Like pieces of a puzzle falling into place...

The Lord, MY God, answers prayer. In a matter of hours today, He brought in all the EXACT amount of money needed for the 3 post adoption visits. Since Monday, we have been praying while our adoption process was on hold. Knowing that our hands were tied and trusting God to bring it in, we have been doing what we can, and that is pray. Today... the Lord gave us the EXACT amount we needed...$1,050 has now been paid in full tonight. Now, we can get our home study report into our adoption agency's hands and move forward in our adoption process. (RELIEF!) AND, I can FINALLY start applying for GRANTS! :)


Jay and I have started reading Jesus Calling to the kids before bed each night. They love it and won't go to bed without it! They remind us if we 'try' to skip it and hurry the bedtime process! I love that the last thing they hear before bed is the Lord's Word. And it's amazing how each day's devotional has spoken directly to my heart for whatever I'm going through at the time. I started a Puzzle Fundraiser today to help raise the funds we needed to prepay for our post-adoption visits, knowing that our Home Study Report wouldn't be released until we did. Would you know that the Kids' devotional tonight was called Puzzle Pieces? How fitting! Here is what their May 18th devotional was from Jesus Calling for Kids:

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher

than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

--Isaiah 55:9 (NKJV)

I gave you an amazing mind. With it you can think great thoughts and dream great dreams. But My Mind is infinitely bigger and more amazing. My thoughts contain all of creation and the universe, all of the past, present, and future. And because I understand all things and all times, My thoughts and My ways are different from yours.

Life can be like a box of puzzle pieces--with the box top missing. When you look around at your life, all you can see are the pieces. But I see the final picture. I know how all the pieces fit together. I know how to join together all the jagged pieces of hurts and disappointments, plus the smooth pieces of victories and joys.

Trust My timing and My ways. Trust Me to fit all your pieces together into a wonderful life. And trust Me--at the end of your life--to lead you home to heaven.

Over the last couple days, I've been praying for the Lord to increase my faith. It is such a roller coaster of emotion in the adoption process! One day, you're on cloud 9 over all that God is doing to bring your little girl home, and then another day, you're worried how you're ever going to meet the next payment needed without going into debt. I've been having some heart to heart talks with my heavenly Father, bearing my heart about being worried how we are going to pay for this precious little girl to get here. And then, He reminds me, "I've got this. I've called you to adopt her. I have already made the way for her to come home. Just trust me. I've got this." His gentle reminders renew my faith, refresh my soul and bring joy to my heart. And how He uses special people in our life to show us that He is indeed making the way for our Annika to come home.... He uses people who want to bring glory to Him, who see this as not just the Sappington's journey....but everyone's journey. God has used people (and you know who you are) to help us, pray for us, to remind us of His faithfulness......Our little girl is loved dearly.


I came across this song today and instantly began crying. Another reminder that the Lord indeed has this adoption and Annika in the palm of His hand...

Adoption Update

Provided by CoolFundraisingIdeas.net

We are waiting for our Home Study Report to be finalized.  It is in the Rough Draft phase between our Home Study agency and our Adoption Agency.  Waiting is HARD!  We know we've passed and all, but waiting for paperwork to go through the proper channels and it's out of our control is TOUGH! We are so ready to have our little girl home, yet we are still so far away in our process, it seems.  Once we have the final report of the Home Study, our paperwork will then bounce from Washington's government and then to San Francisco to the Consulate.  This is about a 3-4 month process, all said and done, and THEN our paperwork will head to China for it's process there (based on current wait times).  In the mean time, Jay and I will have things to do here and there as far as paperwork goes, for the adoption process, but for now.... we wait.

It occurred to me to make a thermometer that shows the total of what has been raised so far in our journey.  We've had people donate on our Crowdrise site, donate in person, by mail and by PayPal, so I haven't been able to show a running total raised so far.... until now. :)

https://www.crowdrise.com/adoptingannikajourneyoflove/fundraiser/shannonsappington

We are also selling shirts and our first round of orders have arrived and been delivered!  I'm getting ready to send in another BIG order on Monday.  Let me know if you want in on it!

