Thursday, April 19, 2007

IT'S A GIRL!

Today we received an amazing phone call. We are thrilled to introduce . . . OUR DAUGHTER!!!!




She is 4 1/2 months old. Her name is Yegetanesh, which means “You belong to God.”

We are giving her the full name Anna Jubilee Yegetanesh.

In Hebrew Anna means grace. In the New Testament Anna was a prophetess who recognized Jesus as Messiah. Grace is a gift you don’t deserve. The most beautiful gift ever given. “Grace...it’s a name for a girl / It’s also a thought that changed the world...”

Jubilee means joy, but also so much more: it calls to mind freedom, rest, redemption, justice, forgiveness. The biblical concept of jubilee stems from Leviticus 25, where God instructed the Israelites to make every seventh year a sabbath and consecrate the fiftieth year—year after seven sets of seven—as a Jubilee year: a time of rest from harvesting the land, relief of debts, freeing of slaves, redemption of land. The jubilee freed the poor from the burden of debt. In the Christian tradition jubilee also calls us to rejoice in our freedom from the burden of our spiritual debts—to find joy in the gift of forgiveness through God’s grace. “Lift your voice / It’s the year of Jubilee . . .”

Yegetanesh means “You belong to God.” By grace you are ours to care for here on earth; with joy we offer you back to God.

Anna Jubilee Yegetanesh Wetzel.

Born December 7.

Born...at the right time.


Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement as we've waited for this day. Watch for more updates soon--after we spent a weekend away with the youth group!

14 comments:

RMMcDowell said...

This is seriously the second happiest day of my life. ;)

Carrie said...

I've already said congratulations once but I can't resist saying it again. Congratulations!! She's absolutely adorable.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I feel like dancing!

Anonymous said...

Wanted to pop in here to post my congratulations. There must be something in the water in Harar--all those babies are awfully pretty!

She's a peach!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I've been pestering Paul and Cat for updates and I'm so thrilled to hear you have a daughter!!! Wonderful news!
Tara

RMMcDowell said...

I came back again today to smile and giggle and cry. I love her! Oh, you too. ;)

Amy said...

We are so thrilled for you! I'm sitting here at the computer at school crying, yet with a big grin. Learning about Anna is just the first of many, many days of happiness. Congrats to you guys!

Unknown said...

AARON, HOLY COW! This is absolutely amazing! Your daughter is definitely beautiful. This made my day.

I noticed, however, that you omitted the use of the middle name 'Thor'. I thought that was a pretty good idea when you first brought it up a few months ago. Maybe you'll reconsider?

-Maxo

Anonymous said...

Wendy, wanted to say again congrats on your beautiful baby girl! She is just precious. You have always been so positve with others who have waited and now is your time to shine.
I can't wait to see your little Anna when I go to Ethiopia next week! Kim

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! What a blessing! I'll keep praying for smooth sailing to bring her home and soon!

Marc and Gretchen said...

I've looked at this page now twice, and i can't help but get teary eyed! I cannot wait to meet her. I love being able to pray specifically for Anna now. :)

Unknown said...

Yea! Congratulations!!!
To answer your question: we are from Albany.
I am so excited to see your little one! Do you know when you are traveling?

Anonymous said...

Congrats you guys!!

Anonymous said...

what a gift! she's far more beautiful than i could have imagined! God has truly blessed you both! continue to have faith during this process. i'll be praying for you both!