Talking Tuesday :: What's in a name?

(If you want to know more about the inspiration behind "Talking Tuesday" read the previous post.)


This past Spring I attended a new Bible study about Daniel. The study is done by Beth Moore and is a very in-depth study with lots of homework and lots of history. I enjoyed what I could be a part of very much.

In the first part of the study we learned of the meaning of Daniel's name and the names of several other guys in the story. We learned that when they moved to Babylon, the king of Babylon changed their names to Babylonian names. In the study, she talked about the significance of their original names and the significance of the change in their names.

I love names and their meanings! With each of my boys it was very important to me that their names have meanings, and I love how the Lord has given each of them significance in their names. One of my favorite things is to watch how their lives reflect the meanings in their names! Even just this past weekend Donald and I were talking about how Mason is living up to his name even now...it's such a stunning thing to experience!

Mason Phillip is our "builder of love" and the verse that the Lord gave to us as a reminder for him is Isaiah 58:12: "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. " We have watched him already have such significant ministry; restoring and building with love in the lives of our families, his little friends, his brothers, and with his mommy and daddy!

Haden Joshua is our "hill of heather (a plant that grows in barren places)" and the verses that the Lord gave to us as a reminder for him are Isaiah 49:8-9: "This is what the LORD says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation (Joshua means 'the Lord is my salvation) I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill." Haden is a funny little guy who brightens up any room with his fun-loving personality. Even as at the wonderful age of two he brings fruitfulness to barren places!

Rylan Asher is our "happy, blessed meadow." When I was pregnant with him I couldn't help but think about how he was God's provision without man's effort...just like a meadow springs up because God makes it bloom and grow. The verses the Lord gave to us as a reminder for him are Isaiah 44:3-4: "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams." We are so thankful for our little Rylan and his constant happy smile and the ways he has brought blessing and joy to our lives!


We are so mindful of God's hand in our boys' lives and pray over them that as they grow into the men God has created and named them to be, they will choose to belong to Him and live out the calling He has on each of their lives!

Isaiah 44:5 "One will say, 'I belong to the LORD '; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel."

Talking Tuesday :: The Beginning

If you haven't guess by now, I like to use aliteration! Something about putting beginning sounds together to emphasize thoughts and set a rhythm within languaget is quite appealing to me. So, I've decided to start the next aliteration element of my blog: Talking Tuesday! These posts are intended to give me opportunity to "talk" out some thoughts I have...to share a little insight into the meaningful things in my simple life...and to tell of the works of the Lord in and through our family.

I have been meditating and praying through Psalm 145 this week...mostly praying the words over my sister and her family. I believe that so much of what is in this passage of scripture has truth and promise for our family! I have been reading my sister's blog: bynumfourblog.blogspot.com and have treasured the opportunity of hearing her testimony as she shares it there! I am inspired by her and my life has been gloriously wrecked by that sweet baby girl, and I know that as God is in the business of transformation, I am going to want to share testimony of His work! There is power in the word of our testimony!

Psalm 145:4-6
"One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. "

Thanks for stopping by on "Talking Tuesday"...jump in the conversation any time! :)

A Journey..."Ten Tiny Toes"

I just wanted to post a quick invitation to my blog readers to check out my sister's blog, "Ten Tiny Toes":

bynumfourblog.blogspot.com

Our hearts are aching for their family and we are longing to see God's mighty hand in their lives! Please join us in praying for their daughter, Tessa, and for my sister and her husband as they learn to live one day at a time and in step with the Lord through this journey.

Here are some pictures of our visit with them:

1 Big brother + 5 cousins = 6 energetic kiddos who love baby Tessa!

Tessa at the hospital...what a beautiful grin! :)

Favorite Things Friday :: Rainy Days

We had a rainy day inside last week and came up with a fun activity to keep us entertained. We spent the afternoon searching for objects in our house that started with each of the letters in the boys' names. Mason had lots of fun brainstorming and collecting objects to create the letters. Haden played our little game for awhile before his nap and then mommy finished up :). We had lots of fun!

M-magnets :: A-animals :: S-socks :: O-oatmeal packets :: N-necklaces

H-hats (he loves to wear them!) :: A-animal crackers (can't live without them) :: D-diapers (hates them!) :: E-elefun game (loves to play it) :: N-nutrigrain bars (a daily necessity!)

Rylan spent time playing on his blanket with his "moo cow" and Baby Tad. He had fun with his own little rainy day activities! :)

Happy Rainy Days to you!