Will, Meet Will (A Post By Morgen, A Friend)

Posted by on May 7, 2013 in Updates | 22 Comments

The other night we had the joy of taking our son to see Will and Angie.

Of all the visitors they are receiving, maybe not too many will poop in front of them, or grab onto Will’s finger and just hold it for ten minutes. All while fast asleep. But maybe not many are just 3 weeks old…

Our son was born on March 30, at UCLA, just two floors below the room where Will and Angie were getting ready to head home. We didn’t know beforehand if we were going to have a boy or a girl, but when we saw that he was a boy, my husband Rankin went upstairs to tell Will that we’d had a son, and we’d named him William, in his honor. Will has been impressive to us for as long as we have known him—the kind of man you’d hope your son would grow up to be—but even more so as we’ve watched him and Angie walk through this dark valley. His faith, his love for people, his equanimity, his kindness, his peace. And we look forward to our son growing up knowing Will Gray.

So we were eager to introduce Little Will to Big Will (as we call him in our family). The size differential was impressive.

size-differential

And Big Will had some words for Little Will as he starts out in life:

First he read from the Bible, John 15:12-15 (Jesus speaking) — “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Big Will went on to say:

“I want for little Will to be a friend, to learn how to be a friend, to make these words flesh. I want for him to be a friend to those around him, to know how to love and be loved by others, and most especially, Jesus. I want him to be kind, gentle, soft-spoken, slow to anger, strong in conviction, courageous, and smooth. Be a baller. And little Will, don’t be lame.”

It was a sweet evening.

And now we’re looking for a “Don’t Be Lame” onesie.

will-kiss

22 Comments

  1. jacinta
    June 3, 2013

    I love you, Will. You are a blessing.

    Reply
  2. Debra
    June 2, 2013

    I am having some things embroidered. Would love have the onesie made. Any style preference? Size? Color? This journey has God’s greatness all over it!

    Reply
  3. #GoTeamGray » A Note From Will
    May 23, 2013

    […] her efforts and belief I am alive!  I got to meet lil Will.  I’ve been able to see so many of my great friends and family again.  This is all such a […]

    Reply
  4. Autumn and Jay
    May 16, 2013

    LOVE this post!! Sending our continued prayers!

    Reply
  5. Kristy McNutt
    May 14, 2013

    So AWESOME!!! “big Will” I have EVERY prayer for you and your family! Really could not express anymore concern or how much you have touched SO MANY lives! You are AMAZING…Continue the fight! Love ALWAYS!

    Reply
  6. Kevin Robbins
    May 13, 2013

    New fundraiser for #goteamgray…. . ” don’t be lame” merch.

    Reply
  7. Kevin Robbins
    May 13, 2013

    Just curious Morgen, were you friends with Will beforehand, or did you meet at the hospital? Not that it changes anything, great example of a man, your son is named for. Congratulations on the new addition to your family

    Reply
  8. Dianne E. Carlisle
    May 11, 2013

    I think we all just witnessed another miracle. That little child has been blessed for the rest of his life because his parents knew a friend of Christ. That is so overwhelming and I hope everyone stops to realize what we have all been a witness to. A child of God has given his own blessings to a new child of God. Miracles are happening every where Will goes. We just have to open our eyes. I know we have all asked God “Why Will?” Look at all the lives he is touching and with God’s help changing. Will is the biggest MIRACLE. He and Angie’s love and faith have put lumps in our throats, tears in our eyes, and question in the strength of our own faith. Thank You Will and Angie for allowing God to use you in order that thousands of us see where we need to be in our relationship with God. Peace to You and Yours—–Dianne carlisle

    Reply
  9. Mary
    May 9, 2013

    Thank you! Precious.

    Reply
  10. Margaux
    May 8, 2013

    This is so beautiful. And thank you for sharing the pics. Good to see Will!

    Reply
  11. Annie
    May 8, 2013

    Amazing!!!!

    Reply
  12. Vicki
    May 8, 2013

    I’m laughing and crying at the same time! We will find this onesie.

    Reply
  13. Jamie Phillips Durant
    May 8, 2013

    Will and Angie,
    I’m not sure if you remember me, but I was at Union when both of you were. I have been following the blog for some time now. Praying for you guys often! Thank you for your strength to share and the encouragement your story brings! -Jamie

    Reply
  14. MIchael Green
    May 8, 2013

    Love! Love! Love!!!!

    Reply
  15. Pacific Crossroads Church – The Scope of Worship: Reimagining Service
    May 8, 2013

    […] Meet Will” – Yesterday, Morgen Wilbourne, Pastor Rankin’s wife, posted this on Will & Angie’s blog. We have been praying for Will & Angie as a community, and we […]

    Reply
  16. Dexter Williams
    May 8, 2013

    What a blessing both Will’s are to each other. This post has truly blessed and touched me today. Praying for you Will and Angie and your friends and families!

    Reply
  17. John
    May 8, 2013

    Morgen,
    Thanks so much for this beautiful update. You couldn’t have picked a better man for Little Will to model himself after. Thank you for sharing this story. What a tribute to the life Big Will has lived and is living. #goteamgray

    Reply
  18. Debra
    May 8, 2013

    This update was a blessing. Naming Little Will after Big Will validates my philosophy about names. Include in the child’s name a name of someone so that you can point to the that person and say to the child “you were named after him, because he is a Christian man of character and integrity. He is now part of your heritage.” This situation is probably one of the truest illustrations of that..ever. We continue to pray for God’s miracles and mercy days!!

    Reply
  19. Ray Pettigrew
    May 8, 2013

    Very cool post. Carry on Big Will!

    Reply
  20. Harrison Cowan
    May 8, 2013

    Thanks for the post. What a refreshing post to read. God bless you all!!

    Reply
  21. Jenny K.
    May 8, 2013

    William,
    You always give the best advice, and you deserve many namesakes. I love this picture. Praying for you and Angie continuously. I am so blessed to call you friend, and share in this journey of faith and perseverance with you. My friends here are always asking how you’re doing and praying for you. It’s no surprise that your story is impacting so many who don’t even know you personally…that’s just who you are and always have been.
    Much love,
    Jenny

    Reply
  22. Carol & Gordon Johnson
    May 8, 2013

    Awwwwwwww. How awesome, Will, you have a namesake!
    “Don’t be lame” – Priceless advice…

    Reply

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