What you are about to read is a transparent story of a recent set-of-events in the Killion family…
On May 4th 2006 my wife, Lauren, and I found out we were pregnant with our second child (Moriah is
our first; she was born 4/7/04). It was a Thursday morning as I can remember. I was still in bed when
Lauren called me to come and look at something – I had no idea what was going on. But once I found out
what “the news” was, I was stunned. It took me a while to “get it” though. I didn’t know she had
purchased a pregnancy test so I missed the point when she called me in to view the evidence – my first
thought was, “When did you purchase a pregnancy test?” (I remember being groggy as I am not at my
best in the morning and so I was totally “out of it.”) I’m glad I didn’t think this thought (about the
purchase of the pregnancy test) out loud – it may not have gone over well - *smiling.*
Anyway – let’s fast-forward – on May 30th, Lauren called me at my office to tell me she was “spotting” -
something I later found out is generally common during early pregnancy. Out of curiosity, she called
the doctor’s office to let them know what was happening (she wanted to know if everything was OK
before we left, three days later, for our one week vacation to Idaho). As a precaution, they told her to
come in. Lauren then called to let me know what was happening – so I met her at the doctor’s office
(Now, at that point, I have to say, I was a bit shocked and even disturbed as I had never heard of
“spotting” – I was more-than-curious to know what was going on.). Once we got to the doctor’s office, it
wasn’t long before we were escorted into an ultra-sound examination room where we took a peek at our
new “baby” in hopes of finding out what was happening “in there.”
Soon after the nurse started the ultrasound, Lauren noticed something different about our “baby.” I
remember it so vividly – she had the strangest look on her face; excitement mixed with confusion. She
looked shocked and puzzled all at once (It felt unusual seeing her face like that). The nurse, on the other
hand, was quiet and had an equally puzzled look on her face; she was hard at work, studying the screen.
After a few moments, Lauren asked “Is that two sacs I see?” The nurse paused and then replied, “Wow,
you’re good…yep those are two babies.” Well I can’t tell you how we reacted – I think you know. Lauren’
s mouth dropped open while all I could do was put my hand over my mouth and cry. Lauren’s tears
followed about thirty minutes later – she was overwhelmed with dozens of emotions all at once. (Seeing
her cry tears of joy while we sat in the examination room, energized every cell of my love for her – I
thought I was going to explode.)
Well, needless to say, this caused the medical staff to treat us a bit more “carefully” as they said that
twins tend to be a “higher risk.” Long story short - for the next couple of days (and this is still true to this
day), the majority of those who found out we were going to have twins almost immediately let us know
how “hard” and “tough” the pregnancy and birth would be. And than some would talk about how “hard”
and “tough” it would be to parent them. Their encouragement nearly knocked me down! (Again, I’m
smiling) Sure, they were happy for us and their intentions were good (they were looking out for us the
only way they knew how) but the looks on their faces and the tones in their voice let us know their
glasses of faith were “half empty”
Through it all, the Lord has and is, even now, flooding us with His thoughts for our family and His
“report” is overpowering the chatter of the naysayers every single day. (more on this later)
Back to the story…
It wasn’t long after the doctor found out we were having twins that they admitted us to the local hospital
for 24 hour observation, which we now know was a mistake; it was a complete waste of time and money
(they put Lauren on fluids and anti-biotics unnecessarily, when she wasn’t even sick; the hospital felt
dark and oppressive; the personnel were cold and unprofessional) – if we had it to do over, we would
never have yielded to the admission. [We have now transferred back to the hospital where we had
Moriah; once we did this, peace flowed like a river. Following the peace of God really is important.]
In light of all the negativity that tried to weigh us down – while we were in the hospital on May 30th – I
got a call from a dear friend of mine (He was one of my closest friends at MorningStar Ministries (he is
still one of my best friends); he and I entered MorningStar’s School of Ministry in the same year.) He
called me because when he spoke to my mom about 10 minutes earlier, she told him to give me a call. So
he did.
But between the time when he hung up with my mom and the time when he reached me on my cell
phone he received a brief vision of a pack of “Double Mint” gum. When he finally got through to me, I
said, “Hey man, I have great news.” Well, almost immediately, he asked me if we were having twins (Now
he knew we were having another “baby” but he had no natural knowledge of “twins.”). I was shocked.
