Coming Home

Here we are with our final update before we bring Jubilee home. But first, we’ll give you a quick recap of our last trip. We are grateful for Helen’s mom and dad who watched the boys all week while everyone had the flu, and even took one of our kids to the ER at 2am. Thankful for friends and family who provided meals, support, and prayers during the trip. This was Eli’s first time being in Korea since middle school and Helen’s first time ever. In one week we went to a friend’s church, met with aunts and cousins from both sides, ate street ddukbokki (spicy rice cakes) and McD’s deep fried apple pies from the 80’s, took a day trip to Jeju Island on Helen’s birthday thanks to a family friend, watched KDramas at 3am due to jet lag, and soaked in all the amazing scenery, smells, and faces. Two things stood out: First, every place we went had the best customer service ever. Secondly, we didn’t realize how bad our Korean was until we started speaking it to multiple people who would gently smile and respond back in broken English. But of course, the highlight of our trip was meeting our daughter.

We got to the agency’s building early and sat and prayed in the empty playroom where our first meeting with Jubilee would take place. We then went downstairs to attend a meeting with the staff and eight other families who are grouped with us for the rest of the adoption process. After the meeting, we all went upstairs to the playroom to meet our children and their foster mothers. Every time the door opened, our hearts were pounding while trying to recognize our child who we watched grow up for the past two years through photos and videos. Finally, the door opened and we immediately saw Jubilee. Her precious face with those wide, sweet eyes. Her foster mom rushed in, full of life and warmth, and she and Helen embraced as the tears poured down both their faces. Then we knelt down to look at our child face-to-face. 550 days of waiting to meet her. 550 days of sorrow, 550 days of joy. 550 days of God’s faithfulness. She was everything we imagined and more. For that one hour meeting, we got to play bubbles, eat tangerines, and laugh as she pretended to knock Eli over again, and again. She seemed to love the cars and trucks in the room… looks like we won’t need many new toys in our home : ). We also got to hear from her foster mom’s heart about how she didn’t know if she could care for Jubilee in the beginning due to her medical needs. She knew after the first foster mom was unable to care for her, that this was going to be the most unique, and challenging situation she had ever experienced. But she persevered and poured out everything to raise Jubilee for the past two years. Now she, her retired husband and adult daughter cry thinking of her leaving their home. One thing is for sure, Jubilee was loved well. In Korea, the children call their foster moms “Umma” (which means “Mom”), to help with attachment when they join their adoptive families. We watched as Jubilee hung on her Umma’s neck, ate tangerines on her lap, and ran to give her kisses. Our hearts couldn’t stop thanking her foster mom. We will forever be grateful to her.

Here is a recent interview of our foster mom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSnMRUIYk28&authuser=0

After arriving back home to MD, we quickly received our date for the final trip. We will be traveling tomorrow, New Year’s day, for exactly one week. For the first couple days, we plan to rest up and share time with the few other families that we have become close with during this process. Our custody meeting at the agency takes place on Wednesday when we all officially take custody of our children. We will then have our Visa interview the next day, and finally return home with Jubilee on Sunday, the 8th.

We have been taking the whole week to prepare all our documents, clean, pack, spend extra time with our kids, and set up Jubilee’s things. But to be honest, there are moments we feel overwhelmed and have no idea what we’re doing. There will be nothing easy about this transition especially for Jubilee. We are simultaneously terrified and excited. Grieved and hopeful. In a state of mourning and dancing. We can be sorrowful of all that comes with a broken world, and joyful at the same time because our joy is “built out of the sovereignty of God, and the forgiveness of sins, and the preciousness of Christ… an unshakable boulder of joy — real gladness, real satisfaction in all that God is for you in Jesus” (John Piper). We are “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:10). So no matter what happens, is there anything we can do but surrender? We know God has called us on this journey, and He has never failed to carry us through. It’s like the song that a friend shared with us while praying for us. The song is about “building a boat” even when we don’t see the outcome. And to remember that God is still working even when we can’t see it. We trust that God is not just adding Jubilee to our family, but that He is making something new and beautiful according to His good, loving, and perfect plan.

We want to thank you for caring for our family in all the different ways you have throughout this journey, it has made all the difference. We ask for continued prayers for Jubilee’s transition, especially at the custody meeting when she separates from her foster mom, and those first few days and weeks. Prayers for the boys’ hearts as well to have peace and joy in the midst of a new situation. We ask for supernatural strength, sleep, and rest for us. Most of all, we pray to remain faithful in what God calls us to do every day and every hour, knowing that He promises to be with us. Although this is the last blog post, feel free to reach out anytime. We look forward to connecting with you all in the new year!

“You're the map, You're my compass
You help me navigate the currents underneath
Take the lead, I surrender

Every word You say is gonna come true
You will lead me to the promised land
Everything You say is gonna happen
Even though I haven't seen it yet

I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains
I will stand up in faith, I'll do anything it takes
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I'll build a boat in the desert place”

(“Build a Boat” by Colton Dixon)