Streator John: Godly Legacy and Grace





On Sunday, May 26th at 6:21 am, Streator John Thompson came into the world at 6 lbs 13oz and 19 inches long. He was born via C-section after a long trial of labor. We were relieved and overjoyed to welcome him into our family.







We anticipated getting many questions about Streator's name and where it came from. Streator John was the first name that Parker and I agreed on years before we had children. The name honors Parker's grandfathers. His maternal grandfather - Merle Stanley Lotz - was born and raised in Streator, IL. The tagline for the town is "A quiet surprise on the prairie." While some people may think of an old washed-up, ex-mining town, we think of the way grandpa talked of the Vermillion river, the family homestead, and the grocery store his father owned. We think of how hard grandpa worked to raise 3 daughters on a horse ranch with limited means. We think of the strong, resilient "Lotz" family spirit and the unfading love they had for each other. We think of Streator High School, where Parker's mom, Morene, still holds several track records. We think of Morene's own love for her family and living an honest, quiet life on the prairie.















Grandpa Merle passed away just over 4 months ago. When we were home over Christmas, we were able to spend some special time with him. On a whim, we decided to have a special ultrasound at a local clinic to find out the gender of our baby and we were so excited to find out that it was a boy. Parker drove straight to grandpa's house to tell him the news and share a little secret (Streator's name). As you know, we like to reveal our names at birth, but Parker knew that grandpa would likely witness the birth from heaven. When grandpa heard the name he said, "Well, he will know where he's from."

Click HERE to read a piece written by T. Merle Thompson about Grandpa Merle

Click HERE to watch how we memorialized Grandpa Merle from afar


John is the name of Parker's paternal grandfather, John Thompson. He is a legend! "Johnny Tomato Seed" is the real-deal. Raised on Table Rock Lake, Kansas Jayhawk, and drafted into the Korean War, Grandpa John is a family man. He is also the best banjo-picking, bread-making, fish-catching, rifle-slinger EITHER side of the Mississippi.




*Cred: JM Fager Photography

John is also the name of Alyssa's great-grandfather, John M. Leslie. A humble family-man and electrician by trade, he raised a beautiful family of 2 boys and 2 girls with his wife, Lucy. How perfect that Streator's cousin, Lucy Elizabeth Beer, was born just 9 days before him! John and Lucy would have loved to meet them!



As we reflect on the legacy laid down for Streator, we are so thankful for his Godly heritage of people who trusted God not only for their salvation but also for their daily bread. We are reminded of the strength, perseverance, and character they displayed in some of life's greatest trials. And above all we are reminded of God's GRACE. John means "God is gracious." We thought we had lost our baby for a week back in October. Those were long, scary, sad days of uncertainty. I remember calling Parker on the phone and telling him that I felt a peace. I believed that this baby would be Streator and I reminded Parker that "John" means, "God is Gracious." We praise Him for this miracle of life.

Streator John, may you come to know and be transformed by the grace of Christ. May you come to know the God of your fathers and be filled with His Holy Spirit. May you have the same hunger for adventure as your father, your father's fathers, and theirs as well. We love you, sweet boy.


Love,
Mommy




Check out one of our favorite songs by Andrew Peterson: God of our Fathers





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