A Name & A Blessing

It is tradition in the church to publicly name and bless children shortly after they are born because of a revelation given in the Doctrine & Covenants: "Every member of the Church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in His name." 

You really don't find many little gentlemen quite as handsome as this one.  I absolutely loved this tiny white tuxedo on Mr. Hyram.  He was such a stud! :)  We were grateful to be able to have a lot of our family come for Hyram's blessing the week after Christmas.  David blessed him in our ward on December 30, 2012.

Hyram David Love 

Hyram is such a smart, sweet, pleasant baby.  He is cheery and knows what he needs and wants.  It has always been simple to help him stay content.  We are so grateful to have this precious and hilarious baby in our family.  His name was one of the only male names David and I agreed on from the beginning.  We thought of a lot of others, but always came back to Hyram.  I really liked the "H-i-r-a-m" spelling, and David was partial to the "H-y-r-u-m" version.  We met in the middle, inevitably securing a lifetime of correcting others on misspelling his name.  Sorry, buddy.  David won the Y and I kept my A.  Poor kid.

I keep a little journal to Hyram and write him letters and stories from time to time.  This is the entry I wrote to him about his name:

Sunday, September 16, 2012

"Dear Hyram,

Dad finally gave in and let us make a decision about your name.  Last week, I was sitting in church thinking about the names we had picked out for you.  I flipped through the program and looked at all the boys' names in it, and looked through the hymnal at all the male [composers'] names...but then, the thought came to my mind, "Why are you still looking?  You already know his name.  His name is Hyram."  So, there you have it! Hyram David Love! 

I've done some reading and learned about some of the famous Hyram's of the past, and I think it will be a fitting name for you.  You have a lot of wonderful examples to look to from each of your names.  The original name "Hiram" is a Hebrew name that literally means high born or born of royalty.  You are a child of God, Hyram!  You are a prince, preparing to become a king yourself.  Hiram symbolically means My Brother is Exalted.  You have a great work to do in this life.  You will be our eldest son, and it will be your job to set an example for your younger siblings.  It will be your job to lift or raise up those around you and be a strength to those who are weaker than you.  I hope to help you to learn to be kind and selfless.  I hope you learn to lead by your strong example.  I hope you are able to develop charity and compassion toward your fellow men. 

I've learned that Hiram in the Old Testament was the Phonecian King of Tyre.  He was friends with David and Solomon.  He sent craftsmen and artisans and supplies to Solomon to help build Solomon's temple.  I think you will be able to build up the kingdom of God by attending the temple and making the temple a priority like King Hiram did.

Hyrum Smith was the older brother of the prophet, Joseph Smith.  He was always loyal and faithful, and stood by his brother's side, even until death.  He supported his brother in everything he did and stood for.  You can be a strength to your siblings the way Hyrum was for Joseph.  They will always be able to fin an ally and a friend in you.

Hiram Page was another prominent member of the church.  He was one of the eight witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and showed great faith in the gospel.  He once found a stone that he thought was a seer stone, giving revelation.  He was reprimanded for this, and instead of becoming offended, he immediately ground it to dust.  You can follow his example by being humble and teachable, and choosing to repent when you realize that you can do better and become more like the Savior.

Hyram, your name can help you to think of those you have gone before you, but you will do amazing things on your own and create a new legacy for the name.

Your middle name, David, is after your dad, who I've already told you is the best man I know.  If you follow his example in all things, he will always lead you right.  The name David means beloved.  Just like your dad, you are so loved by me and your family, and your father in Heaven.  We are all so excited to see the great things you will do in this life.

Your last name, Love, has a long legacy of men and women who have tried to live up to the word.  I am sure that Grandma Love will teach you a lot about those people.  She loves family history, and she is a wonderful story-teller.  You can always think of your last name and try to emulate the love of the Savior. 

So, Hyram David Love, we are so excited to meet you and to see what you do with your name!"

Love, Mom

Proud Parents 

What a grand group of Priesthood holders.  Hyram has so many great men to look to for examples.

Cousin Spencer, Uncle Chris, Uncle Garet, Dad, Hyram, Grandpa Telford, Uncle Rob, Cousin Charlie, Grandpa Love 

Italian Sodas & Twinkle Lights

David and I live what I would call a simple life.  We go to bed early most of the time.  I pretend I get up early most of the time.  We live off of a budget.  I save yogurt cups for art projects and sour cream containers to use as Tupperware.  Sometimes, especially after spending a moment or two on Pinterest thinking about my {in my} dream{s} home, I feel like we are such lowly people who will never be able to make it in this world.  It seems like we will never have enough money to do anything.  I fear that I will become a mother who survives off of WIC and has to take her kids on nature walks every day because we can't do anything else.   But then...I think of this:

Now, I have no idea where these statistics came from.  It is possible that some crazy liberal made them up to make people feel bad although I doubt that.  Regardless, I forget how fortunate I am.  I was able to find a job within one month of graduating in the field I chose.  {It's not anyone else's fault that I chose the lowest paying four-year degree requiring occupation.}  We are far richer than the majority of students in our same situation.  We have a roof over our heads, plenty of food, a savings account with money in it, a car that works all the time, clothes to wear, a piano that provides us a source of additional income, good friends, supportive family, and each other.  Okay, so maybe I don't have this:

or this: 

or this:

 or this:

 or this:

 or this:

BUT...I do have David.  I have a husband who is kind.  He leads our family with authority and gentleness.  He constantly tells me how great I am and how beautiful I make the world.  We have no less than six sets of scriptures to read in two languages to search the word of God.  We have a kitchen with matching red appliances.  We have bikes to explore the world on.  I have the confidence of knowing that I can trust the man I spend my days with, never doubting anything.  I have emotional security.  I have the financial peace of knowing that my husband tracks every single dollar we earn and never lets anything go to waste.  I have students that spend money on Scholastic book orders and earn me free books.  I have cool weather that I can stay dry in after I have showered.  I have a home with carpet on the floor and milk in the fridge and no need for cockroach bombs.  I have ice cream in my freezer.  I have a degree from one of the best universities in the world.  I have knees that can kneel in prayer.  I have a voice to speak my mind.  I have love.

Yesterday as I was thinking about how hard life will be in the future and all of the financial burdens that might be placed upon us, I became overwhelmed to think about how we will ever attain anything.  But then I realized...I already have everything.  David and I spent the evening last night out on the town.  We met at the Friday Night Farmers Market. We walked hand in hand talking about our days' activities, actually interested in what the other had experienced.  We stopped to talk to friends and neighbors.  As it got dark, each tent sparkled with twinkle lights casting a lovely glow on the tabernacle behind us.  We bought Italian sodas and enjoyed one of the last beautiful evenings Rexburg will be willing to produce for awhile.  It was picture perfect.  As we walked around together, I realized that I am the luckiest girl in the world.  I may not have everything the world tells me I should want, I may not even have all of the things that I want.  But I have everything that matters.  I am happy.

In the end, we have been promised that we will never want for anything if we strive to keep the commandments:  "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ...for your heavenly Father knoweth that yea have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."