Happy Adoption Day—So You Don’t Go Through This Life Alone

  

          Today we celebrate a family event—Min’s Adoption Day! Anniversary #26! Here you see us pictured (November 14^th, 1997) gathered around Judge David Klim.

            Outside a blizzard had hit our fair city. We often joke about that in connection to taking Min into our family as he was somewhat of a “storm” himself! Min’s life, however, would be fraught with physical and mental challenges.

            Here’s a piece I wrote during one of those times (May 31^st, 2012) when Min was recovering from major abdominal surgery:

 

            “Last Sunday should have been our son’s high school graduation. That’s what is marked on the calendar. But what actually took place was abdominal surgery. Of course, God knew this all ahead of time. He even knew before we adopted Min that he’d one day face this surgery due to his genetic disease.

            Week ago Monday our son had an ultrasound to study his kidneys, which can become problematic for kids with neurofibromatosis type 1. During that scan, a large mass was discovered. We spent the rest of that week helping Min through additional test, resulting in surgery by week’s end. Now that the grapefruit-sized mass is removed, our son lies recovering—very slowly and not so smoothly.

            Because of our son’s other life-struggle, Asperger’s, we’re staying with him around-the-clock, attempting to keep his busy hands from undoing IVs, stopping him from removing tubes that must stay put, and protecting his long incision. A 24/7 task.

            A thought occurred to me when doctors told us our son would have a large active tumor removed … This is why we adopted Min—so he wouldn’t go through this alone. Oh sure, there were other reasons, but perhaps none so important as this (with exception to teaching him about the Savior so he’d one day accept Jesus into his life).

            Did we adopt Min because we needed him? Not in one sense of the word. Did we want him? Yes. If we hadn’t adopted him, he was slated to go to an orphanage for the “unadoptable.”    

            I thought about what it might’ve been like if Min faced this surgery and rough aftermath in a hospital without family … perhaps alone and so full of fear.

            I’ve also reflected how my relationship with God, Who adopted me, is similar. Did He need me? Not really. Did He want me? Yes. And He is with me through all the trials I go through. That’s a great reason to be adopted!

            I’m eternally thankful my loving Father took me in and made me a part of His family so I don’t go through ANYTHING alone.

            During Min’s struggles with testing, surgery, and rough post-op, he cried, ‘I’m so glad you are here to help me.’

            Min, we are too … and we’re also grateful God is with us all, so we don’t go through this life alone.”

I’m So Glad I’m a Part of the Family of God

Bill Gaither - The Family Of God (Live At Gaither Studios, Alexandria, IN/2022) - YouTube

 

*adoption *neurofibromatosis *NF *Godsfamily *belonging *neveralone *happyadoptionday

 

Note: A shorter, redirected version of this May 31^st, 2012 piece is entered as a letter to Min in his memoir, A Home for Min Soo—Putting Together the Pieces of my Life by Kim, Min Soo (available through online booksellers. Also available in eBook and audiobook forms).