The Turk Family

Nobody ever expects to have a premature baby, especially in the middle of a pandemic. However, on August 3, 2020, that became my reality. Just like any other parent with a new baby, my husband and I were very hesitant to go anywhere or do anything outside our home. Having the added stress of the COVID-19 virus made it even more difficult to take our children anywhere. It also made it more difficult to find a babysitter for our children to have a night out. This is one of the many reasons we are so thankful for Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.

In the spring of 2022, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made hosted the first NICU Parents Night Out. When Catie explained it on Facebook, I knew it was something that I wanted my children to participate in. For the first time in over 2 years, my husband and I were able to enjoy a much needed date night, knowing our children were in great hands. Catie and the other Fearfully and Wonderfully Made members had planned a very organized event for the NICU families in the area. I knew it was something amazing when our oldest children were upset because we picked them up, and have begged to go to each one since then.

I love that we are at ease leaving our 3 daughters and our son in great hands. They are always greeted by name, and made feel that they are truly cared about. The first couple of times, the girls came home telling us all about how much fun they had, and wanting to know when the next one would be. The biggest win for me was when my then 3 year old son was at home and we mentioned getting ready to go somewhere. He looked at me and said, “Mommy wait, we have to put on our armor!” It took me a little bit to realize what he was talking about and decipher through his toddler language. Then it hit me when he was doing the dance movements that he and his sisters had been taught a few weeks earlier, when learning about the Armor of God at the recent NICU Parents Night Out. I love knowing our children are being taught about how much our God means and loves us.