day no. 12.732: calling an audible

In keeping with the new football season, Team Van Voorst has called an audible.

Our new daughter will be named Laurelai Rush Van Voorst.

The previous name never really settled in for whatever reason.

It was essential that the name included an homage to Lauren.

Our original idea to do this was to name her Lauren Schaeffer and then call her by her middle name.

So we spelled the traditional Lorelei as Laurelai to be more directly reflective of her aunt Lauren.

Rush is a family name on my wife's side.
 
In fact, if Paige had been a boy, her name would have been Rush.
 
Lastly, Paige's great grandmother Laura Elaine Rush passed away earlier this year.
 
Paige likes the idea of calling her Lulu for short.
 
I like the idea that Laurelai doesn't really mean anything.  All of our other kids' names are the same way.  Atticus, Penelope and Finneas are all names which have unclear meanings.  But the names themselves have become synonymous with certain characteristics based upon the people who have worn the names most boldly.  Atticus means fatherlike because of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Penelope means faithful because of Penelope stayed true to Odysseus despite the extenuating circumstances.  Finneas means zeal because Phinehas was zealous for the LORD. 
 
In that manner, Laurelai means "like Lauren."  Which is to say it means a Christ-loving, servant-hearted, beautiful young lady.  That is who we hope our daughter to be.  Laurel was used to fashion the crowns that were given to atheletes who bested their competition in ancient olympic-like games.  Laurel just means the plant.  But it became synced up with VICTORY and HONOR. In the same way, we hope our daughter is one whom others would associate with honor.  Additionally, it is my honor to be given the joy of being her dad.
 
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

 

²⁴ Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. ²⁵ Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. ²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

 

Crowns made of laurel eventually dry up and turn into dust. Just like us and our laurels.

 

1 Peter 1:24-25

 

²⁴ For

 

All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like a flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures forever.

 

And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.

 

Our laurels are pretty magnificent.  We can do amazing things by God's grace.  But there is only ONE thing that lasts forever.  The Gospel of God revealed in Jesus Christ will endure FOREVER.

 

The only joy and crown in this life that matters is leading others to Jesus.  May God grant me the favor, wisdom, creativity, patience, and grace to be the one who gets to lead my daughter to faith and faithfulness in Jesus Christ ALONE!

 

Philippians 4:1

 

So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.