His Name!

Dear Everett,
We've spent a long, long time thinking about you. In fact, since we learned about your little life beating furiously inside of mine, we haven't thought of much else. Your dad and I agree that you are going to be so strong, perhaps even to the point of stubborn (nothing like us, obviously), and brimming with joy for life. How could we possibly know this much about you already? Well, actually, I've gotten to know you pretty well in these past six months. You have made your presence very well known. The acrobatics you keep trying out in my tummy aren't lost on me. Neither is the kicking. Or the punching. Or the late night hunger pangs for peanut butter and jelly. Or the early morning wake-up calls for cereal with blueberries. Why do you like to wake me up so early? Even God is still sleeping at 5am, my dear.

But you know what? All that strength; I secretly really love that about you. And that strength, my little man, is what your name means. Everett Lee Hale.

Everett - Strong as a boar (!!!), Brave, Mighty One

Lee (your daddy and granddaddy's middle name) - From the pasture meadow, Contented One

After spending some time thinking about you, I found a few verses that I am declaring for your birth and life:

I pray that out of his glorious riches 

he may strengthen you 

with power from his spirit in your inner being, 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

And I pray that you, being rooted & established in love, 

may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, 

to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ, 

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - 

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

- Ephesians 3:16-19

These are such sweet promises that your dad and I believe for your future. The you may know Christ as your Lord and savior. That you may be unwavering in your faith all the days of your life. That you would pursue every dream in your heart. The you would surround yourself with loving people who encourage your faith. That you would have the best education possible and incredible, jaw-dropping opportunities. That you would see this Earth as the gift that it is and explore it to the utmost. That your identity would be rooted in nothing but Christ's love for you. And that you would be an overwhelming vessel of joy, fun and encouragement to all who know you.

As much as we can't wait to meet you, we can wait. Grow Everett grow.

*Many thanks to Jenny Highsmith for the beautiful custom-made name artwork. You can check out her shop here.