TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
If a family lives more than an hour away, gas cards will be provided. They also all include a devotional and a journal written specifically for a NICU journey. There are hygiene items for the moms, and there is even a roll of quarters for trips to the vending machines or laundry mat. “We want the bag to feel like it was built with that specific mom in mind,” remarked Catie. “One of my favorite items in each bag is a handwritten card of encouragement. These cards are written by Christian ladies who have walked through their own NICU journey. It’s a beautiful way for them to speak hope into a family sitting in a NICU room. It’s also healing for the mommas writing them.” A Sibling Bag was added to the mix in June 2021. “This has always been an important piece for us,” Catie shared. “Having two little boys at home while having another one in the NICU is a lot. We would never want our big boys to feel like they were forgotten. We knew other parents experiencing this dynamic could use an opportunity to check in with those ‘big’ kids at home. Grant and Tyler, our own kids, actually pay for a book with their own money and write a note inside the books for the children receiving them.” Because all NICU stories do not end the same way, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made also has an extension to their ministry called Remember Me with Joy. The ministry accepts donations for babies, pregnancies, and young children who have passed away. This came to fruition because of sweet Mabrey, another baby in the NICU who experienced complications. Lauren Hilton, Mabrey’s mom, stated, “Although there are so many things to share, what I can say for certain is being a recipient of the ministry meant a lot to
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Blessing Bag given to NICU families.
my husband and me. Knowing you’re not alone in such a vulnerable state supplies such a comfort.” Lauren has been courageous enough to go on and serve the NICU nurses and volunteers in many ways, and she is another example of love coupled with service. With the support of local churches, businesses, and individuals, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made has delivered over 250 Blessing Bags to NICU families in the past two years. In September, they gave over $40,000 to the Christus Foundation to pay for 20 NicView cameras at Christus St. Michael NICU. This will give parents peace of mind, allowing them to check on their babies when they cannot physically be at the hospital. In 2023, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made will offer a scholarship to students who were at one time in the NICU or students planning to enter the neonatal field. The reach of this ministry continues to grow, making a real difference in our community. To learn how you can get involved, visit fearfullyandwonderfullymade.co. “I cannot explain the feeling I have when I get to meet and pray with a NICU family,” Catie shared, “but the most joy comes from getting a picture at three months, six months, and even a year later of momma and daddy beaming over their thriving baby! Or even if it is just a text that says, ‘Will you have the prayer warriors pray for our baby? There is a test coming or something we are concerned about.’ For them to know that we celebrate with them in the wins, but we also have their backs on the hard days… man, that will make my heart explode!”
Quarters, included in each Blessing Bag, are provided for vending machines and other needs of NICU families during their hospital stay.
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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