#it bed time jn like idk 6 hours

[andthentherewasgrey]

I’ve known JM and MN a long time. In 5th or 6th grade we had to write an essay. JN made this great essay and got asked to read it in front of the class. The essay was about what he wanted to do when he grew up and his three points were get married, be an eye doctor, and have some kids. 

 Idk how serious he was when he wrote that essay: 

sophomore year, MN moved here from California and they became good friends. 

And then toward the end of our Junior year Jordan asked Michelle to junior senior banquet and at least from an outsiders perspective and maybe even MN’s, it became clear that JN was interested in more than friendship.

 They dated for the next five years, going to school at southern, 

got married the summer between college and grad school.  

They lived for three years in Memphis 

MN getting her masters in counseling and JN on his way to becoming an eye doctor. 

I would stay at their house on my way to and from Arkansas from Chattanooga. 

And then somehow we all moved back to Arkansas around the same time. 

JN taking a position at R’S eye clinic and MN working as a therapist with young children. 

Then a little over a year ago jordan’s childhood essay came to fruition when they announced they were going to have a baby! 

 On July 21, 2016 TJN was born. 

Now TN means “God’s gift” and I know that in the way Hannah prayed for Samual, MN you prayed for TN. I remember that as you were pregnant with him, you would wake up at all hours of the night not able to sleep. And instead of complaining, you would use that time to pray for TN. There’s a verse you had painted recently and you both are planning to hang up in your home and it says this: 

  5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 

So I ask you JN and MN, 

Will you first, Love Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Will you write his commandments on your hearts? Will you embody them so Theo can see what it looks like to know Jesus? Will you talk about God in your home and tell Theo about the Holy Spirit as you travel from place to place. Will you teach Theo when he is going to bed and when he wakes up that his purpose in life is to lift the name of Jesus high?

(Family, if you could stand) 

 Family, will you pray for and influence Theo by acting as role models and guides? Will you help JN, MN and TN live their lives wholeheartedly following Jesus?

(Church please stand) 

Church, Will you support and honor JN and MN as they raise TN? Will you pray for them and take ownership of this gift we’ve been given having them in our church body?

Lets bless this boy!

TJN, 

Your name rings true, you are such a gift to JN and MN and to each of us. We pray this blessing over you today because we love you and are so passionate about you knowing Jesus. 

TN, May God give you a heart of faith. May you know and Love Jesus early on in your life. Your middle name means “praise” and Theo we praise God for you. But more than that, may your soul always be filled to overflowing with praise for your heavenly father. 

As your family and community, we pray over the times in your life that will be hard. Because I’m telling you TN, there are going to be hard things. We ask as a people who loves you dearly, that there may be strong and godly ones among us set aside even now to help lead you through those times. Even as the enemy comes after your heart TN, may Jesus have all the power to fight for you because we stood here today and asked Him to. 

TJN, we dedicate you to the Lord today and all the days of your life. 

Church if you agree with this blessing use your voice to cheer and celebrate and say amen!