Our Christmas Update 2008

Samuel is finally here. He was born on September 5 at 3:18am. Amy labored for 3 hours and had one good push, and there he was. Both Amy and Sam are doing great! Grace is very happy to be a big sister and Noraa has kind of noticed he's here. We've had lots of visitors and everyone is so excited that he's a boy. It seems like a lot of friends had been hoping that he would be a boy. I would have been glad either way, but I am definitely looking forward to the Father/Son experience. The other thing that people comment on the most is his name. He has 4 names including 35 letters! Samuel is one of our favorite Bible characters. He responded when the Lord called his name, and he also anointed King David. Harrison is a family name. My cousin Brooke had a son named Harrison who was born with Spina Bifida, and spent his life in a wheelchair. He was a major blessing and inspiration to our family and everyone who knew him. He was extremely smart and I can't really say enough here to capture who he was. Harrison passed away when he was 9 years old due to complications in surgery. So, Samuel having his name is to remember and honor Harrison. Churchill is also a family name. My Grandpa on my mom's side was Harry Churchill. My middle name is Churchill and because my grandfather had no sons, the name would end with me, if I didn't carry it on. My mom and my Aunt Paula regularly mention how much I remind them of Grandpa Churchill. These names are important and mean something, and it just so happens that the name sounds really cool, at least I think so. Sam is the next step in a legacy from Amy's side of the family and mine. My dad gave me a name and my responsibility is to keep the name respectable and solid. I will do that and pass the name to Samuel as solid as it came to me. However with all that said, my most important prayer is that Samuel will answer when the Lord calls his name.