As Mike and I tried to come up with a name...I found it was going to be no small task! I searched books and websites for ideas. I shared them with Mike and the response was always the same..."I don't really like that." So when I suggested he come up with some ideas for me
to critique...and he couldn't...we finally settled on one that we both thought was OK. He said more than once, "I don't know what I like, I just know what I DON'T like." So you can see I had a lot of help :)
The meaning of the name was a significant factor to me. Many people suggested "
Grace" but I wanted something not so obvious...though perhaps with that in the meaning. I began to search and found that
ANNALISE not only meant "
graced with God's favor" but it also had special ties to her two sisters,
Joanna Claire and
Emilie Alyse. (click on their names to read the meanings behind their names) I didn't think it'd be too creepy or too forced, though I really pondered whether it was the right choice...nope, this was indeed a unique AND special name - with a very special meaning to me...and I liked that we could shorten it to Anna as a cute little nickname.
It was at Mike's prompting that we go with her middle name...
JOY. It not only happens to be my middle name, but I thought it would be a wonderful reminder of the choice we have each day. What do I want to be "known" for...what characteristics do I want my little girl to embrace and radiate as she lives her life? YEP, Joy about sums it up!
I've been reading a book throughout this pregnancy that has helped me to be more aware of HIS gifts of Grace each day, to be Thankful for them - recording them or speaking them out load in praise and worship of His love for me...and oh, what Joy that can bring to my heart - no matter my circumstances!! After all I agree with Joseph Campbell who says, "
We cannot cure the world of sorrows but we can choose to live in joy."
I also came across this verse several times in the last few weeks...it is an encouragement to me as we seek to raise her up to know and love the Lord we have CLUNG to these last 5 years with all our hearts!
Annalise Joy remember that:
"The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." -Zephaniah 3:16-17