God is so good and He continues to provide at every step of the way.  Every time payment is due, the money is there!  We are so humbled and thankful to everyone who continues to support us through prayer and financially along the way! We canNOT wait for you to meet our little girl!  Lord-willing (and a faster adoption process), we will have her home before the end of 2016).

Waiting and enjoying

Waiting hasn't necessarily been my greatest strength in life.  (Jay, on the other hand, is very good and patient when it comes to waiting!)  As I wait for these last couple of steps to be done with our home study report and dossier submission to our agency.... I have to remind myself WHO is in control and it's HIS timeline that we are on.  I hurry as quickly as I can to get our end of the paperwork done, and then I wait for the recipient to be finished.  Hurry up and wait. :)  It's a good time to pull my head out from the bubble I've been in and take a look around at life, be thankful and present for the here and now.  

This past weekend was chalked full of events.... Home Fellowship, sports games, birthday parties for friends and family.....it has definitely been fun and memorable! THE most memorable part of this weekend for us though was Eli's spiritual birth when he asked Jesus into his heart Saturday night during bedtime prayers.  The moment was so precious and quiet as I listened to him praying, his voice so honest, so believing and humble as he lifted his words and his heart to the Lord.  I truly sensed the Lord's presence in the boys' room during that moment.  With child-like faith, Jadyn (and now Eli) have opened their hearts without hesitation to the love of our Lord.  My heart overflows and words cannot express the awe I feel knowing the Lord has entrusted Jay and I with the task of teaching our children the Word of God.

Last night after prayers, Jadyn and Eli explained some of what they've been learning in 

KiDZ Church:

1. to ADMIT that you are a sinner

2. BELIEVE in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sins 
3. CONFESS with your mouth that Jesus is God

Did you know the angels rejoice in Heaven when a soul is saved?  The Angels have been rejoicing this weekend and so is our household! 

Eli, May the Lord shine brightly through you in all you do!  God has big plans for you life, my son!

And to think.... the Lord is adding one more to our household!  I am in awe of His workings through it all.  Later today, I'm headed up to my doctor's office to pick up the last piece of paper (hopefully) needed for our dossier packet. As soon as I do that, I'm then headed to the post office to mail my last envelope of dossier paperwork to our agency! 

Pray that the letter from my doctor has everything formatted the way the agency requires for dossier submission. My sweet doctor was up at her office working yesterday (on a Sunday) to get that letter right.  And please pray that our home study report will be finalized this week. It's been over 2 weeks now, and I'm eager to get it submitted with our dossier.

"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

Before you were even born...

I think about you all of the time. You have already become a part of our family... and you don't even know it yet.  Over there, on the other side of the world, you are already in full swing of tomorrow, going about your day, and you probably don't even know it yet that there is a family on the other side of the world preparing for you.  As we are in the midst of paperwork, trainings, meetings, and preparation, we are praying for you every single day, several times a day.  You have a sister and two brothers who pray for you to come home quickly and for our plane ride to be smooth to you and back.  You have a mommy and daddy who love you fiercely and spend late nights talking about you, dreaming and planning the future and talking about what-if scenarios.  I often wonder what you are thinking or feeling as you go about your day?  Will you be happy to learn that you are going to be adopted?  Will you be nervous, yet excited to know someone wants you as their own?  We know you'll be scared as you step away from what you've always known and begin a new adventure and a new life with us.  I hope you will be happy with us.  I hope you will grow to love us as much as we love you.  I hope that as you grow and mold perfectly into our family, that you will feel and flourish in the love of a family.  I pray that as we love you as God loves us that you will see His Light shining in us and you will bask and glow and come to RADIATE His love!  I pray that you will come to know Jesus as your personal Savior.  My prayer is that as you grieve over the end of your orphanage days....possibly even grieving the separation from your best friend if you have one and those children who you have grown with since you were a newborn... as you at some point or more, grieve the loss of knowing your birth mother and father did not keep you, as you grieve not ever knowing who your birth parents were.... that you will know that you weren't born without a purpose, without hope.  You were not abandoned forever.  You were not thrown away.  You, my child, were born for a purpose.... and that purpose was to become a part of our family.  You, Annika, were born for us....to be a part of our family.  Not that you needed us or we needed you.  But that the Lord can work out His plans for your life.  What big plans He has for you! I have FAITH that He will work mighty things in your life, in our life.

