We drove back from MaoMing today, and we have one more official box to check off tomorrow in this adoption process. As we prepare to head into the home stretch of this trip to China, Heather and I can’t help but to pause and praise God for each of our respective moms.
My mom (known to the kids as Grandma Julie) told me not long ago that she believed the Lord was leading her to go on her first mission trip out of the country. As a result, when Heather and I realized that we would be traveling to China to pick up Mara Ruth, we immediately asked mom if she would be interested in going. Though it’s obviously not the most conventional mission trip, and it’s certainly different in scope and purpose than a normal mission trip, it would most definitely be a unique opportunity to go overseas for the first time. Wanting to bring the boys with us, we knew that two extra hands would be hugely helpful (who am I kidding…having Grandma around is like adding four extra hands!). Graciously, Grandma agreed, got her passport, and boarded her first international flight two weeks ago.
She has been nothing short of incredible. Heather and I find ourselves looking at each other and asking, “What in the world are we going to do when Grandma goes back home?” People have joked with us that going from two to three children is like moving from “man-to-man defense” to “zone coverage,” but this has not been the case so far. Between Heather, Grandma, and me, we’ve taken more of a “box and one” approach with Grandma covering both the boys while Heather and I give full attention to Mara Ruth. This has provided unique time for Caleb and Grandma…
And special time for Joshua and Grandma…
And then, of course, some wonderful time with Mara Ruth…
I praise God for my mom, the most selfless person I have ever known, whose Christlike desire to serve is evident in her family and to everyone around her. Her being here with Mara Ruth and the boys is particularly meaningful because my dad (Grandpa) is not able to do the same. He went to be with the Lord approximately seven years ago, and I/we still miss him deeply. My dad was my best friend and biggest fan, and I have countless questions as a father that I would really love to ask him. Though he didn’t have the opportunity to meet my children, I pray daily that they would know the God who saved him, and that one day they would celebrate with one another face-to-face with Christ in what is truly a forever family.
Along similar lines, I will not forget being on vacation with Heather’s parents in July when we were first matched with Mara Ruth. Heather’s mom had recently trusted in Christ for her salvation, and I had the privilege of baptizing her in late June. The morning after we received the call that we were going to have a little girl in China, we shared our news with Heather’s mom (Grandma Scarlett) and dad (Granddad), and Grandma Scarlett’s eyes lit up with delight when she heard she was going to have a granddaughter from China.
Approximately one month later, Grandma Scarlett went into the hospital with kidney troubles. She spent a couple of weeks there before she was discharged. Heather and the boys went back to Atlanta to be with her that first week she was home, and during the middle of one night, Grandma Scarlett experienced massive bleeding in her brain. In the grip of God’s gracious hands and in a testimony to God’s great power, Heather’s mom was ushered into God’s holy presence the next day. Though she is dwelling with the Lord, her influence is felt in every hug and every kiss my wife gives to our daughter.
We have so much to be thankful for…Grandma Julie (my mom) being with us in China, and Granddad (Heather’s dad) waiting for us when we get off the plane in Birmingham. But amidst the immense joy we’ve experienced this last week, we’ve also experienced a certain void in our hearts as we long to share all of this with Grandpa (my dad) and Grandma Scarlett (Heather’s mom). As a new mom and a new dad of a new daughter, Heather and I pray that the ways our respective mom and dad loved us will be evident in the way we now love our little girl.
Posted by Sheryle Sandy on November 29, 2011 at 10:34 am
Beautiful. So very sorry for your loss and the pain it brings. Praise God you will see them again. The joy in Heather’s eyes is priceless.
Posted by Viki Perry on November 29, 2011 at 10:48 am
Thank you so very much for sharing this journey with us. My heart has been touched in such a deep way. I am thankful that all your children have the love from a great family.
Posted by Nathan on November 29, 2011 at 10:53 am
Wow, I have read each and everyone of you guys blogs and I have experienced many different emotions while reading these blogs. You guys touch my heart and motivate me to do more for the kingdom of God. Thank you so much for being a family who truly trust in Gods provision. I am thankful that I am able to read your blogs, watch your podcast, attend secret church( this year for the first time). I am so blessed to be able to see God work in your lives. I will continue to pray for you guys.
Posted by Carolyn Brewer on November 29, 2011 at 10:54 am
David and Heather……..it is already evident, through your blog, of your dad’s and Heather’s mom influence on you as you parent your boys and now Mara Ruth……it is through your responses, your words, your hugs and kisses to each that shows the Father’s Love through His Son, Jesus……
God words to Abraham…Gen 12:2 “Go where I will show you, so I can reestablish you, so I can bless you and you can bless others”……….
He is working greatly through each of you…..using you to reflect His Son, Jesus, and the cross that has been extended to us all……by His grace and mercy….
Blessings in Christ….
