This Actress’ Adoption Story Reminds Her of a Powerful Biblical Truth

Published: December 9, 2025

By Mallory Mattingly

For actress and content creator Tiffany Espensen, her adoption story reminds her of God’s grace in the life of every believer.

“My mom literally had a dream to adopt a little girl from China, and my dad was like, ‘Okay, let’s do it,'” Espensen recalled during a recent appearance on the “Jesus Calling” podcast. “It’s a much different process now for people to adopt, but from when they started the process to when they actually received me, it was just one year. They flew across the world with my brother, and they were able to get me. I was adopted at thirteen months from China, and I call it God’s grace because we are all adopted children of God. For me, I feel chosen by my parents and prayed over.”

Like most kids, Espensen tried out a lot of activities growing up but found her niche when she took an acting class at 7 years old. She worked on Disney and Nickelodeon shows, also appearing on NCIS and scoring a role in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING and AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR.

“I was very fortunate to have a mom who was with me on every set,” she recalled. “Even when I was older, like 18 and 19, she was always with me when I got a job. She was with me waiting in the car for the audition room. She’s so wonderful, and she always kept me focused. I credit my mom a lot for that, and I wouldn’t be where I am today—with my husband and kids and where I grew up acting. So I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. I just have always felt like God’s hand was on me my whole life because I’m so grateful for my story.”

Today, Espensen is married to Lawson Bates from the reality TV show BRINGING UP BATES, and the couple share son William Daniel Bates. Motherhood can be daunting, Espensen admitted.

“Being a mom and an actress and doing everything that I do, there can be some daunting moments, anxiety, and stress that can come my way,” she said on the podcast. “I’m more of a high performer, like everything needs to be done. I feel like God puts people in your life that you need, and I feel like once I kind of talk it out with people outside of my own head — people that I trust and good people of faith as well — it definitely balances my brain out.”

The couple are expecting their second child any day now.

“We’re getting SO CLOSE to delivery day, and we greatly appreciate all the prayers and love for @tiffypics and baby #2,” Lawson posted on Instagram on Dec. 7. “We’ll be sharing a new baby update very soon.”

He then quoted Psalm 127:1: “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”