Tidings Of Comfort And Joy!

Take a look at this picture!!! To our family it is more than just Christmas cards and Holiday greeting, it represents 'Tidings of Comfort and Joy!' You see, all these sweet cards were sent from families who are either in the process of adopting a child from Korea or have adopted from Korea. I've met all of these wonderful people on an adoption forum I frequent to get information and support. Every family's journey is different and uniquely their own. The majority of the families live in the USA, a few from Canada, one family from Norway and another family from 'down under' Australia. There are even several families who live in Texas. Last February Micah and I were honored to witness one family son's homecoming. It was such an overwhelming experience to watch this family come together. Also when we were vacationing in Hilton Head, SC this past October, by chance we ran into another family from the forum (who were vacationing there as well).

We've enjoyed receiving these cards in the past couple of weeks. Seeing the smiling faces of all these beautiful children gives us HOPE that although our journey may be long, the end results are well worth the wait!!!

Merry Christmas all of my BB friends!!!

'TIS THE SEASON

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would share what we've been up to. Thanksgiving Day was also my Mom's Birthday!!! We did something a little different this year, we went out to eat for Thanksgiving. Soowan and I didn't want to prepare a feast for just the four of us, it's hard to cook a Thanksgiving meal for such a small amount of people. We knew tons of food would go to waist and we didn't want that to happen. We ended up going to a restaurant downtown called Avanti. They had a nice buffet set up, and the views were gorgeous. Outside of the restaurant there are tons of fountains to view. So we sat there for about 2 hours and stuffed ourselves and returned back home to watch some football and to celebrate my Mom's 65th Birthday!

On "black Friday" we didn't venture out too much. We went to Mardels and got a new Bible, The Message and some CD's they had on sale for only $5 each. Then we went and bought ourselves a Christmas Tree. We went 'fake' this year. There are only two things that cost more out here in Texas than is California, that is Private School and Christmas trees. And for some reason the trees do not last very long at all. So far we are enjoying our 'fake' tree because our pets are not trying to drink out of the water bowl and the dog has not tried to lift his leg on it. I do miss the smell of evergreen so we are going to pick up some live, potted trees to bring inside then plant them after the New Year.

Other than that we've been busy with other activities such as Micah's choir rehearsals, basketball practices, and preparing for his Y-Guides group that are going to be in a local parade tomorrow. BRRRRRRR.... It is going to be freezing Saturday morning. It will be in the high 20's when we get to the parade and it may warm up to the mid 30's by the time the parade ends.

Speaking of it being cold, IT SNOWED YESTERDAY!!! Not a whole lot, but enough to go out and play in. Micah had a blast after school running around, making and throwing snowballs, and playing with the Davis' girls next door. The snow is still on the ground this morning, but will most likely melt this afternoon.

Oh well it was fun while it lasted!

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF GIVING

Secret Santa Reveals His Identity



By MARIA SUDEKUM FISHER, Associated Press Writer
Sat Nov 18, 5:10 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For 26 years, a man known only as Secret Santa has roamed the streets every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10 bills. As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In recent years, Secret Santa has been handing out $100 bills, sometimes two or three at a time, to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots. So far, he's anonymously given out about $1.3 million. It's been a long-held holiday mystery: Who is Secret Santa?

But now, weak from chemotherapy and armed with a desire to pass on his belief in random kindness, Secret Santa has decided it's time to reveal his identity.

He is Larry Stewart, a 58-year-old businessman from the Kansas City suburb of Lee's Summit, Mo., who made his millions in cable television and long-distance telephone service.

His holiday giving started in December 1979 when he was nursing his wounds at a drive-in restaurant after getting fired. It was the second year in a row he had been fired the week before Christmas.

"It was cold and this car hop didn't have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, `I think I got it bad. She's out there in this cold making nickels and dimes,'" he said.

He gave her $20 and told her to keep the change.

"And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She said, `Sir, you have no idea what this means to me.'"

Stewart went to the bank that day and took out $200, then drove around looking for people who could use a lift. That was his "Christmas present to himself." He's hit the streets each December since.

While Stewart has also given money to other community causes in Kansas City and his hometown of Bruce, Miss., he offers the simple gifts of cash because it's something people don't have to "beg for, get in line for, or apply for."

That was a feeling he came to know in the early '70s when he was living out of his yellow Datsun 510. Hungry and tired, Stewart mustered the nerve to approach a woman at a church and ask for help.

The woman told him the person who could help was gone for the day, and Stewart would have to come back the next day.

"As I turned around, I knew I would never do that again," Stewart said.

Over the years, Stewart's giving as Secret Santa grew. He started a Web site. He allowed the news media to tag along, mostly because he wanted to hear about the people who received the money. Reporters had to agree to guard his identity and not name his company, which he still does not want revealed.

His entourage grew over the years, and he began traveling with special elves. People like the late Negro Leagues icon Buck O'Neil, who handed out hugs while Stewart doled out $100s. NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus will join Stewart this year in Chicago when Stewart hands out $100s in honor of O'Neil, the first African-American coach in the Major Leagues.

They'll give out $100,000 between Chicago and Kansas City. Four Secret Santas who Stewart "trained" will hand out an additional $65,000.

Doctors told Stewart in April that he had cancer of the esophagus and it had spread to his liver. He has been lucky, he says, to get into a clinical trial at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. But the aggressive chemotherapy has stripped away his appetite and energy. He's lost about 100 pounds, but has held onto his white hair.

The treatment costs more than $16,000 a month, not including the cost of traveling to Houston every two weeks and staying there for five or six days. He now has two months off, but returns to treatment in February.

His insurance company won't cover the cost of the treatment, which has left him concerned about his finances and his family.

