Two on Sunday?

Written February 10th 2020

I didn't know how soon they'd let us go

Something in me cried, "so soon, oh no!" 

Two little girls to care for and feed?

Two wee ones with many a wee need?

With Acacia tomorrow Christy will board

Staying in hospital, trusting the Lord,

That by the end of the week, Olivia too

Will go home, and we'll all start anew! 

Staying in Indiana to get ourselves adjusted,

Next week to Michigan, God can be trusted! 

Thank you for praying and standing with us

Glory to him who will be, who is, and who was.

Updated February 11th 2020

God has heard my praise, my prayers, my fears 

And we trust him as "coming home day" nears.

An alarm today for Acacia has changed it all, 

But our anchor holds, into his grace we fall,

It only lasted a few seconds and she's fine,

So five days more on hospital food I'll dine.

Maybe Olivia got my competitive gene,

For her day is Thursday, February fourteen.

Please pray with us that by the weekend,

Our babies will be home, family time to spend.

Updated again Feb 12th

A bed at an angle, when it should have been straight,

Makes another delay that works out just great.

Acacia and Olivia are now set for Sunday.

We would really be delighted to keep it that way.

So pray the alarms will all stay away!

Expected discharge date: Sunday Feb 16, 2020.

Acacia is on her countdown!

Acacia

Thank God with us! We are approaching the day when Acacia gets to go home. If all goes well (she has no alarms, keeps eating, and keeps gaining weight) then she gets to go home on Tuesday (Feb 11).

Olivia

Olivia still needs breathing support so it will be a little longer until she can go home. Thank you for praying with all of us!

Acacia, Daddy (Zach), and Olivia

"Go home."

 She stepped into the room with a big smile and warm greeting.  Dr. Constantine immediately had my attention. We spent three days working to get my little girls to nurse and take a bottle. They stepped up to the challenge, but eventually they (and I) were getting more and more tired.
One night as I headed home after 14 hours of the joyful struggle to eat and sleep and pump, Dr. Constatntine built up my spirit, encouraging me that I am the best my babies have, and that I was doing a great job.
The next day was Friday, and I woke up thinking, "Oh, tomorrow is Saturday so I'll get a bre...no I won't, mothering doesn't get a break."  But Dr. Constantine at the close of Friday said, "I want you to go home, and not come tomorrow.  They need to rest, and you need to rest.  You can't help them if you're exhausted. Take advantage of the fact that you can rest now because when they come home, you won't get a chance."  I was surprised, resistant to the idea, but I listened.  I rested most of Saturday and even Sunday evening.  I slept in and went for a bike ride with my family.  I had better milk supply, and felt lighter. So thankful for a doctor who prescribed rest not only for her patients, but for her patients' mommy.
As I reflect on this experience, I recall all the times over the last year or more, where God has put the word upon my heart to rest.  Scripture, books I read, my mother, husband, friends all speaking into my life that I have a problem with over-business.  I actually have it in my mind that the more I do, the more fruitful I will be.  I have had a struggle with milk supply for two babies and I have done everything on the list and everything everyone has told me to do...except rest.  When I did, the milk came in better.  I feel this is a really clear illustration that God wants to use in my life.  It is so humbling to rest and NOT DO, but it leads to life bubbling up in me and a reservoir that can flow into others.  Please pray for me as I continue to learn this humbling fact and trust God when enough is enough.  Pray for our family and ministry, that through God teaching me this, we will all flourish.

If you struggle with being too busy, I'd love to pray with you or for you! Just let me know.

Something Big is About to Happen

When we were packing up our house in Nigeria, my mother was telling me of how ladies from the church in Michigan were making a herculean effort preparing our house for our return.  On the day I was giving away food in Nigeria, feeling badly that I had bought food and not used it, wondering if I should sell or give, I found out that my refrigerator and cupboards in America had been stocked.  This fostered generosity in me, and I joyfully gave.  I was feeling so blessed and loved by God as his body reached out to care for us before our arrival.
At that time, Kirstin, Zach's sister said, "Makes you feel like something big is about to happen, doesn't it?"  I agreed with her, feeling some uncertainty in the prospect that God may be sending us down a rough road in the future, but preparing our hearts with his tender love so we could remember his faithfulness when it wasn't so clearly seen.

Auntie Kirsti with Mariama

Our family table before we returned to the United States

We didn't know what was "about to happen", but this season may be part of the challenge God was preparing us for with his love.  Acacia and Olivia are little, but their arrival 2 months early is "something big" that has happened.  I'm so thankful that God doesn't send us into stormy weather without a knowledge of his presence and steadfastness that will sustain us when the waves threaten our little boat.

Please continue to pray for Olivia and Acacia's growth.  In spending lots of time with them, I have had the joy of seeing them start to drink on their own without a tube, hold their own temperatures, gain weight over 5 pounds, and fix their eyes on me.  Before they go home, they have to do all their feedings by mouth and have no alarms for five days.
Please pray for Mariama and Lydia as they are far away from mommy (they are in Michigan with Zach).  They are going through lots of transitions too.
Please pray for Zach as he is far from his two babies and daddying the older two.  Pray he will find a time to rest.

Saying good morning to mommy on watsapp

Mariama in her mud kitchen at school!