It's a God Thing

Here's our little man, courtesy of a beautiful portrait created by our talented friend, Rinda. It's so hard to look at this face every day and not be able to smooch those cheeks! :)

We don't have any updated ETA - we're still hoping for May. Immigration is about the only thing we're waiting on, and that can take 6-8 weeks normally. We still don't have the "official" age waiver from Korea, but since they are continuing to move forward with us, we have to believe there won't be a problem.

The biggest delay and stress has been putting the necessary funds together. We're working on fundraisers (check out our page at AdoptionBug.com), re-re-mortgages, grants, other loans, etc. BUT, we received an incredible blessing just this past weekend from an incredible group of friends and organization that has eased that burden considerably. Our dear and wonderful friends, Charley and Delyn Redmond, lost Charley's dad, Larry, unexpectedly on February 19. As we grieve with our friends during this time, a memorial evening was planned for this past Saturday. We gathered with the Redmonds and other close friends to remember and honor Charley's dad. Charley spoke so lovingly about his dad and the things that he admired and respected about him. It was truly a special time of memorial. At the end of our time together, Charley announced that a fund had been set up in his dad's name with Show Hope that exemplified Larry's heart for the cultures and ethnicities of the world, and that that fund would be given to us to help bring Jack home. Many of the friends in the room with us that evening had contributed to the fund for us, along with a large individual contributor and the basic grant that Show Hope had designated for us. We were completely taken by surprise and so honored.

Words cannot express the magnitude and meaning of this gift to our family. That, through Charley's loss and grief, he and Delyn reached out to us in our need. We did not know Charley's dad well, but the connection that has been made between our family and his family is indescribable. No price tag can be put on making it possible to bring our son home, and no amount of words can convey what we feel. And, just to see the utter joy that it brought to Charley to see his dad's death be honored in bringing about new life, was a moment we will never forget.

We are also so grateful for each one who donated to the fund, all very special friends, which we also have indescribable connection with - both in joy and in pain.

This narrative is a poor attempt to convey what we feel - love, joy, disbelief, intimacy, grief, honor . . . it's just beyond words. We are so blessed with the friendships that God has granted us. All glory and praise to Him!