Our day today kicked off with a visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace - a historical and well known royal palace that was the home of the Joseon dynasty. This expansive palace was built back in 1395, shortly after the capital of Korea was moved to Seoul. This location and palace became the heart of the city and a significant icon that has been restored and maintained today. While we were there, we saw some traditional musicians and changing of the guard ceremony, and many Koreans wearing traditional dress and clothes. It was a beautiful day to explore and walk around the area, taking in the ornate architecture and design of the Palace and seeing a bit of how the rulers of this time period lived.
After a visit to the Palace, we jumped back onto the subway and headed over to Insa-dong, an area of the city that has a number of shops that offer traditional souvenirs and food stands to enjoy. While we did a little shopping, we also found the exact spot where we took a picture of Joshua playing in the water five years ago (his favorite activity). He thought it was really funny, so how could we resist recreating the scene and taking an updated picture?
Then....and now!
We had some downtime in the afternoon and took a few naps (still recovering from jet lag and short nights of sleep!), then headed back out to enjoy a beautiful evening in Seoul. We first visited Namsan Park, where they have recreated a traditional Korean village with homes, and spent some time walking through the area and seeing how unique and different their homes and living areas were compared to ours!
After we left the Village, we took a bus up to the N Seoul Tower, beautifully lit up on one of the highest points in Seoul. After getting off the bus, we had to hike up part of the side of the mountain to fully enjoy the amazing view of " Seoul at night". The Seoul Tower is also the area where the "Locks of Love" are located, and we showed Joshua where we put our family lock on to highlight our forever family day and unending family love for one another. Then, we took the opportunity to go up to the Seoul Tower observation deck (1,200 ft up) and enjoy a 360 degree view of the city. It was a beautiful night to see the lights of the city and enjoy the views! The girls even had an "extra bonus view" when they went to the bathroom - glass walls that looked out onto the city! (Can someone say "privacy?!")
The N Seoul Tower - lit up with white, blue, and red (the colors of Korea)
Overlooking the bustling city of Seoul
Privacy please!
After taking 8 subway rides, 2 bus rides, and walking over 15,000 steps for the day, we were ready for bed when we came back! Here's to a good night of sleep and looking forward to another exciting day tomorrow with Joshua's foster family!
Outside the front door of Joshua's adoption agency!
Our first full day in Seoul found us with little time to sit and reflect on our travels thus far, but instead took us to a variety of new experiences for all of us!
Prior to our meeting with Joshua's foster parents, we asked about being able to visit the Baby Room here at the adoption agency. Many babies begin their journey to adoption here for the first few months of their lives, and are then placed in a foster family until an adoption is complete. This was true for Joshua as well, and so we were able to visit this area of the agency and see all the babies the nursing staff are caring for and help him visualize where he was for a short time before living with his Umma & Appa in their home. In total, there were approximately 30-40 babies that Eastern is caring for at this time, and all were below the age of 1 year old. We weren't able to hold or rock any babies (like Jill had been able to do last time), but seeing them was a powerful reminder of these precious little lives and their need for a loving, healthy home to be raised in.
Despite us looking like masked bandits, we wore these face masks to prevent spreading any germs while in the Baby Room!
We then met with Joshua's foster parents and had a great visit. They were so excited to see Joshua again, and very pleased to see how he had grown. Our time with them was filled with joy, smiles, hugs, and "catching up" about what Joshua has learned and how he has changed over the past five years since they had seen him last. They asked about his favorite foods, what he likes to play with, hobbies, etc. They were also very pleased to see Nathan and Brooke and how much they had changed since last time! Although our language wasn't the same, they had invited a younger cousin to be with us that could help translate our conversations and interaction. She was a blessing, and we enjoyed getting to know her also.
A Joyous Reunion! = )
Near the end of our time with them, they invited us to join them for lunch at a Korean restaurant where they ordered Joshua's favorite Korean food for all of us to enjoy (bulgogi). When we arrived, we were directed into a private dining area room where our meal was freshly prepared and shared among all of us. We continued our conversation with them, asking questions and sharing updates with one another, all while enjoying a wonderful traditional Korean meal - complete with multiple courses, salads, soups, kimchi, tea, and of course, freshly cooked bulgogi! Joshua sat between his Umma & Appa on one side of the table (smiling and enjoying his time with them!), and they enjoyed being able to help him enjoy his favorite Korean dish! Lots of smiles and fun at this lunch!
