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While Katie’s diagnosis and treatment were extremely tough,
what the couple would learn about this particular type of cancer
would be even harder to accept. “My doctors at Vanderbilt told us
this type of melanoma is linked to pregnancy hormones, and that
another pregnancy would be a death sentence for me,” Katie says.
“Jacob and I went through so many emotions - anger, devastation,
sadness. It was a very difficult time, but God used that experience to
show me two things: first, that I would go on to help and encourage
others who find themselves on a similar journey with cancer, and
second, that He wanted us to grow our family through adoption.”
Once the Gables made the decision to adopt, they knew that the
first step was to find a bigger home. They purchased a three-bedroom
home in Sandhill and began the adoption process as soon as
they were settled. “We didn’t have an extra $30,000 laying around,
which is what a typical adoption costs,” says Katie, “but we knew that
God was in it, and we trusted that He would provide.” Throughout
the paperwork, home study, and raising of funds, Katie says they
received support from family, friends, and people they had never
even met. “God calls us to care for widows and orphans in whatever
way we can, and there’s a way for everyone to help,” Katie says. “We
were blown away that all we had to do was accept the call and wait
for God to provide, which He did through the prayer and support of
so many.”
The Gable family got plugged into the Zaccheus Tree adoption
ministry, led by Chris Gray, which meets monthly at Crossgates
Baptist Church in Brandon. “I cannot recommend it highly
enough,” Katie says. “We were encouraged, informed, educated, and
I felt like we knew what we were doing after just one meeting.” Chris
helped them navigate the process of applying for grants, and they
began raising money to fund the adoption. They also worked with
98 • NOVEMBER 2023