"Before you were born, I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

My frame was not hidden from You
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
(Psalm 139:15-18)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you a future filled with hope". 
Jeremiah 29:11

Annika, I cannot wait for the day to come that I get to hug you and hold you.  I know that it will come soon, my daughter.  I cannot wait for the day you see your sister and brothers and realize you are not alone in this world.  I cannot wait for the day when I see your eyes light up when you play with your siblings or daddy takes you on your first daddy/daughter date.  I know that will take time as we all get to know one another, but, I know that the day will come when the smile on your face will reach to your eyes as you look upon your family and laughter fills the air as joy spills over from your heart.

Jamaica, mon!

Jay and I just got back from an amazing, beautiful, awesome, most gorgeous vacation ever.  We spent 8 days together in beautiful Negril, Jamaica at Couples Swept Away Resort.  It was a glorious trip away from our kids and we had the best time together.  Most days we spent chilling on the beach, reading books, taking in the scenery, talking, and enjoying one another's company.  It was such a wonderful opportunity to take a break from everything and reconnect with just each other.  I really feel like I came back from a second honeymoon.  Stars in my eyes, a big smile on my face, and taking every opportunity to hold my handsome husband's hand..... yup, I'm in love.... and have been for 10 wonderful years of marriage.

We loved the food, from jerk chicken to pad thai to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables...we tried nearly all of it.  And the infused water at every drink stop along the beach and resort... from cucumber-infused water to star fruit-infused water... every day was a different flavor!  The resort provided us with refillable water bottles and we carried them with us almost everywhere.   The resort was an all-inclusive (which, I highly recommend) and we had food and drinks available all day long. From The Palms, which serves buffet-style for each meal to restaurants with menus (Patois, Lemongrass, Feathers), to the beach-side cabana grills, we ate at least once at each one! The staff were all very friendly and so were the vendors selling their Jamaican wares.  We met many people from all over the world that vacation at Couples Swept Away.  We heard time and time again of people who have been all over the world to different resorts, and CSA is their favorite.  There were people there for the 25-30th visit!!!

The activities and amenities available at CSA was a great variety.  Whether you wanted to work out, play tennis, get in a private yoga lesson, enjoy the spa or salon....it was all there!  You can snorkel, dive, sail, ski, play beach volleyball, horseshoes and more!  They had scheduled activities for every day of the week.  Even staff vs guest activities, like sand volleyball or Talent Show Night at The Palms (Jamaicans are the most talented, hands' down, for the Talent Show).  You could participate in activities from morning till late at night, or do nothing and recline in your beach chair and raise your red flag in the sand for your drink order. :)  And when the rain showers come in the afternoon, you can sit on your balcony and watch the rain move across the ocean, or take an afternoon nap in your air-conditioned room.  Seriously, this trip was the best trip ever!

My favorite moment of all was the night of March 12th when Jay and I stood on the beach at sunset and renewed our vows to each other.  When we looked at each other in our eyes and down deep into each other's souls and said words from our hearts.  That tender moment when we thanked the Lord for bringing us together and reminded each other that we were still 'the one' for each other, perfect for one another, and our love that continues to deepen and grow.  Gary and Debbie Williams, Jay's boss and who recommended CSA to us, had arrived for their vacation that day and were there to capture these moments for us.  Jay and I can't express what it meant to us that Gary and Debbie not only witnessed, but videoed and took pictures for us.  They really got into the role of photographer and captured some great moments!  And Jay and I are deeply grateful.

