This Couple Gave Birth To Three Babies, But Something Seemed Off

Bearing a child is a beautiful blessing that not all couples are given a chance of, and it is something that should not be taken for granted. Each child is a God-sent blessing. They say it’s a special kind of joy and journey for every parent to have and raise a child. Aaron and Rachel Halbert, Presbyterian Missionaries, have their tale of their little munchkins, correction, “joys.” They were blessed with beautiful triplets. As the triplets arrived in the nursery room, however, something had disturbed the nurses.

Different Worlds

Aaron grew up in Honduras. While Rachel was born in the Mississippi Delta, both were born from different countries, societies, and traditions, though Rachel had no background and no knowledge about racial diversity. On the contrary, Aaron was very well acquainted with that concept since, growing up, he was the only child with blue eyes and blonde hair.  They both have distinct backgrounds. Rachel began to go on mission trips at the age of 18, and her first one was in Haiti. In her mind, Rachel had so many things she wanted to accomplish. She hopes that this mission trip helped her know more and learn more. What chance could Rachel have been waiting for? 

Blind Date

Both of them met in an online dating app where matching people would go on a blind date. The two of them first came together in 2004, and immediately fell in love with each other. For them, it was love at first sight. It was like fate that brought them together, as both of them have the same attributes and dreams. Rachel and Aaron were both down to earth missionaries and tried to improve the world by spreading the word of God. Both of them had planned to marry, but they both wanted to take things slowly and have other things they want to do alone. With their friendship continuing, the two had the opportunity to learn more about each other and to resolve their differences.

Taking It Slow

Rachel and Aaron are always together for their missionary journey, making them more loved and strengthening their relationship than before. Their missionary voyage allowed them to get to know each other even more and deepen the foundation of their relationship. While in an interview with the Washington Post, Aaron mentioned that they both wanted to adopt children someday, and that’s what brought them closer.

Future Plans

Because of their Christian belief that fostering is more Christian, Rachel and Aaron decided to adopt children rather than to conceive them. They also learned that being pro-life is one way of doing and encouraging adoption. As soon as they started talking about adoption, they knew they wanted to be with each other for the rest of their lives. After dating each other for some time, Aaron eventually proposed to her, and Rachel said yes! Soon after that, one thing led to another, and after the proposal, everything happened so quickly. 

Getting Married

The best way to describe Rachel’s and Aaron’s love story is far from the ordinary. They were a perfect match made in heaven. It was like fate had brought them together. Their common traits, interests, and values were what made them fit for each other. Finally, in 2006, the couple tied the knot. Now that they’re married, both Rachel and Aaron wanted to have their kids. However, because of their job, they find it difficult. They chose not to rush things and thought it would happen when the right time comes. 

New Mission

Not long after the pair got married, they were offered to return to Honduras, and they continued their mission. Together, Rachel and Aaron accepted the offer gratefully and agreed to join the mission. The two moved to Honduras straight away later that year. They were so excited to return to Honduras as it was the place where Aaron grew up, but Rachel was a bit anxious as it was her first meeting with some of Aaron ‘s relatives. In Honduras, missionaries typically teach English. Perhaps this trip wasn’t an ideal honeymoon, but it was the best for Rachel and Aaron. The couple, when they arrived in the town, found some strange things. They could not, however, decide what it is. 

Needs

The married couple started to notice the needs and shortcomings of the community several months after living in Honduras. What they learned is that it was apparent that the churches teach the Gospel. The married couple took that as their mission after learning about it and were very happy to accomplish it and explain God’s word. The married couple took that as their mission after learning about it and were very happy to accomplish it and explain God’s word. But the couple was, unfortunately, unable to fulfill their mission, because it was time for them to return home. The couple wanted to stay and help the community, but they had to do some other things. After their mission, they flew back home, and they were happy with the outcome of their mission. There always be a special place in your hearts for the community they served. 

Going Home

Upon returning home from their Honduras mission, they went back to live their old lives. But Aaron was always keen to receive a Divinity Master. The degree offers you the expertise and abilities to be an efficient and integrated head of the ministry in the States. Aaron then decided to follow his dream and joined Jackson, Mississippi, at the Reformed Theological Seminary. Although they’re now back in Mississippi, the pair were always thinking of going back to Honduras. The couple had plans to have their child after a couple of years and decided whether to adopt a child or to bear one.

The Community

As missionaries, It seemed like they had never run out of stuff to do. Rachel and Aaron planned to continue serving their community. While Rachel teaches at the local school in the community, Aaron was a student and the youth director of Second Presbyterian school at the same time. The couple had no time to bear a child with so many things on their plate so, they considered adoption as the best option. Aaron informed the Washington Post that adoption is not a method of charity or a political agenda. It was a Christian thing to do for them.

