We are so excited that you have decided to look into the life of the Normal Beaty Bunch. We hope that these words will encourage you to fall passionately in love with Jesus and follow him with your whole life and heart!
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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A New Name "SURE!"

~In May of 2000, we received a phone call about a little girl who needed a home.  We said “Sure!” and “A” moved in with us.  She increased our family from 5 kids to 6. We adopted her about 3 years later. 
~We learned in January of 2009 that another 3 month old baby needed a home.  We said “Sure!”  “L” increased our family from 6 kids – to 7. 
~We learned later that summer that “L” had a sibling that was due to be born in March of 2010 and when asked if we were interested – we said “Sure!”  “Little L” was born (2 months early!) in January of 2010, and he increased our number to a total of 8 children! 
~In September, 2010, we learned that there were two boys needing a forever family.  We were asked to consider being that forever family - and of course we said "Sure!" "B"&"A" moved in permanently to the Beaty home on December 20th. 
We’ve moved from 5 kids to 6 kids – to 7 kids – to 8 kids – to 10 kids!!!

As we were having our biological children, we carefully prayed about what to name each one.  We decided to use Biblical names and choose those names based on that person in the Bible and what they did or stood for. 

Adopted kids come into a family with so much ‘background’ that we believe by giving them a new name we are ‘claiming them as our own’ and giving them a ‘fresh start’ in a loving, healthy family!  It’s almost like being ‘born’ into a new family.

We believe that a name change is supported in Scripture.

Many times throughout Scripture we see where God gives a person a new name ~ Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Saul to Paul, Levi to Matthew, and He even called Peter “The Rock”! 

When the time came to adopt “A”, we decided to change her name – to a Biblical name, one that we chose, so that she was ‘truly’ ours! 

In the same way – as we adopt these younger 4 boys, we are going to change their names.  Until their adoption is final – we will use their ‘new names’ as their nicknames. 

We would like to share with you the names of our children – and a line or two about what each name stands for.

Caleb Daniel ~
CALEB had faith in God and was one of the 12 spies that believed God could give the Canaanite land to the Hebrews.
DANIEL survived the lion’s den, and lived a Godly lifestyle for all of his life.

Hannah Joy ~
HANNAH prayed for a son and God answered that prayer. She dedicated her son to the Lord's service and he became a godly prophet. 
JOY because she brought joy to our lives.

Joseph Peter ~
JOSEPH in the Old Testament, lived out his faith despite the incredible trials he endured. Joseph in the New Testament was the man chosen by God to be the earthly father of His son.
PETER was known as “the Rock” and was one of Christ's key disciples.

Johnmark Isaac ~
JOHNMARK was known as the Evangelist. He went on several missionary journeys and wrote the Gospel of Mark.
ISSAC means Laughter, and this baby brought a smile to our life in the midst of a crazy period in our lives!

Sarah Faith ~
SARAH, in her old age, gave birth to a son.  She was praised for obeying her husband.
FAITH was a necessary part of her delivery and birth.

Elizabeth Hope ~
ELIZABETH was the mother of John the Baptist and was a righteous woman.
HOPE because we believed that adopting this girl would give her hope for a future.

Benjamin Paul ~
BENJAMIN was loved deeply by his father.  He was the younger brother of Joseph.
PAUL got a new name when he met Jesus, and followed God his whole life. He is probably the most famous member of the tribe of Benjamin.

Aaron Joshua ~
AARON was a priest, a great support to his brother, and made things right with God as soon as necessary.
JOSHUA was the other spy (with Caleb) who chose to believe God and go against the crowd. He led Israel as they moved into the Promised Land.

Samuel David ~
SAMUEL heard, and listened to, the voice of God. He was a Godly prophet who led Israel in the time of the judges and kings.
DAVID was a great king and a musician. He was known as a "man after God's own heart".

Noah Levi ~
NOAH was a righteous man who listened to God and obeyed Him.
LEVI in the Old Testament his family became the Levites who were the Biblical priests. In the New Testament, Levi was also known as Matthew, the disciple and author of the Gospel bearing his name.

So 
~there you have it~
a compilation of biblical names 
for a whole BEATY BUNCH!!!

Caleb, Hannah, Joseph, Johnmark, Sarah, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Aaron, Samuel, and Noah!

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