This trip was a dream come true for me, and I told Jay that over and over.  To be on a beach with the love of my life and celebrating 10 years of marriage.  Best. trip. ever.  Here's to 10x10 more years together, my love.

Stopping to smell the roses...

Sometimes, when one of my kids are telling me about something, I listen to them, stop what I'm doing, what I'm thinking about that needs done, but REALLY listen to them; and I look in wonder at this child before me. Listening to Eli tonight tell me about his day, and I just looked him over...how big he is getting, looking at the details of his head, his hands, feeling his arms around me as we said prayers tonight. My little boy... so handsome, so tenderhearted, all boy. His black eye all different shades of black and yellow with his 4 stitches and how nicely the wound is healing! His little legs and arms in proportion to his big head and torso and how I worry about him being made fun of for being the shortest in his class, how I don't want anyone to ever hurt my sweet boy. I notice his clear brown eyes looking at me and darting around as he tells me a story about lunchtime at school. He has the coolest brown eyes! He sits on my lap and hugs me. I wrap my arms around him, cuddling his head and body and I'm instantly taken back to when he was littler and I used to hold him and cuddle all the time. Now, he's bigger and these cuddles are few and far between. He's still my baby boy, just bigger now. I hold on to his embrace for as long as he lets me, soaking up the moment.

Earlier today, Asher comes to me in the office and says (demands, rather) that I come cuddle with him on the couch to watch cartoons with him. I look at him, little big guy full of self-confidence and knows what he wants. His eyes not searching mine, rather expecting me to move. I scoop him up in my arms and kiss him on his cheeks and neck, causing him to collapse in giggles and shrugs. I am looking at him, getting big as well...no longer a baby or a toddler.... nearing his 4th birthday, outgrowing his size 3T pants and shirts, his unibrow needing shaved again, his sweet smile and the twinkle in his eye when giggling in my arms as I lifted him over my head like an airplane. His little hands grabbing my big hands and his quick skinny body darting my attempts to tickle him as I set him down on the couch and told him I'd be right back, all the while his laughter and giggles filling my ears.... We sit on the couch and his little body scoots next to mine as his eyes are now glued to the TV. So very independent, yet still wanting to be near his mommy. I relish these times. And I soak up the moment of cuddling with him as we watch Rescue Bots together for the umpteenth time.

Yesterday, I was watching Jadyn as she was talking to me about her day before school. Her hair recently cut and how neat she fixed it. She's getting better about fixing her hair these days. She's picking out her own clothes with confidence. She is such a happy girl. Her smile reaches to her eyes. Her cheerful heart doing her responsibilities these days.... listening to her 'tutor' Eli on math today after school and I was amazed at how easy math came to her that she was turning around and able to explain it to her brother with kindness and confidence. My beautiful little girl, getting older each minute. She's now wearing deodorant and proud of the milestone of needing it. She accepts responsibility when she makes a mistake and I catch her doing acts of kindness without being asked. Her thoughtfulness and compassionate heart bless my soul. I look at her beauty inside and out and it literally takes my breath away in awe and wonder that she belongs to me... that she came from me.

I am in awe and humbled that my Lord and Saviour would entrust me with such three precious treasures.

Life is flying by and we are flying with it. But, right now, I want to stop and soak in these moments.  

I am rich in blessings to be their mommy.  

Donations

https://www.crowdrise.com/adoptingannikajourneyoflove/fundraiser/shannonsappington


Our Fundraising link is up and running.  We are so excited about this journey of love.  We are officially on our way to adopting our Annika Faith.  We are blessed and blown away by everyone who is already supporting us in prayer and financially.  What a testimony and story we will have to share with her on the journey of love that so many people are a part of... I cannot wait to tell her how much she is already loved, how the Lord created her beautiful, how He brought us across her path and are eager to bring her home to be a part of our family.... I cannot wait to share with our little girl how the Lord loves her and made her special and how He has a plan for her life. This I know without a doubt.