Our Girls' Names and Why

Someone asked in one of the comments what the full names of our girls are. Here's an excerpt from "The Twins' Journey: The Whole Story" which will soon be published on this blog. It explains the names of our girls, Faith Lynne McMahon and Makaila Joy McMahon. We decided to tell people the names and sexes of our girls on the Saturday night before they were born because we wanted them to be able to pray specifically for each twin and the particular challenges they were facing. So here's the excerpt:

"We named Baby A, who was head down and losing amniotic fluid, Faith Lynne McMahon. Faith, because our faith is in God alone, especially when it came to this life who was in distress; Lynne, because this is the name of an amazing godly woman whom Karyn and I both respect who has shown incredible faith and love in very challenging circumstances. Lynne and her husband, Bryan (who passed away of ALS), were and still are the picture of godly marriage Karyn and I base our own marriage on (and a healthy and godly marriage is the best gift Karyn and I feel we can give our children). We named Baby B, Makaila Joy McMahon. Makaila, because it means, "who is like God". It is because of who God is, His character and His promises, that we have hope and faith. Her middle name is Joy because of the unshakeable joy we experienced (and still experience) when we found out we were having twins and the joy we experienced again (and still experience) when we found out they would be girls."

We wanted the twins' names to have meaning, to tell a story of the girls' beginnings, and to point to the hope of their futures. We wanted their names to be constant reminders to them, Karyn and I, and our family and friends, of the God that gives life, sustains it, and gives us faith, hope, love, and joy in all circumstances. We hope this makes sense to you!