Birth Announcement!
Transcript: Introducing the newest members of the A + L Church Family! A lot of multiple pregnancies are not a result of genetics. They're an an act of providence. But like most people we assumed that without any on either side, we would not be having twins! Wrong. So, twins don't actually run in families? Yes and no. Fraternal twins are more likely to be born to women whose mothers or grandmothers have also had fraternal twins (Laura doesn't have any). This is because women's ovulation patterns are genetic. Fraternal twins are conceived when two eggs are fertilized at once. The father's genetics are irrelevant. Identical twins, on the other hand, are conceived when a single fertilized egg splits. This has apparently not been linked to genetics at all. So, if you're a female and have twins on your mother's side, you're more likely to have twins. Other factors are fertility treatments, race, age of mother, weight, and height. Moses and Shadrach are most likely fraternal twins, since they lived in separate sacs and had their own placentas. But there is still a 20% chance that they are identical. If a fertilized egg separates at the right time, twins can still be identical but have their own "rooms." You can't really know for sure in this case apart from a DNA test! We found out they were boys at an amazing 14 weeks! "God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' -Exodus 3 But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face... -Exodus 34:10 Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. 3 For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. 4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. -Exodus 32:1-4 Baby brothers! We chose Thomas as a middle name to honor Asa's father, Thomas Church. The patriarch, better known as "Grandfather," is delighted to have two more great old testament names to quiz his parishioners with and has already promised the boys free piano tuning for as long as they play. We chose Phillip as a middle name to honor Laura's father, Phillip Helmuth. "Pop Pop," as his grandkids lovingly call him, looks forward to sharing animal videos on his ipad, woodworking projects, and inventing entertaining games out of portable tables! "At first I thought the image on the ultrasound was being doubled. Then I realized it was twins...I wanted to jump up and do a dance right there in the room. Now I wish I had!" -Asa Click on the pictures to zoom in! (and outside the picture to zoom back out) May God grant you the faith and courage to take a stand, the wisdom and humility to do great things, and the eternal perspective of a kingdom with no end. "...young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace... As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom." -Daniel 1:4, 17 [Shadrach] said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” -Daniel 3:16-18 How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation. -Daniel 4:3 Surprise! Baby A February 28th, 10:18 PM 5 lbs. 6 oz. May you see God "face to face," lead courageously, and live to the Glory of your savior, who has rescued you by water. Moses Phillip Shadrach Thomas Moses and Shadrach were born healthy and in style, both vaginally, three sets of pushes each. The doctor and her staff cheered! Laura rightfully felt "like a rock star." Short of 36 weeks by a day, we didn't escape the NICU. Despite a very optimistic first prognosis, blood sugar counts started falling and Moses forgot to breathe several times in the first two days. Next came the jaundice and cool-guy shades. Finally, on March 8th, we brought Shadrach home! Moses came home two days later on March 10th! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Moses Phillip At 10 weeks... "I thought it was a joke, but the Tech said "I never joke about twins!' I was excited and overwhelmed at the same time." -Laura "God who is gracious" Moses "saved from the water" Asa was actually mildly obsessed with having twins as a teenager and decided the best gender combo would be one boy and one girl. But given Jericho's precocious nature, we think baby brothers is perfect! She has been such a wonderful gift from God. Now she can