God Willing

Isaiah had a friend sleep over last night. Each time I turned over in my sleep I would hear little voices or the pickins of guitar hero or the click of playing some video game. I smile when I think how big those kids feel when they "stay up all night". The cord on our laptop gave up the ghost so I have to use the PC downstairs. I came in the family room to find two smiling boys. What? they asked. Well, I think it is time for you to give it up and sleep awhile. It is six in the morning and you guys are going to be crabby, crabby, crabby today. At my age, it is a horror to have to stay up all night and I hope not to have to do it.

Thursday afternoon the phone rang with my daughter-in-law on the other end. After the usual niceties, she said she had a question to ask me and I could say no if I wanted to. That is enough to pique the interest, uh? She continued to explain that her husband, our son, wants to visit his bio family in Korea soon and wants to take her and their seven year old along. Susan feels apprehensive about going so they decided to ask Mom along. That would be me! The trip will, God willing, take place in April. I have met Josh's and Jennifer's bio mom but it has always been my prayer to be able to accompany one of my children to visit their bio family in their land. While I have been to Korea twice, I didn't know their family at those times so this will be a real treat. I told Susan this was an offer that would be difficult to turn down. Without talking it over with Ken or anyone else, I accepted.

When Ken came home from his usual afternoon coffee in town, I told him what was going on. In his sweet way, he said, "I am so happy for you." I asked if he was sorry he wasn't asked. No, he said, I always have tons to do and I'm just happy for you. I was very pleased with his attitude. It was freeing for me.

So, I have six months to prepare for a trip of a life time. The other two trips to Korea were highlights in our lives. Experiencing a culture so unlike our own was so broadening. Those trips were thirty years ago and now I will be able to see the progress for myself. I understand it is astounding. Josh's and Jennifer's brothers have done well for themselves so the family is in much better economic shape than when they felt forced to send Josh and Jennifer to us. I always agonized over that decision for that mom and wondered if God knew what He was doing. I am still devoid of answers to that question but know that, Jennifer, for one, has expressed that she knows the whys. Many things in life happen for reasons beyond our understanding. It is a matter of trusting that we believe God to know things much greater and fuller than we do.

So......I can't wait to taste some good Korean kimchi and some bulgogi. The smell of garlic permeates the air in Korea. It is said that a man would sooner give up his wife than give up his garlic ladden kimchi (kind of like sauerkraut but flavored with garlic). I may even give up my usual teatotaling life style for some OB Beer. When Ken and I went to Korea the first time in l977, my doctor told me not to drink anything that wasn't bottled or canned. The only thing I could find was the native brand of beer. I had not tasted beer at that point in my life. It tasted good to me....I'm not sure if it was because I was so thirsty or because it really did taste good. I will be in a better position to make that decision this time around.

Thank you, Lord, for the love of family.