Waiting 9 months for the birth of a child doesn’t seem long in the early weeks, since growth can be carefully tracked on pregnancy web sites. We can see a baby’s size go from rice-like to kidney bean to grape to lime! Each week includes major developments as God does his marvelous work in “the secret place” of the womb. (Psalm 139)

But growth slows considerably toward the end of 9 months, and baby is usually “done” several weeks before delivery. That’s when it’s hard to wait patiently.

Katy and Hans have faithfully kept us posted on Baby #4’s progress, letting us know about several episodes of intense contractions that made us hopeful we’d meet this little one early. But the due date came and went, and as of yesterday Katy, along with the rest of us, was still waiting.

Then the clock ticked into today, and God said, “It’s time!”

Andrew Kenneth Nyman (7 lb 14 oz) greeted his parents at home, just after noon British time, with a full head of dark hair and a gentle smile. Thanks to iPhones, those of us 4000 miles away got to share the joy of the moment almost immediately. We “met” him while he was still wet behind the ears and watched as Andrew’s 3 older siblings greeted him for the first time, witnessing their tender kisses and expressions of amazement.

Four year old Nicholas, had repeatedly asked, “When is the baby coming?” Today, as he looked at his new little brother, all he could think to say was, “Is it real?” Finally able to see the long-invisible, eagerly-anticipated baby, these words were the best he could find to express the extraordinary wonder in his heart.

The baby has been named well after his American cousin Andrew (and, as Hans added, the first of Jesus’ disciples). While growing up, Hans hung with a “set” of 4: Andrew-Klaus-Jo-Hans. These cousins, close in age, walked through childhood and adolescence together with Andrew in the lead, who today is an excellent example of a young man committed to Christ.

Little Andrew’s middle name comes to him from both sides of the family, Nate’s only sibling and Katy’s grandfather, both named Kenneth. But best of all are the meanings of these names: Andrew = manly, warrior; Kenneth = handsome, fiery. How wonderful to be a manly, handsome warrior with a fiery spirit!

As I talked with the Lord this morning, asking him to set Andrew’s heart on fire for Jesus, the verse he gave me (below) was God’s strong statement of commitment to Andrew Kenneth and a hope that he will be just as committed in return. This young life is already keenly important to all of us, but is even more so to the One who created him to be exactly as he is. And we are so thankful!

ANDREW KENNETH NYMAN,

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

“I [the Lord] will make an everlasting covenant with [Andrew]: I will never stop doing good for [Andrew]. I will put a desire in [Andrew’s] heart to worship me, and [Andrew] will never leave me.” (Jeremiah 32:40)                   [personalization mine]