LOVE

Twenty-two years ago this month, our son, Ryan was born and twenty years ago this month, our daughter, Allison was born. They were born in Seoul, Korea. Ryan was born in a hospital and Allison was born in a home for unwed mothers.

Seven hours after Ryan was born his birth mother left him there. I believe she had a purpose in doing this. She loved him so much that she wanted something better for him, a home with two loving parents. I am sure she knew that if she left him there he would be put up for adoption, probably with an American family. It was very unusual for a child in Korea to even be born in a hospital. He was immediately put in an orphanage while awaiting adoption.

Allison, on the other hand, was born to a young woman who wanted to go to college. She must have loved her child so much because she asked her parents if they would care for her child so that she would have a loving home. They felt that they could not. This is a normal occurence in Korea. Most Korean people do not take responsibility for the children born out of wedlock and many of them are abandoned. After her birth, Allison was put in a foster home in Seoul.

We had prayed for children even before we were married. We had so much love for each other and we had an abundance of love to give to children. I knew that it was almost impossible for me to get pregnant, but I had to go through a grieving process before I could accept the fact that we would not have any biological children. God and my family helped me to come to terms with the loss and move on. God had so much love for us and for Ryan and Allison that he picked us to be together long before they were even born. And we knew even before we saw their pictures that they were born for us.

They are "my angels" sent from a loving Father. They filled my heart and my empty arms with love and joy. I did not know that it was possible to have so much love for two little tiny persons. I love that saying "You may not have grown under my heart, but you grew in my heart". It is so true! I thank God everyday for making us a family.

On this night before our Savior's birth, I feel God's amazing love more than any other night of the year. I look at my family and marvel at how much love He has for all of us and us for each other! On this holiest of nights, I pray that we will find Jesus in the stillness and peace of the manger, but also in our hearts!

Merry Christmas!