Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Our Journey to Luke

Twenty one years ago, as we waited for our son, Colt, to come home to us from South Korea, I kept a journal. To look at it now, it was somewhat of a primitive journal, but a journal, neverthless. It is written in a stenographer's notebook.....just thoughts from a mother's perspective. Even though I didn't know if it would ever be anything he would be interested in when he was old enough, it helped me.

Here we are tweny one years later, and look how far technology has brought us! We didn't even own a computer back then.....now we have a grand total of five in our home! Although I'm still technically challenged, especially compared to my kids, I've come a long ways!

I've found a place that so graciously lets adoptive parents journal their adoption process online so that family and friends may follow along on the journey. It is a website called Journey to Me. They are passionate about adoption...for the children and the families as stated in their mission statement and beliefs and values:

Mission Statement

"Helping Adopted Children Thrive"

Beliefs and Values

We are compassionate and committed to the unique journey of each adopted child.
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We believe every child deserves a family.
We believe every adopted child experiences grief, loss and fear of attachment.
We are dedicated to providing a safe network of support for adoptive families.
We provide educational resources to those impacted by adoption.
We are the premier, comprehensive resource for issues facing the adopted child.


They offer the service of an online journal FREE for one year, and then offer the option of having it printed in book form. Isn't that really kind of them?

So why not just post these things on my blog? Well, I'm sort of a perfectionist when it comes to certain things (gasp!), and I liked the idea of having it all in one place (all neatly together in order) where it was easily accessible to all who would be interested in viewing it (and for me). Also, through many adoptive parents, I've heard that blogspot isn't always easily accessible while in China, and may even be blocked, or if it is accessible you have to post a particular way through a phone with access to the internet, etc... Well, I can't depend on me being able to have all that figured out, so I chose the safest way I could for being able to post while we are in China especially. I want you all to be able to share this journey, since you've been with us from day one. So even as we are there, our forever family day (when we get Luke), and the days that follow, my plans are to make a journal entry for everyday we are there! China is 14 hours ahead of us, so it should work out perfectly. As we've completed a day and posted it, you'll all be waking up and reading a new journal entry!

So today, I want to introduce you all to our new journal site which we called Our Journey to Luke.



At the bottom of our homepage is a table of contents of all the entries. We will add to this as time passes. I tried to catch all the posts up to date, since we didn't start this online journal from the very beginning of the process. You will recognize some of the posts as things having been written on my blog here, as well as many "new" things you probably haven't read or didn't know.

I am also posting the link to this site on my sidebar for future reference, so you can keep up with Our Journey to Luke.

So to our family and friends, we invite you to join us and share our joy as we record Our Journey to Luke.

21 comments:

My Colonial Home said...

Good morning Tammy - thank you so much for posting this...I have been thinking about you so much lately.
I will read your journal daily and I pray for all of you during this time of 'family growth'
You will all be as one in a very short time....but I know you are ONE now.
Hugs, Karen

Wendi said...

That is a wonderful site. Blogging from China was hard. It was blocked often. Luckily I had blogger memorized and was still able to get a post out. I just couldn't view them in China.

Things happened so fast while we were in China that am I am so happy that I pushed through and blogged. It it wonderful to look back now and remember out first days as a family.

Looking forward to following your journey.

Tiffany said...

That is so sweet. Thank you for sharing - it looks like a wonderful site.

Lynn said...

Good Morning Tammy!
I will be reading your journal that you share and have and will keep you and your family all in our prayers...

I bet it is very interesting reading back on your journal about your wait till Colt would be joining your family! Now, again, you will have a new beautiful memoir of your family waiting for your beautiful son Luke too..

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn

Sharon said...

Good morning Tammy
I will be reading your journal about Luke.
I will pray for you and your family that all continues to move along smoothly and Luke is in your loving home soon.
Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You are a true inspiration! What a wonderful blog you have. I feel good just reading it. Thank you.

Hugs,
Stella

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Loved your Journal, Tammy!
Just emailed ya....♥

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

Tammy, how wonderful! You can bet I will be following along and praising God for each success in this adoption.

As for Colt's journal, even though things are done differently now, I'm sure he will always cherish it.

Have a great week!

Dan said...

Tammy~ What a wonderful idea! I think that is a great idea and it will be so interesting to read. It will also be great for him to read when he is older! Your letters have been mailed and the should be arriving soon. Have a great day! ~Dan~

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

this will be perfect for you, Tammy! You are such a great writer and I'm sure that the journal for Colt is wonderful. I know Luke will be delighted with what you do for him also.
★Linda

Farmchick said...

So looking forward to following your journey--praying for you and your growing family. :)

Anne said...

Tammy, Thank you for opening this part of your lives with us. Its a very special time for all of you, with The Lords Grace, it will be over before you know it and your sweet little guy will be home. Thanks for sharing. All things work together for good to those that love the Lord!!!

Laura said...

Hi Tammy - thank you for sharing with us your great idea!!! You all are in my thoughts!
Laura

A Bit of Colour said...

Thinking about you . Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this journey. Looking forward to the day when you are a family TOGETHER.
Blessings~Kim

Dawn said...

Tammy, I have added your new adoption journey site to my favs and will be checking in regularly to read up on your new post. I love the idea! Thanks, Dawn

Simple Home said...

Things really have changed in the last 20 years haven't they? I didn't think about this until you wrote about not having a computer back then. Our kids don't know life without them. I don't know why, but I was thinking Colt was from China too. My son is looking into going to S. Korea for a year to teach English after he graduates. He's also looking at a program in China. I don't know if I mentioned that before. Thanks for sharing this online journal.
Blessings,
Marcia

Never So Simple said...

I'm sure one day Colt will treasure your journal. I think it's so great that you did that and are doing it again. Luke is already so blessed.

I am sorry I haven't emailed yet.

Donna

Nancy M. said...

I don't blame you for wanting it all together like that! My cousin did the same, except it was on a place called you belong. I really enjoyed following them in China and I'm sure I will like following your journey also! Thanks for letting us tag along!

Mandy said...

What a great way to keep things organized! I can't imagine how you all must be feeling right now.

Thanks for sharing this with us!

The Farmers Oldest Daughter said...

What a wonderful idea. When Luke gets older, he will appreciate seeing what all you went through to bring him home. You can tell God's hand is all over this.

It is very interesting to see what your family is writing to Luke.

Take care and God's blessings to you.

Maxine

Melissa said...

I've got your new journey in my favorites! Can't wait to share all the joys and the waiting with you!