Heather graciously agreed to take a few minutes aside from “mommying” to jot down a few reflections on this journey from her perspective. It is nothing short of amazing to watch the way Mara Ruth relates to her. She is attaching to Heather well, reaching for her, clinging to her, playing with her, and looking to her for her needs to be met. To see Heather love on Mara Ruth while still giving attention to Caleb and Joshua is nothing short of beautiful, and I praise God for the mother she is to our kids. OK, enough gloating about my wife…here’s Heather in her words:
My idea of “family” used to be small. From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted to have kids. As you’ve heard from David, we tried and longed to have children for many years, yet month after month, year after year, the Lord was not providing the desire of our hearts (at least the way we wanted). I knew that God was sovereign and in control, but still, I could not understand why He was choosing to withhold the blessing of children. We had tossed around the idea of adoption, but to be honest, I was frustrated and angry. Why did it seem so easy for everyone else to have babies, but so difficult for us? But slowly, the Lord began to change my heart and help me realize that what He desired for David and me was much better than I could have asked for or imagined. I began to realize that adoption was a calling that the Lord had placed on our lives…a true gift from Him. And oh, what a gift!
These last few days with Mara Ruth have been exciting, scary, incredible, gross (when she threw up all over me yesterday, and had quite the upset stomach today), tiring, and altogether wonderful! I know I might be a biased mom, but she is one cute kid! She seems to be feeling a little better today, and we are starting to see some of her personality shine through. She reminds me so much of Caleb when we first met him. Timid and shy, yet taking it all in and thinking deeply about what is going on around her. At times she seems playful, but at this point, she mostly wants to be held and snuggled close. That’s OK by me, because I have lots of hugs and kisses to give. I have been saving them especially for her for 3 years! The boys have been amazing, and they are giddy with excitement for their new little sister. I am not sure what we would do without Gramma who has taken the lead in caring for Caleb and Joshua while we tend to Mara Ruth.
So here I am, sitting in China, thankful for a family that only the Lord could weave together. Caleb, my sweet sensitive child, has a heart of gold and is constantly seeking out ways to give generously to those around him. Joshua, our little “surprise,” keeps us rolling with laughter and amazement with his animated discussions and vivid imagination. And now Mara Ruth, as we wait to see her personality blossom and develop as she softens the “blue” in our family with a little “pink.” My mommy heart is full with thanksgiving to our good and gracious Father for doing far more than I could have planned. It’s not the way I would have imagined. To be honest, the journey has been full of tears, sadness, disappointment, and difficult days, and I am certain there will be more difficult days in the future as we transition to bring this little girl home, but I trust that the Lord will meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!
Thank you for praying. We love and miss our family, friends, and faith family back home! As we approach Thanksgiving, I truly have more to be thankful for than I ever could have dreamed.
Posted by Kayla on November 23, 2011 at 9:20 am
It’s not just that you are biased. She is absolutely beautiful!
Posted by Michele Willis on November 23, 2011 at 9:21 am
I loved reading the mom’s perspective! I’m so glad that she’s attaching like that so well!! God is so good and you guys have so much to be thankful for that it’s overwhelming!
Posted by melissa on November 23, 2011 at 9:22 am
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by Dedra on November 23, 2011 at 9:22 am
So good to hear your voice and see your smile with that gorgeous little girl in your arms! I’ve been rejoicing and praying for you and your sweet family and am blown away by His Provision and care over you. You are right.. He is more than good.. He is mind blowing. Love and hugs to you and the entire family!
Posted by Tami on November 23, 2011 at 9:24 am
momma can say it in a way that daddy’s just can’t…
thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Posted by DawnK on November 23, 2011 at 9:27 am
Thank you for taking time to share with us!!
How exciting! I know what its like to have a blue world and then get to add some pink! I love to hear adoption stories of fellow adopters — we all have a common bond of the Lord’s gift of children to each family weaved differently! Enjoy this wonderful bonding time getting to know your sweet daughter!
Posted by Lauren on November 23, 2011 at 9:33 am
Heather, it is so encouraging to hear that because the Lord created this mothering nature in every woman, then He could pick the perfect time to hand His daughter to you, and you could jump right in loving Mara Ruth only knowing her for a short time. Our sovereign God, our loving King, has named you the mother of Mara Ruth since before time was time! WOW! And He knew that Caleb and Joshua would be her brothers, that David would be her dad, and that your family would be knit together perfectly. I mean it just fills me with so much joy to see His perfect handing weaving you all together! So Heather, thank you for replying to the Lord’s call to be a mom. Thank you for living in obedience even through misunderstandings and heartaches, because now WE HAVE SEEN THE GOSPEL lived out in your family!
Lauren
P.S. any time you need a babysitter I’ll be the first to volunteer! Can’t wait for y’all to come back to BH!
