I LIKE surprises. I love the thrill of anticipation and unexpected joy. It’s fun and heightens the celebratory experience. It was a surprise when we found out and shared that we are with child, and it was a surprise when we found out the baby's sex this afternoon. Well, at least for one of us-- Ryan knew all along ;) And it will be a surprise to you when we share the baby’s sex and the name we’ve chosen.
But I don’t know of any case when I’ve introduced someone and omitted their name intentionally. Saying “This
will be fun for you to wait in suspense—I will not tell you their name until an
important milestone happens in their life!” would be silly in ordinary social
interaction, right? Especially because the person being introduced could tell
you their name if I don’t. In the case of this little one in utero, I am their
voice. I will be for a while. And while you won’t be able to get to know this
baby at first in the way you get to know other people, I wouldn’t want to
withhold any means of you beginning the process.
We know there’s an intimate
connection between knowing and loving, and to love someone more you need to get
to know them more. I have an innate love for this baby by reason of being its
mother. And when you love someone you want others to share in your love. I want
YOU to love this baby too. Therefore I want you to get to know this baby. And
while the sex and name will not reveal everything—indeed it will take a
lifetime for this person to slowly but surely develop and become who they are,
let alone reveal that to us—I still believe that their sex and name are
important elements of their identity. And I can't keep it a secret.
So it is with great joy and excitement that Ryan and I reveal to you….
So it is with great joy and excitement that Ryan and I reveal to you….
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baby
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GIRL
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ELISHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Her name is Elisha, because we believe she has received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah, that fiery Prophet. And the Prophet Elisha performed great works and miracles of God for the people. He seems to be especially helpful with fertility and children. Plus the name (pronounced "eh LISH uh") sounds feminine to us ;)
We love you, Elisha! Can’t wait to meet you!
Thanks for sharing our joy.
"When they had crossed, Eli′jah said to Eli′sha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Eli′sha said, “I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Eli′jah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Eli′sha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces. And he took up the mantle of Eli′jah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Eli′jah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Eli′jah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other; and Eli′sha went over. Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him over against them, they said, “The spirit of Eli′jah rests on Eli′sha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.
2 Kings 2:9-15
Now the men of the city said to Eli′sha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it, and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have made this water wholesome; henceforth neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” So the water has been wholesome to this day, according to the word which Eli′sha spoke."
2 Kings 2:19-22
"One day Eli′sha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.
One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. And he said to Geha′zi his servant, “Call this Shu′nammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. And he said to him, “Say now to her, See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Geha′zi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. And he said, “At this season, when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your maidservant.” But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Eli′sha had said to her."
2 Kings 4:8-17
