It Takes a City

L to R: Auntie Kerra with Quinn, Mama Joy with Jude, Grandma Danette with Piper  

Photo taken by Great-aunt Annette, during the triplets' first visit to Grandpa Martin's house. 

Stating the obvious here, I know, but it's been awhile since I posted. Much has happened between times. If I would've published a blog post every time one has percolated in my brain during the past months, my readers would have liters to consume and everyone would soon be well-caffeinated. 

But the percolation never advanced beyond steam and aroma to actual coffeemugfuls, and by now there's so much of the brew I could share that it seems overwhelming and I don't know where to begin. 

Why did I choose this metaphor when I'm not even a coffee-drinker? My husband would love if I'd goal toward becoming one, but my real intention is becoming a blogger who actually blogs. How could I fulfill my dream of blogging more regularly? Taking on the role of my own advisor, I tell myself to start somewhere and to start small. Perhaps I will simply begin with yesterday. 

Yesterday the morning service at our church, Oasis Mennonite, had a lot of features in it. There was the normal opening worship time of singing and then Sunday School. There was a receiving of a new member into our church family, and a special prayer time for our co-pastor and his wife as they take on the lead pastor role when our lead pastor and his family go to Thailand for a year. There were three reports given by men who have recently traveled overseas for a short term of service in war-torn Ukraine.

And there was a baby dedication. 

I've been to dedications before where several babies have been blessed in the same service, but I've never been at one in which the multiple babies belong to the same set of parents. Yesterday morning the three babies being dedicated were our triplet grandchildren, and I found it pretty moving. 

                                     📷~ The triplets' great-aunt Linda

For their time of blessing, the triplets were invited to come forward (with their parents and whomever else was needed.😊) Rolin carried Jude, Joy held Quinn, and Grandma Jewel had Piper as they walked up front to face the congregation. All three babies were awake and looking pleasant and/or inquisitive as their dad said a few words and while our church's two pastors and the triplets' grandpa Ken gave a prayer of blessing, each for a different one of the trio.

In his little speech, Rolin told the congregation that right around this time last year, he and Joy found out they were expecting triplets. His first emotion after hearing that they had "hit a triple" had been great excitement and then seconds later, he was hit with the enormity of the responsibility and work that three babies would entail. All of this had been rather overwhelming.

Rolin also reminded us that it had been only about a week later, then, that he and Joy broke the triplets news to the church family at Oasis's annual weekend campout. This incredible announcement had been met with much delight, of course, but people had also acknowledged that there would be challenges for Rolin's family in the months ahead, risks and concerns unique to the phenomenon of Having & Raising Multiples. 

Now, at the babies' dedication service, Rolin wished to express his and Joy's thanks to the people at Oasis for supporting them throughout the past year. The meals shared, the diapers and other gifts given, the time invested in helping to care for the triplets (especially those who did some night shifts during the first months the babies were home from the hospital) all meant so much. He said he now has this joke... "You know how they say it 'takes a village to raise a child?' Well, I'm discovering that it takes a city to raise triplets!"

                                   📷~ The triplets' great-aunt Linda

Sitting on a side bench in the church sanctuary during the dedication, I was the grandma looking after the triplets' big brother. And leaking my ermotions, like usual. My heart kept amen-ing as the men up front prayed for the babies, so overjoyed and full of gratitude was I (we all are!) for the way God has shown His goodness in the lives of these three already. 

I would've loved to also attend another baby dedication happening in another church on the same Sunday. Yesterday morning our twin granddaughters, Eleanor and Eva, were also blessed and prayed over in Meadville, Pennsylvania where Carlin and Kayleen's church family meets. 

I think it's pretty special that all five grandbabies were dedicated on the same day. I'm dedicated to perpetuating praise to our Loving Father who delights in orchestrating such things. 

And the One who raises up a city for parents of multiples when they need it. 

Carlin with Eleanor, and Kayleen with Eva

                                                        📷~ Annette Bechtel