Land Of The Morning Calm

This is what South Korea is called. I am writing this entry on the last morning in our hotel room before we board a plane to head back to the U.S.A. I have to say in the short amount of time I have been here I have truly fallen in love with these people and this city. They have a soft-spoken manner and a humble quality you rarely find anymore in people. They respect their elders and hold them in high regard. They are truly appreciative when we have made an effort to learn some of their language even if it is spoken incorrectly. They value education and strive for excellence. I have felt very safe and in a sense I am sad to leave so soon. Now don't get me wrong they have their share of problems like everyone else. Smoking and drinking are BIG concerns here. They party until the wee hours. And it is strange you see all ages out late at night.

Yesterday was Gotcha Day for HaeWon. It was a day of many emotions wrapped into a few short hours. We me with Dr. Kim the director of the Eastern Social Welfare Society and had a wonderful visit with her. She gave us background on the country and the plight of orphans after the war. We learned a lot we did not know. We ate a WONDERFUL authentic Korean buffet with several other adoptive families from the United States and got a chance to visit with them. We then met HaeWon's foster mother, father and sister for what would be our last visit. It was bittersweet and many tears were shed on both sides. They TRULY love him and hope he has a wonderful life. They are a kind, loving, christian family and we will be eternally grateful to them. I somehow have a sense of guilt for taking him out of his homeland and the only life he has known but yet we already are so in love with him and excited to share our lives with him. He is going to be such a blessing to us. He grieved very hard last night for his "omma" and this is expected but very difficult for Mike and I. We look forward to seeing everyone and introducing you to our precious son.

With that being said we know this is going to be a difficult transition period for our family and we will probably be staying close to home and getting acquainted with each other. We will have to get him and ourselves into a routine and get sleep patterns established. Mike and I will be the only ones to hold, bath and feed him etc.. for the first several weeks at the strong advice from our adoption agency. This is essential to form attachment and bonding. Please understand and also know how appreciative we are to each of you who have prayed for us and supported us through this journey. It is nothing personal just very necessary. We will share some of his adoption story but most will remain private as this is Miles' story to share when and if he chooses. Once again, nothing personal this is just out of respect to him. We will be posting pictures and will continue to blog. Our flight should get into KCI Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm American flight 591. We are just expecting delays with weather and this being labor day weekend but that is the plan now. Love To All From the Trussells-Mike, Trish and Miles HaeWon and Winston (who we miss dearly and can't wait to see!!)