Preparing Themselves

For a while, the couple had been thinking of visiting Honduras. They knew the community’s needs very well. The Presbyterian Church of America brought Aaron and Rachel back on a mission. They decided to try to conceive naturally but also visited an adoption agency. They came and trained themselves at an agency in Mississippi. They were prepared to start their own family.

Expansion

Rachel and Aaron had decided to do what they wanted after visiting the adoption center. Finding a home and right family for a non-Caucasian child is very difficult, and they are aware of it. But both Rachel and Aaron are open to it. But if they were denied for adaption, Rachel and Adam thought that God only wants them to have their child. 

Adopting Children

The adaption center quickly matched Rachel and Aaron. They immediately fell in love with them when they saw the two children, thinking that they had the right choice. The children were an African – American boy and a girl; Ford and Catherine were their names. The pair were unable to choose which one to take, so they finally took them both. They already know the moment they decided to adopt both Ford and Catherine that race would have a significant impact on their family. The couple also knew that they might face challenges as a diverse family along their way. But the couple was sure that they could go beyond and deal with anything, despite everything.

Their Options

The couple talked after adopting the children, had some discussions, and figured they wanted to have more babies. Their two children kept them busy, and so they thought that maybe it might not be time they had new kids. An acquaintance, however, told them about embryo adoption and urged them to look into it. This was their first time to hear this; they never heard it before. It is when they learned what the National Donation Center for the Embryo is. The Embryo Bank is a Christian and non – profit bank that supports couples in their embryo management and other options using in vitro fertilization ( IVF).

Embryo Adoption

The couple has discovered enough about embryo adoption after weeks of researching and reading about it. They can’t believe everything that they learned about it. They note that in the United States alone, there are thousands and thousands of frozen embryos. Some of the embryos are donated for study to science, while others are frozen and preserved. Some are killed, and others die. Imagine how many embryos have been lost in a single day. Apart from that, they have learned that embryo adoption allows people to take embryos and use them on their own.

Going Ahead

After reading about the subject, the couple felt the need to do something about it. Considering adopting embryos, Rachel and Aaron thought it would allow Rachel to be pregnant to conceive a child of her own. Their faith and conviction as a couple were the core of their decision to consider the option. According to them, if people think that life starts when an egg is fertile, then it is only right that they support embryo adoption and that this is okay for them. Soon after they talked about it, they decided to give it a go.

Not Easy

Beginning the process excites Rachel Halbert, but at the same time, there’s a part of her that was both nervous and scared. Rachel had to undergo several therapies and examinations before continuing with the process to ensure her body is stable and in good shape for embryo adoption. All went well after a few treatments and tests. Rachel was ready for the IVF in September 2015. Fertilization by IVF or in-vitro required the mixture of egg and sperm outside the body. Everything they have to do now is waiting for the result and hope that all be through. Adoption of embryos is not an easy process, after all. 

The Odds

They had to face a few challenges, just like any IVF, to make sure that it all works out well. Apart from being costly, it is a woman who should go through many procedures to ensure everything is going well, with only attempts to endure the IVF process that costs about $10,000 to $15,000. Such procedures are, however, not covered by most health insurance. Just imagine what Rachel and Aaron have had to go through to get the procedure done.

Monitoring Her

This all happened when the family was preparing for its missionary work in Honduras. The couple waited before leaving to see whether the implantation was successful at that time. Then Aaron and Rachel immediately flew to Honduras with their two children. Rachel and Aaron went to the hospital to check whether the procedure was going well after a month and 2 weeks before the trial. The married couple spoke with the doctor when it was their turn to check-up and tried to explain their situation.

The Number

During their check-up, when they tried to explain their situation, the doctor was confused. The doctor was fully aware of what an IVF is, but something just wasn’t bright. The doctor then asked them if they were sure that only two embryos were transferred, and they were sure that it was only two, so they answered yes. After the check-up, the doctor told them that the transfer was successful. After hearing about the news, Rachel and Aaron were happy and excited about the babies. However, that’s not the only news that the doctor has for them. Soon they’ll know why the doctors kept asking them for the number of embryos that were transferred. 

Triplets

The doctor looked somewhat confused and was off-tuned. It finally made sense when the doctor showed them the screen of the ultrasound. The reason the doctor continued to ask about the number of embryos transferred was that Rachel was pregnant with triplets! There were mixed emotions among the married couple. They were so glad and thrilled about the news, but they are also surprised that,  when they expect just two, there were three fetuses. Rachel was implanted with two African – American twin embryos, and a split, according to The Washington Post. They are going to be a family of seven soon now. Once again, though, the couple took it positively and thought it might be God’s plan for them. At last, the couple fulfilled their wish to have a large family.

A Miracle

Aaron and Rachel could not wait until the triplets were born, but Catherine and Ford were more excited at the triplets’ arrival. Aaron couldn’t keep his excitement from posting a status on Facebook and sharing about the pregnancy of her wife. And how their two children would each night kiss the tummy of their mother and say goodnight to the three babies in her belly. The three little sisters Catherine and Ford, can not wait to meet.

