Caleb Platt's Adoption Story
David and I began our journey to adopt Caleb in November of 2005. After we were displaced from Hurricane Katrina, we moved in with our family living in Atlanta, GA. At the time of the hurricane David was teaching as a professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and I was teaching pre-kindergarten in a public school in St. Bernard Parish. I lost my job, and David began teaching his classes on the internet. All of the sudden, we had a little more free time, and a perfect window of opportunity to research and begin the adoption process!

David and I had a strong desire to have children, but the Lord had chosen not to open my womb at that time. We decided that adoption was the route we wanted to take to start our family. We began researching information about various adoption agencies and countries that we were eligible to adopt from. We found an agency that was based in Atlanta, Georgia, named World Partners Adoption, and the country they focused on was Kazakhstan. We agreed that we would be willing to take boy or girl, as young as possible (6 months to 1 year), any nationality. We prayed earnestly that the Lord would direct our steps with each decision that we made, and we believe, as always, He was faithful to do so.

It was such an exciting time to announce to our family and friends that we were going to adopt. We had no idea who this child was going to be, but a love for him/her grew in our hearts each day. I began keeping a journal of some of my thoughts and feelings each step of the way. I wanted this child to know that they were whole heartedly pursued by his/her parents.

The first step in the process was completing a home study. This was going to be a little difficult for us since our home was destroyed along with all of our worldly possessions. But, the Lord provided in ways we could have never asked for or imagined. We completed our home study in a borrowed condo, compliments of my gracious brother-in-law, and on brand new furniture given to us by a church in Tupelo, Mississippi brought home and set up only a couple days earlier. There was not a picture on the wall or an ounce of food in the cabinet, but the home study was a success! God allowed us to breeze through this part of the process with minimal difficulty.

From there, we spent time completing paper work and researching the country. We were hoping to receive a referral of a child (basically a picture and medical information) sometime in late summer. Late summer turned into early Fall, until finally we got word from our agency that adoptions from Kazakhstan were being delayed because of turmoil within the country’s adoption system. This was very disappointing news for us because we were both anxiously waiting for this child to call our own. I remember crying out to God, wondering if he had forgotten about the Platt family who so desperately wanted children. Through his holy Word and through much encouragement from friends and family, I was reminded that He had not forgotten about us indeed. He was actually using this time to prepare us for the precious baby boy he had in store in just a few short months.

Then, in the middle of January, we got the long awaited email! Caleb Thomas Platt’s picture was sent to us along with his medical information. We accepted the referral the next morning after discussing the information with an expert doctor, Jennifer Chambers, at the International Adoption Clinic here in Birmingham. We fell in love with his big, inquisitive eyes, and heart shaped mouth! A few days later, we found out that we would travel in only 2 weeks to Kazakhstan and meet Caleb for the first time. That’s when all the waiting ended and the whirlwind began!

We traveled to Kazakhstan on Valentine’s Day and saw Caleb for the first time on February 16. It was such an overwhelming feeling to meet our 9 month old son. So many emotions welled up in all of us. From that point on, we spent one hour, twice a day, playing with Caleb and getting to know him. We would sing songs, play with toys and simply just hold him tight. From the very beginning, he made great eye contact, always seeming to look straight to our souls. We visited with him for about 3 1/2 weeks until we finally had a court date that declared him officially a member of the Platt family! March 7 was our “gotcha day,” and a day we will certainly never forget!

As a “forever” family, we spent a little over a week in Kazakhstan waiting for our paper work to be completed. On March 17th, we arrived home in Birmingham with our precious son. Friends and family greeted us at the airport, and a flood of emotions came pouring out! I have never been so excited to be home! Caleb was a champ on the plane for over 24 hours and handled all the new faces with ease. We had dinner at the house with family, as Caleb was introduced to his new home. We all slept soundly over the next few days and he immediately picked up a schedule that worked for all of us, which was no small blessing!

Since we have brought Caleb home 8 months ago, so much has changed in our lives. David and I find great joy in being parents. Caleb is a fun, energetic 18 month old little boy who loves to play, eat and wrestle! He has a laid back personality that takes things in stride. He has grown physically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally. He has attached well to his “forever” Mommy and Daddy, and certainly knows that we are the ones that will be there to take care of him day in and day out. He never meets a stranger, and loves to people watch, without straying to far from Mom and Dad. David and I constantly look at each other with thankfulness in our hearts that God has chosen to bless us in this way. His timing is perfect and we learned much about trusting in God’s sovereignty during the wait. We continue to trust in His sovereignty and wisdom as we parent this gift from the Lord!

But, the journey doesn’t end there. Caleb is now a big brother! Joshua David Platt arrived in early December 2007! When we returned home from Kazakhstan, I found out that the Lord had opened my womb for a biological child. We were excited and overwhelmed, but totally confident that sweet Caleb was meant to be in our family. Two children in one year! No, God certainly did not forget about the Platts! Thank you Lord for your goodness and faithfulness...

--Heather Platt, December 2007

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