Of the many and wonderful experiences we have had and yet will have during sabbatical, none will have the enduring value of this evening. His name is Joren Preston Solak. We planned a sabbatical that would keep us home most of July because of the impending birth of a grandson--due date, July 14.
Kathy and I went to the Solak home to watch Jarek late in the afternoon on July 14 so that Kari and Joe could go to a medical appointment. When they returned home, faces were glum. It looked like it would be a wait, perhaps as long as 10 days. We went to supper at Fazoli's where Jarek, age 2, mowed through a serving of spaghetti like he hadn't eaten in days. We asked if we could take him home to sleep at our place since we would be watching him the next day.
At 8:11, we got a call--the water had broken! Shortly afterwards, the power in our home went out due to storms. We lit candles and played with a flashlight and talked about a new little brother. I lay down with Jarek a bit after nine, but he is too excited to sleep. We hear Kathy's cell phone go off after a while and her excited voice communicating the news of a baby that had been born within 1.5 hours of the water breaking. Kathy came to the bedroom and had Jarek talk to her parents about this new baby brother.
Amazing facts: both Jarek and Joren were 8 pounds, 9 ounces at birth. Both were born on a Wednesday. Most amazing, both were born on their due dates. Since the percentage of babies born on their due date is only 5%, the chances of having two in the same family are .25%!
I visit many Bethel families in the hospitals after a baby is born. I always tell them that there is no gift as precious as life, that this has been one of the greatest moments of their lives. This has been great for the Solaks and the Wahls--the biggest event in sabbatical, far outpacing even a trip to Israel. Nothing more precious. A gift from God.
Kathy and I went to the Solak home to watch Jarek late in the afternoon on July 14 so that Kari and Joe could go to a medical appointment. When they returned home, faces were glum. It looked like it would be a wait, perhaps as long as 10 days. We went to supper at Fazoli's where Jarek, age 2, mowed through a serving of spaghetti like he hadn't eaten in days. We asked if we could take him home to sleep at our place since we would be watching him the next day.
At 8:11, we got a call--the water had broken! Shortly afterwards, the power in our home went out due to storms. We lit candles and played with a flashlight and talked about a new little brother. I lay down with Jarek a bit after nine, but he is too excited to sleep. We hear Kathy's cell phone go off after a while and her excited voice communicating the news of a baby that had been born within 1.5 hours of the water breaking. Kathy came to the bedroom and had Jarek talk to her parents about this new baby brother.
Amazing facts: both Jarek and Joren were 8 pounds, 9 ounces at birth. Both were born on a Wednesday. Most amazing, both were born on their due dates. Since the percentage of babies born on their due date is only 5%, the chances of having two in the same family are .25%!
I visit many Bethel families in the hospitals after a baby is born. I always tell them that there is no gift as precious as life, that this has been one of the greatest moments of their lives. This has been great for the Solaks and the Wahls--the biggest event in sabbatical, far outpacing even a trip to Israel. Nothing more precious. A gift from God.
It's a new, sunny, fresh day. Jarek is anxious to go to the hospital to see baby brother!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all involved! It is a blessing - each and every time. Lori
ReplyDeletecongrats to you all, look forward to seeing the new baby in church
ReplyDelete