06/01/2026
At a routine 20 weeks ultrasound, the Hougnon family found out their fifth baby was missing both kidneys and his bladder. The options available for this diagnosis-bilateral renal agenesis-were termination of the pregnancy or to carry the pregnancy and say goodbye during or after birth. They chose to know Oakes while he was here and then hand him into the arms of Jesus when the time came. Oakes was names for the oaks of righteousness in Isaiah 61:3. His middle name, Mishael, is Meshach’s (from the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abenego and the fiery furnace in the book of Daniel) Hebrew name and means “His Mother asked God for him” or “who is like God.”
“I am sent to announce a new season of Yahweh’s grace and a time of God’s recompense on his enemies, to comfort all who are in sorrow, to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes, the oil of bliss instead of tears, and the mantle of joyous praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. Because of this, they will be known as Mighty Oaks of Righteousness, planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory.”
Isaiah 61:2-3
“He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.”
Psalms 1:3
““I will bless with happiness the one who trusts in me, the one who trusts in me alone. He is like a tree planted on the riverbank, extending its roots into streams of water. It does not fear when scorching heat comes, for its leaves remain fresh and never fading even in a year of drought. It has no anxieties but continues to bear luscious fruit.””
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“Our God can save us and even if not, he is still good”
The past few months have been intertwined with grief, sorrow and joy. Their four children, Sawyer, Titus, Ezra and Shiloh have loved on Oakes. His parents, Dillon and a Kayla, have cherished every minute they’ve had to know him during Kayla’s pregnancy. They have been blessed by the community of Ord and also the foundation Abel Speaks and wanted to give back to the organization who has helped them through the hardest months they’ve had and have yet to come.