Holly Yoder
Luke and Christina already had five kids, all under the age of 10, when they got pregnant with their sixth child. Christina tells us her story:
“I was having a good pregnancy, but then I had Braxton Hicks contractions really early. They started at 19 weeks, and they just kept getting worse and more painful. I went to the hospital a week before Holly was 
born in premature labor. They stopped the labor and I was able to go home the next day. I was put on bed rest until Holly decided to make her appearance in the world on March 14!”
That day came at 33 weeks when Christina went into labor again, and the doctors tried stopping it with no success. As soon as Holly was born, she was immediately taken to Parkview Regional Medical Center’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit. “She was actually breathing on her own, which is very unusual! She was given oxygen for a short time for precaution, but it wasn’t long before she was taken off of it.”
“Someone in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit had told me that we could have a room down in the Ronald McDonald House, and after I was given a tour, I was just
so impressed. We were amazed that they had these home-cooked meals and all these snacks and food available. It was just so wonderful to be taken care of like that. All free, all here, and such great food!”
“I didn’t know much about the Ronald McDonald House before my stay except that it was a nice place because my sister had stayed at the one in Indianapolis. It’s such a beautiful place run by volunteers, and we were just so happy that we would be able to have our own room and place to stay. It was such a blessing to be able to get a good night’s sleep every night.”
“We were very sad that our baby had to be in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, but the staff and the volunteers here have been so kind, comforting, encouraging, and supporting. They’re like counselors – they were there if I just needed someone to talk to. They have just brightened many of my days. I just feel so much support from them here, that is best thing. The physical aspect is great – all of our needs are met here. But also the encouragement that we get from everyone and the support is just wonderful! It’s just so nice. God is working here, and God is using them in a great ministry here to help others.”
“My experience here was excellent. It is a safe place where I can connect with other parents who are going through the same thing. I just really love that because we can sympathize with each other and be an encouragement to each other. It is a place to rest and recover from the delivery, and a place where my family can spend time together. My kids love being here – they love the toys and the books and the snacks and the park! They really enjoyed the Women and Children’s Hospital sky bridge.”
“Our baby’s name is Holly Elise which means “Beautiful Promise of God” and so God comforted me so much through verses in the Bible that were promises from him. I was able to cling to those and get so much comfort and encouragement from that. It’s been a growing time for me seeing God work and the good things that are coming out of it. I appreciate my family a lot more, and I’ve learned a lot of patience. God has been so good to us.”
On April 19th, after 34 days of waiting, Good Friday became an even better Friday because Luke and Christina got to bring their baby girl home. They were overjoyed to be reunited with their other five children and to finally introduce them to their new baby sister!
