Update on Dora and Sylvia

We wanted to share this e-mail update from Joel and Bekah about our little granddaughters.  Thank you so much for praying for them.  God is so faithful and loving to us!  We praise him!

Joel and Bekah said:
Things that happened today that we are grateful to God about:

• Bekah came home this afternoon

• Dora and Sylvia continue to have their bottle-feeding amount increased

• The nurses said that Dora may be able to go without an IV in the next day or so

• We were able to get a hospital grade electric breast pump today (on loan for as long as we need it) through WIC (Women Infant's and Children)

• Lindsey (Noonen) McFadden (Bekah's friend from Mount Vernon) arrived this evening to help Bekah until her mom arrives Friday 

• Bekah's mom was able to change her ticket and is arriving this Friday

• We met with a friend from Bekah's previous place of employment (EPIC) at the hospital who educates new parents. She offered for Bekah to use her office space as a place to rest in the hospital between visits to Dora and Sylvia. She offered that we use the extra space in the office to set up a cot or blow-up twin mattress.  

Thank you for your prayers!

News update: We don't know when the babies will be able to come home or when Bekah will be able nurse. Right now we just have to take each day at a time. But the babies continue to progress: they are eating, pooping, and causing trouble (Dora took her IV off and lathered her hair in sugar water (She's fine, grandmas.)). Bekah will be going to the hospital each day to be with the babies. There are rooms in the NICU where Bekah can pump and the NICU is open to parents at all times.

Requests:

• Sylvia is under bilirubin lights for high bilirubin levels (jaundice) and Dora may have to soon.

• Bekah is still recovering from her C-section.

• Joel and Bekah are sad to be far away from the babies.

• Joel is trying to keep up with teaching and classes.

Our Granddaughters are Born!

Our little twin granddaughters have safely arrived into the world, Saturday morning, Feb. 13, 7:50 AM, New York time.  They were delivered by C-section under general anesthesia because Bekah's labor was so fast and one of the babies was transverse.  We were very thankful for Skype and email so that we could get the messages quickly.  We were thankful for our PNG friends and missionary family who joined with us to pray for Bekah, Joel and the babies.  We were very grateful that the doctor decided to perform a C-section since he found upon delivery that Sylvia's cord was around her neck.

Joel didn’t get to be with Bekah, but was able to see the twins right after they were born.  They both weighed exactly the same – 3 pounds 14 oz.  They were about 6 weeks premature.  Both babies were breathing okay on their own, but little Sylvia Irena had some fluid in her lungs so they hooked her up to C-PAP to assist her.  It was taken off later in the day and she is breathing fine without assistance now.  We praise God for his goodness to us and them!  They will be in the hospital for a while.  They are anticipating that Bekah will be able to go home from the hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 17th.

Joel and Bekah named the babies, Dora Katherine and Sylvia Irena.  Both babies are named for their two grandmothers and also have a name that comes from the Greek – a language that Joel has studied lots in his Master’s and doctoral programs.  Dora means “gift” and Irena means “peace.”  The scripture that was their inspiration is James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…”

Kathy, Bekah's mom and our dear friend in PNG, will most likely be going to be with Bekah and Joel on the 18th, a week earlier than planned.  David and Sylvia will be going in May.  We are singing with the Psalmist…God is good!  His love endures forever!  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!  For his unfailing love and wonderful deeds, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! (Psalm 118:1, 15-16, 29)

These little girls are surrounded by a loving Christian family.  We feel so blessed!  Dora and Sylvia have 4 living, godly Great Grandmothers and 3 living, godly Great Grandfathers! Psalm 127:3 says, “Our children are a present from God, a good thing that he has given to lift us up.”  Our hearts are lifted and soaring high!



This morning, Valentine's Day in the US, Joel and Bekah took us on a trip down to the nursery to "visit" our two little babies.  We were able to hear Sylvia Irena cry for the first time and watched as the babies waved their arms.  Technology is so amazing these days! 

We would appreciate your continued prayers for Joel and Bekah and the babies – that they would not have to stay long in the hospital, that Bekah will recover fully and quickly, that the babies will continue to gain weight and be strong. Please pray also for the details of Kathy's travels and for Jim and the children staying at Kudjip.