Understand, during this conversation, he never told me he had had the “Double Mint” vision; he only
asked if we were having twins.
(My friend didn’t share this mini-vision with me until the morning of June 10th. He thought it was a silly
thought that “he” had had and so he gave it no real attention. Isn’t it funny how we think?)
When he did share it with me it took a while to get the understanding of it. I finally realized that the Lord
gave this gentle picture to my friend in order to speak 1000 words of encouragement to us at a point of
incredible opposition while we were in the hospital (Remember, even the smallest picture is worth 1000
words).
After pondering the vision, I knew what it meant – the twins are “Double Mint” twins – they are both in
“mint condition” and God is going to keep them that way. Despite the words of professionals (the
doctors and nurses) and glass-half-empty “believers,” the Lord was assuring us – and is even now
assuring us – that “all is well.”
Then, on Sunday June 11th, while my mom was at work (she’s an RN), one of her coworkers, who is also
a long-time friend, told her that she saw the number 13 every time she looked at her. She asked mom if
that meant anything to her; she had no idea. Her friend then looked over at a calendar and noticed the
13th day of that same month (which was a Tuesday) and asked her if she was aware of anything taking
place on that day. Again, my mom had no idea of anything.
The next day, mom asked me what the number 13 meant – I didn’t know. Later, she called me with the
answer – the number 13 means “double portion” or “double blessing” according to one of her Bible
numerology reference books.
Interestingly, when mom asked me about the meaning of the number 13, I immediately thought of “bad
luck,” “Friday the 13th” and stuff like that but I just knew that “bad luck” had nothing to do with what the
Lord was trying to tell her – He was trying to point toward something good. And yet, in hindsight, after
contemplating this “number 13 situation” and how I initially thought of something negative, I can
plainly see how the human mind always gravitates toward the negative, while the mind of Christ always
speaks out of the good that is IN HIM. Which means that while men think and speak their darkness and
death (i.e. what people were speaking to us about having and raising our babies), the Lord always sees
and calls out the good. He looks into the deepest darkness, the grossest voids, and says, “Let there be
light.” As you know, this is just how He is – it’s just Who He is.
Anyway, again, back to the story…
On Monday the 12th, while I was at work, Lauren got a call at the house from a women who had heard
about us through the Elijah List. She was from Denver, Colorado and was in Raleigh on business. She felt
the Lord wanted her to come and fellowship with us. We obliged and set a time for the next evening on
June 13th. At this point, none of us (mom, Lauren and I) had any idea what was about to happen.
Well, to be quite honest with you, the following day (Tuesday, the 13th), wasn’t our best day as a family.
Lauren, pregnant with twins as she was, while caring for our two-year-old, had a terrible day; as she
stated later - her faith was being tested and she felt like she was failing the test. She was very tired, very
sick, very emotional and very upset. I too was tired as I had a long arduous day at the office (I’m a
banker.). The weather was dreary and wet – it had been like that for a few days. I could go on and on
about how bad that day was but I think you get the picture.
Lauren wasn’t in the mood to host our mystery guest from Denver Colorado. And I was in the mood to
just rest and go to bed early. But we knew that this was a part of our ministry – to be assessable and
hospitable to all who come. So we sucked it up and pressed through. When she got here, it wasn’t long
before we realized “why” she came.
When she arrived, we immediately “hit-it-off.” Her presence was immensely refreshing. About 20
minutes after she arrived, she began to prophetically “read our mail,” starting with me and than going to
Lauren and my mom (who was also here with us). She cast visions for me, personally, that confirmed
some things for me, but that I knew would be fulfilled in years to come. She disclosed some of the key
secrets of my heart that I had unknowingly forgotten (but that were written in my private journal). She
spoke life right into Lauren, encouraging her in her faith for a joyful pregnancy and birth. This angelic
woman spoke into Lauren’s heart and lifted her out of her “bad day.” And she even turned to my mom
and edified her as well.
I could take time to write out all the Lord said through this lady, but much of it is very personal. She did
confirm all that Lauren and I are believing for as it relates to the transition we are now in with the twins.
