Our adoption journey began in October 2010, when we went to an informational meeting about adoption. We submitted our application in January 2011 to adopt from Uganda and arrived home with Suubi Anne Chapman on August 2, 2013. While our process took much longer than we imagined, the Lord used it to stretch and grow us and widen the boundaries of our hearts.
We were open to adopting a child with special needs but did not truly anticipate what the Lord had in mind. We strongly felt that we would name our little girl Hope. We prayed for her and throughout the twists and turns of our journey clung to the verse Romans 15:13, which says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” We had a possible referral fall through and also were matched domestically with a birth parent who decided to parent. Our hearts were healing when we were asked to look at and consider Suubi’s file. We honestly were initially not sure if we felt capable of parenting her with so many uncertainties regarding her possible special needs.
However, when we opened her file and found out that her name was Suubi, the Lugandan word for Hope, that was the confirmation we needed. We have learned that the Lord’s plans for us are so much greater than our own. Suubi is such a joy and blessing! She has changed our lives by opening our hearts to a whole new world. Her smile is contagious and her amazing strength of spirit is inspiring to everyone that hears her story and meets her.
Suubi’s special needs include cerebral palsy and sight impairment, along with global delays. Our three biological boys, ages 12, 9 and 7, have welcomed their little sister with open arms and it has been beautiful to see them quickly develop compassion, sensitivity and gentleness as they learn and grow with Suubi. She has made incredible leaps and bounds already as she soaks up attention, new opportunities, proper nutrition, medical care, therapies and lots of love! We are so thankful that the Lord has entrusted us with our precious Suubi girl!
