Welcome to the Jones' Frequently Asked Questions page. This is our attempt to answer some questions that are very commonly asked of us. Many of them have likely been answered in previous posts, but it's easier to just come here and get a quick overview of things or find out some tidbits you maybe didn't know.
If you have questions that you think should be added to this list, please make a comment below!
Q. Can I share this blog with other people?
A. Absolutely! Our desire is that our Lord God be glorified through our lives in every way, including this blog. The more people that know about what He is doing in/through/for us, the more He will be glorified. It is not about us-- if it ever appears that way, we apologize. Then, please let us know!
Q. Can I use/share the pictures on the blog?
A. Yes. Unless we specifically ask in the post that the picture not be used, we are happy to have them shared.
Q. Was this natural? Was this IVF (in vitro fertilization)? (In reference to the quintuplets, we get both of these questions more than any other)
A. We had some help. Carrie was on shots for extra ovulation and we used IUI. Apparently the shots worked-- a little too well. It was not IVF.
Q. Where did you get the names?
A. Will Edward: This was God's will, not ours, thus the name. We've always liked the name will and there are a few Williams in our family history. Edward is Gavin's dad's middle name.
David Stephen: We let Isaac name one of his siblings (with veto power, of course). He settled on these, David being his favorite Bible character. He (and we) like the name Stephen and he's an incredible example from the Bible.
Marcie Jane: Named after Gavin and Carrie's mothers. Jane is also Carrie's sister's middle name.
Seth Jared: We really like the name Seth. Jared is Gavin's brother's name and we wanted to honor him.
Grace Elise: We have always love the name Grace (or Gracie) and Elise is Gavin's sister's middle name. Plus, Elise is the diminutive form of Elizabeth, and the passage in Luke about the prophesy and birth of John the Baptist was really meaningful to Carrie, in particular Elizabeth's response "How kind the LORD has been to me!" and the fact that her friends rejoiced with her, as Carrie's friends certainly have.
If you have questions that you think should be added to this list, please make a comment below!
Q. Can I share this blog with other people?
A. Absolutely! Our desire is that our Lord God be glorified through our lives in every way, including this blog. The more people that know about what He is doing in/through/for us, the more He will be glorified. It is not about us-- if it ever appears that way, we apologize. Then, please let us know!
Q. Can I use/share the pictures on the blog?
A. Yes. Unless we specifically ask in the post that the picture not be used, we are happy to have them shared.
Q. Was this natural? Was this IVF (in vitro fertilization)? (In reference to the quintuplets, we get both of these questions more than any other)
A. We had some help. Carrie was on shots for extra ovulation and we used IUI. Apparently the shots worked-- a little too well. It was not IVF.
Q. Where did you get the names?
A. Will Edward: This was God's will, not ours, thus the name. We've always liked the name will and there are a few Williams in our family history. Edward is Gavin's dad's middle name.
David Stephen: We let Isaac name one of his siblings (with veto power, of course). He settled on these, David being his favorite Bible character. He (and we) like the name Stephen and he's an incredible example from the Bible.
Marcie Jane: Named after Gavin and Carrie's mothers. Jane is also Carrie's sister's middle name.
Seth Jared: We really like the name Seth. Jared is Gavin's brother's name and we wanted to honor him.
Grace Elise: We have always love the name Grace (or Gracie) and Elise is Gavin's sister's middle name. Plus, Elise is the diminutive form of Elizabeth, and the passage in Luke about the prophesy and birth of John the Baptist was really meaningful to Carrie, in particular Elizabeth's response "How kind the LORD has been to me!" and the fact that her friends rejoiced with her, as Carrie's friends certainly have.
God has blessed you both. I am a NICU nurse (15 years) and the mom of three preemies and my grandson was a preemie. Get ready for the ride of your life..up and down but someday it will be all ups...The babies are adorable.
ReplyDeleteFor the FAQ list:
ReplyDeleteIf furlough time turns out to be longer than originally expected, will the Jones family still be paid by Wycliffe or whoever supports them?
Gavin has been working this week at the Center here in Dallas, plus has plenty of projects he can do for the Aviation Department in PNG. If we are not able to return to PNG as soon as we'd like due to baby health issues, we will take a Stateside assignment until we are cleared to return overseas. Only a portion of furlough is "paid vacation" anyway, the main point being to reconnect with churches, partners, friends, and family and, in our case, get additional helicopter certification
Deletei feel like I'm watching a reality show, but I've got you on 'favorites' and just keep watching and praying. We too are missionaries and our hearts go out to you in happiness and trusting the Lord to provide. Be strong!!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way they are on my favorites and cant go a day without checking in . I pray everday these little ones survive and thrive. My family in Irene SD do missionary work in Haiti and the people there are so greatful for the help.
DeleteYou're so sweet and encouraging. :) Thanks so much! I am very glad that we are NOT doing a reality show (the opportunity has been offered for a "documentary") and that the reality is we are very, very dependent upon and carried along by the Lord and the army of helpers He has raised up for us! He's the only thing that keeps us strong with all He provides, for sure! We are greatly looking forward to returning to Papua New Guinea. We're both feeling homesick for our lives there and a lot of the people, too, not to mention our ministry work we have found so fulfilling and challenging. We'll see how much I am able to do now that I'm the mother of 6, but the Lord will make that clear in time. :)
DeleteBlessings!
