Her Name

Many of you have heard me use it a thousand times or you've read it and asked me how to pronounce it...but there is so much about her name that I want to share with you. In our bible study last week we were discussing names, their meanings and how they were given. I've always been fascinated at how people choose the names of their children...there are some names that make me wonder if parents give much thought to it at all, then there are others whose names are deep and rich in family tradition, some names testify to their parents faith and others are trendy or old-fashioned. Each time I was pregnant a name was one of the first things we decided on...I can remember Scott and I choosing Canaan's before I ever even comfirmed the pregnancy. Well, now were expecting another child and her name has been chosen. Upon her adoption her name will be "Aamina _______ Miller"...pronounced (ah MEEN ah). Her name is arabic for 'safe or safety'....also in swahili it means 'let it be as the Lord has said' or 'let it be so', how we say amen. We've known her name much longer than we've known this adoption was going to happen. When we first considered adopting from Ethiopia, long before we filled out even the first application, we did a simple search for Ethiopian names and found it...and when I spoke it and it's meaning I'm certain my heart skipped a beat. Aamina...'safe'. I'll never forget that moment...I was sitting in Scott's office with my sweet sister-in-law Becki...somehow I knew I would be speaking this name for the rest of my life. I believe God planted a little seed with her name and since that night He has revealed many ways it applies to the plans that He has for this precious girl in Ethiopia. We don't know if she may already have a name, if she does we may choose to use it or part of it as her middle name, but her first name will be changed. As God changed many names of His children...hers will be changed as well, for she will be "safe" at home with us. When God changed a person's name it was usually to establish a new identity. He changed the name Abram to Abraham, meaning "father of multitude". (Gen. 17:5) He changed his wife's name from Sarai to Sarah "mother of nations". (Gen. 17:15) God changed Jacob's name to Israel "having power with God" (Gen. 32:28). Simon's name was changed to Peter meaning "rock" (John 1:42). Upon adoption Aamina will have a new identity too! She will no longer be alone in this big world without a home or a family...she will become our daughter...she will be a little Miller. She will not only gain an immediate family but a multitude of family and countless friends! And the Lord will continue to work His beautiful plan and purpose for her life...HIS precious Aamina...'let it be so'. Amen.