Our second addition to Team Blansett will be Olive Angela, due to join us in this life on August 27th, 2021. If she arrives when expected, she will be exactly one year, two months, and twenty-five days younger than Aspen. It is difficult to believe that Aspen is about to be a big sister, and take on her first responsibility of guiding her new sibling through all the house manners she has learned thus far - 1.) Always kiss momma after saying amen 2.) Never forget to drop some food on the floor for Mattis and Rogue 3.) When you feel a big poopy coming on, save it for after Pappa leaves for work. 4.) Momma is not a morning person so be sure to be extra happy when she wakes you up in the morning 5.) When Pappa reaches out his arms, always reach back and smile, it melts his heart.
I know Aspen will be a great teacher, and Olive will be a quick learner!
Just a year ago I wrote about how Meghan and I decided on the name Aspen. Much in the same way, and much to my amazement, your name came very easily to us. I was hesitant due to how quickly and naturally it came to us, but there exists no title to better encapsulate the ideals we wish to speak into your life than 'Olive'.
The Olive Tree itself possess a rugged beauty fitting for a tree that was constantly shaken, having its fruit beaten and trodden down, to produce an oil fit to anoint kings and priests.
Two Hebrew words refer to the 'olive tree' - es shemen, and zayith. Both words center around the shine, brilliance, richness, and fruitfulness of the tree, its fruit, and the oil it produces. Zayith literally means 'yielding illuminating oil', and comes from the word Ziv, the month of flowers. Shemen comes from the word shemesh, meaning 'sun' and 'to be brilliant'.
From the perspective of an average passerby, the Olive Tree may seem rather ordinary in appearance, possibly even a bit messy during the seasons in which its olives litter the ground beneath its branches. The foliage of the tree is dense, and its trunk with age acquires a unique pattern of twists, turns, protuberances and thick knots. This tree, much like the Aspen tree is extremely resilient and anti-fragile due to the nature of its foundation. If its trunk is cut down, the shoots from its roots will continue to grow, ensuring its continued existence.
“There are trees in Israel estimated to be 1,000 years old that still produce fruit. In old age the tree becomes hollow but the trunk continues to grow thicker, at times achieving a circumference of 20 feet. It is an evergreen, and the righteous who take refuge in the protection of God are compared to it.” - Encyclopedia Judaica, (“Olive,” vol.12, page 1363)
“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever” (Psalm 52:8)
We pray that you will be anti-fragile in a very fragile culture. We pray that the thrashing and tossing and shaking will not tear you down, but like the Olive tree, will result in the production of an illuminating oil - perseverance and a renewed mind.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom..12:2)
We pray that you will be a blessing to a Godly husband who works with his hands and fears the Lord. We pray that you will be fruitful, and you will live to see your children's children, and be blessed as you witness the love you have for the Lord transform their lives, and their children's lives, for generations and generations.
"How happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children, like young olive trees around your table. In this very way the man who fears the Lord will be blessed. May the Lord bless you from Zion, so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life and will see your children’s children! Peace be with Israel." (Psalms 128)
We pray that you will mimic the incredible selflessness and hospitality that Angela Sheffer has always shown your Mother and I. Your middle name comes directly from her and the impact she has made on our family. We pray that you too one day will welcome strangers into your home and display your love for Jesus through your generosity and kindness. We pray that as you grow older you will be able to meet her, and she will be a mentor and friend to you as she has been to your Mother.
Olive Angela Blansett, welcome to the family. We are awaiting your arrival with great anticipation and hearts bursting at the seams.