Blessed

Finally, the Halbert family had time to meet the three. Rachel gave birth in 2016 to Anne, Whitley, and Ryley. This may not be their original plan, but it was much better than they thought. The arrival of the triplets was the family’s blessing. Aaron said in an interview that they are all thankful to God for blessing them with three beautiful babies. He kept telling us that as he looked at his growing family, he wanted more children.

Interracial Family

Although not all their children are related to them by blood, the couple is still proud and glad to call them their children. Rachel and Aaron both enjoyed the uniqueness of having a different ethnic unit. Aaron said it is great to be in a multi-ethnic family that their differences enrich and strengthen their bond and relationship. It makes you think differently than you usually think about and live a life other than what you see.

Overwhelming Support

The Halbert family received much support from other people as their story was continuously shared online. They were overwhelmed to see how their family, friends, and even those people, whose love for their families they did not know, were expressed. Rachel and Aaron were also pleased to have achieved their goal. Aaron shared that they’re only living the life they dreamed of for him and Rachel. It may not look like the typical family, but it was a family that they would always be grateful for.

Different Reactions

There may be a lot of love and support from others for Rachel and Aaron’s family, but there will always be people who think differently. The couple knew that a white couple with non-Caucasian children would be very attentive. Aaron said that there would always be an old white woman who would see him and disgustfully look at his non-white children. He shared this even when a black girl cried, saying that a little boy with the same skin color as hers was her son, there was also this older white doctor who lovingly prayed and tenderly held him over him. The married couple saw all this, but they kept on deciding and ensured that these issues wouldn’t bother them.

They Don’t Mind

There always be times when people look at them uncomfortably, but they didn’t care. The married couple was well aware that not everyone accepted racial diversity. The couple nevertheless thought that they did not need other people’s approval. They believed it was acceptable as long as they didn’t step on anybody and don’t farm others. After all, we are all the same in God’s eyes. Whatever the race, color, the figure we’ve got, He treats all of us equally.

The Complexity

Rachel shared during an interview how embryonic adoption can be robust for the family of donors and how much more difficult it is to choose to donate your frozen embryos. She also expressed sympathy for those who had to abandon and let others embrace their children. She said that regardless of how much it might be that you were to give your children for adoption, she knows how painful it can be to know that someone else takes care of your child and raises it.

The Experience

The adoption of embryos may not be the best option but was perfect for the Halberts not just because she had three times but also because Rachel had to experience and knew what she felt like being pregnant. Rachel shared that she can’t explain something to bear a child. She said that she felt magical and did not forget to acknowledge those selfless parents who dared to donate their embryos.

Its Importance

Embryo adoption is also vital for Aaron and Rachel, as it is in a typical adoption. They know, however, that it’s less popular, while millions of frozen embryos await adoption. Not to mention that the embryos they used were from 12 years ago! Even they had no idea that at first, it existed. Only when they heard about it from a friend did they know about it. Rachel said they don’t say that these lives are less important than those lives in the orphanage waiting to be adopted. All they mean is that they don’t care anymore.

Mother Of Five

Some people say that having children can take your free time. Besides doing the homework, children have a lot of needs and attention. But imagine five children like the Halbert family. The household of Halbert is always busy with all its children, but Rachel seemed to care for her children and spend time with them. She said her mother’s life is the same as that of other moms. Her day, like any other mother, is filled with lots of food, changing pains, bathing children, caring children, and many more maternal duties.

A Family

The Halberts always wanted to adopt children, and fortunately, they had fantastic children. Rachel ever wanted four or five children, but she didn’t expect them in a short time. Despite this, the couple was still happy with their big family because they saw children as blessings from above. The children were also pleased, of course. The couple were great children’s parents and also taught them ethical values. These children indeed become the right person, just like their mum and dad.

The Future

When the couple asked if in the future they wanted more children, they said they did not know yet. The couple said it might be whatever the future holds, but now they just want to focus on their children and enjoy their lives with them. The couple hopes that their stories influence people when they consider embryo adoption as an option for them. The Halberts may be on their plate now with five children, but they have still not stopped them from visiting Honduras on missionary journeys.

New Team

After the three births, Aaron and Rachel decided to move to Honduras because they thought that they could help those in need if they moved there. In addition to helping, the couple also took turns to care for the children. But finally, Rachel decided to be a full-time mother later. The couple did not stop the five children from spreading the word of the Lord.

Square One

In Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Rachel, and Aaron continued working as missionaries, and the children loved growing up there. Being a racially diverse family, the family of Halbert may not be the typical kind of family, but this isn’t important. What is essential is that they still love each other, despite the differences in the family. The couple showed that they do what they preach. Their history showed us how good this couple is and how loving they are. You have a fantastic family.