Now, his mission is bigger than handing out $100 bills. Stewart wants to speak to community groups about his devotion to kindness and to inspire others to donate their time and money.

"That's what we're here for," Stewart says, "to help other people out."

CAN YOU BELIEVE MICAH IS "8"?!?

Today our little boy turned eight! Wow.... How time flies by when your having fun! It's been such a joy and a blessing to call him our son. We are truly blessed to have such an exceptional young man. As we watch Micah grow and witness his zeal for life and all that it has to offer, as his parents it's hard not to be proud. Our prayer for him as he grows comes from the verse that he was named after....

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
- Micah 6:8

Here's a small trip down memory lane!!! Can you believe how much he has grown?

We celebrated Micah's Birthday tonight at a place called "Pump It Up"!!! It is a fabulous place to have a birthday party at. The kids were able to jump, race, and slide down numerous blow up toys for about 2 hours. Then we got to sugar them all up with cake, ice cream, juice and candy - then send them all home with their parents. We all had a blast!!! Here are some pictures from the party!

NOVEMBER- ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH

If your life has been touched by adoption or you've considered adoption then here are a few links for you to view. Also the week of November 13-17, Family Life, Focus on the Family and Steven Curtis Chapman will be doing radio broadcasts to bring awareness of the 143 million children around the world as orphans, 143 million children waiting for love and support.

Focus on the Family

FamilyLife

Shaohannah's Hope

Holt International

Not every family is meant to adopt, but I do believe every family should be aware of the orphan crisis in our world. Whether you adopt a child, sponsor a child, or volunteer your time to help children in need, you're at least doing something. I don't believe our world can continue to ignore this crisis much longer.

Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
Psalm 82:3

STILL WAITING......

We are now at our six month wait for our referral. When we first started this adoption process we were told that our wait for a referral should take 6-8 months. Well now it will be an even longer wait. Each month we receive updates from our agency notifying us of the current time frames, and what they know about the new policy changes. We have not yet received our update for November, but the October update mentioned that the wait for referrals has been extended quite a bit. So by the time frame they are now quoting, we may have to wait until January or February or 2007 for our referral. :(

Worst-case scenario would be if we do not get our referral by Febrary then we will have to wait until the Summer '07. This is due to the new policy changes that have taken place in Korea. We are trying to be as patient as we can be. We, (mostly I) have good days, and then some bad days. I know that we could endure to wait an additional 6 months if we had to, it is just that we would really prefer not to. (Along with all of the families who are waiting in limbo like we are).

Today has just been looming over me, knowing that it could of been the beginning of our 'open window' to get our referral. It could still happen, but to protect my heart I'm not going to be expecting it until after the the New Year. And if not by then, I guess we'll have some more waiting to do!

A BEAUTIFUL SONG!!!

This song is by Mark Schultz, who was adopted by a loving family after he was born. In this song he's singing to his birth mother, and thanking her for allowing him to have life. I often think about and pray for the birth mother of the child we are going to adopt. What a hard decision she is going to have to make. Truly the best decision she will make is to allow her child to experience life. What an incredible gift she is going to give to him or her. I pray that she will know that we will love and care for this child with all that is within us.

Now that I think about it, throughout our journey I have not considered Soowan's birth mother, and the sacrifices she made to allow him to experience life. Possibly because it is something he doesn't talk about very often. In Soowan's records there is no mention of his birth mother, only the foster family who cared for him for over 3 years. But listening to this song really makes it hit home right now. Soowan is away this weekend camping with Micah, and I can't wait to have him hear this song. She made the best decision, to give him life. If she could only see what an incredible husband, father and most importantly, the man of God he has grown up to be. I could not thank her enough for making the sacrifices that she did.

Please listen to this song, it's just beautiful!

Music Video Codes By Music Jesus.com

HILTON HEAD, SC

We've been back from vacation for almost 2 weeks now, and I've finally found some time to sit and write a little bit about our trip and throw in a few pictures as well.

First off I must say that Hilton Head Island is one of the most beautiful places I've seen in the United States. The ocean is warm, the sand is soft and fine, and the mood on the island is so relaxing and peaceful. My favorite part of the trip was spending time on the beach. I miss the ocean so much now that we live in Dallas. So all my CA friends don't take living by the ocean for granted! Once you move far away from it (like we did) you really miss it very much.

I just want to share with you one thing that happened to me while relaxing on the beach one afternoon. I'm laying out on my beach towel, enjoying the warmth of the sun, the sound of the ocean, with no care in the world. So I see something kind of in the corner of my eye, and at first I thought it was my hair. Then I came to the realization that my hair is not blonde any more. So I look over to my side and this crab (pictured here) is hanging out on my beach towel, right next to my shoulder!!!

Yikes!!! I jumped up and screamed like a lunatic, as Soowan and Micah laughed. Soowan picked the crab up and put him back up onto the sand dunes where he crawled out from. A bit later the same crab was right back by our things! A local couple sitting nearby notified us that soon all of the crabs would be coming out of the sand dunes. Apparently at high tide the crabs come out of their hiding places and play in the wake of the ocean. Sure enough we see all these crabs, some as small as your thumbnail, and others as big as 8 inches long were heading towards the water. It was kind of cool, yet a bit creepy at the same time.




The resort we stayed at was gorgeous. It had a golf course running through it, with plenty of bike trails (our condo came with two beach cruisers to ride around on) with many ponds to fish in! The ponds were stocked with plenty of fish and had a few alligators. Yes, alligators! We saw several while we were on the island. At the most part they leave you alone, but one (he was about 10 feet long) was kind of following us around while we were fishing one morning. I don't think he was wishing to have one of us for breakfast, he was most likely hoping we would throw him some food. There are signs all over the place saying not to feed the alligators, but I'm sure there are a few 'bone heads' who do. I took a few pictures while we were fishing, and this is my favorite on of Micah.

