Below is the story of how we came up with JoyAnna's name...
Zach and I were
considering many names and having a difficult time settling on one. We had many nights of fruitless internet searches and were getting frustrated.
There were many times during this pregnancy in which I would see or hear the word "Joy" and it would strike me. And the theme verse for this pregnancy was, "The joy of the Lord is my strength." (I had to reflect on it daily toward the end with the many aches and discomforts this pregnancy brought.)
There were many times during this pregnancy in which I would see or hear the word "Joy" and it would strike me. And the theme verse for this pregnancy was, "The joy of the Lord is my strength." (I had to reflect on it daily toward the end with the many aches and discomforts this pregnancy brought.)
I was at Hobby Lobby one afternoon, thinking about names, when I stopped in my tracks because I saw a wall decoration that stated, “I Choose Joy."
Zach and I took a class called “Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit” when I was about 4 months along and a few different people laid hands on my belly and prayed that the baby would be a woman of "faith" who loves the Lord and is used greatly for His Kingdom.
One day about half-way through the pregnancy Zach sent me a text that simply stated, "JoyAnna Faith." I responded, “Yes!”
But two days before the
induction date, Zach was looking into Greek or Hebrew middle
names (out of curiousity), which led to finding some cool names- both first and middle. We started to consider
changing the name. I had already printed off and ordered several keepsakes
with JoyAnna written on them so I told him we needed to decide quickly so I could
re-make/re-order them.
I remember praying that night for clarity, asking
that God would make it very clear if we should stick with JoyAnna Faith or go with a
different name. The next morning, I woke up and checked my phone. I had one text
from my sister, Mari, stating that she dreamed I gave birth to a little girl and
that we named her Joy!! That was the assurance and clarity we needed! So we kept JoyAnna Faith.
After Joy was born a friend
from church came up to me and said that he has been praying for me and the baby every day for months- since he found out we were expecting. He said he called the baby "Baby Olson" at first but didn't like praying for a nameless baby so he "named" our baby just for his prayers. And guess what he named her? ...Anna! So cool!
It is very clear and evident that this child is meant to be our precious JoyAnna Faith!
