Tory and Gordon were on the way to the golf course for the first time of the season, they pull up to the club house at River Oaks, they had all the golf carts out and ready and Gordon says "Dad look at all the golf carts, they're so beautiful!"
Gordie and I are laying in his bed I'm trying to get him to go to sleep I tell him "Tomorrow we are going to watch Hollister get baptized, do you know what that means?
Gordon: "No"
me: "When you turn 8 years old you can get baptized, you go into a big bath and go under the water and all your sins are washed away and you make covenants with Heavenly Father, then after that you get confirmed and then you receive the Holy Ghost."
Gordon: "I don't want one."
me: "You don't want what?"
Gordon: "I don't want a Holy Ghost."
me: "Not til you turn 8 though."
Gordon:"I want to stay 2!"
Before Tory was about to leave for Arizona for 6 months he was looking at Gordon and says, "Gordon I'm going to miss you!"
Gordie: "Yep."
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This Christmas was the one of the hardest, most emotional, and neatest, Christmases, all because of one very special baby and one amazingly strong mother! This mother is my sister Katie, she lovingly, and unselfishly placed her baby into a very grateful family December 24th 2010. This was a long and hard path for Katie to decide that this was the best thing for her precious little girl, a lot of heart felt prayers and priesthood blessings were given to get her answer from God. I was privileged enough to be able to be with Katie during much of this, it was the hardest thing I've ever gone though, but I saw many amazing things and witnessed many miracles, throughout this journey. Because of this experience I know with out a doubt in my mind or heart that God does live and that he loves his children and if we will follow Him He has a great plan for each of us!
Hazel was born on December 22, 2010. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen! I was so in love with her from the moment I laid eyes on her! The bitter-sweet joy of getting to be with this precious sweet spirit for a short two days is something that I wouldn't trade for anything. That hospital room at St. Marks was filled with a spirit I will never be able to describe with words, the peace that was felt when you walked through that door was tangible. It was a sacred temple for Katie's entire stay, I rarely left but when I did I longed to be back the second I walked out. The day of the placement was on Christmas eve, the pain of watching a mother make a sacrifice this great for the love of her child was indescribable, as was the joy felt by the family receiving this ultimate Christmas gift. This year Christmas day was spent opening a few presents, but mostly focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, honoring our Savior and His birth along with the birth of our sweet baby Hazel! I will love you always and forever Hazel!
Katie put together an amazing scrapbook for Hazel and Katie asked us all to write her a letter for it here is mine I worte to her...
Dear Hazel,
I have never seen love for one child as abundant as I have for you. More people cared about you and loved you, before you had even entered this world! You Hazel are a true miracle, proof that our Heavenly Father is there and that he loves us and you more than we will ever fully comprehend. I have seen first-hand the guidance of the Lord in this whole process of getting you here and placing you where you belong.
I have always been so close to your birth mom, Katie, and this experience has only brought her and me closer. I have yet in my life witnessed a mother’s love for her child greater than the love that your birth mom has for you. I have sat with her through many tears and prayers as she attempted to make what would be the hardest decision of her life. Katie had nothing but a faithful and unselfish heart throughout this whole process. You have brought our whole family closer. Family is a huge part of Katie’s life which greatly helped with her decision; she wanted you to have the same stable household that she was blessed to have, with a wonderful mother and father. Katie is so close to her amazing dad, she has said many times that she doesn’t know what she would do without him in her life, she did not want to keep such a sacred bond between a father and a daughter from you.
I have seen Katie’s testimony grow so much through this pregnancy and right along with her I think I can say that everyone’s in our family has grown immensely. Katie’s testimony that we are all brothers and sisters is another reason she has been able to part from you for now, she knows that in the eternities we are all just one big family and that this life is short, yet so important for our growth. She wanted to give you the best chance to make it back to your Heavenly Father!
Another miracle I have witnessed in all this is the miracle of adoption. I have been so honored to see the miraculous way you came to be with your wonderful mom and dad and big brother Finn. I want you to know that having a small part in this huge experience has given me the knowledge that God does live, I can say that without any doubt in my mind or heart now all because of you and the path that He has put you on so early in your precious life. Your Heavenly Father has a great purpose for you which started before you even came into this world! Katie loves your mom and dad SO much, and knows that they love and want you more than anything. I say this because I know there is no way she could place you in their home if she did not have such a love for your family!
Hazel, I pray that you will always know the great amount of love that your birth mom has for you and always know that your Heavenly Father loves you and has a plan for you. Stay close to Him always! Know that you are loved by more people than you probably will ever comprehend. You will always be in my heart and prayers! Know that I loved you from the second I met you and will always love you more than any letter can say!
Love always,
Adriane Gatrell (your birth aunt)
Candlelight Christmas at This is the Place Heritage Park