One afternoon Soowan, Micah and Jonathan went golfing. It was Jonathan's first time out on the links, and he actually did pretty good! Micah had a blast and he actually cleared this water hazard. He's getting pretty good! They lost plenty of balls, because the golf course had several alligators on it, so the guys opted out on trying to find some balls that went into the tall grass, or into nearby ponds. GOOD THINKING!

While the boys were playing golf, Sarah and I went and did some shopping at the outlet mall nearby. I didn't find much, only because they didn't have an Ann Taylor store there. Sarah found some really good buys,and bought herself a couple of cute outfits.

We spent one afternoon in Savannah, GA. It is such a beautiful city. The architecture of the homes, churches, gardens and buildings are just stunning. The city has done a fabulous renovation job on all of its historical sites. It's hard to believe that in the early 1970's the city was an eyesore. We saw the bench that Tom Hanks sat on in "Forest Gump", and we saw the house that was used in the filming of "The Garden of Good and Evil." Many other films have been shot in the Savannah area as well.

One of my favorite moments of the vacation was watching the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. It was such a wonderful site to see. Soowan, Micah and I were a bit eager to watch the sunrise, that we got up about an hour too early. We still had a fun time though. We saw the harvest moon set into the tree tops, then slowly the sky above the horizon began to change color, and finally we saw the top of the sun peeking up as if it were rising up out of the water. It was the most spectacular minute in a half, watching the sun rise. I still get goose bumps thinking about it!


who commands the sun, and it does not rise;
who seals up the stars;
-Job 9:7

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!
-Psalm 113:3

Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
-Ecclesiastes 11:7

By The Time This Process Is Over I'm Going To Have My First Gray Hair!

I'm not sure if any of you still read our blog anymore, but I'm still going to continue to add to it for my own recollection of how we ever survived this process. Well you all know (that is if you're reading this), that we are waiting for our referral..... Somewhat patiently. So this afternoon, I'm home cleaning my living room when the phone rang. I checked the caller I.D. and it read 'UNKNOWN NAME' but I noticed the area code to the phone number was (541). So I knew it was Holt because that's their area code, and I don't know anyone else who lives in the Eugene, OR area. I answer the phone and all I remember the lady on the other end saying "Hi, this is so-in-so from Holt." Immediately my heart dropped, and I became weak in the knees, thinking "Oh my, this is the call!"

But it wasn't. :( It was just Holt doing their every 3-4 month check up call on families who are waiting. Normally most communication is done by email, so when I received a phone call from Holt I was expecting our referral. She asked if we had any questions, and I was like "Ummm, yeah.... WHERE IS MY REFERRAL!!!!"

OK, well maybe that's not exactly what I said, or how I said it, but part of me really wanted to. We spoke briefly and I did ask if she had any idea when we would get our referral and she had no answer for me. After that I really had not much to say to her. Not to be rude, but what else was I suppose to say? She did mention that she hoped she didn't get my hopes up (duh?), and that she knows that these check up phone calls give families false hopes as to why the agency is calling. Well that's a UNDERSTATEMENT!!!

Prayerfully the next time we receive a phone call from the (541) area code, we better hear "We have your referral!!!" I really don't know if I can handle another 'so how are you doing while you wait' call!!!

Good News, Bad News, Really No New News

I've had many of you asking if we've heard any news about our adoption. I did call our agency this past Thursday, and now I wish I didn't. The news wasn't bad, but it really wasn't good either. I feel like what she had to say left me feeling even more uncertain. My question to her was, would we get our referral before the end of the year and if not what would this mean (as far as our wait time). Her response was that she could not give me an answer to either parts of my question. The agency has no idea as to the number of children that will come into their care between now and the end of the year. And if we were not to get our referral by December, the agency is still not certain when referrals will start up again in 2007. All they know is that the Korean government will not allow a child to be considered for international adoption until he or she is 6 months of age. So Holt will have to wait for the children who are waiting for a family to become of age, that are not adopted within Korea before they are placed with the agency. And again the agency will have no idea when this will take place and how many children will be placed with them at one given time. Once I hung up the phone I felt so discouraged and never has such a feeling of uncertainty came over me.

MY ANSWER TO PRAYER

This past weekend I went to the Women Of Faith conference with a group of fantastic, godly women whom I'm so proud to serve with in the children's choir ministry at our church. The conference was just what I needed to lift up my spirits and to redirect my focus on God, and not my circumstances. That I can only truly find joy and contentment if I'm dwelling in His presence daily. For me to trust in the fact that he has hand-picked the perfect child for our family. To also trust that He will reveal this marvel to us in His timing.

I need to trust more in God's timing because I was not going to go to this conference at first. We've been saving money to pay for this adoption and so I was not sure whether or not I should go. After talking with Soowan, he gave me the "A-OK"!!! Only God would of known that I would be at my lowest of lows, and what a perfect pick-me-up this conference was for me. The theme was 'CONTAGIOUS JOY' and I left the arena this weekend feeling that joy. I've never laughed and cried so much at one setting in my life. Here's a picture of the wonderful group of ladies I went to the conference with!

Well Written Letter

This letter was posted on a adoption website I frequently go to for insight and resources. I found this letter to be quite interesting, considering the author is a Korean adoptee writing to the Korean government about their current policy changes, and addressing the issue of Korea banning international adoption.

Susan Soon-keum Cox

I am responding to an article in The Korea Herald this spring regarding lawmaker Ko Kyung-hwa's proposed ban on overseas adoption from Korea. I am an adult adoptee and would like to show my perspective and hope to provide another view of these complex issues.
I was born in Korea as the war was coming to an end. My Korean mother named me Soon-keum which means "pure gold." Because of circumstances in the world at that time she made the courageous and selfless choice to let me go. I was almost 5 years old.