She also spoke to us about the Lord’s personal intention for and through His ministry in us. She even
said a few things from the Lord to us about the Waiting and Prophetic meetings that are now being held
in our home; she summed up the Lord’s intentions for us in them that perfectly described what is in my
heart; she could never have known these things unless the Lord had told her because only the Lord and
I knew about the things He has shared with me over the last 2 years.
(Note: The waiting meetings take place every 1st and 3rd Saturday night of every month at 6pm. The
prophetic-intercession meetings take place every 4th Saturday of every month at 6pm.)
Oh, there was something else about this lady that amazed us: She looked just like Lauren’s recently-
deceased “Mema.” This, of course, touched Lauren very deeply. And for this lady to come and speak
such Life into us, while she looked so much like Lauren’s grandma, just really made her feel close to her
Mema in a way that she had missed for a long time (Mema suffered with dementia for close to 5 years
before she passed away.). (Even this woman’s hands and the rings on her fingers, as Lauren described,
looked just like her Mema’s – it was so surreal.)
The whole time, as we sat in our living room, with this woman, it felt like a dream. I thought, “How
strange. This woman is like an angel. Is she even real? Are we entertaining an angel? We don’t even know
her. Lord, what are you doing? What is this about? She’s from Denver, Colorado. How can this be?”
It felt like we had stepped right into the shoes of the Ethiopian eunuch who was being visited by Philip
by divine providence. We needed a Word of Remembrance and so the Lord led this woman all the way
from Denver to Wilson, all the way into our living room. Only the Lord could do this. We felt so loved by
the Lord because He orchestrated all this just to re-affirm His delicate, loving care over our frail lives.
One thing our visitor said that really sums up the heart and soul of her visit was when she said that she
felt she was sent to us to encourage us; that her gift was as a cheerleader, to rally the team to victory.
And this is what she did – she was a source, from the Lord, of joyful encouragement. She was God’s way
of letting us know, in no uncertain terms, that He has us right where He wants us – all is well.
By the time our visitor left, Lauren was energized (her “pregnancy blues” were gone), Mom was in awe
and I was strengthened.
A few minutes after this lady left, Lauren and mom began to “put 2 and 2 together.” They remembered
the “number 13” vision mom’s friend had over her. They mulled over the whole thing, realizing it WAS
the 13th day of the month. We were excited – it felt like we were in the palm of God’s hand.
Lauren even noticed that that day was Tues-day or twos-day; it’s a play on words to further remind us
that God is taking care of our two babies in the face of all that would naysay.
That day – the 13th – we were “under the gun” for reasons we understood and for other reasons we have
no clue about (spiritual warfare), but the Lord sent His angel to give us a message of kindness, comfort
and expectation.
Something else I would like to share, in closing, is a prophetic word that was given to us while we were in
Idaho recently.
We were given Isaiah 40:11 which says,
“He (the Lord) will feed His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them
in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young” (Amp).
The Message Bible says, “Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms,
hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.”
Over the last couple of years, the Lord has really been present, more and more, with us as our Shepherd,
Friend and Husband. As He has hugged us tighter and tighter, we have become weaker and weaker in His
arms, leaning on the strength of our Beloved.
These twins (as well as many other things) are causing us to lean more and more everyday and yet, while
we have grown weaker and weaker, He has grown stronger and stronger and I have a sense that He likes
this.
And so, as it says in Psalm 23, we are growing in our dependence on Him as our Shepherd; therefore, we
have want and need for nothing. He is causing us to lie down in green pastures. He is leading us beside
still waters. He is guiding us in the paths of righteousness. He is restoring our souls. And though we walk
through, what many times, feels like the valley of the shadow of death (and this can mean something
different for all of us), we have no need to be afraid of evil, no matter what form it takes, because our
Shepherd is with us and His rod and staff comfort us every single day.
And so, as a result, our cup is running over because we know that only goodness, mercy, and unfailing
love will follow us all the days of our lives and through the length of our days His presence will be our
dwelling place.
This is our testimony…this is our “new song.”
P.S. The babies were due January 10th, but were born on November 23th, 2006.