Elim Micah

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

On April 26th, 2018, we lost our fourth child, at 11 1/2 weeks pregnant. We have named this sweet one Elim Micah.  Elim is the name of the place where the Israelites camped following their exodus from Egypt. It was an area of oasis, full of water and palm trees. It would be easy to name this season after the bitter waters of Marah or after the desert instead. Elim is a name that can come from the defiant faith we have because of Jesus, and the audacious hope we have in Him. We look forward to all being made new, tears being wiped away, and a supernatural flipping of evil to good. We stand at the tomb expectantly.  "Micah" reminds us of the WHO behind this- for who is like our God? Our hope is in Him alone. 

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear." 
Psalm 46:1-2

Ellis Noel

"The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

Job 1:21

God gave us our 3rd child for 6 weeks in utero before taking our little one away.  Due on earth on September 27th, 2017, God had Ellis due in heaven much sooner than that.  While His numbered days for Ellis were much quicker than expected, we know that no good thing does He withhold (Psalm 84:11), and we choose to trust our sovereign Lord.

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit," (Psalm 34:18) and we praise Him for this in this time of suffering.  Our hope is in Christ alone; and we rejoice in our hope that Baby Ellis is worshipping Him in heaven now, and anticipate the joy of uniting together in that worship one day.

"Ellis" means "Jehovah is God"- praise be, He is!