
9:40pm Have you heard the song by Hillsong United titled "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"? If not, google it. When I was in the shower the other night, this song came on the radio and tears began to fall as I remembered hearing this song so many times (as it had just recently come out) when Avelyn was in the hospital, and after she had passed. I remember it one time in particular when I was driving home from spending time with Avelyn at Children's Mercy downtown; I was PRAYING, bawling, crying out to Him the part of the song that repeats itself "SPIRIT LEAD ME WHERE MY TRUST IS WITHOUT BORDERS."
God answered my prayer. The past 2 years for us have been filled with major ups & major downs. Through it all, God has helped me trust Him more, to trust Him "without borders." My faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ has grown immensely; I am SO thankful for this. Although I don't understand His ways, He has helped me let go & give more of my life, myself to Him, TRUSTING - despite my inability to understand. I pray this for YOU, as well.
Today we are experiencing our most major "up" of the past couple years. We are extremely humbled and blessed to introduce Andersen J D R Ivans. Born on 2.22.16 @ 2:42pm, weighing 8 lbs 14oz, and 20 inches long.
HIs first name we have had tucked away since we found out we were pregnant with our 1st child - a daughter - more than 10 years ago; 2 more daughters later, and now a son, we have stuck with it.--Since Josh didn't go for Peyton Von Ivans (at least I loved your idea, Amber! :) ), we are sticking with Andersen. :) We love the name Andersen even more now than we did 10 years ago, as it begins, ends, and sounds somewhat similar to Avelyn. :) His middle name/initials are after his Daddy & his grandpas. His grandpas made it a lot tougher on us than his grandmas. Avelyn's middle name KayLee was super easy, named after her Grandmas Marilyn Kay Ivans and Jean Lee Hallagin. Trying to combine his grandpas names Donald Clayde Ivans & Rolland Alvernon Hallagin was extremely difficult, if not next to impossible; you should have seen some of the combinations we and google came up with. Lol. So...we have gone with initials only - no actual middle name: JDR - J for Joshua, D for Don, and R for Rollie. Andersen JDR Ivans. Different, but with meaning, and we love it. We will call him A.J.
Welcome to our arms, A.J. Ivans. We are so thankful God has blessed us with your presence. We pray God will guide us as He has entrusted you into our care while we live our SHORT lives here on this earth. With His help, we pray we will help you and your sisters faith to grow in Christ - that each of you will confess your faith in Christ - so that all 5 of us will one day join your big sister Avelyn in heaven - for ETERNITY.
Love, your Mommy
God answered my prayer. The past 2 years for us have been filled with major ups & major downs. Through it all, God has helped me trust Him more, to trust Him "without borders." My faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ has grown immensely; I am SO thankful for this. Although I don't understand His ways, He has helped me let go & give more of my life, myself to Him, TRUSTING - despite my inability to understand. I pray this for YOU, as well.
Today we are experiencing our most major "up" of the past couple years. We are extremely humbled and blessed to introduce Andersen J D R Ivans. Born on 2.22.16 @ 2:42pm, weighing 8 lbs 14oz, and 20 inches long.
HIs first name we have had tucked away since we found out we were pregnant with our 1st child - a daughter - more than 10 years ago; 2 more daughters later, and now a son, we have stuck with it.--Since Josh didn't go for Peyton Von Ivans (at least I loved your idea, Amber! :) ), we are sticking with Andersen. :) We love the name Andersen even more now than we did 10 years ago, as it begins, ends, and sounds somewhat similar to Avelyn. :) His middle name/initials are after his Daddy & his grandpas. His grandpas made it a lot tougher on us than his grandmas. Avelyn's middle name KayLee was super easy, named after her Grandmas Marilyn Kay Ivans and Jean Lee Hallagin. Trying to combine his grandpas names Donald Clayde Ivans & Rolland Alvernon Hallagin was extremely difficult, if not next to impossible; you should have seen some of the combinations we and google came up with. Lol. So...we have gone with initials only - no actual middle name: JDR - J for Joshua, D for Don, and R for Rollie. Andersen JDR Ivans. Different, but with meaning, and we love it. We will call him A.J.
Welcome to our arms, A.J. Ivans. We are so thankful God has blessed us with your presence. We pray God will guide us as He has entrusted you into our care while we live our SHORT lives here on this earth. With His help, we pray we will help you and your sisters faith to grow in Christ - that each of you will confess your faith in Christ - so that all 5 of us will one day join your big sister Avelyn in heaven - for ETERNITY.
Love, your Mommy