After lunch, we returned to our guest house and later went out to explore the Korean War Memorial, which reflects and remembers the Korean War and the significant sacrifice made by those who served in it - both Koreans and the many armed forces from around the world who assisted in this war. Although we arrived a bit too late to visit the exhibits inside, we toured the grounds and took in some of the statues, monuments, and military equipment (ships, planes, etc) that were there. We did get to go inside the Children's Museum (connected to the Korean War Memorial), where they described and talked about the war from a children's perspective with some interactive and hands on activities. This sparked a little teaching time with the kids, as we talked through some of what happened and the impact it had on those living here. What a humbling and powerful reminder of those who fought and sacrificed much for Korea.
"Korean War Memorial" (in Korean)
After a quick subway ride back to our guest house, and a light dinner (since we were still full from our lunch!), it was off to bed to prepare for our next full day of adventures and excitement tomorrow!
Not looking too bad for a 4:30am hotel departure, eh?
After starting our adoption process back in June, 2017, the day has finally come for us to begin the physical journey to bring our daughter home! Many of you have been praying, supporting, and following along on this journey with us, and we're excited to share with you some of the details of our trip as it unfolds!
We arrived safe and sound in Seoul, Korea earlier this afternoon, after spending approximately 17 hours flying! The kids did great on the trip, but naturally, we're all a bit tired and ready to catch up on sleep that we lost somewhere along the way.
Met a few friends here in the airport in Seoul!
Our weather has been perfect - sunny and warm in the mid-60 degrees. A perfect evening to enjoy being outside! By far the biggest highlight of the day was to see Joshua's initial reaction to being in Korea as soon as we came up out of the subway station. His responses of "awesome!" "wow!" and "so cool!", quickly followed by "can I take some pictures?!" stole the show! You couldn't ask for a bigger smile on his face than the one he had on at that moment!
Joshua's "first look" at the bustling city of Seoul.
We arrived at the Korean adoption agency we worked with when we came to bring Joshua home five years ago, and it felt good to be back. They have guest rooms available in their building for families that come and visit, so we were able to reserve a room again for our stay (ironically, the same room we were in when we picked up Joshua!). Oh the memories!
After a good night of sleep tonight, we have the opportunity tomorrow to visit with Joshua's foster parents and then explore Seoul a bit on our own! We can't wait!
Thanks for praying for us - and please don't stop! = )
Throughout the process of our adoption, this verse from James 1:27 has come up as both a challenge and reminder to us of how we as believers are called to care for those who are widows and orphans. Unfortunately, our culture and world often tries to keep us focused on our own needs, desires, and goals, and overlook others who have needs - such as widows and orphans.
As we are preparing to welcome an orphan into our family, we are also challenged to remember the other half of this verse - the widow, and consider how we can care for them as well.
Years ago we discovered the Both Hands organization and loved it’s simple philosophy of helping fulfill this Biblical mandate of caring for both a widow and an orphan. Taking it’s belief and mission directly from this verse of Scripture, Both Hands seeks to tangibly help a widow AND financially support a family who is adopting an orphan.
This video gives a great overview of the vision and history of Both Hands, as told by their founder, JT Olson:
Developed and founded by an orphan himself, the approach of Both Hands is simple: an adoptive family identifies a local widow in their community who is in need of some home repair work, clean up, or upkeep on their home. The adoptive family recruits a team of volunteers who commit to helping at a day long service project on this widow’s home, while also helping recruit sponsors who will financially sponsor them for this day of service. All the financial proceeds that are given go directly to help the adoptive family offset the various costs associated with adopting an orphan.
In short, a team of people offers both of their hands: one hand to help the widow; one hand to help the orphan.
The widow is blessed with a team of volunteers who clean, rake, repair, and restore her home for a day; the orphan is blessed with entering into a family who will love and cherish them; the adoptive family is blessed by receiving financial support for the adoption; and the volunteer team is blessed by being a part of the widow and orphan’s life story!
We would like to invite you to be a part of our Both Hands Project as we seek to help a widow AND our daughter!
On April 21, our volunteer team will be serving Ms. Cheryl, a widow who lost her husband 24 years ago. She has lived in her home here in Cedar Rapids since 1979, but had significant damage to it from the major flood of 2008, that she is still recovering from. We will be helping with a variety of outdoor projects including landscaping, painting, garbage/trash removal, and cleaning parts of her home.
