Embracing Faith and Family Through Adoption w/ Spencer & Ashton Draper

Show notes

About This Episode Aaron Smith sits down with Spencer and Ashton Draper, who met through a mutual friend at a youth conference and have been married 12 years, to hear their journey of adoption, faith, and perseverance. They share how Ashton's lifelong passion for adoption led them to pursue their son Bismarck from Ghana, a roughly five-year, $80,000 process delayed by COVID and Ghana's new Hague accreditation, and funded through grants, two fundraising events, and a Gobena Coffee account. They also open up about Ashton's unexplained health decline beginning in 2020 and how poor communication brought their marriage to the brink of divorce. A biblically grounded counselor helped turn things around by challenging their threshold of grace, and they encourage couples to get their marriage healthy first.

About Spencer & Ashton Draper Spencer and Ashton Draper met through a mutual friend at a youth conference, drawn together by a shared love for Jesus. Spencer works as a planner in manufacturing, and Ashton is a sign language interpreter and the author of Big Yellow House, which tells the story of their adoption. Through a difficult adoption journey and ongoing health challenges, they have learned to walk in grace, patience, and purpose, anchored by God's faithfulness.

In This Episode Early marriage — How the Drapers met and decided to pursue adoption. A lifelong calling — The roots of Ashton's passion for adoption. Bringing Bismarck home — A five-year adoption from Ghana slowed by COVID and new Hague accreditation. Funding an adoption — Grants, fundraising events, and a Gobena Coffee account, with God providing every penny. Health and marriage — How Ashton's health decline and poor communication pushed them toward divorce. Biblical counseling — The counselor who challenged their threshold of grace and changed everything. Marriage first — Why getting your marriage healthy matters before and during big callings. Considering adoption — Prayer, patience, and practical encouragement for couples.

Resources from This Episode The Big Yellow House by Ashton Draper Follow Ashton Draper on Facebook Gobena Coffee (adoption fundraising support) Parenting by Paul Tripp Forgive by Tim Keller Shop Marriage After God books and devotionals Full show notes and blog post

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