Carrie
Our aunt just sent us your blog link--we live in Seattle and had triplets via fertility meds and an IUI. The doctor and nurses told us that the chance for multiples was very low. Well, surprise! Like you, we were terrified at first but now cannot imagine our life any other way. Best wishes to you as you forge through their first year. Ours are now 17 months and we can say it gets so much easier!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Michelle, Alan, and our three beloved babies
Thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement! I can honestly say it's already to the point I can't imagine our lives without these babies - they are so precious, and we've been blessed by so many prayers and so much help of every kind! Enjoy your three. :)
DeleteLove,
Carrie
Dear Jones Family,
ReplyDeleteI "happened" upon your blog through the Fox News reporting of quints born in Dallas. As a mother of seven (one at a time,though!)and a lover of babies, I clicked on the link and have been following since.
I realized upon the first reading that I had in fact already heard of your family two years ago when my 5th child,Jacob, contracted ALL at the age of 16. My aunt lives in Dallas and attends a church which supports your ministry. She sent us a bio on Gavin as an encouragement that life continues after all of the treatment!
The story of the babies only reenforces that wonderful life that God has given Gavin!
I wish we lived closer, so we could be helpers with the precious little ones. Maybe some day we can meet...
Wow, that's amazing, Sherryl! Your aunt must go to Faith Bible Church. :)
DeleteHello! :) I was wondering was it hard telling them apart at first, and if so what did you do/do you do to tell them apart? Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot harder to tell them apart at the beginning because they were so covered by the machines and tubes and head gear, but their bassinets were clearly labeled at that point with neon colored signs including their letter (A-E, in birth order) and their names. Will was purple, David was green, Marcie was yellow, Seth was pink(!! because they thought the fourth baby out would be a girl, based on their positions in utero), and Gracie was orange. At one point the NICU manager decided it was Seth's pink color that was keeping him from "manning up" and getting better, so she duct-taped all over the pink tape and sign!
DeleteAs soon as the babies got out of their headgear; i.e. off of CPAP, they were very easy to tell apart. David was very homely and pale (though is ULTRA cute now!), Will was always bigger and darker, and Seth was blond and delicate. Gracie was tiny with huge eyes (some things don't change) and Marcie was, well, beautiful Marcie. :) It's never been difficult, although sometimes from the back I don't know which baby it is, David or Marcie or Grace. Seth has the cannula to tell him apart, and Will has the dark hair and huge size. :)
Thanks for your wishes! Sorry this reply is so late!
Carrie
HI I came across this on yahoo news with the celebration of the last baby coming home I had to go through the same thing but we did not get as far as the shots as at the age of 27 I was in menopause, Ilove children but I know that god had a reason why i was the way that i was, I think that we would have went through a lot of rough times I enjoy reading about your family god bless and if you have a facebook I would love to get that to follow you on there as well
ReplyDeleteTanya Thompson Wisconsin
Hi Tanya! Thanks so much for your kind words. You're right that God always knows and does what is best, but it doesn't mean He doesn't know it's so painful for us in the meantime. We won't have a clear picture "why?" until we get to Heaven. Infertility is such a deep, penetrating, lasting heartache. I'll try to find out on FB and friend you. :) Love, Carrie
DeleteDear Gavin & Carrie
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog and following the antics of the quints. The more I read about your miracles the more my faith in God grows. I will admit I did not believe when I first read an article about your family. But, as days went by, and the new post came with more news about the quints growing stronger I knew their was a lord out there. Miracles like this couldn't come about just through medical science. Your post and family has helped me grow closer to God. And now I am in love with your family and your five precious babies. If I ever have a chance to come to Texas I would love to volunteer to help with the quints. I am sending prayers from Illinois for you two & all six of your beautiful children. Especially little Seth. I pray he gets better soon and can be happy and comfortable like the other four babies.
Chelsea
Dear Chelsea, Wow, Praise God for His work in you, and what a HUGE honor that we get to be a part of that! We are so undeserving through any merit of our own; we've had blessing upon blessing just heaped up, shaken together and running over in our lives. My faith has certainly at least quintupled through this, I'd guess. :) I could never have asked or imagined all that He has done. I was TERRIFIED when I found out about the quints, but thought at least God would give me an easy road as far as their post-birth health needs. Little did I know my faith journey was just getting off to a good start. Looking back over the past few months I marvel at all He's done. It's probably too painful for me to re-read the posts when Seth was so sick and perhaps dying. I keep telling him (as I cover him with kisses) "Thank you for not dying!" Not that God would not still be God and sovereign and LOVE even if He had purposed Seth to go live with Jesus in Heaven, but I'm glad He didn't ask me to walk that road. He gave me peace to walk whatever road He laid in front of me, though, and I felt it deep inside even when I was nearly frozen with apprehension outside, driving to the hospital perhaps one last time to say goodbye. Sorry, I'm rambling, but all this to say, THANK YOU! And GOD BLESS YOU and lead you deeper in your walk with Him! Please let me know if I can do anything to help you on the road He has marked out for you. It's for your good and His glory, at least we know that! (Romans 8:28) Saved by faith in Christ alone through grace alone, Carrie
DeleteDear Isaac, over the pat two months I have had a obsession for high order multiples, but mainly quintuplets. I have a few questions for Isaac, 1. What is it like having that many siblings all at the same age? 2. Do you have to help a lot with the babies? 3. Is its weird going from a only child to a older sibling of 5?
ReplyDeleteThanks this will (hopefully) help with my research!
Praying for all of you,
Sofia
You keep mentioning the "adjusted" age of the babies and celebrating that birthday. Yes, they were "due" on Nov. 3 but they were born in August. That is the date that God wanted them to be born so forget about the "adjusted" age and celebrate their birthdays in August.
ReplyDeleteWe will. We did. You're right. Thanks. :)
DeleteI would have preferred to send this message to you privately but do not see a contact form or email address on this website. I want to alert you to the fact that someone on Facebook is using a photo of your arm with the bracelets identifying your five babies to go along with a story about the spread of TB in a Texas hospital: https://www.facebook.com/pages/End-Time-Headlines/135010313189665
ReplyDelete