My Lazy Summer: How God Used My Plans of Nothing for His Glory

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Prov. 16:9

At the end of the school year people were all a-buzz about their summer plans and travels. For the first time in 8 years we had none to share. We were not going to visit family in the States, we did not have visitors coming to see us in Korea, we did not have a plan for the summer. I remember commenting to several people, "It feels a little weird to have nothing planned on our horizon. We don't have anything to look forward to except just not doing anything." Well God certainly knew what was coming and how that summer plan was perfect for what he had in store.

In the last several weeks we had a semi-secret: we had the IMMENSE pleasure to welcome this sweet baby into our family. His name is John (Yohhan in Korean) and we call him John John. He was almost 3 months old when we brought him into our home. Just LOOK at those cheeks!

John John's story is complicated but the basics are his mom was unable to continue caring for him, the orphanage she went to was full, the "overflow" home for the orphange couldn't care for a baby that young, and through a trail of communication he ended up in our home while he waited to move forward with an adoption. After one minute of having him home we were all ready to keep him forever (or until he found a forever family)! We felt honored that our friends had asked us to help out, and we never expected our boys to be as great with welcoming this baby into our home as they were! Isaac is a great protective big brother. Ethan is fascinated with baby.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book

 before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

We have been SO AMAZINGLY BLESSED by this little child. It sounds a little strange to say that about a baby, right? How could a baby that poops, eats, and sleeps be a blessing? John John was an answer to my prayers for my family. I have been praying for God to open the hearts of my family to adoption, and this was a clear and fast opening of their hearts. My boys are a little selfish--they like their quality time ;) I had no idea how this would go, but....

I was amazed that Isaac, with no prepping for a baby coming home, remembered all the ways to help us: getting bottles, burping the baby, being quiet while he slept, helping him keep his mow-mow (pacifier), taking baths, and just generally caring for John John. He wanted to cuddle John John and sleep in the same bed (John John in Isaac's bed was the request). He was the protector.

Ethan has never experienced a new baby coming home, so I was shocked at how loving he was toward John John! Shocked! He never tried to push him away from us or cry when we held him. He always wanted to hug him, kiss him, and be next to him. Ethan was super curious about John at first, but after a week or two, he HAD to give him a HUGE hug every time he woke up, a BIG kiss when he was lying on the floor, and any time John John cried Ethan would go looking for him. They are best buds.

At the time that I began writing this blog (ahem...4 weeks ago) we did not know how John John's story would progress. He was unadoptable at the moment but we knew our very good friends in Korea would probably pursue adopting him IF he was adoptable. All we could do was love on him, be a stable home and pray over him. We prayed for wonderful things to come from his life. We prayed for safety and good decisions for his caretakers. We prayed for his birth mommy and these tough choices. We prayed for his heart to know the Lord one day and forgive these crazy, mixed up beginning details of his life story. And we prayed hard for his forever mommy and daddy.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Prov. 3:5-6

And wouldn't you know it, as the story unfolded, our friends returned from vacation and the family decided right away that they would give John John up for adoption to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This story isn't all roses because we do know that John John's birth mom and grandparents miss him, love him, and want great things for him. I wish I could tell them how brave I think they are to make such a tough decision through great love. John touched our lives so much in such a short amount of time, so I know the pain is real for them as well. This was not a light decision but I know it was orchestrated perfectly by our Lord.

So my summer of laziness, turned into a summer of baby love. It was a surprise, and I honestly thank the Lord for his surprises! How could I have planned this any better? My family's hearts were opened, my friends' baby came home and we got to be a very special part of that homecoming.

Today we delivered all the remaining baby clothes and supplies to our friends. We saw their nursery all set up, the laughed and delighted in their new son, we took pictures together and had a great time. I am just overjoyed today with this journey. Praise God for this little guy that brightened so many days and so many lives.