This is going to be a really long post. I'm going to try and get everything about our trip and homecoming in now while sweet baby is sleeping, daddy is bowling with big brother, and big sister is busy playing.

I'll start with the night before we left. I slept with Lily because she wanted to wake up early and go with us to the airport. The day was bitter sweet. I was thinking about how our family was going to change and what that would look like. I was thinking about Lily and Sam, wondering if they would adjust to our new life. I was thinking about Eli and how he would feel coming to a different country with different looking people. I woke up at 1:30 and looked over and there were two big brown eyes staring at me. Here we were at 1:30 in the morning and Lily said, "let's play rock, paper, scissors." The day couldn't have started any better. We were up and ready by 2:30am and off to the airport we went.

The flight went smooth and we arrived in Korea at 3:50pm on Saturday. It was beautiful, warm, and sunny. From the airplane it looked much different than I had expected. We rode about an 1 1/2 to the hotel room where we showered, ordered room service, (we paid 82,280 won for a cheeseburger) and went straight to bed. Before we went to bed I received a phone call from Hedy Kim. She was staying four doors down from us and her and her husband Charlie were in Korea to pick up their sweet girl Faith. She invited mom and I to breakfast and shopping.

October 23, 2011

We met Charlie and Hedy for breakfast. We were fast friends, and felt an instant connection. You connect through adoption, but we were connected on a far more important level. They are in love with Jesus. So we are actually brothers and sisters. They are precious people that I know will be in my life forever. I had a blast getting to know them and hanging out with them in the streets of Korea. Shopping was fun and interesting. The sights, the smells, the people.....fun!

October 24, 2011 the day I met my baby.

The scripture in my journal for the day was, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 What the Lord had prepared for me that day was perfect, wonderful, and blissfully happy. We arrived at SWS and was taken to Eli's home. As we walked up the stairs to his apartment my heart was pounding in my chest, I was full to the brim with expectation. When we approached his door I heard the sweetest sound, it was his toy bus playing music. His Umma opened the door with the biggest, warmest smile. And then I saw him, my baby, my sweet baby. He was sitting on the floor playing. It was the same feeling I felt when Lily and Sam were laid on my chest. After being in my heart for 6 months, he was birthed into my arms. When I held him it felt so wonderful! I could not wait for his daddy, his sister, and his brother to feel what I was feeling. So wonderful!!!!

October 25, 2011

Lord, how I love you! For you have done such tremendous things for me. Psalm 18:1
I woke up this day in absolute praise and adoration for my heavenly Father.....how he amazes me. He has blessed me with a wonderful husband, and three beautiful kids. My heart was full of thanksgiving and praise that the Lord would choose to bless me with such a gift. I'm glad I had such an attitude of praise because I needed it! Our meeting didn't go so well that day. Eli was having some separation anxiety and wanting his Umma. This is to be expected, but hard none the less. I left this meeting and started praying and reading the word. The Lord strengthen me each moment for the next day when Eli would be placed in my arms. This is the prayer I wrote in my journal, "Father, I come to you humbled and terrified. Please dear Lord equip me for the battle that lies ahead. satan is trying to implant fear and doubt into my mind. Please cleanse me and renew my mind. Forgive me for being afraid and increase my faith. I pray for joy and strength. I pray that You would heal Eli. Heal his body and his mind. I pray that he would not be afraid, but that You would tie our hearts together. Be with Jeremy, Lily, and Sam. Prepare them for this road you have chosen for us. Help me oh Lord!!! In Jesus name, AMEN.

October 26, 2011

The Lord is fair in everything He does, and full of kindness. He is close to all who call on Him sincerely. Psalm 145:17-18
The Lord had the most perfect day planned for us. Everything was absolutely wonderful. We got to SWS early so we had time to relax and gather ourselves. Then Eli arrived with his Umma. He came right to me and smiled. I had worried most about her and how she would respond, but she had on a beautiful smile. She expressed how happy she was that he was coming into our family, and that she was so happy he had a brother and sister. We did all of the necessary paperwork and then he was in my carrier on my chest ready to began his life with our family!!! We had a great night together.

October 27, 2011 The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

I never knew how much I would need this verse of scripture! We had a horrible flight! It was so sad. Eli was terrified! For thirteen long hours he grieved. I was so broken. I was already missing my family at home, to the point I was in tears. The flight it self was bad enough, we had tons of turbulence. I quoted scripture and prayed all the way home. The flight from Chicago was better for Eli, he slept the whole time, but there was really bad turbulence. We ask the flight attendant if it was always this rough and she said, "nope it's never this bad." (thanks a lot!) I have never been so homesick! Then we arrived! It was the most elating feeling I have ever had. I was so happy to be HOME! We had no energy before we landed, then all of the sudden we were running to embrace our family. I saw my friend Keisha first, she was taking picture's, then I saw Sam and Lily. I ran and fell to my knees, weeping, and so excited at the same time. I got really big hugs and then introduced Eli. Sam kept saying how much he loved him over and over. Lily kissed him several times. And Eli was laughing so hard at them. It was PERFECT!!! Just like the Lord had planned it before time. Eli was planned to come into our family on October 27, 2011. And he fits so wonderfully. It's as if he has always been here. I love my life!!!!

Thank you Jesus for your abundant blessings!!!! Praise and adoration are Yours, and Your alone!!!!