When we first met Ashley, she was like any mom of newborn twins - tired, drained and yet the smile never left her face when she talked about her boys and how well they were doing.

Jacob and Daniel, born prematurely, weighed a combined total of 3 pounds at birth. Spending their first few months of life in the intensive care unit, with their family worrying about their fragile health, the first priority was meeting their health needs. The family would worry about other needs later.

At their four month check-up, Dr. DeLaat completed a questionnaire with the family that asks about the children's nutrition and also screens for food insecurity, which affects so many of our young patients. Were they worried their food would run out? That they wouldn't have enough money to buy groceries? When Ashley answered 'yes' to both questions, Dr. DeLaat asked about other needs. After some prompting, Ashley admitted that they did not have a crib. A crib. These babies were four months old and since being discharged from the intensive care unit, have been sleeping together in a pack and play in the family room of their apartment.

Little did Ashley know that the night before, Susan, a mother of another young patient, had offered to donate her daughter's outgrown crib to a family in need. Upon hearing this news, Ashley and our staff were brought to tears. It was clearly evident this was God's plan in action. Three days later, as Susan delivered the crib to our office, she was moved to tears, knowing that her seemingly small gesture would have such a huge impact on Ashley and her sons.

When two of our staff delivered the crib to Ashley, it felt like Christmas morning as they carried up the pieces of the crib and set it in the family room. Standing together with the family, they offered a prayer of gratitude and prayed over the health of these special boys and the family who so generously offered a place for them to sleep.

Much like the Christmas carol, "Away in a Manger", we are reminded that our Savior began his life with humble beginnings and like Jacob and Daniel, did not have a crib for a bed. It is through your prayers and generous donations that we are able to continue God's work and be the conduit for His plan. When you support the patients at Crossroad, you support not only the patients who need, but the patients who want to give back as well.