I was adopted by a family in Oregon whom I love and cherish. Although we do not share biology, they are my family. But it does not take away the reality that I will forever be connected to my birth mother and my beginnings in Korea.

I was 26 years old when I returned to visit Korea for the first time. It was a powerful experience that touched emotions deep inside me that I did not know were there. I wondered if I were in places I had been as a little girl; if I had touched this piece of earth before or seen what was now new and unfamiliar. Was it possible that I walked past my birth mother just a whisper away but unknown by either of us.

It was also the first time I was in an orphanage since I left my own more than 20 years before. It is impossible to prepare yourself for such an experience. I could not stop the tears as little children ran to me to be held and cuddled. I was a young mother and I thought of my own precious son and could not imagine what it must be like to give birth to a child you would not hold close to you and love daily. I also thought back to my own days in an orphanage and what it was like to be alone and scared.

As difficult as it was to see the little ones, I was devastated to meet the young men and women my age, who had stayed behind and not been adopted. As I compared my life with theirs I considered what chance of fate had made our lives so different. It was not that I had gone to the United States - it was that I had gone to a family. Whatever I had given up by leaving Korea, was nothing compared to what is given up when you do not have a family to love and care for you.

I have returned to Korea many times in the past 30 years. Whenever possible I go back to visit those men and women, never adopted, now in their 40s and 50s. They are still there - still orphans - some of them are turning gray. They are orphans with gray hair.

For several decades there have been efforts to reduce and eliminate international adoption of Korean children. It is understandable. A country as progressive and modern as Korea does not want to be considered a nation that does not take care of its children. Now there is the juxtaposition of overseas adoption with Korea experiencing the lowest birth rate in world.

I agree that as a public official you must look at both of these critical societal issues. However, one is not the antidote for the other. Financial and policy incentives to promote domestic adoption are good public policy and I enthusiastically concur with your efforts. But an immediate ban on international adoption of Korean children will not bring the "fundamental change" that you seek. It is true that such a ban as you propose will keep the children in Korea. But it will not give those children families - it will promote children living in institutions and denied the fundamental right of a family.

If it were a perfect world, every child would grow up loved and cared for by the parents they are born to. In that world I would have stayed in Korea. Several years ago I found my birth mother and learned the story of my early life in Korea. Sadly, it is not a perfect world for children, and as painful as the sacrifice for both my birth mother and the small child I was at the time, it was the right choice for both of us.

I pray for the time when every child born in Korea has a family either by birth or adoption - in Korea. But that time is not now. In spite of how modern and progressive Korean society, the truth is that the stigma of adoption is still powerful. It will change - it is changing. But it has not yet changed to meet the reality of the all children in Korea today.

Like me, there are thousands of adult Korean adoptees whose lives would have been far different if they had not been adopted by a family in another country. We are a testament to the resilience of children and the capacity of a family's love to transcend issues of race, nationality, and culture.

I will not pretend that every Korean adoptee feels positive about adoption, or that every adoption was as it should have been. But you cannot ignore the fact that having been adopted has provided adoptees with the means to question and speak honestly, and sometimes negatively, about their adoption experience. A child growing up in an orphanage does not have the benefit of that entitlement. This also should not minimize or discount that there are three generations of Korean adoptees who feel passionately about the blessing of adoption in their lives.

As Koreans "struggle to counter a dropping birthrate and aging population" I urge you not to place the burden of responsibility on orphaned children. Those children will grow up, and if they are denied the opportunity of a family, they will become the next generation of orphans with gray hair.

Susan Soon-keum Cox is vice president of public policy & external affairs at Holt International Children's Services. - Ed.



2006.08.22

THE KOREA HERALD

New Policy Has Been Passed

In an efforts to decrease adoption internationally in Korea, the government is working to increase adoption with-in the country. They have been actively doing so by decreasing the amount a children being allowed to be adopted outside the country each year. They are now going to allow singles, and older couples to adopt within the country. I have mixed feelings about this, considering that many children are given up for adoption because the mother is unwed. The social pressures are so strong on these women that they are forced by their family to either abort their pregnancy or to give their baby up for adoption.

The other major policy change that will become effective on January 1, 2007 is that the babies will not be able to be considered for international adoption until they are 6 months old. The Korean government believes that this will help increase in country adoption, but again we have a huge problem with this as well. Last year over 2000 "healthy" babies were adopted from Korea internationally. That is not taking into count the other 1700+ babies that had correctable and non-correctable medical, physical or developmental delays, that were adopted by international families.

Our thoughts are is that Korea is not going to have over 5000 families/singles applying in 2007 to adopt in country so they can eliminate the number of children being adopted out of country. We understand their reasons, and we are happy that they are making great strides in educating their people on adoption. But you're not going to erase many centuries of prejudice and tradition just by giving Korean families some extra 'won' (Korean currency) to raise an adopted child. To us we feel they are not putting these babies first. Why should these children have to wait 6 months longer to find a family when there are already over 5000 families applying to adopt these babies in the US, Canada, Europe and in Australia. Not saying that none of these babies should be adopted within Korea, but don't make these babies wait any longer than they need to while Korea is still recruiting and educating their own people.

Our agency Holt, as well as other agencies are currently trying to get this wait time reduced, and to exempt those who do have special needs from this new waiting period. The agencies are really advocating on what is in the best interest of these children, and hoping that the Korean government will ease on some of the measures they will put in to action in 2007.

