing Ezekiel's adoption. The grant amount matched their remaining expenses exactly, which they saw as a powerful confirmation of divine provision and perfect timing. This experience of receiving provision at the exact moment of need deeply reinforced their faith in God's plan for their adoption journey.
As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “Each convert becomes one of God’s covenant children, whether by birth or by adoption,” underscoring the sacred nature of expanding families through adoption, regardless of the method or the financial challenges involved.
Ongoing Relationships and Life with Baby Ezekiel
The Cole family’s relationship with Ezekiel’s birth mother exemplifies the modern trend toward open adoption relationships that benefit all parties involved. According to Creating a Family, approximately 95% of U.S. domestic infant adoptions now include some level of ongoing contact between the birth parents and the adoptive family The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute found that about 55% of infant adoptions are fully open, 40% are mediated or semi-open, and only 5% remain closed. The Cole family maintains regular FaceTime calls every six weeks, allowing the birth mother to watch Ezekiel’s development while receiving the emotional satisfaction of seeing his happiness and growth in their family.
The relationship dynamics reveal the complexity and beauty possible in modern adoption arrangements when approached with mutual respect and genuine care. The birth mother, who is young enough that Brandon and Bethany could be her parents, receives love and support that she lacks from her own family relationships. The family sends regular photo updates through their agency's communication platform, with the birth mother eagerly requesting additional videos and updates when gaps occur in the sharing schedule.
Baby Ezekiel's integration into the Cole family has exceeded their expectations for a smooth transition and bonding. His recognition of his birth mother's voice during their first video call demonstrated the lasting impact of prenatal bonding while also showing his comfort with ongoing contact. The child's development has normally progressed, reaching typical milestones for walking and verbal communication. His siblings have embraced their roles as older brothers and sisters, though the family jokes about him becoming somewhat spoiled from receiving abundant attention and affection from his entire family.
Key Factors That Contributed to the Cole Family's Adoption Success:
Persistent faith through multiple rejections and setbacks
Daily family prayer focused specifically on their future child
Previous experience with delayed gratification through missionary work
Willingness to show grace to birth mothers even in disappointment
Active pursuit of financial resources through grant applications
Commitment to maintaining open relationships with birth families
Professional guidance from ethical adoption agencies
Family unity in supporting the adoption journey through difficulties
Finding Hope and Taking Action in Your Adoption Journey
The Cole family's story shows that adoption often takes time, resilience, and faith. Their four-year journey was filled with setbacks and waiting, yet it ultimately brought them the child meant to be theirs. Through service, spiritual grounding, and family unity, they learned to face rejection with grace while holding on to hope. If you’re waiting for placement or just starting the process, take courage from their experience. The right match often comes at the perfect moment, even if the path feels long and uncertain.
Seek out ethical, relationship-focused agencies and surround yourself with resources like the Eternal Family Adoptions podcast, which shares inspiring stories and practical guidance. With faith, persistence, and the right support, your journey can lead to the profound joy of welcoming your child home and creating lasting bonds that bless everyone involved.
Your journey toward building an Eternal Family through adoption starts today. Visit eternalfamilyadoptions.org to subscribe to our newsletter, access free resources, and connect with a community of families who share your faith and values. Don't let another day pass wondering "what if"—your child may be waiting for you right now.
Part 1 of the Cole Families Journey - Part 1
Follow or Subscribe to Eternal Family Adoptions on your favorite platform:
Website: EternalFamilyAdoptions.org
YouTube: @EternalFamilyAdoptions
Twitter/X: @ef_adoptions
Instagram: Eternal_Family_Adoptions
Facebook : Eternal Family Adoptions
LinkedIn: Eternal-Family-Adoptions
Follow Nathan Gwilliam:
LinkedIn: nathangwilliam
Follow Donna Pope:
LinkedIn: donna-pope-41652ba
Follow Brandon Cole:
Facebook: brandon.cole.758
Follow Bethany Cole:
Facebook: bethany.cole.73
#AdoptionFaith #AdoptionJourney #TrustTheProcess #AdoptionEncouragement #DivineTimimg #AdoptionWait #FaithInAdoption #AdoptionWisdom #GodsGoodness #AdoptionStruggles #AdoptionHope #EternalFamilyAdoptions #BrandonCole #AdoptionTestimony #AdoptionPerspective