Posted by nancy on November 23, 2011 at 10:00 am
Oh the sweetness! xoxoxo
Posted by Kathy Acton on November 23, 2011 at 10:08 am
Heather and David, Our hearts are overflowing for you and your sweet, growing family. Mara Ruth is indeed beautiful. Thank you both for sharing this journey with everyone. It has blessed our hearts and as we gather with our families, we will give thanks for your journey and your new little one. Much love from the entire Acton crew.
Posted by Lori Denton on November 23, 2011 at 10:42 am
Thanks for sharing Heather. My husband and I have 2 kids and have been trying for a 3rd. We have been through 2 miscarriages, and alot of disappointment. We have also considered adoption, and completed classes to adopt with the state. Currently we are waiting on a homestudy to be done. I have been on a mission trip to Africa and something in my heart is pulling for us to adopt there. I have struggled with the whole money thing (about adopting international). I guess my faith is lacking. I know God can provide but it is so hard to take that step. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts today. So many of the same that I have felt. We are praying for yall, and this new journey that God has blessed you with. Lori
Posted by Lauren on November 23, 2011 at 11:52 am
I am so thankful for the ways in which the Lord is showing His nearness and perfection through Mara Ruth’s adoption! It is beautiful to know that He is forming this family in such a creative and unique way- so much better than we could have planned. Bless you all! The Brookhills family is so very thankful for The Platts!
Posted by Tanya Thom on November 23, 2011 at 11:58 am
I loved BOTH parts of this post: From the doting hubby to Heather’s perspective. I love how you continued to put your trust in Him, even when your heart was breaking. Look at your beautiful family now! ~ He has truly blessed you ABUNDANTLY!!
And that sweet Mara Ruth IS beautiful… you’re not biased at all!! I think I can safely speak for everyone when I say, “she takes my breath away!”
Happy Thanksgiving and God bless!
Posted by Joey on November 23, 2011 at 12:04 pm
So blessed…..
Posted by Sheryl Turner on November 23, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Oh sweet friend…these are the days we have been praying for over the past few years. Now to see God’s hand in it during Thanksgiving week is nothing short of miraculous. How gracious and loving is our God to show Himself faithful to you this very week! Praising God with you for Mara Ruth and the way He has weaved your family together!
Posted by Mallori on November 23, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Great story, Heather! She is beautiful. The wait for her must have been difficult, but I’m sure it was the perfect timing God chose to prepare Mara Ruth and the Platt family to unite!
Posted by Bobbi Dangar on November 23, 2011 at 12:51 pm
She is a beautiful chilld from God created by the Lord for your specific family. I think it is sweet of you to have her middle name the same as mine!! I had a baby shower last weekend for the newly adopted baby boy of my dear friends’ son and daughter-in-law. Their miracle was in California and worth the long wait, just as yours is! Love to all. I know that your Mom is loving her from heaven!
Posted by Brenda McCollum on November 23, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Heather, you are such a good writer. You express your heart in words beautifully! So glad gramma could be there. You will be glad too when you start that long journey home…one adult for each child. Much better than being out-numbered by them!
Posted by Michelle Wood on November 23, 2011 at 3:26 pm
To my baby sister…. I once cared and nutured you as a baby. I am so proud of the way you have learned to love and nuture your own children. You are the kind of mother that our mom would be proud of. I’m definitely proud of you. I can’t wait to see you and my new niece!
Michelle
Posted by Andi Vanderhoff on November 23, 2011 at 4:15 pm
It is amazing how God weaves together families in such beautiful ways and in ways that we can’t see the beauty in until we are fully in it. I love hearing about Mara and the first few days, thanks for sharing that with us! Enjoy her!
Posted by Donna Houston on November 23, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Heather, You are a wonderful Mother and I can just tell how quickly Mara Ruth is learning this!! How thankful I am on this Thanksgiving Eve that God had a plan and it included MOTHERS!!! Love and blessings to all of you!!!
Posted by Deb Ballard on November 23, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Im so happy for your family and Mara Ruth. I made the same journey 14 years ago to meet my daughter Haley. She’s 15 now and more than I could have ever hoped or dreamed for in a daughter. Your blogs/photos have taken me back in time and I’ve relived my trip once again. God is great and these little ones come into our lives for a reason. Enjoy every moment of it because it seems like only yesterday I was there. God bless you all. Safe travels home.
Posted by martha@berrybliz on November 24, 2011 at 9:13 am
What a sweet post. Love the photo. Mara Ruth is such a beauty. Blessings to you on this special Thanksgiving Day.
Posted by Sherree Hunsberger on November 24, 2011 at 10:34 pm
David and Heather,
All fo the Hunsbergers are praying for you as you walk on this new journey! Our hearts are so full of thanksgiving for you and yours. Thank you for sharing with everyone! You have blessed our hearts more than you can imagine! We love you so much! Sherree
Posted by Nancy Terry on December 21, 2011 at 1:49 pm
So thankful for your whole family and your new addition! God Bless all of you!