What our agency is trying to understand is if these new rules will apply to those children who will be born in 2006 and who are admitted to Holt's care in 2006, but will not have all the legal paperwork done until 2007 for them to travel to their new homes. Holt believes the new rules will not apply to these children, so therefore they feel that the families (like us) who awaiting referrals for the end part of 2006 through Jan. 2007, will receive their referrals in the usual time frame, because the babies will be in their care prior to the new policy changes. So at this point Holt feels confident that our process will unlikely be effected by these new rules.

Again there are no guarantees, but we are going to have faith in what we've been told, and just trust in God that He is in control. My wonderful friend Francey told me on Sunday she is praying that we'll have peace in whatever is put in front of us. Truly we do feel that peace, and we feel your prayers. We never knew how much this process would stretch our faith and teach us on how to truly wait on the Lord.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:11-13

First Day Of The Second Grade

Today was Micah's first day of the second grade! Boy has time flown bye. We remember when he was a baby we couldn't wait until he could walk, talk, throw a ball, all those huge milestones. Now everything feels like it is moving in fast forward mode. It's funny that when our kids are small we want them to do everything sooner, faster. Then the day comes (for us it was today) that you wish they would stop growing up so quickly. Micah is a wonderful child, and so far we think we've done a pretty good job raising him. We are very blessed to have him as our son.

Possible Delay In Our Process

Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! -Psalm 46:9-11 (NKJV)

We received some disheartening news from our agency yesterday, concerning the timeline of our adoption. Currently in Korea there are many new regulation changes to be voted on by their parliament concerning overseas adoptions. If some of the regulations are put into law, the new changes will take affect Jan. 07. This is an article taken from a Korean source was sent to all families in process to give us better understanding of what changes may take place, and how those changes could effect our wait time.



By Park chunk-a
Staff Reporter

To activate domestic adoption, the government has decided to allow single households to adopt a child from next year. The number of single households has been on a steady increase, accounting for percent of the total households in Korea last year Janis Ok-Jo, a ministry official, ``We have secured billion won in budgets for adoption-related projects next year.''

Also, the government will grant monthly allowance of 100,000 won to a household who adopts a child until he or she turns 18. It will also grant 2 million won in administrative fee, which is needed for adopting a child.

To raise people's awareness that adoption is another form of birth, the government will also allow two weeks of ``adoption leave'' from next year. Public officials will be allowed to benefit from the system first.

In addition, to reduce the number of overseas adoption through increase of domestic adoption, the government will pursue ``domestic adoption-first'' system, aimed at trying to match children eligible for adoption to Korean parents first for five months. Only after the five months, children can be subject to overseas adoption. According to the ministry, cases of domestic adoption is as much as 20 percent lower than overseas adoption.

``While adoption is considered as a way to carry out spirit of noblesse oblige or giving help to society abroad, Koreans tend to choose adoption for getting pure joy of rearing children,''' said Cho Min-hye, an official at the Mission to Promote Adoption in Korea.

For overseas adoptees, the government will expand granting scholarships for Korean language education in universities as well as organizations and providing various services for them including housing and tourism when they visit Korea.

To enhance people's positive view on domestic adoption, the government will also mention good aspects of adoption in school curriculum.

``We find it urgent to reduce Koreans' prejudice against adoption. Other than incentive policies, we will launch various publicity activities to establish adoption-friendly atmosphere,'' said Janis.

The biggest factor that can delay our process is if the government puts into action the "5 month rule" that would start in 2007. Considering that we are on target to receive a referral of a child in Nov/Dec of this year, and under the current law the babies are available to be matched with families as soon as the birth mother signs her rights away. So most infants are matched with families at the age of 1-2 months old (under the current law).

Say if we were matched with a baby and he/she is 2 months old in Dec. 06, and the new law is put into effect for 2007, what the agency is saying is that the government could try and match that same child with a family who lives in Korea, so we could have a huge upset if this were to occur. To try and avoid such occurrences the agency will not give out referrals in Nov/Dec IF these measures are voted into policy.

No policy has been voted into law yet, so our agency says they are going to do business as usual, until they know exactly what changes will take place. They are just giving us a heads up on the matter so we're not shocked by any changes that may take place. So again we just need to wait and see what happens.

Please pray that we will be content with whatever happens, and for us not to become discouraged. We are saddened by the news, but at the same time it's not like we're not going to be able to adopt. It might be that we'll have to wait 3-5 months longer for our referral than expected. Yeah, it sucks. But really what can we do? Nothing, but pray and know that God is in control of this adoption, not us, not policy changes, not the agency, but only HIM!

Kind of a funny after thought but when I was searching for adoption resource books, I stumbled across a book titled, "Adoption Is Not For Sissies". At first I thought the title would detour families from pursuing adoption, but now I know there is much truth in that phrase.

ONE BABY-STEP CLOSER!!!

We received our acceptance from the USCIS, on our 1600A form (orphan petition)that we filed way back in March. Praise God we were able to be put on the referral list before receiving this approval. So far we've been waiting for our referral for 2 months, 1 week and 3 days. But who's counting? =) So far the wait hasn't been to bad. While Maggie was in town she went baby furniture shopping with me. I found a crib I like, but we have not purchased it yet. As far as nursery theme/decor we've seen a couple we like, but won't make any decision until we know if we're getting a boy or a girl.

So far we've chosen a boy name, but have not agreed on a girl name. If it is a boy his name will be Timothy Steven. Our top 4 girl names are Allyson, Amanda, Naomi and Tessa. The middle name will be Darline, after my best friend. I know it is spelled "wrong", but that's how her mom spelled her name and that will be the way we will spell it too!

Vacationing In Branson, MO

When we found out Maggie was coming to visit from Sweden during the 4th of July holiday, we decided that we should go on a vacation to celebrate our nations independence!!! What better place to celebrate than BRANSON, MO! There is so much to do in Branson, and it's just an "All American City"! It was nice to be in such a family friendly environment. We stayed at the Horizon Marriott Vacation Resort through our timeshare. The resort was gorgeous, and our condo was furnished in Americana decor. We all felt at home and comfortable at this resort! It had an awesome swimming pool, that Micah swam in EVERYDAY!

