It’s official.
Today, we took the last step in the adoption process here, going to the consulate to finalize the paperwork for Mara Ruth to travel home with us. Lord willing, when we set foot on American soil this Friday, she will officially become a citizen of the United States. The only thing left for us to do now is wait for our paperwork to be finalized (which takes about 24 hours), and then we will be ready to head home.
Mara Ruth’s transfer of citizenship is only one of many transformations she has experienced over these last couple of weeks. It is a bit hard to believe that we met our daughter a mere nine days ago. As we reflect back over all the “official steps” in this process, we are in awe of all the changes we’ve seen.
Our little girl has gone from feeling terribly sick…
…to feeling really well (smiling constantly…and even scheming with a little attitude at times, too!).
She’s gone from being scared around daddy…
…to having a lot of fun with daddy.
She’s gone from being timid around the boys…
…to wrestling with the boys.
It’s been just over a week, and we still have a long way to go, but we are thankful for these transitions that have taken place. And by the way, Mara Ruth is not the only one who has been transformed in this process. Her oldest brother has been trained as a Cross Fit Instructor…
And her other brother has been trained as a Kung Fu Master.
In all seriousness, adoption truly is a powerful picture of transformation. Consider the reality of what happens when God the Father adopts us through Christ His Son. In this adoption process, He changes our status. We go from being slaves to sin to being sons of God. Listen to the words of Galatians 4:
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
We who were children of wrath become children of God! All of this, Galatians 4 says, because Jesus came at the right time, with perfect qualifications, and with sacrificial resolve to give His very life for our adoption.
But it’s not just our legal status that has changed. When God transforms our status, He also changes our family. He calls us a new name (John 1:12-13), He gives us a new spirit (Romans 8:16), and He grants us complete access into His presence (Hebrews 4:14-16). Whereas we used to be afraid of God our Judge, we are now friends of God our Father!
And the transition continues. God changes our status, He changes our family, and He changes our future. Listen to Romans 8:16-17…
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
As His children, God promises us a full inheritance in His family. We are fellow heirs with Christ Himself, and His is an inheritance that will never spoil or fade. When God adopts, He doesn’t adopt temporarily; He adopts eternally. His adoption of us is literally forever. Amidst the many challenges we face in this world, we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).
As we prepare for one more full day in China tomorrow, I praise God for all He has done to change Mara Ruth’s status, family, and future. She is no longer an orphan; she is a daughter, and she now belongs in a family. At the same time, I praise God for all He has done to change my status, my family, and my future. I am no longer an orphan, enslaved to sin and destined for destruction. I am a son who has been adopted by an eternal Father into an eternal family with an eternal home waiting for all who have trusted in His Son for their salvation. Indeed, adoption is a glorious transformation.
Posted by Michelle on November 30, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Congratulations to all! What a beautiful family and wonderful testimony!
Posted by Sean on November 30, 2011 at 12:44 pm
God bless you and your family….a great example!
Posted by Julie on November 30, 2011 at 12:45 pm
So adorable
and such amazing work God is doing your family’s life!
Posted by Julia Jay on November 30, 2011 at 12:47 pm
praying for ya, love your books, been there done that , talk to me in 20 years then we could cry together over our labor. All 7 of mine are raised now, Blessing for your journey
Posted by Chris Lautsbaugh on November 30, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Congratulations! Adoption is one of the best things our family has ever done. And it is not what we did for our son, it is what he did for us. It reveals so much more of God’s heart. Don’t believe all the skeptics and bonding type questions. You will love the child!!
Posted by Michelle Grebe on November 30, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Wonderful truths!
Posted by Teena on November 30, 2011 at 1:16 pm
SSo excited! Praising God! So thankful…
Posted by Paul Anderson on November 30, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Awesome – we know first hand the joy of getting those final papers and heading home with the child that God had just for you!!! Enjoyed reading your thoughts – brought back so many great memories of our own journey.
Posted by Gordon Elliott on November 30, 2011 at 1:25 pm
I have said it before and will say it again, what a joy and thrill it has been to follow you as a family from here in Scotland. Makes more even more desirious to come to Birmingham to visit you; Perhaps one day. Love to you all as you prepare for tomorrow to fly home to the States. God go with you. Love to you all.
Gordon
Posted by Michael-Shannon Hill on November 30, 2011 at 1:29 pm
My wife and I have been following your adoption story of Mara Ruth. We lived and served in East Asia for two years and even worked with a group from your church. Currently we are about 5-6 months away from picking up our little girl in China and it excites my heart and brings tears to my eyes every time I think about the moment when we pick up our little girl. Thank you so much for sharing God’s story in your adoption process with Mara Ruth!
Glory to God!
Posted by Michele Radue Willis on November 30, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Praise God!!!! One more step done!! We can’t wait to meet her and reunite our MaoMing girls soon!
