Kaylee Anna–Her Name

Just the same as my boys, Michael and I decided on the name “Kaylee” for no other reason other than we agreed on it. We have somewhat of a tradition of making the kids’ middle names meaningful so Hayden’s middle name is “Michael” after his dad, Dallin’s middle name is James, after a very influential man in my life growing up (read the story HERE), so we couldn’t let Kaylee’s middle name be anything short of spectacular.

Around Christmastime last year, I was sitting in Relief Society and we were reading the 2nd chapter in the gospel of Luke, when we came across verses 36-38:

“36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

(Painting by Giotto di Bondone)

This woman, widowed after only four years, had served the Lord all her life in the temple and was among the first to presented the Christ-child. She only has three verses about her in the entire Bible, but what sweet verses they are and a wonderful woman to be named after.