Monday, March 10, 2008

The baby is coming!!!

We volunteered in the nursery again this morning (Tim's idea!!!), and then we had lunch with Dr. Kim, the founder of ESWS (our orphanage). He is pictured below. He is 93 years old and is the founder of this agency. I believe, without checking my notes, that he said they have placed over 43,000 children since the orphanage began in the 70's. He is an amazing man, a lover of God, and was born in North Korea. It was an absolute privilege and high honor to meet with him.


During our lunch, we also got to talk with 2 other families who are here picking up their children as well. It was so fun. We planned to all eat dinner together tomorrow evening (Tuesday), BUT..... we found out later we're having a baby instead!!!!

We met with Kate and her foster family after lunch. The foster mother, father, and oldest son (19 ~ I think), all came to meet with us. I have wonderful photos, but I don't think I'm supposed to post them, for privacy reasons. They brought a HUGE cardboard box with gifts for us and Kate. When the lid came off, and the foster mother started explaining what she "packed", I just completely lost it! I'm even fighting tears now as I type. Their generosity and obvious love for Kate was totally overwhelming. First of all, she had prepared a large photo album for us that has pictures of Kate since she came into their home. She very frequently took Kate to a professional photographer and got her pictures made..... ALL of them are outstanding. Then, she had a box with a brand new outfit for her, and a traditional Korean handbok (traditional dress). The handbok is absolutely the MOST beautiful one I have ever seen. 100 percent something I would have picked out myself. The foster mother also had packed a new bottle of probiotic vitamins that she has been giving Kate, her special "organic" baby lotion, baby wash, and powder, 2 boxes of her favorite baby cookies, a present for me and Tim, and a gift for Callie, one for Claire, and cards from each family member. I was totally and completely floored and just amazed at God. The foster mother also brought with her a container of homemade rice "cereal" to show us and told us how to prepare it for Kate. It smelled soooo good. I have my doubts that I can reproduce it!

It is customary with our agency not to receive custody of our child until right before we leave for the airport. Tim and I were fine with that. It makes sense for the baby and us to be able to get good rest before the long flight home. However, Wednesday morning we are going to have to depart for the airport at 7 am, and because the foster family lives some distance from the orphanage, they decided that it would be best for us to get Kate Tuesday evening about 5:30. Wowzers!!!! This is a wonderful surprise! Pray that we will be creative in what we can "do" with her until bedtime!!! We're not supposed to leave the building with her until we depart for the airport, and there really isn't anyplace for her to crawl around (except downstairs in an "observation room")!!! Hopefully we will all be able to get some sleep before our long day of travel!

Delivery happens sometimes unexpectedly (right Lynnda?!!!)! But, there's always grace in the circumstance! We are totally excited! In just hours, Kate HaMee will be placed in our arms forever!


12 comments:

Nancy said...

How exciting!!! I will pray that you all will have a smooth night on Tuesday and a calm flight on the way home. I love reading your updates and have been praying for you daily. I can't wait to see the pictures of Callie and Claire, when they first set their eyes on little Kate!

Blessing to you,

Nancy

Anonymous said...

WOW! WOW! What a wild, wild ride it is to participate with the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings as He brings heaven to earth! Praise His Name! Darien

Anonymous said...

I'm sitting here crying....Wow. What a foster family! My heart cries out for their pain of seperation of their temporary daughter....and for the absolute God-send they were for Kate. To be loved and cared for so dearly in preparation for placing her with MY family is just SO God's provision. Only the best for his daughter! What a surprise for the Tuesday night delivery! I will pray for REST for all of you tonight...and for continued REST on the 14 hour flight home Wed. morning.

Anonymous said...

Here crying!!!!! Now I have been present for the birth of all three of my Regal granddaughters! You are missed by your girls but they are fine and happy. Praying for you.

Unknown said...

How exciting! I am praying for an easy transition and a restful night and great flight home and wonderful reunion with the rest of your family! How many babies were in the nursery?
Jill

Anonymous said...

Tim,Chelle and Kate,
As i type this hopely you are asleep! I didn't realize you had already gone to Korea until Saturday!
I just talked to your mom and she said things were going well here with the other girls!
The Lore taugh us so much about adoption through Isabelle. Whe her adoption was final the judge told Ken he could get rid of one of his natural childten easier than he could get rid of Isabelle!
What a great Spiritual lesson to those of us who have been adopted through the Blood ogf Christ! We are forever sealed.
Look forward to seeing Kate and you all1
uncle dan

Brad and Shana said...

Wow, what a special foster family. We know that God will bless her for the love she shared with your sweet little one until 'such a time as this'.

So glad you've had such a wonderful time there, and look forward to having you home with your whole family together. What a happy day that will be!!

Anonymous said...

Tim and Chelle,
It looks like you are having a wonderful time. We received Tucker the night before our flight - what a precious time that was. Of course, he screamed his lungs out for 2 hours once his FM was gone, but we didn't care - we had our son in our arms!

He finally fell asleep in our arms and slept in-between us all night long (we pushed those twin beds together) and was happy and peaceful the next day on the flight.

God is so good!

Paul & Becky D

Anonymous said...

Wow, wow wow! It's amazing! I hope you have a good night. I am praying for a safe trip back as well. Love you all bye.

DeLynn said...

We are so, so excited for you!

What a blessing Kate's foster family has been to her. How neat that you will be able to tell her in years to come that before you brought her home she was very well-loved and cared for. We pray for God's blessings on that family.

Can't wait to meet Kate! We will pray for smooth travels for you!

Hugs to you all.

Tim & DeLynn

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story you will have to tell Kate as she grows...just how much she has been loved...and by so many people!! God is so good and so very faithful!! Praying for an easy transition for Kate...that the Lord would give you a WONDERFUL flight home with few tears. Praying too, for Kate's precious foster family, that the Lord would ease their grief as they say good-bye to Kate. In Christ, Pamela (Pamelabous, Holt BB)

Hayley said...

Oh my goodness - what a surprise!! Your first night with your daughter......so special :) Have a safe (and speedy) trip back home!! Once again, CONGRATULATIONS on your new little one!

Hayley