Vacation. Sweet days of sunshine, swimming, a 6 lb. bag of gummi bears, and melting ice cream. And, reading and resting and reflection.
Today, I stood at the waves edge, holding Lydia’s hand as she giggled and jumped over the surf. And, I thought of Jenna‘s Cooper.
I have a fascination with names. All of our children have names rich with meaning that we share with them at every opportunity. In just two words (Evan Miles, Ashlyn Kate, Andrew Micah, and Lydia Mei), their names capture how God was speaking to us in that season and our desires for them.
At this time last year, I emailed my friend Helen who partners with me in Jiayin Designs and learned the meaning of Cooper’s name for the first time–Bright Ocean. This baby boy, born with a very serious heart condition, clung to life in an orphanage in Urumchi in XinJiang province, a city known for being the very furthest from any ocean in a remote area in the very north west of China, likely named by someone who had never seen an ocean and probably never would.
Bright Ocean.
As I stood next to that water today, I thought of him. Perhaps he was named that because they idealized the ocean and wanted to name him something full of promise. Perhaps he was named that because they wished he’d one day travel across an ocean to a future. Perhaps he was named that because God knew that it would speak directly to Jenna and confirm to her just when she needed it that he was indeed their son. Regardless, every summer, when I stand on the edge of the bright ocean with my family, I will think of Cooper and be reminded of God’s sovereignty in every detail and of His promises sometimes spoken very simply in quiet ways but are no less powerful than the mighty waves of the bright ocean.
I love reading your blog. I love the way you explain things. It reaches out to me in so many ways. Thank you for doing all that you do. You have an amazing family, Kelly!!
Lisa H.
Praise Him for His sovereignty and love to his creation.
There is so much in a name. Bright Ocean, you are loved!
First, beautiful shot. Second, love your writing style and (obviously) what you wrote. You’re so talented in putting your thoughts to words.
-Amen :)
Lots of love from Baby Pickel
SO AMAZING! I love it how God chooses to reveal Himself to us.