Couple has been the happiest since adopting child with no hands, feet and mouth

• Nick and Kate Hayes heeded God’s call get out of their comfort zone.
• In 2018, they adopted Melanie, a little girl with no hands, feet and a mouth opening.
• The couple was grateful to call the precious girl as their daughter.

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It was “a beautiful day” in 2017, and Nick and Kate Hayes didn’t know that their lives were about to change.

Kate recalled that her husband just told her one day, “‘Babe, while I was looking at the kids, I feel like the Lord put a question on my heart.’”

Nick told her the question God impressed on his heart: “What if one of your kids was across the world in a destitute condition? What would you do? Wouldn’t you call up every friend you had to try and get someone to her as quickly as possible? You’re my friend, Nick… I’m calling you.”

The idea had since never left Nick’s head and considering an adoption was a growing desire in the couple’s hearts.

They prayed about it, and the next thing that happened was an application with an adoption agency.

In the late summer of 2017, Nick and Kate signed up for the Philippines program. They started working on paperwork, training and home studying.

Adoption recommendations said that it would be ideal to adopt a child younger than the family’s youngest child and avoid children with special needs. However, Nick and Kate felt like they were meant to fulfill a greater purpose.

One night, they received a list of children who are “harder to get adopted” — older children, sibling groups, or those with special needs.

As Nick stared at the computer screen, a 10-year-old girl caught his attention.

It was a little girl born without hands, feet or a mouth opening. She has suffered from a long list of medical issues, but the couple still felt peace.

“God was definitely calling us far out of our comfort zone and providing us with his sweet assurance,” Kate said.

The girl is Melanie. Despite her condition, “she has excellent handwriting, can ride a bike (and a horse), and run, jump, and play as well as any other child.”

Nick and Kate went through the long adoption process. And in early 2018, they were officially approved to be Melanie’s parents.

They traveled to the Philippines in August 2018 to finally meet Melanie and bring her home.

As they reached the foster home, Melanie confidently walked down the stairs, with a big smile on her face.

“That first hug was a statement, a message, and a relief all in one. It felt like an exhale. ‘Finally…. family,’” Kate said.

Fast forward to the present, Melanie has changed so much. She has grown more confident, thrived in their church community and her school, and always been so happy with her family.

“We could not be more grateful to God for leading us out into the deep, past our comfort zone, and allowing us to call this precious girl our daughter,” Kate said.

Source: Inspire More