Everly Jo Gascho

Josiah's perspective:

That is one of the few names that Veronica and I could actually agree on while choosing names for our future children. Our requirements were simple: the name had to be unique, not have a crazy spelling, and roll off the tongue when said in full.

Throughout Scripture, we see time and time again how a person's name often reflects how God will work through their life or the promises He has given His people. With that in mind, we wondered what the name Everly Jo truly meant. When I looked it up and saw that it meant "boar in a meadow," I was underwhelmed at first. But for reasons I couldn't explain, Veronica and I could not get that name out of our minds.

A week before our anatomy scan, we revisited our list of names. After going back and forth, I felt an inexpressible joy, the kind described in 1 Peter 1:8. I knew in my heart that our baby would be a girl, and that we were meant to name her Everly Jo Gascho.

When the time came for our ultrasound, the technician commented that the femur bone size was right on track and that the umbilical cord and heartbeat looked healthy. When it came time for the head scan, however, that part of the exam went by much quicker than expected. The technician asked who our primary OB was and mentioned scheduling another ultrasound. This did not seem unusual at the time, as babies are often in positions that make certain scans difficult. Veronica and I left the appointment feeling lighthearted, holding the sealed envelope for our gender reveal.

We later opened that envelope at a small celebration in a restaurant nearby and were filled with joy to learn we were having a daughter. That joy was quickly interrupted by a phone call from the doctor. I watched Veronica's expression change from cheerful to serious, and within moments she mouthed to me, "This call is bad."

We soon learned that our daughter had been diagnosed with anencephaly, an incomplete development of the skull and brain. This condition is known to lead either to stillbirth or only a brief life after birth. As we began to grieve, I prayed and asked God why He had placed the name Everly Jo Gascho so strongly on our hearts.

Returning to the meaning of the name, "boar in a meadow," I was drawn to Psalm 80.

This psalm calls upon the "Shepherd of Israel" to "stir up your might and come to save us" (v.2). Despite God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the psalm laments that "the boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it" (v.13). Yet it ends in hope: "Give us life, and we will call upon your name. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts" (v.18–19).

This passage reminded me that even in a broken and fallen world, God is still our deliverer. Our family is walking through a circumstance that is the result of that brokenness, as Romans 8:19–22 describes. Yet if God can bring redemption out of a world full of sin, as Romans 8:28 promises, then He surely had a purpose for giving us this name.

God brought this name to our hearts as a reminder that He is present, He is near, and He calls us not to be afraid (Deuteronomy 31:6). There is a bigger picture that we cannot see (2 Kings 6:17). The name Everly does not only mean "boar in a meadow." To us, it symbolizes that even in a world marked by hardship and sin, God's presence remains constant. The name Jo means "God is gracious" or "God will add." Together, the name Everly Jo becomes a poem of faith—a declaration that though the world is broken, God is gracious, and He will continue to add to His promises.

Our family refuses to let this hardship be claimed by grief or despair. Instead, we choose to praise the Lord, as Habakkuk 3:18–19 declares. If this story of faithfulness brings even one person closer to Christ, then Everly's life is well worth the praises of heaven (Revelation 19:1). To God be the glory.

Veronica's perspective:

Our community showed up for us in powerful ways. Their prayers were not only felt but also heard. God, in His gracious and merciful way, provided for us abundantly more than we could have ever asked or imagined (Ephesians 3:20). The way God works is so incredibly beautiful.

We knew the hospital portion of this journey would be the most difficult part. We played our favorite music on the way, tried to focus on being together and not our inevitable dread. We had made a playlist we played during the labor, which was so beautiful. All songs with reminders of God's promises. We played games during the entire 12 hr labor and had family in the whole time to distract and love on us. We were told by the OBGYN that it was very likely Everly would struggle to make it through the birth canal because of her small head. Yet, as God so graciously ordained, she came into the world after only two pushes. Labor was smooth, surrounded by loving family support. We did not have our water broken, and the sac coming out first, acted as the head would have - and pushed her out quickly.

She weighed 4 pounds 2 ounces, measured 17.5 inches long, and was perfect in every way. She was born September 10,2025. We received two and a half hours with our precious little girl before she began to cry, and then an hour later, her breathing slowly slowed until she peacefully stopped breathing altogether.

During this time both of our parents got to meet her, our siblings, and our 1.5yr old Cody. She was baptized, blessed by the chaplain, and we got prints of her feet in our Bibles. Josiah and I will never forget her or the impact she has had on our lives. The moment I saw Everly as she was born, I knew with complete certainty that we were going to be okay. She was worth everything, and God had her in His hands just as He was holding us. It was the most beautiful and indescribable peace.

We rejoice in God for answering every single prayer request we had. Though we still carry deep sorrow in our hearts, it rests beside the peace of knowing that the God who loves her more than we ever could is holding her right now. She is more joyful than she could ever have been on this earth, and we look forward with hope to meeting her again in her perfect body one day. We are that much more excited for heaven.

We were blessed to be able to donate her heart valves, a rare opportunity in newborn loss, and we are thankful that Everly can help another child have life as beautiful as hers was, even in its brevity. It was more difficult than we originally thought, we had to answer many questions and stayed up all night after the birth to do so. We made the request that Everly be kept in the room with us until the transport people arrived to take her to a larger hospital an hour away, we did not want her brought to the morgue. This request kept my mama's heart from breaking, but also allowing us to do the donation as we originally wanted.

The nurses and doctors cried with us, prayed with us, and each person who entered our room felt handpicked by the Lord. We are deeply thankful for our community and for Abel Speaks (an organization that partners with parents of babies with life-limiting diagnoses) for being the body of Christ, showing up and supporting us in ways beyond measure. The hospital staff was amazed by the love surrounding us, and what a testimony that was. They told us they hoped to see us again under better circumstances. Hope was so important during such a devastating time.

We cry and know that there are difficult days ahead. Do not mistake our peace for a lack of sorrow. Grief and joy coexist, as we have learned through this journey. As we look back on these days filled with the deepest groans of grief and pain, we also smile and remember the peace that surpasses all understanding—a peace gifted to us by God in the precious hours we held our daughter, who was always His from the beginning.

He was with us when we saw the first positive pregnancy test.
He was with us when we heard the diagnosis.
He was with us as we labored.
He was with us as we held her and she took her final breath.
He is with us now, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The same God who has worked through all of time was with us then and is with us still. He cared enough about us to give us moments of joy and countless answered prayers even in the midst of pain.

Praise be to Him.

Last updated February 18, 2026