September 28, 2009

Welcome to our World

Salome Carmichael Strassner (we think we'll call her Sally).


8lbs, 6oz. Born September 28, 2009 at 10:56am. Both mom and baby are healthy!

Salome (pronounced SAL-uh-may) was a follower of Jesus who was also, it would seem, the wife of the fisherman Zebedee (compare Mark 15.40 and Matthew 27.56) and, therefore, the mother of "the Sons of Zebedee" - better known as the apostles James and John . Comparing these two verses with John 19.25, it is also possible that Salome (unnamed in John 19.25) was also the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus. Confusing? No worries. It is not for Salome's genealogy that we pay tribute to her in the naming of our second little girl. Rather ... we admire Salome because she seemed to always be there at the crucial moments in Jesus' life. Only she and a few other women followed Him all the way to the cross (Mark 15.40). And it was Salome (along with two more Mary's, Mark 16.1) who showed up at the tomb early that Sunday to care for Jesus' body. We admire her ... and we pray that our little girl would have similarly firm and tender faith.

Amy Carmichael was a woman of no less character. The planned subject of my annual missionary biography/sermon this December, Carmichael was an Irish missionary among the destitute girls in India (many of whom had been dedicated, by their parents, to the gods and made, as young girls, into local temple prostitutes). She rescued them, taught them, and raised them for Jesus. Miss Carmichael was also the author of a large amount of wonderful devotional literature. ... and a composer of hymns. She was (and remains) an example to us all ... including (we hope) her newest namesake. Read more about her here. We could do a lot worse than to have such a thoughtful, Christ-and-others-loving little girl!

As for Strassner ... well, that comes from me. Nothing profound there, I suppose. But we hope she will bring honor to the name. Pray with us that she would.

15 comments:

Monica said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
What a blessing ...
Praying for you all ... give my love to Tobey!

Kim Cochran said...

I have been praying for the new addition to the family! I hope to call soon and catch up! Give everyone hugs for me.

Unknown said...

Allen & I are so thankful that our new little niece is finally here and that she and Tobey are doing well. We know that she will always be loved and well cared for. Congratulations to all of you!

Jeremiah Mattingly said...

Congrats, Kurt! May she honor the Lord Jesus with her life!

Anonymous said...

congratulations tobey and kurt.
i know that the kids are thrilled as well.

makes me happy to know that folks like you are populating the earth.

keith

The Sheffields said...

Congratulations, Strassner family! We love her name and she's just beautiful! We can't wait to see her (and the rest of you) in December, Lord willing.

-The Sheffields

Trish said...

OH....so happy everyone is doing good! She is adorable and will be so loved. Congrats to ALL the Stassners from the Pihringers! We love you!

Stewart said...

Congratulations. Glad to hear our prayers were answered. May the Lord bless little Salome and her family
the Clarkes

Unknown said...

Congratulations to the Strassner family--I know you are all very happy and I bet Julia is especially excited to have a little sister. May she always be a joy to you and bring glory to God.
Love you all,
Mark and Leigh

Allen G said...

Congratulations! Praise the Lord for the answered prayers! I can't wait to meet her!

Chuck and Betty said...

Congratulations!!! God is good. We met your friends Mark and Annie Gwartney in Missouri yesterday and told them you were expecting any day. They will be glad to hear the news.

Blessings,
Chuck and Betty

Katie Larissa said...

I'm so, so happy for all of you! The baby is beautiful, but I'm praying that above all she will have a beautiful spirit and heart for Christ. Amy Carmichael is a great favorite of mine, by the way.

Katie Larissa said...

Oh, and mama sends her love and prayers.

The Irwins said...

Love the name, beautiful girl! So glad mom and baby Sally are doing well. Praying for you as you transition with your new blessing!

Love you all,
David, Jamie and the rest of the Irwin Family

ThePierrottiClan said...

Congratulations! She is lovely. Thank you for sharing.

The Pierrottis