We went to Silver Dollar City, which to us was one of the best theme parks we've ever been to, next to Disneyland. The park had many rides, with several of them being water rides! Leaving us all wet from head to toe! Micah was tall enough to go on all the rides but one, the WILD FIRE. Soowan and I went on it, and I'll have to say you really feel the pit of your stomach in your throat when the roller coaster drops at the first turn! I just don't handle thrill rides like I use to, that's for sure!

We saw one show, The Lumberjack Competition. It was a dinner and show and both were real good. I was a lucky volunteer in the show, and I had to race my opponent by rolling a log across the stage. I won a point for my team!!! We never knew I was such a good log roller! =) My prize was a free round of golf at one of the local Mini Golf courses in town.

One of the afternoons my mom, Maggie and I drove out to Carthage, MO to see the Precious Moments Chapel. It was about a 2 hour drive from Branson, but well worth the gas. It's hard to describe in words the beauty of the chapel there. The stain glass windows were wondrous works of art! We spent over an hour in the gift shop, trying to decide on what figurines to purchase. We all bought a little something to bring home. I bought a Christmas Ornament that can only be purchased at the Chapel site. Apparently they have chapel exclusive and they are a collector's delight! We also saw the water fountain show that was just as breathtaking as the chapel!

While in Carthage we also saw a Civil War battle site at an old Court House in town. Apparently this was the site of the first battle of the Civil War in Missouri. The court house was saved, and it's still a working court house to this day. The county has down such a fantastic job preserving such a beautiful piece of architecture.

We also visited President Truman's birthplace. It is in a small town about 30 miles north from Carthage, MO. It was a humble little two bedroom farmhouse where he was born. Many of the furnishings inside were the original items owned by the family.

While us ladies were out and about, Soowan and Micah went golfing and swam! They went golfing twice at a course nearby called Thousand Hills Golf Course. There is a reason it has that name! The course literally had about a thousand hills, with a few lakes and rivers!

We thoroughly enjoyed this vacation, especially since this is the first vacation my mom, sister and I have taken together in over 15 years! Maggie returns home to Sweden this coming Wednesday, but we'll all have fond memories of the time we shared this summer in Branson!!!

Micah's First Golf Tournament

Micah played in his first golf tournament on Wednesday, June 28 2006. He played a 9 hole course at the Glenn Eagles Country Club nearby in Plano, TX. We found out about the tournament from one of Micah's friends Conner who played in it last year. It's through USKIDS Golf, an organization supporting youth golf. The course was fairly challenging for his first tournament, but Micah never became discouraged. He did not place, but played a strong game for his skill level.

Micah took up golf this past fall when we went to Sedona, AZ. We bought him his first set of clubs for his 7th birthday, and has taken some lessons this past Spring. Soowan and Micah enjoy golfing. I'm happy they have a sport they can both learn together.

FATHER"S DAY

We had a fun time on Sunday celebrating Father's Day!!! In the morning we went to church and Micah was chosen to sing at two of the three services. Micah along with 50 other kids sang their little hearts out, sharing all that they had learned at VBS from this week!!! The kids did such an awesome job!!!

We then headed back home, ate lunch and Soowan opened his gifts. Micah got him some golf balls, a golf shirt, new swim trunks and a tie holder. He did such a great job shopping for his Dad! Then Micah took Soowan out to play some golf at a little 9 hole course nearby! Later on in the day we picked up my Mom from work and went out to dinner at BJ's Pizza.

Just think, prayfully by next Father's Day our new addition will be with us!!! My mom reminded us of this while we were out to eat, and we almost started to cry at the restaurant! This whole experience is so overwhelming, it's just amazing!!!

Checking In

Micah and I returned from our 12 day visit to California last Monday. We were sad to leave but we were also excited to get back home to see Soowan. Micah and I were able to visit with many family and friends while in California, just some visits were way too short. Two of the highlights of our trip was going to Disneyland and spending an entire day at the beach!!! The other days were spent jumping from house to house, or restaurant to restaurant visiting with loved ones.

Now that we are back home we are enjoying our swimming pool, and busy with VBS (Vacation Bible School). Next week Maggie will be flying in from Sweden and staying with us for 3 weeks. Micah is very excited to have his Aunt Maggie coming for a long visit! While she's in town we are planning to visit downtown and go to the museums and the Fort Worth Zoo. We are also going to drive up to Branson, MO and stay there for a week!!! We've never been there before so if any of you have please let us know which shows are worth seeing!!!

As far as the adoption we are waiting for our referral. We've been on the waiting list for a little over a month now, but we are not expected to hear from Holt International until the fall. So until then we're just enjoying our summer and keeping busy with just the normal day to day blessings life brings!!!

TWO MORE DAYS.....

Micah and I will be arriving in Southern California!!! We are both very excited to see everyone!!! Micah's been counting down the days for the start of Summer and our trip to California. He gets out at noon, and a few hours later we'll be on an airplane. It will be a long day, but well worth it. Our trip will last 12 days, which will be the longest both of us have been away from Soowan. =( But at the same time 12 days doesn't feel like it is enough time to spend time with everyone we want to see. I know we'll have short visits with most of you, though I am extremely happy that we get to see our family and friends.

See you all soon!!!

Thanks For Your Love & Support!!!

We want to thank all of you for the tons of emails we received the past couple of days. It's so nice to know how much you all love and support us. So this next 6-8 months will be our waiting period. Time should pass fairly quickly (as I'm praying it will). I'm hoping to keep busy, and as I look at our calendar I notice we will be busy between now and November!

