Hi, friends! It’s been a couple months since I last posted this FAQ post, and since a lot has happened since then, I figured I’d give an update of sorts….so, here ya go! 

Q: How’s the adoption going?
A: The answer to this question probably depends on the day you ask and the mood I’m in when you happen to do so.  This is likely due to the fact that some days it feels like there is great progress happening and others, like we’re taking two steps backwards. Paper work gets held up somewhere. Payments get misplaced. A detail is overlooked that requires revisiting. You know, little things that don’t seem like a big deal, but can be completely maddening when that tiny detail holds everything up for a week or two. Lately, we’ve had a couple weeks of great progress. We received our USCIS approval (basically that means the U.S. government has approved us as adoptive parents), we have a new case worker at our agency (we had to switch agencies in December because of some issues with our old one), and we are officially on a waiting list to receive our referral.  

Q: How long will it take for your referral? 
A: We really don’t know. It will most likely be another 6-9 months from now—maybe less, maybe more. And yes, I agree—that seems agonizingly long. If I’m feeling extra sad about that, I’ve found that a chocolate milkshake helps the time pass more quickly. I’m serious.

Q: Are you nervous about being in Uganda so long (4-8 weeks)? 
A: No, not really. I think if we weren’t all 3 going, I would be. Plus, I loved the ten short days I spent in Uganda and we have friends there. I’m excited for my boys to experience it. We plan on this being the first of many trips. It’s important to us that we celebrate the culture of our second child, that we frequent his or her native country, and that as a family, we be involved in international missions. 

Q: How is the fundraising going? Are you trying to raise the whole $30k?
A: The fundraising has been overwhelming and humbling. And no, our goal is to fundraise our travel expenses and for us to pay for the adoption itself. The travel expenses will be anywhere from $12-$16k. The vast majority of that is plane tickets: 3 going, 4 coming home and costs associated with having a roof over our head for 4-6 weeks while in Uganda.

Q: How do I order a pen? 
A: We’ve set up an online store where you can purchase them at www.sappfamilyadoption.bigcartel.com. If you’d like something you don’t see online, or have any questions, you can email me at samantha.sapp@gmail.com

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve received? 
A: “Lean into it.”  Thanks, Laura=) 

Q: So, are you done having kids of your own? 
A: I hate to get all sassy pants on you (that’s a lie, I never hate being sassy pants), but our kid in Africa is our own. Well, actually, that’s a lie too. None of my kids are mine. They are on loan from a God who must really love me a whole lot to allow me the honor of raising them. But to answer the question that I think that question is actually implying—I don’t know. Right now I’m just trying to get this one home. That’s about as far ahead as we’re thinking at the moment.

Q: What’s been the hardest part so far?
A: That might be answered differently by Aaron and I, but for me, the waiting..and the incredible amount of unknowns. I’ve also learned the most from those two things.

Q: Is your child going to be black? (It’s probably unfair to list this as a “frequent question”, but it has been asked more than once.)
A: Oh wow. Bless your heart.

Q: Is this the hardest thing you’ve ever been through?
A: No. We are praying and hoping and working towards something gained. Loss is much more difficult. This is no walk in the park though and there are no guarantees of success, happiness, or easy days ahead. But we do trust the journey that God has put our family on.