Baby Kiah

I have had the amazing opportunity to name one of the newest babies that has arrived at the foster home. When I arrived in China almost 2 months ago, I was told that I would be able to name a baby but didn't know if it would be a boy or a girl. So for the past 2 months I have gone through names trying to figure out what to name a baby. I mean, I've never named a child before! After tossing around several names (and finding out I would be naming a little girl), I decided to name her Kiah for three reasons. First, as many of you know, Kiah is the name of my precious 9 year old sister from China. My Kiah played a huge role in me actually being in China right now. Ever since we adopted her almost 8 years ago, I knew I was being called to China to love the orphans. The second reason for the name is the meaning. Kiah means "God is strength." It's pretty self exlanatory if you ask me! The third is the fact that Kiah was absolutely THRILLED when I asked her if it was alright that I name a baby in China after her. To say the least, she was pretty excited.

 

Baby Kiah arrived at the foster home yesterday, March 11th, after we had left for the day. I met her for the first time this morning when I learned I'd be naming her. She was born on January 7, 2010, therefore she is just over 2 months old. She is from an orphanage about 8 hours away by train. She was abandoned at about a week of age at the local hospital where she was then taken to the local orphanage. She is a heart baby, so it is believed that her birth parents knew this and also knew that they would not be able to afford her heart surgery. Therefore, she was left in hope that she would be found by someone who would be able to help her. I believe that her mom loved her so much that she was willing to leave her in order for her to have a chance at life. I was able to hold her this afternoon. Let's just say I almost started crying when I held this tiny 6 lb. little girl. I probably would have except for the fact that she was crying! So many thoughts were running through my mind one being I can't even begin to imagine what her birth mother went through.

 

Please be thinking about baby Kiah. I feel so blessed that I was able to name her especially after the little girl who I love with all my heart.