Intake With A Newborn

Our Intake group got a little bigger on November 9th, 2025, as we welcomed our baby girl, Hildegard Grace Paschall into the world. We are Gary and Macy Paschall, part of Family Missions Company Intake Class of 2025.

Macy was about seven months pregnant when we arrived at Big Woods, FMC’s home base, to be formed as missionaries. We were welcomed with open arms and hearts as both new members of Intake and a couple preparing to welcome our first child.

Classes were a little difficult to get to some mornings when Macy wasn’t feeling well. But for the most part, training went smoothly. We spent time learning about the love that Jesus has for us, studying Scripture together, and attending weekly teachings. These teachings centered around Christ, including our relationship with Jesus, our primary identity as beloved sons and daughters of God, and the mission that we are called to as Christians. On Fridays, our time was spent in community outreach, where we shared Jesus’ love with people at nursing homes, visited the homebound, and served at the Christian Service Center, a local ministry that serves families who are in crisis.

Before our little girl was born, we experienced the love of the Lord from the Big Woods community in many ways: from fellowship and weekly praise and worship, to a baby shower and birthday party for Macy, as well as weekly dinners with a variety of missionary families.

After our little girl was born, we were overwhelmed, in a good way, by the love of Our Lord that the community showed us. Many families brought us dinners during the first couple weeks. Individuals went to the store for us, and others simply stopped by to visit or sent text messages to check on how we were doing. We even had the opportunity to celebrate Hildegard’s baptism and share this joyous occasion with our missionary community!

During class, our daughter makes noises, sometimes needs her diaper changed, or cries to be fed. But still, our community has embraced the three of us as family. There is always someone eager to take a turn holding Hildegard during our classes or communal meals. Some of the singles have even given up their time to watch Hildegard for short periods so that we can spend quiet prayer time in the chapel. We’ve been so thankful to be a part of a group that loves Jesus and loves us so well.

Classes have been a bit more challenging since having a baby who comes to class with us. But the sleepless nights and busy mornings are enjoyable because of our loving Lord’s mercy and grace, and because of this missionary community that has poured into our family.

Thank you, Jesus, for this missionary calling you’ve given our family. Thank you, Jesus, for our friends and family who pray for and support us. Thank you, Jesus, for this beautiful community of believers and lovers of You, who have made our time in Intake with a newborn an absolute blessing.