Posted by Michele Radue Willis on November 29, 2011 at 11:20 am
Praying for you guys as you transition soon back to the states. I’m enjoying taking the virtual journey with you guys! Blessings!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Sherrie Fancher on November 29, 2011 at 11:34 am
Your mom Julie played the piano at our wedding in Atlanta (1975) at The Baptist Tabernacle. She’s a cousin or else your dad Tom was, I think. Still beautiful, I see. Hi to her from me… Sherrie (Sarratt) Fancher
Posted by LoJuana Hurdle on November 29, 2011 at 11:48 am
This one made me cry…. So many times the mans mother gets left out of things. It is so wonderful, David, that your mom was able to go. I was blessed this past summer to get to go to Ethiopia with my son as they adopted their second child from there. It is an experience that I will never forget.
God bless you all.
Posted by Susan on November 29, 2011 at 12:33 pm
What a beautiful testimony to two wonderful women!
God bless!
Posted by Sophie on November 29, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Well, that’s just about the sweetest thing I’ve ever read.
Love y’all.
Posted by in where i let you know what i’ve been thinking… | What you have, I don't want. on November 29, 2011 at 3:01 pm
[...] Adoptions. Adoptions. Adoptions. [...]
Posted by pacey calhoun harris on November 29, 2011 at 3:28 pm
What a beautiful family. God has blessed you in so many ways, and you are a blessing to many in more ways than you can imagine.
Posted by Heather on November 30, 2011 at 3:54 am
Thanks for sharing your story. Mine is so similar. from barren to blessed beyond measure– what a lovely place to be. To God be the GLORY- His picture of my family, unlike my own initial picture, was perfect all along. I’m so grateful He sees past us when we are frustrated with the process and reveals His glorious plan. Glad to see how beautifully He has blessed your family.
Posted by Donna Houston on November 30, 2011 at 6:57 am
All Right Julie!!! I know you love being a Grandmother as much as I do! I am so thankful that you have experienced this trip and more important this time with your your grandchildren!! What an extraordinary blessing! Praying for all of you as you prepare to come home!
Posted by A List Is A Beautiful Thing on November 30, 2011 at 2:27 pm
[...] Yesterday my pastor wrote a blog post about grandparents, and I may have needed a tissue or four when I finished reading. Consider yourself [...]
Posted by betsy on November 30, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Beautiful post – and I’m excited to hear more about your adoption journey! My husband and I have adopted two boys — Caleb (3 years old, from Kyrgyzstan) and Joshua (9 months, US adoption) — and are praying that our next adoption can be a sweet daughter from China! I just had to comment after seeing so many similarities between our families.
Praying the rest of your trip goes well, and praising God for giving you both such wonderful parents who have loved you and your children well.
Posted by Rena Gunther on December 2, 2011 at 10:00 am
What a beautiful post! I linked via “Boo Mama”. I have to say that the topic of grandmotherhood had been on my mind much lately. I have many thoughts I’m considering blogging. For the past two of my forty-two years I have been a grandmother. That alone is enough to blog about. But this new role has also caused me to reflect much on my years growing up without a grandmother. My great-grandmother was alive until I was about six or seven. I have a few fond memories of her that I will always cherish. I’m amazed at the impact she made in such a short time of my life. However, because my father lost his mother when he was an infant and my mother lost her mother when she was only nineteen, I’ve had a huge void in my life. It wasn’t until my grandson came along that I realized the expanse of that void.
I’ve been so blessed to have wonderful parents to have had wonderful grandfathers that are now with the Lord. I pray that I am the grandmother to my grandson {and few grandchildren} that will leave a legacy of love and reflection of Christ always.
Posted by denise on December 2, 2011 at 12:15 pm
What a beautiful post! Julie Platt is one of the kindest, most loving people I know! I don’t think that there is anyone who loves their kids or grandkids more! OR anyone is more proud of their kids and grandkids!
I am thankful I had the chance to know Tom, and see the love he had for his wife and family. He truly was a man of God that loved with all he heart! I can still see him in my mind carrying around Lydia when she was a baby, with a twinkle in his eye and a ear to ear grin on his face. I can only imagine how he would be today with ALL his grandkids piled all over him!
God Bless you all on your continued journey as a family of 5!
Posted by Tamara on December 18, 2011 at 8:45 pm
and adoption means that we are pursued by God, loving reading about your journey
Posted by Christelle02 on April 3, 2012 at 2:09 am
Hi from France ! Wonderful pictures and films ! I saw the films on Vimeo recently… I was a wonderful moment for me, because my daughter is on it ! The 6 year old girl smiling (and the one blowing on the birthday candles… on one of the films !). The son of friends is on the videos too.
I know Hui Na is our daughter since the lend of last november, and we are waiting for the letter… to fly to her !
Hope it will be in a short delay…
Thank your for showing us your videos and pictures. Do you have some more ?