The Governor of the State of Utah, Jon Huntsman Jr. and his wife Mary Kaye have adopted Internationally not once but twice. Besides their (5) biological children, they adopted a daughter from China and now a daughter from India. Today our local newspaper, Salt Lake Tribune, talked about this. What makes this a good read is the way the Huntsman's handles the issues of International adoption in the public eye as well as install a pride in their birth countries. I wonder sometimes how I will balance the issues of abandonment while nurturing Tate's self esteem. I want Tate to appreciate the blessings of being adopted and having a life out of an orphanage, yet I do not want her to feel "less than" because she was not able to live in China with her biological family.
Unknowingly, Governor Huntsman played a major role in my decision to adopt Tate.
Summer of 2005 I was trying to decide if I would adopt and how I would finance this HUGE expensive of IA. I was trying to make a decision (prayer) to go ahead with this adoption and financing the first portion by cashing in a 401K...... The next day, I was starving and heading over to Wendy's for lunch and the dollar menu specials. As I was driving along the city streets of Salt Lake, I see a 2 for $1.00 taco cart. BINGO, there was my dollar menu lunch!!! At the taco stand, I see a group of 5 men and in the center was Governor Jon Huntsman. Why was this billionaire and Utah governor eating at a $1.00 taco stand??? As I headed back to my car, these men also were heading for their cars. Across the parking lane from my car Jon Huntsman was parked. All of a sudden, I see him making a beeline for ME!!! As he outstretched his hand to shake my greasy hand, he says "I just wanted to meet you". I looked into his eyes and said, " I am adopting a baby girl from China". I tell you, he had a look of puzzlement. He totally expected something political from my lips, but was surprised by my remark. A huge grin erupted from his face and he shared with me his experience of adopting Gracie Mei and said that next to marrying his wife, this was the most amazing thing he has ever experienced. He said that when they received their referral picture of Gracie, the looked at that face and knew that this was their daughter. Even though he is rich and "well connected" he also had to wait the required time that all of us do...... Kind of a comfort to know that in the eyes of China we all are equals. RICH or POOR. This was the turning point that made me decided to cash in the 401K and go blindly forward with faith into this IA world.....
Another article worth reading is this on transracial adoption.
8 comments:
What an awesome story! When Tate comes you'll have to send him a letter!
What an amazing story!
You should share your story with him. Sounds like he would appreciate it.
Keep smilin!
Thank you for sharing. Isn't it wonderful how the Lord puts people in our path as an answer to prayer.
Most definately a confirmation of what you had been praying about. And it is nice to know that there are kind, down to earth people still in office.
What a priceless way to use your 401... I can think of no greater use. The Lord will provide.
God's Speed
It's me again... I just wanted to say that our daughter's birth mothers loved them so much that against all odds (won't go into detail) they chose to give their babies life.... they risked everything to leave them where they would be safely found. In my heart of hearts I know they are loved... and this is the legacy we and their birth mothers give to our children.
The legacy of love...
Wow, great story. You should send him a picture when your baby comes home.
That's so cool :)
First of all, what a cool story!!!!! Secondly, how bizarre they named their daughter Gracie Mei (my future daughters name!) DOUBLE COOL! Thanks for shaing it!
Wow, that left a lump in my throat. Thanks for sharing that great story, Lisa.
Shell
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