Monday, January 29, 2007

I can't stop smiling....

Today was such a great day! We are so blessed! We were early to Holt because I couldn't wait any longer. The place was swarming with babies and I hated sitting in the waiting room not knowing if Ollie was sitting next to me or not. Turns out he wasn't, he arrived a little late with foster parents in tow. He was so smiley and happy. He let us hold him and kiss him. We had an interpreter so we could talk with the foster parents. They gave us an album full of pictures of him. (plus 2 rolls of film to develop when we get home!) They have had him since he was 6 weeks old and they love him so much. They have fostered 2 other babies but they were both escorted home so they never got to meet the adoptive families. They were so excited to meet us and they asked us if we were christians. When we said yes, his FM was so happy because they have been praying Ollie would be raised in a christian home. They go to a large Presbyterian church (where the foster father works) and it turns out Oliver has been going to church every Sunday with them. They invited us to come home with them for lunch. We got to witness Ollie's pre-flight exam and then we all piled in their van. He fell asleep on me on the way there. (they don't use carseats here) He's a thumb sucker!!
Ansley- help me out here, I know that sometimes the families are invited out to lunch by the foster family but have you EVER heard of one that went this far to be hospitable? They cooked us a wonderful, large, traditional Korean meal and then they wanted to take us sight-seeing. We said good-bye to our baby who stayed with his foster sister since it was so cold out. The FM spoke no english and the FF only spoke a little bit. Due to the language barrier, they could never tell us where we were going. They first took us to an awesome palace that was built 700 years ago. Then we took a cable car up a mountain to the tallest building in Seoul. It's called Seoul Tower and it looks a lot like the Space Needle. We went to the top and we saw Seoul from a bird's eye view. Then they drove us downtown to a very ritzy department store. There were several resturants on the top floor and we ate dinner at a steakhouse. Wasn't that so nice of them to show us around Seoul? Well it gets better, they insisted on paying for everything! They even bought us keychain souvenirs! I have prayed that Oliver would have wonderful foster parents and today proves that God provided just that. We are so grateful.
We are moving out of the guest house and into a hotel tomorrow afternoon. The hotel will have wifi so we can download all the pics from today onto our laptop and I can share some of them with you. I am typing this on the guesthouse's decade old computer. I can't wait for you all to see little Oliver!
By the way, his foster parents call him Jun-Seok. Not as cute as thumper!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day! Oliver is such a blessed baby. I can't wait to hold and kiss on him. His foster family seems ideal. Tell them thank-you from his grandma. See the three of you soon. Mom H.

hillenblogshappywife said...

okay, i know this is nothing like the wait you have had for Oliver, but Thursday seems so far away right now! We can't wait to see you all!

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited to hear all this! How wonderful that their prayers have been answered as well as yours!Can't wait for the pictures and videos.

Anonymous said...

It is wonderful to see how God is working through all of this. It sounds like his foster family is just wonderful. Praying for your safe return.

Sarah

Anonymous said...

Ok, so I am already in tears! Can't wait to meet him, hold him and teach him how to drink diet coke out of a straw!! What an answer to prayer that he has been with a wonderful family and that they have been so good to you. What a treat to give you a tour of Seoul! We love you and we are praying for you everyday! God is Good!

LauraD said...

What a blessing! We are praying for you all constantly!! Can't wait for the pictures!

Linette said...

This is awesome! God is so good!
I'm crying already and can't wait to see pictures soon!!

Linette

Anonymous said...

can't wait to see the pics!! Hurry back w/that cutie!

Brandy

Anonymous said...

It is so amazing how God has orchestrated every last detail for your little one - I am struck speechless at the His goodness. What a time to be still and know that He is God!

Hillenblog said...

Does Oliver speak any English?

Anonymous said...

Rachel, I have heard of FFs being very generous, but I still think yours is extra special. It sounds like it was really exciting for them to be able to meet you and Matt. I am so glad you are having a wonderful time.