Let's see.... Micah and I will be in So. Cali. for 12 days in late May-Early June. Maggie (my sister) is coming to visit us here in Texas for 3 weeks! We'll be heading on up to Branson, MO for the 4th of July week. Micah will start second grade the first week in August, and I will be "Room Mom" this year! Then Fall soccer, golf lessons and choir rehearsals will begin. In October Micah has Fall Break and we are heading east to Hilton Head Island, SC. Once November 5th hits that's when I'll pretty much be a basket case until we get our phone call from Holt saying we have a baby! So if I seem a little edgy then, I ask you for your forgiveness now! :)

I'm sure we'll be fine, just a bit anxious when the 6-8 month period comes along! We know the hardest part will be after we receive the referral. It will take 3-4 months to bring our child home. :( My friends who have adopted call it "labor of the heart". You know your child is out there, yet he/she still can't be in your arms until all the paperwork is complete. This is when I will truly be a "basket case". But in the end we will have a child, and our child will have a forever family.

ROLL CALL!!!

I'm just curious on who's following along with our blog. I would love to know! Please click on the "comments" link below, and leave a message if you can. If you don't want to register, choose "anonymous" and leave your message. You can just add your name at the end of your comment if you'd like. Thanks!!!

Still No Word Yet

We are still waiting to hear from the USCIS to be fingerprinted. UGH! Still trying to be patient, but we did receive some promising news! I talked with our case worker at Holt, and she said that we may be put on the waiting list for referral before we get our 1600-A form processed. Holt says considering the back log that the USCIS is receiving by immigrants trying to get their paperwork in before the deadline, has backed-up other petitions requests. Holt is taking this into consideration, and will be looking at each applicant, case by case who are waiting on pending 1600-A forms to be processed, to be put on the referral list prior to this approval. Praying that we will be put on the referral list very soon!

Harry Holt: The Heart of a Humble Servant

His wife said he never changed a diaper... Until he followed God's leading in Korea.

Harry worked on the land, moving earth, running a combine, growing wheat, raising cattle, milling flour, mining coal or cutting and milling timber. Though he attended school only through the third grade, he had a genius for building nearly anything he needed.

Following a heart attack at age 45, Harry dedicated his life to God.

"Many people say that they received the Lord Jesus and they do it with their head and their mouth," Harry said in a message he recorded for Martha Sue Surdam, a girl whose life he saved in Korea. "Many are willing to receive Him as their Savior, but many don't go all the way and receive Him as their Lord, and that's the most important thing."

Harry spent the final eight years of his life changing diapers, rocking babies and singing songs to them providing medical assistance, rescuing children from imminent death , and burying hundreds of babies that he wasn't able to rescue.

He continues to farm, fell trees and move earth, bringing equipment to Korea to build an entire village for the care of children with disabilities.

Some might say he not only moved earth, he moved heaven and earth. But this simple man-who once lived in a sod house in South Dakota-would most likely say it was heaven that moved him.


Halmoni: Beloved Grandma

She was simply "grandma" to thousands of children who were adopted through Holt International, to all of the adoptive families including birth children, and especially to thousands of children who waited and hoped to be adopted.

Bertha studied to be a nurse, but she put that aside to raise her six children and blaze a trail to Oregon, where she helped farm, raise cattle, and do the multitude of tasks required of a farmer's wife.

When Harry was struck down by a heart attack, Bertha joined him in praying for his recovery with a promise to serve God in whatever way He showed them. She and Harry were keepers of promises.

When the time came to mobilize efforts to adopt children on a large scale, she rose to the occasion, proving that beneath the simple farmer's wife appearance, she was every bit as capable and committed as her husband.

When Harry died in 1964, Bertha had the grace and courage to continue the work. Over the next 36 years Bertha's faith inspired the growth and development of Holt International. She never took a back seat. By the time she, too, passed away, Bertha had been named "Mother of the Year," logged more than a million flight miles traveling for Holt International and advocating for homeless and disabled children, and set a world record for her age group in the 400 meter run.

But the title she held dearest to her was Halmoni, grandmother in Korean. She should also be remembered as Bunica in Romania, Lola in the Philippines, Ba Ngoai in Vietnam, and Khun Yai in Thailand, and other designations of grandma.

Articles taken from Holt International Magazine 2006: Vol. 48 No. 2

Here is a link to learn more about the history of Holt International, and to learn more about the incredible faith and servant's heart of Harry and Bertha Holt.

http://www.holtintl.org/historical.shtml

WE GOT AGENCY APPROVAL!!


Our social worker came over Tuesday night to show us the report she wrote up on our family. It was amazing how well the report was written. We had three, two hour meeting with her for the home study. She asked tons of question, and she mainly wrote down on her note pad as we answered. It was a bit nerve racking, but now we know she truly was listening, and was able to put all of our words so eloquently in her report. My favorite part in her report says:

I recommend Soowan and Nancy Scheuermann as suitable adoptive parents for the placement of one child under the age of two of either sex from Korea.

I know it sounds sooooo technical, but that is really all we needed see, hear, to know THIS IS REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN!!!! We are so excited, and it just feels extremely wonderful that this part is over. We still have to wait for the government to accept our petition to adopt a foreign orphan, but with Korea the agency says all petitions are accepted, unless the couple petitioning has a criminal past. Which neither of us have, but we still have to be fingerprinted, and go through all the technical steps the adoption requires. But "HEY" we are one step closer in the journey, and we are filled with joy!!!

Thank you for all your prayers and notes of encouragement you have sent our way! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who support us in this adoption process! We love you all so very much!

Love,

Soowan, Nancy and Micah

Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
-Jeremiah 1:5

I love this verse, knowing that my God knew me before I was ever conceived and has always had a plan for my life. Although I may not understand His plan, and try to make my own plans, my faith tells me that His plan is more glorious than mine.

