Phinehas- a photo story July 2, 2009

A little background first: Phinehas’ story was a miracle from day one. We had lost our first baby due to miscarriage but felt the Lord encouraging us to pray for another life, and soon. So we did, and there ended up being only 5 weeks between the end of the first baby and the start of Phinehas’ journey in the womb. I developed high blood pressure towards the end of the pregnancy and eventually it became so bad, that my body went into labor 7 weeks early. But it was a natural, safe delivery and Phinehas was healthy from day #1 (breathing on his own, too!) He ended up staying in the hospital for three *very long* weeks so that the doctors could make sure that he was strong enough to live well outside of constant medical care. And now he is home, healthy and growing bigger everyday! Our journey into parenthood proved to be a difficult road, but we are glad we walked through it and love our little guy more every moment!

One of my first real memories holding him. His head was smaller than the palm of my hand. In this picture, I’m still very sick and couldn’t make it up and down stairs without feeling faint.

First family photo (taken by Amber!). Because Phinehas was born early, he had to be in the NICU. We didn’t know how long he would be in there, so our hearts were pretty nervous. Kyle was my faithful, cheerful rock the whole time.

This is where our little guy lived for the first three weeks of his life. He loved being wrapped up snug in a blanket. We soon nicknamed him, “burrito boy.”

He loved his binkie from day one. Look at how massive it is on his face!

Finally ready to go home! Look at how LITTLE he is!!!

Still our little burrito boy!

First family picture from home. He is about 2 months old in this one.

Still loving the binkie

Fun with Dad outside! Often if he’s fussing, we take him outside and he calms down right away.

Phinehas loves his grandma gaffrey!

Three generations.

Adam and phinny playing together. He is about four months old in this one.

Gaffrey grandparents! They have waited many years for this day!

Such a happy boy!

Phin and mom love each other! He is a little distracted by the light of the camera…

“hum…what will I do next?”

and…still loving the binkie!

Such a big boy! Much bigger than the day we took him home! He is five months in this one; and weighs about 10 pounds more than they day we took him home from the hospital!

One day, he brought pot pie to Kyle and work. He has a strong little grip, and is holding the plate all by himself.

“whoa, you startled me, mom!”

“thanks for looking at these pictures of me! See you all later!”

Why did we name our son Phinehas? June 30, 2009

First off, here is how you say it: Fin-E-us

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal.  Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’ ” Numbers 25: 10-13

Here is the context: The Israelites had been brought up out of Egypt by the mighty hand of the Lord and His servant, Moses.  They had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, living a fasted lifestyle by only eating manna.  Now, here they are, finally about ready to enter into this promised land, and walk in their full destiny as a people.  And one of the neighboring kings, Balak feels threatened and sends one of his best prophets, Balaam (remember the guy with the talking donkey?) to prophesy against the Israelites.  However, after three failed attempts to speak evil against them (check out the story a few chapters earlier, it’s crazy!) Balaam has one final idea: tempt the Israelites into sexual immorality.  Balaam new that  if he could get God to turn against the Israelites, that then they would be wiped off the face of the Earth and Balaam, or his king Balak, wouldn’t even need to do anything!

And so the Israelites started marrying into the Moabites and then a massive plage broke out and 24,000 people died.  And more would have, if Phinehas didn’t stir up his zeal and stop the plague with his spear.

In a world corrupt with sexual immorality, we have named our firstborn son Phinehas, with the prayers that he will be a man (and boy) who is zealous for the Lord and isn’t afraid to whip out the occasional spear to declare his zeal.  We want him to walk in purity in a world of impurity.  We want  him to walk in truth in a world of lies.  As his parents, we will do everything we can to equip him in the word and the truth about how the Lord sees him.

Go get 'em, buddy!