Lesson learning.
I’m learning a lot these days. I’m learning patience. I’m learning legal-jargon and weird terminology like what an adjudicator is and what kind of form an I 600 A or I 171-H is. I’m learning to trust. And I’m learning that while we are anticipating something really wonderful and hopeful for our future, that sometimes it’s easy to forget to appreciate the present—even if the present is stressful and exhausting and makes me want to live in a bubble bath. The present is hopeful and wonderful, too. I have a husband who is right by my side, good day or bad. He let’s me cry when I’m overwhelmed and scared. He let’s me be weird and silly when I need a break from thinking about how stressful some days lately have seemed. I have a little boy who will be an amazing big brother. And in the mean time, I love every milli-second with him. He’s hilarious and smart and somehow knows when I need extra hugs and I love yous. And I have friends and family who are excited for us and so anxious to know how they can help us. It’s been overwhelming and amazing and humbling. So, if you’re one of those people here is how you can help for now:
Educate.
Our prayer is that our adoption will bring some awareness of the orphan crisis to people around us. There are an estimated 147 million orphans worldwide. 147 million. The numbers and stats are mind-boggeling and heart breaking. Here are some good resources for information: (By the way, you definitely do not have to adopt to advocate! I know amazing advocates who have never even left Nashville.)
http://www.showhope.org/Resources/TheNeed.aspx
http://www.unicef.org/protection/index.html
http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org
Pray.
We really believe in the power of prayer. Pray for our little one in Uganda, for us, for Elijah. I’ve clung to this verse lately: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Give.
I’ve decided that fundraising is the breast-feeding/co-sleeping issue of the adoptive world. Meaning, people are really opinionated about it. Do it, don’t do it, only do a little—I can’t keep up. I tend to be a firm believer in do whatever you gotta do (on both sides of the issue, actually). We’ve had several people ask how they can contribute financially. My friend, Ty, serving in Afghanistan, asked me how she could send money to help us. I am floored by her generosity and so many others who have offered their financial gifts as well as their time and talents in helping with fundraising. We try to be good stewards of our money. After all, it isn’t really ours. It’s God’s. And we can see how even financially, God has been preparing us for this for years—long before we knew for sure we’d adopt. We’ve been asked a lot about how expensive adoption is. It’s expensive. Like, $30,000 expensive. I wish we could just write a check and be done with it. Trust me, that would be a whole heck of a lot easier, but that just is not the case. We are planning a few fundraisers for this Spring and we are accepting all donations through The Rock Bridge Foundation at our church, Brentwood Baptist.
If you feel led to contribute, funds can be sent there and are tax-deductible. Donations can be made online here, just make sure the designation is to “Adoption” and then e-mail bfowler@brentwoodbaptist.com and give your name and tell her your contribution is for the Sapp family adoption fund. We will only see names of people who have donated, not amounts, so if you’re concerned with some part of this process, let me know and I can make sure your donation was processed correctly.
Or you can also mail a check with a “Sapp Family Adoption” note added to:
Brentwood Baptist Church
Rock Bridge Foundation
Attn: Bryce Fowler
7777 Concord Rd.
Brentwood, TN 37027
Thank you to so many of you who are loving us so well. We are so very grateful.
The sunrise over Kampala, where our little one is probably waking any moment now.