Posted by melissa on November 30, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Yay! She looks like she’s been a part of your family for a LOT longer than 9 days!
PTL.
Posted by Carolyn Brewer on November 30, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Amen, Amen and Amen……..Travel mercies as you travel back to the USA…….and continue to transition into this new life with your new daughter and sons…….Thankful for the Father’s Love…….
Blessings in Christ
Posted by DawnK on November 30, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Agreed, adoption is a glorious transformation!
How wonderful for you all to see Mara Ruth transforming already! You will be amazed after a year also! We can’t believe our sweet girl from China has been home for 2 years now, the orphanage would not recognize her! God truly transforms!
Posted by Cristal on November 30, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Your story has me PRAISING God for you willingness to adopt AND FOR HIS!
Posted by Sherie on November 30, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Platt family, thank you for sharing your journey. I have learned of David through Radical and hearing him at Catalyst West. I have followed along from Oregon, and my heart has been impacted, deeply. Although I have a few friends who have adopted, I have never grasped the impact of it. Through your journey and seeing the parallels in my own spiritual journey has been huge. The Lord has been growing my heart toward redeeming work that restores people and now through adoption I really understand that process and the transformation it brings. As a single woman I don’t feel prepared to adopt myself, but I am now a huge advocate! I have been and will continue to pray for your journey. I also now know how to pray for and support my new pastor as his family is awaiting a child from Africa.
Thank you for your witness and story telling!
Posted by Christy on November 30, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Last week I was told of your blog…I live in Montgomery, Alabama and my husband and I have been contemplating adoption for over 7 years. Whenever we believe the door has closed for good…He opens it back up. I’ve literally been bawling my eyes out everytime I read your entries. The Holy Spirit is speaking to me through them. And because of what you’ve written, we are actively pursuing The Lord for wisdom about adoption once again. Thank you for sharing your journey through this blog. I look forward to hearing more.
Posted by Jeff Wells on November 30, 2011 at 4:41 pm
We are happy for all of you!
Posted by Kam Roberts on November 30, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Dear Platt 5~
I have been eagerly awaiting your posts from China. My husband is a youth pastor and we live north of ATL. We adopted a son from Thailand in ’09 and have two bio daughters. The Lord has blessed us!
We began the process for a son from China in September. Our Seth had five heart defects. We got an update {with beautiful new pictures where he looked really “pink” and healthy} a month ago. The report concluded though, that our Seth was turning blue. We tried everything we could to expedite our process.
But Seth died on Thursday, November 10th. We are so broken but finding Him most faithful in these days. We can’t reconcile this or wrap our finite minds around it. But we know that in all things, our God is good. We are resting in that Truth. We know that He is being glorified and our faith is being strengthened. We hope to jump back on that road to China in a few months, trusting the Lord to lead us as we do.
I have stepped away from “China blogs” the last few weeks. Just so hard for me especially right now. I even have a friend there now as well and I check in on her because I just adore them…but I’m just so broken over Seth. It has been good for my heart to read your posts. Thank you so much for sharing.
For His fame alone~
Kam
Posted by Virgiinia on November 30, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Bless you for giving this precious angel a home filled with love.
V
Posted by April Martin on November 30, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Praying for her transition. Praying for a deep bond for between each of you and this darling baby girl. In Jesus Name.
Posted by brooke ef on November 30, 2011 at 10:01 pm
I really enjoyed your post. Congrats on your status update!!! I love the Scriptures…thanks for sharing your story with the world. It’s nice to absorb another perspective.
Posted by Cathy Brown on November 30, 2011 at 11:15 pm
What an amazing journey. So happy for your growing family. Safe travels home!!
Thank you for sharing this experience with us all, it made me smile everytime I read another post or saw another picture. What a beautiful, blessed family you have!
Posted by TanyaLea on December 1, 2011 at 12:41 am
I have loved following every step of your journey in China. Mara Ruth’s transformation into your family has been a blessing to witness. The miracle of adoption is a wonderful gift, not only for the child, but for the family, as well! God bless you all as you prepare for your travels home to begin your new ‘normal’ as a family of FIVE!! I will never forget that day in our own lives, just 18 months ago. Our lives will never be the same, and we can’t wait until we can go back for Khloe’s mei mei ~ all in His timing, of course!
God is GOOD!!!
Happy travels, Platt family!
Blessings,
~ Tanya
Posted by martha@berrybliz on December 1, 2011 at 8:37 am
rejoicing with you
Posted by Leading by Example: David Platt of Brook Hills With New Daughter from China | The Adoption Law Firm on December 1, 2011 at 11:26 am
[...] out his recent blog post, Adoption: A Glorious Transformation, and see some pictures and videos of his family with their new addition from China. Share and [...]