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!