As we serve her in this tangible way, would you consider helping financially sponsor us for this day of service? 100% of all gifts received will go directly toward meeting our adoption expenses, and help us bring Hannah Grace into our family. Our total adoption expenses to bring Hannah home are approximately $40,000, so all donations toward this project are greatly appreciated!
Your gift is 100% tax-deductible, and no administrative costs or overhead is taken out by Lifesong for Orphans or Both Hands for this project! (if giving via credit card, there is a small fee, due to it being processed by a 3rd party vendor)
We have also been blessed with a matching grant from a gracious donor, so every gift that is donated will be matched up to $1,500.
We also greatly value your prayer support as we serve Ms. Cheryl through this project, and as we transition Hannah into our family!
You can get more information about our project, including a link to donate online by clicking the Both Hands logo below:
You can also mail a donation by making checks payable to:
Lifesong for Orphans
Groezinger Account #7379
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744
Please write on memo line: Groezinger Account #7379
Thank you so much for your partnership with us in our adoption, and helping use both of YOUR hands to help a widow and an orphan!
P.S. This video is an example of what a Both Hands Project looks like - thanks for your help in being a part of ours!
A few of you have picked up from some of the pictures and comments we’ve posted that we have chosen to name our new daughter Hannah Grace LingJun! As names can hold such deep meaning and significance, we wanted to share a bit of meaning behind her name.
Since being on this adoption journey for the past year, the theme of grace has become very evident to both of us, and one that we felt very strongly about. Not only have we been reminded of our own need for God’s grace in our lives so we could be redeemed and adopted into God’s family (Eph. 2:8-9), but we also regularly sought God for his direction, grace, and favor throughout our adoption as He led and guided us each step of the (sometimes challenging!) way. As we look back on this journey, we have unquestionably seen His grace demonstrated toward us, and feel thankful and blessed for the little girl he has prepared to be in our family.
As we began to discuss American name ideas for our daughter, we quickly decided that we wanted to reflect this theme of grace in her name, as a way to remember and give testimony to the Lord. It didn’t take long until the name “Hannah”, which also means “favor” or “grace”, became part of our discussion, and we both felt a peace about moving forward with Hannah being her first name and combining that with “Grace” as part of her middle name.
We were also encouraged when we discovered that her given Chinese name, LingJun, means “spirit, soul” (Ling) and “truth” (Jun). With a desire to honor her Chinese heritage and background, we knew we would keep this as part of her name as well.
And so it is: Hannah Grace LingJun Groezinger.
But now, as we prepare to welcome our daughter into our family, we continue to pray that God’s grace and favor will be on her (for her health, growth, and relationship with God), but also with us as we seek to raise, care, and lead her in the days and years ahead.
We are also praying that she would know the truth of God’s unconditional love for her and choose to receive and accept the free gift of grace available to her through Jesus. Not only that, but we pray that her spirit (Ling) would reflect the truth (Jun) of this grace in her life and be evident to others who know her and see her.
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” 2 Timothy 2:1
Would you join us in praying the same for her?
May this video remind us of the power and evidence of God’s grace!
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31
Joshua's "Famliy Picther" with Ling Jun
In the adoption process, there is a lot of waiting! Whenever we're not filling out the next set of paperwork or heading to FedEx to mail it, we're waiting. The wait is one of the hardest parts of the process but it gets especially difficult once you know who your child is and your heart longs to meet them and bring them home. The wait is challenging as well for older siblings. But, while we wait, we are able to prepare in many ways as well. Nathan, Brooke, and Joshua have each been preparing; praying for their little sister, learning about thalassemia, drawing pictures, journaling, writing notes, researching, and learning, even writing a few words in Mandarin. Here are a few things Joshua, our 7 year old, has done while he waits.
"Looking Back on 2017 and
Looking Ahead to 2018"
One Happy Moment from 2017..."when I went to Desten Florda"
Two things I like about myself: "I am... gowin to Cinan and I am from Korea"
For my family, I will... "clen the tolits"
Oh the places I'll go! In 2018 I want to go to... "Cina"
For another school project, Joshua was able to choose a country to research. He couldn't decide between China and South Korea, so he asked to research both!
A note from Joshua to introduce himself...
...and the first page of his journal.
I love that the first sentence is "We got ecspdid." (Expedited!!!) That's our latest news! We, and many of you, have joined us in praying that we would be expedited so that we can bring LingJun home sooner in order to get her great medical care. Our dossier was sent on a Friday, arrived either Tuesday or Wednesday, was logged into their system on Wednesday, went through translation and multiple reviews and was completely approved on Friday. Three days when it typically takes 6 to 8 weeks! This was quicker than we knew was possible even with an expedite!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!" Ephesians 3:20-21
Ephesians 3:20-21 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. Our Lord is able to do more than we can imagine, immeasurably more! Sometimes it may take much longer than a few days, and it may not always be in the way we think or desire at the time. But, I am amazed again and again as I watch what God does in my life and the lives of others because of his power at work in us. To him be the glory in Christ Jesus forever and ever! We have a few more steps to go through in the paperwork/waiting process. We are waiting for another step to be completed by USCIS, and we are waiting for passports while working on our visa applications. We will continue to pray for these steps and the Lord's timing. But, our bigger prayer is that God would prepare each of our hearts for LingJun to join our family and that He would prepare her for this huge adjustment and time of grieving all that she's known as she becomes a part of our family forever. We are praying for the Lord's grace and his protection on her little body and spirit, that she would soon feel our love and be able to develop a healthy attachment to us and ultimately learn of God's great love for her that she may follow him and be adopted into his truly forever family! To God be the glory!
In the China adoption world, that means Dossier To China! This is an important step, and we’ve been working toward this and waiting for it for a long time. There are a couple of different processes that can occur in different orders when adopting from China. Some families send their dossier to China, and then it’s reviewed and accepted, and then later on they are matched with a child. Since we chose a special focus child, who has medical needs and is older, we got preliminary approval to adopt her earlier in our process. Now that we have all the paperwork needed for our entire dossier, it has been sent to China for them to review thoroughly and then officially grant our acceptance.
Another step of the process, on the U.S. side, is the I800a and then later, the I800. One of our kids asked, with sincerity, “Is that because it’s 800 pages?” It’s not, but sometimes it has seemed like we’re getting close to 800 as we’ve prepared our dossier! We have over 165 emails in our adoption email folder and 98 adoption files saved (and growing!). This is, hopefully, at least most or all of the important ones. In the beginning of the process, I kept a log of each step we completed, but after a couple of pages, we just did it and didn’t take the additional time to document every step of the way. I think we’ve gotten 11 background checks/clearances between the two of us since we needed one from every state we’ve lived in as well as letters from our local police/sheriff’s office. Those were in addition to getting fingerprinted (two times each). One of our fingerprinting appointments was scheduled early in the morning in Des Moines. It happened to be a couple of days before our anniversary, so we turned it into an overnight get-away to celebrate 16 years of marriage and get one step closer to bringing our little one home! We’ve also had multiple documents notarized, made numerous photocopies, and answered over 1,250 questions. Some were true/false for our psychological inventory, others were about a long list of potential medical needs, and others were more like essays. This gives a little idea of what we’ve been doing in our spare time these last few months. But, no matter how much paper work, how many phone calls, emails, or questions, we’d do it all again so we can bring our little girl home!
So, what’s next? We wait some more, and fill out our next forms so they’re ready when we get approval from China. The wait is so much harder once we know who are child is. This was the case for Joshua, and now for our daughter as well. But, I also love that we know more about her and are able to pray more specifically for her while we wait. And this time around, since our other kids are older, I love hearing and seeing their hearts as they pray for their little sister and wait expectantly for God to answer. We’d love for you to be praying with us! We have submitted a request for a medical expedite. Since our daughter has thalassemia and needs regular blood transfusions as well as medication, the sooner we bring her home and she starts receiving the medical care she needs, the better. In China, children with thalassemia often get so anemic that they are unable to play or even get out of bed. And, not getting the medication she needs can be detrimental to her organs. If we are granted a medical expedite, we may be able to bring her home a few months sooner than we would otherwise. This decision in China will likely be made next week. So, we’d appreciate prayer for each person involved in making the decision along the way. And, we’d love prayer for our daughter’s heart (emotionally) and each of ours as well, as we prepare for her to become a part of our family. We’ll share more in future updates (whenever we’re able to take a break from paperwork!)
