Family

Family.  Such a powerful word.

5 years ago our family expanded from four to five, as a result of adopting Joshua from South Korea. We were grateful for the nurture and love he received from his foster family during those first two years of his life before he joined our family.  As was evident from our meeting with them earlier this week, they continue to love and cherish Joshua and were overjoyed with us coming to visit them here.

Our meeting last Thursday was with his foster mom and dad, but he also had three adult foster sisters (and one brother-in-law) that also loved and cared for him.  They weren’t able to visit with us Thursday so they invited us to join their entire family for the day on Saturday, including lunch, dinner, and some fun activities together at a home they rented just outside the city of Seoul.

Appa (dad) picked us up in the morning and we drove for a little over an hour. It was fun to see a bit of the area outside of the city and get away from the hustle of the traffic and people.

Once we arrived, and as the other foster sisters and their families arrived (with two new little ones we hadn't met last time we were here!), hugs, smiles, and lots of pictures were being exchanged!  In many ways, it seemed like the whole family was back together again - 5 years later.

Since it was a beautiful day outside, Appa was busy grilling up a variety of food on the grill, including some Korean BBQ pork, fish, shrimp, and some Galbi, while Umma (mom) was inside preparing appetizers and many delicious sides and finishing the other preparations for lunch.

Once lunch was ready, we enjoyed an incredible meal together, with all the traditional Korean food and flavors that Appa and Umma had prepared for us! They were very gracious and patient with us while we tried them all and learned how to eat them! Appa even complimented Nathan on how well he could use chopsticks!

We enjoyed catching up with the rest of the family, played a little soccer after lunch, and took a lot more pictures - including a new family photo with ALL of us in it!  We had a GREAT time!

Joshua meeting one of his other foster sister's little boy for the first time!

Joshua playing a little soccer with one of his foster sisters

The new family photo! = )

After lunch was cleared we all loaded into their cars and headed to an area known for their traditional Korean pottery. We walked inside a pottery shop that offered customers the chance to make and paint their own piece of pottery. The foster sisters invited each of us to pick out a piece of pottery to create, and everyone enjoyed trying our hand at the pottery wheel and later with the paintbrush. We left our pieces there to be glazed and put in the kiln, and they will be shipped to us later. After a quick stop for some coffee and smoothies, we all headed back to the house for some fun and to prepare for the main meal.

Once again, Appa and Umma were busy preparing a wonderful variety of food for us to enjoy together - fresh salad, clam soup, fresh tuna on rice (sushi), seasoned cooked tuna, and some shrimp!  Appa is a wonderful cook, and loves to show his hospitality through providing his family with great meals and making sure everyone has enough to eat!

We exchanged gifts, had dessert, and also celebrated Joshua’s return with a special cake they had made with the phrase “ I ❤️ you” written on it with candles. It was a special way to end an extraordinary day!

Joshua gave Umma a pair of shoes he wore as a baby, to see if they would fit the little baby

Joshua with all three of his foster sisters and new baby

Joshua YoonSeo with Appa

 It is hard to believe it has been five years since Joshua came home; his foster family was very excited and thankful to see him again.  And Joshua was just as excited and thankful to see them!  We also learned new stories about him as a baby and new funny memories of their time together with Joshua YoonSeo.

Although we have maintained a connection with Joshua’s foster family, this visit helped us get to know them on a more personal level, and we all enjoyed it! 

Which brings us back to the word “family”.  Although we are separated by other countries, bodies of water, and many time zones, we all realized the connection we have with one another and the time we could spend together. As they shared near the end of the evening: “We are together”.

We couldn’t agree more. Because after all, that’s what family is all about - being together.  And we were.  It was special for each one of us.  Shortly after we left them, Joshua asked Jill,

"When can we visit them again?"  Jill explained that we don't know but we definitely hope to someday.  And he replied,

"Next time can we stay for a month or 12 weeks?"

We wrap up our time in Korea with a full heart, thankful for the chance to return here, show Joshua part of his home country, and visit with his foster family again.

But, as one journey comes to an end, another one is about to begin.....