Mama

Names. We are all given names and we all have titles as well. Whether it's "sister," "aunt," "daughter," "cousin," etc. And that name means you are part of a family. You mean something to someone.

When I first arrived here, the kids would call me "ayi." Ayi means "auntie" in Chinese. In China, children will call any female either "jie jie" (big sister) or "ayi" depending on the age. I have been ayi for a while. While I was gone this spring, they learned my name. My actual name and now I get either "on-a-knee" or "knee knee" (which is what Sweetheart lovingly refers to me as since she can't say Anneli). 

Two little sweeties though have designated me "mama." I should correct them since the nannies are usually referred to as mama, but I just can't. If they think of me as mama, then I'm honored.

 These two precious girls who currently have no mama. Who were abandoned, left, and are waiting for their very own forever mama to find them and bring them home. So for now, yes, I will be mama. And I will gladly wear that title.

There are times when it is hard being 27 years old and still waiting for God to bring that man into my life. My deepest desire has always been to be a wife and a Mom. Well, for now I am Mom to 13 precious children. And they are some of the most precious children I have ever met. I am truly blessed.

If you are following along in the Psalm 139 reading, today's passage is found in verse 13:

"For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb."