Welcome, Baby Levi!

We've had many memorable days this year, but July 13th will be one of the most special in our community. Our close friends Patrick and Ashley Chapman have been trying to adopt a Korean baby since they arrived on the peninsula last summer. So far they haven't been able to have a baby of their own, but really have a heart for adoption and love this country. Ashley volunteers are local orphanages and Korean children's centers. They've made several contacts through their off-base church and have taken all the necessary legal steps to prepare. Unfortunately, Korean law makes it very difficult for foreigners to adopt here unless you do it one-on-one through a private adoption.

We've followed their journey toward starting a family for a long time and know how hard and frustrating it's been, waiting for leads on a baby. At one point, it was looking like the only possible way to adopt soon would be to fly to China and pick up a special needs child. But they continued praying and continued putting out feelers.

Then, amazingly, several doors opened up at once. They got an email on Friday night saying there was a baby born in Busan (5 hours south) and the mother was interested in having them adopt him. They were told that, according to Korean law, he had to stay with his birth mother for a week before they could bring him home. But they were welcome to come meet him and the mother on Sunday. That meant there would be less than 36 hours between the notification and when they would be meeting their son!

They came over on Saturday night and; borrowed some essentials, like bottles, new born clothes, swaddle blankets, etc. I also gave them a great reference book with info about how to care for a newborn. They were excited but understandably overwhelmed. There's a lot of information and preparation that goes into having a new baby and they had next to no warning!

The next morning, they drove with a Korean friend and translator to Busan to meet the baby and his mother. Below you can see pictures Ashley took of them hiking up a hill to the mother's apartment, bearing gifts and basic supplies for his care.

I know they were nervous about whether this arrangement was really going to work out. What did he look like? Was he healthy? Would they bond? But Ashley said that she just has this sense as soon as she saw him that he was her son. He melted her heart from the start. The picture below pretty much says it all. =^)

With the help of their translator, they spent a lot of time talking to the mother. They arrangement really could not have been more perfect. He was healthy and well cared for, but due to her family's traditional values, she couldn't keep him. She was eager to hand him over (there was no fear that she'd change her mind or try to take him back). But she is willing to meet him someday if he so chooses. Till then, the Chapmans will send her periodic letters and pictures so she can see him grow. The mother shared how her pregnancy went and told them the baby was always happy when she ate meat. They all laughed because Patrick's call sign is "MEAT". His due date was their anniversary. The list of blessings goes on and on.

Our Bible study group was so excited for them and praying for them all day. I couldn't wait to hear all about their visit. We were all shocked, though, to receive a message from Ashley that evening around 7 pm that included the picture below. It said: "DRIVING HOME WITH OUR SON!" Apparently they misunderstood the law and were able to take him home that day. They didn't even have a car seat so Ashley had to hold him in her arms the whole time and sneak him through the gate because all infants are required to be in car seats on base. I'm sure she would have held him all day if she had to. What exciting news!

Of course, as soon as we got the message, we launched into action. I called a friend to come watch the baby monitor after Kaden went to sleep so I could run across the street and help decorate their door and get their house ready for a newborn. We set up a little bassinet in their room and provided some diapers and whatever else they might need. News travels FAST around here because there were all kinds of people in and out of their place, bringing gifts for the baby and otherwise asking for updates.

They had to drive rather slowly to ensure the baby stayed safe on the crazy Korean roads, so it was almost midnight by the time they returned home. They were tired but beaming. What a moment! I'm so thankful I was able to be there to welcome the newly expanded Chapman family home!

The only blanket the mother had was pink, so they had to get a picture of their baby boy in his pink blanket

Isn't he precious??

I was happy to take him off their hands for a few minutes. ;^) He felt SO LIGHT compared to Kaden.

Basking in the moment. "This is our son!"

Unwrapping him and really taking a look at him for the first time.

He had a very hairy back. Patrick joked that they should name him Esau because he's red and hairy. haha

Proud daddy.

It took them a while to decide on a name. But ultimately he was christened Levi Jin. Levi means "joined in harmony", which they thought was appropriate because everything had worked out so beautifully with the adoption. Jin is Korean for "gift from God". He's a pretty mellow baby, and we've all loved spoiling him and supporting the new parents as they adjust. God is good!