Soowan and I were talking last night and discussing plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Should we stay here in Dallas, go to California again to spend time with family, etc. Then it dawned on me that during this time we should be receiving our referral. Once our home study is accepted, then we wait for a referral of a child. Currently the agency is stating that the referral time is taking somewhere between 6-9 months from the acceptance of the home study. We are hoping our home study will be approved by the end of April. So with this said, we are anticipating our referral sometime between October-December of 2006.

With the Korea program, generally the baby is 1-2 months old at time of referral.... Meaning our child has already been conceived. He or she is now growing in the womb of a mother who is about to make a huge decision for her child's life. First off she's already chosen life for a child she knows she cannot care for. Most likely she is an unwed mother, and she knows the pressure that will fall upon her from her family and society. In Korea it is unacceptable to be an unwed mother. A woman is considered a shame to her family, and is shunned from her family when they find out she is pregnant. Most women turn to abortion in Korea, usually forced by parents who are pride-full and are more concerned about their family honor than the life of a child.

Soowan and I prayed for her last night. We can't imagine all that is going through her mind at this moment. She already knows she's pregnant, and most likely will not be able to hide her secret much longer. Knowing all the judgment that will fall upon her, and her unborn child. It's hard for me to put myself in her shoes. I could never grow a child inside me, and give it to someone else to raise. It's hard for us to fathom.

That's where our faith begins in this adoption process. I may not understand God's plan, but I know he has a plan for each and everyone of our lives. He knew this child would become part of our family, before he/she was conceived. I also believe he has a plan for the life of this child's mother. And from this day forward I will lift her up in prayer and be forever grateful that she chose life for her child.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
-Hebrews 11:1

Finished With The Interviews!!!!

AAAAAAHHHHHH!!! This part of the process is finally over. We had our last visit with the social worker on Wednesday. This visit went much smoother, considering that we did not touch on the topics that we knew we disagreed on. I think we've agreed to disagree, and like Soowan says, "At the end of the day it is our adoption, our choices, and there is no way she could not say we are not deserving parents!"

So the next step in the process is kind of a two part process. The social worker will write up her report on our family, (we get to see the report before she turns it in) and we need to send in a form called a I-600A visa petition form. This form is to request an immigration visa for the child we will be adopting. Later on we will file what is called I-600 form once we know exactly what child we will be adopting, and put all his/her information of the request form. So sometime next week our social worker will turn in our home study to the U.S citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), and we will mail in our I-600A form simultaneously. Once the USCIS reviews both the home study and our I-600A form then we will need to go to our local USCIS office to be fingerprinted. Then once our clearance check comes back we wait to see if our request to adopt internationally is accepted or not. We hope to know by late April/early May!!! So basically we sit and wait.

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is Soowan's birthday!! We started off by going to church and then headed back home. My mom came over after church, and we all went out to lunch. I wanted to take Soowan someplace that had a fun atmosphere, but with good food, so I decided on The Hard Rock Cafe downtown. It was quite an adventure getting there, considering it rained extremely hard the whole way to the restaurant. We decided to take advantage of the valet service, so we wouldn't get too wet if we parked and walked ourselves. Unfortunately we were not that "lucky". We still seemed to get our shoes, socks and the cuffs of our pants soaked in the small walk from the valet port to the front door! Once inside we dried off, and were ready to have a good time. Lunch was delicious, and to top off the meal our waiter had Soowan stand on top of a table while everyone that was dining sang "Happy Birthday" to him!!!

The drive home was 3 times worse than on the way there. What should of been a 20 minute drive took well over an hour! The rain was relentless, and never let up. The streets were flooded, and it seemed like at every other intersection there was either an accident or a stalled vehicle in the high water. Soowan did a great job navigating around the city and getting us home safely.

For dinner I prepared Soowan's favorite, POT ROAST!!! He had two servings, and he even kissed the cook! (That would be me). We ended the night with a yummy ice cream cake!!! I even lit 33 candles on top, and the cake looked as if it were a blazed!!! Micah helped Soowan blow them all out, and by the end they were both out of breath.

Happy Birthday Soowan!!! I love you with all my heart. - Nancy

Interview

This morning Soowan had his individual interview with the social worker. I had mine this past Wednesday. These interviews are so nerve-racking!!! The social worker has NO personality what so ever, and all she does is ask questions, and writes things down on her note pad as we answer. We feel like we're at a "shrinks" office or something. Because Holt International does not have a main office here in Texas, we are assigned a social worker through the county. She does home studies for International adoptions, but this is her first home study that she's done through the Korea program. It really frustrates Soowan and I because she always making little comments like, "Well with the China program you have to do......" Or "With the Russian program you need to...." I get so frustrated, I want to say to her "Well we are adopting from Korea, so how the China or Russian programs work is entirely irrelevant to our home study!"

We just have one more meeting with her, and then she'll write up her report on our family. It's humbling, but yet insulting that we have to be interviewed to see if we are "fit" parents. I know why we must endure this process, because adopting is so different than getting pregnant and going to the hospital and giving birth. Noone asks you the intrusive questions that we've been asked, to be allowed to adopt. Most anyone can have a baby, but does that mean they are "fit" to be parent(s)? I think that these social workers should be doing interviews with some parents before they bring their babies home from the hospital! I bet the incidents of child abuse and neglect would decrease. I should ask our social worker that question at our next visit. I'm curious on how she will respond.

Welcome!!!!

We decided to start this blog so we can communicate better with our family and friends. This will allow you to keep up with our families comings and goings. Also, to keep everyone updated on our process of adopting a child from Korea. We will try and post as often as possible........ so keep checking our blog to see if there is any new posts.