Evangeline

I named Eva after a character in the book Uncle Tom's Cabin. When I first read the book, I fell in love with the character of little Eva St. Clare. Her name sat in the back of my mind as a top name choice if I were to ever have a baby girl of my own.

I did have a baby girl! And Eva is the name we picked for her. Yet, for some reason, it never seemed right. It bothered me so much that about a month ago I asked Damie if he would mind if I just called our little girl by her middle name (Hope) instead.

Damie wasn't super thrilled with the idea but gave it some thought. He then asked me if I liked the name Evangeline. It sounded strangely familiar. I ran and grabbed my copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Flipping through the pages, I came upon Eva St. Clare's real name - Evangeline.

Evangeline means "Bearer of Good News" and is a much better fit for our little Eva.

So our little girl is now officially named Evangeline Hope Lasater. We will still call her Eva, but now she is the bearer of good news!

Eva's middle name came about when we were in the hospital after she was born. Damie and I were in the middle of a very difficult season and were both extremely discouraged. When Eva arrived, we both felt a rush of hope. We were filling out the hospital paperwork trying to think of a middle name when Damie suggested Hope. It was the perfect middle name and perhaps even prophetic!

In the months since Eva joined our family, God has done a miracle in our hearts. We are full of hope. God healed our marriage and transformed our parenting. Our home is now filled with peace, joy, and hope!

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. ~Ps. 30:11-12