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called and kept (+ baby name reveal!)

The time for #5’s arrival draws nigh! We are ten days away from the big day—June 8. So far everything has led us to expect a safe and healthy delivery (c-section), but please pray for us all the same.

Valor seems to be looking forward to the arrival of his little brother, as far as he understands it. He declares that when the baby comes, he will teach him how to play with baby toys. He spontaneously hugs and kisses my belly and smiles and laughs. I hope this means he is getting ready to go through major changes with a positive attitude. We will all need God’s help to adapt gracefully to having two children at the same time.

After three weeks of gradually waning enthusiasm about potty training, we quit and decided to wait and try again later. I think that Valor can do it if he wants to, but all the rewards and encouragement we could give him weren’t enough to make him want to do it in the end. He said at one point that it was “too hard.” So he’s back in his cloth diapers until the time that he decides he’s ready. It was very frustrating for me to “give up” (I felt like I failed!) but it was also a big relief since by the end I was having to fight him about it.

Here’s something I want to remember from this time: Valor loved reading a library book about the human body and the five senses. That night at dinner, I asked him to tell Daddy what his five senses were. He responded slowly, counting on his fingers: “Tastin’. Touchin’…Runnin’, walkin’….an’ strollin’.”

If you know us you will not be surprised that we had a hard time choosing a name for #5. Boy names are a challenge for us since we already used both our fathers’ names for #1 (James William) and chose a very unusual virtue name for #3 (Valor Edwards). Plus our last name is a bit of an eyebrow raiser already. After months of prayerful consideration, we are really happy with what we have chosen.

Dear Percy,

 

Your full name is Grant Perseverance Gjertsen.

 

We receive your precious life as a gift or “grant” from God. We have prayed for you, and God has granted us a healthy son, not because of our own merit or deserving but because of His gracious generosity. We do not take your life and health or the responsibility for nurturing you lightly.

 

Your parents remember your siblings that have gone to be with Jesus, and we hope someday you will also understand that you are #5, not #2, and that your life is a gift. And we pray that one day you realize that, like them, you were bought at great price, and that your joy will be to treasure and glorify the One who created you and spent Himself to rescue you. He has sustained you for a purpose.

 

The world will endeavor relentlessly to unseat this purpose. In prosperity, you will need persevering faith to esteem the Giver more than his gifts. In affliction, you will need persevering faith to hope in a Redeemer and not despair in your circumstances. All around you there will be evidence that God’s word falls on some hearts only to be devoured by birds, scorched for lack of roots, or choked out by thorns and cares (Mark 4). Some who wait for the bridegroom with insufficient oil in their lamps will find in the end they are unknown and uninvited to the wedding feast (Matt. 25). This is very sobering.

 

But do not lose hope. Perseverance is not only commanded, but supplied! To the same church the apostle Paul wrote “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12), he also wrote “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). What a precious doctrine is perseverance of the saints!  The sustained, never-give-up life of persevering faith is the very evidence that the one who rescued us is never letting go.

 

So “Grant Perseverance” is not only your name, but also our prayer for you. A life of faith marked by endurance is something God must grant. It will require hard work, but the reward will be worth it. Your siblings all have “life verses” which are meant, at least initially, to guide the way we raise you. Yours is James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (NIV).

 

With much love in anticipation of your arrival,

Mom & Dad

15 thoughts on “called and kept (+ baby name reveal!)”

  1. Abby, you look great!!! I was wondering when your c-section was, so now I’ll put it on my calendar to be praying for you that day. That’s the same day I’m officially full-term. I love the name! Can’t wait to see pictures and eventually meet little Percy. 🙂

  2. As a tender youth, I had both Percy and Algernon picked out as possible kid names (darn that British lit!).
    You beat me too it.
    I obviously waned over the last puzzle, but Chris and I found the castle on google maps and looked about at neighboring roads. Some of the names were, well, not human.
    Let me know about the stocking!

  3. Love the name. Prayers that all goes good with the c-section, they are not easy to deal with but Abby has a great little helper. I know Valor will just love having a little brother to play with. My 2 older boys are 2 1/2 years apart and it’s been great watching them grow up, they are now 17 and almost 15.

  4. I am so grateful with the expectation of the arrival of Grant Perseverance as a wonderful addition to the House of Gjertsen. There are many people throughout the world who are rejoicing with you as you wait for this incredible gift. Praise God for His abounding grace and faithfulness!

  5. Love the name and LOVE these photos. The one of Valor eating the strawberries is perfect (except for the missing strawberry juice that would be running down my arm)! 🙂 I always enjoy reading your news and updates. Makes it seem like you are not all that far away. 🙂 June 8 is on my calendar!

  6. Awesome name!!
    I will be praying for a safe and healthy arrival for Percy.
    You look beaming, Abby!
    Can’t wait to meet the newest addition!
    Love

    Sabrina

  7. Great to read your update! Eagerly awaiting June 8!!
    Love your deep and profound letter to Percy.
    Love
    Patty

  8. Words cannot express the excitement and blessing we feel to anticipate the arrival of our gift from God. It has been a privilege to walk this leg of the journey with you and we anticipate more love and memories to come…you all are such a gift in our lives and we love you very much.

  9. Hi Gjertsens! I’m just catching up on your blog. O wow! The big day is tomorrow! I’ll be praying for you guys all day. I love #5’s name. I love the letter to him. I love how Valor is so beautiful and loving towards his baby bro already. And as for the potty training thing, my pediatrician (who has 7 kids) told me to not even try training until after the baby is out and everyone is settled. The big kid always regresses a bit, so you will be doing double the work. But you guys have figured that out already. Love you!

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