Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen

Thursday, June 10, 2010

What's In A Name?

When we first arrived in Zaporozhye, we were told that before that first day ended, we needed to know what name we'd be giving Nadia so her birth certificate could be "re-done".  We knew that we were keeping Nadia's original first name (although the way we're spelling it is the American version of it).  But quite honestly we hadn't talked much about her middle name.  I started to panic a little at the thought of having to name this newest member of our family "under pressure".  So, I whispered a silent prayer that we would chose the right name and then Jim, Allen, Michael and I began discussing different options.  None of them seemed completely "right" but we were pretty happy with one of them.  However, when Marina, our facilitator, gave me Nadia's history from her file, she mentioned her parents' names.  That's when it hit me.  I knew that her middle name needed to be her birth mother's name.  Marina almost tried to talk me out of it but then I explained to her why I knew we had to do this.


I could just imagine the anguish of this younger mother when she found out her newborn daughter had Down syndrome.  And because of the lack of education as to the potential of people with Ds in this country (and ours for that matter), I knew that she probably felt very scared and confused.  I knew that she probably received a lot of pressure from her husband and family to abandon her daughter and just make this problem go away.

I'm quite sure she could not have imagined in that moment how beautiful and smart her daughter would turn out to be and how people's hearts would melt when they would see her smile and receive her hugs.  



I'm sure she could never imagine that the child she already had would be willing to play with and teach his/her younger sister how to clap.



I'm sure she couldn't imagine that this little baby would make her older brother/sister laugh and see life in a much better way just because of who she is.




I'm sure she couldn't imagine that a father would be willing to take the time to make sure this little girl learns how to walk steadily on her own two feet.



I'm sure she couldn't imagine that her daughter would ever learn how to read or function in a global society that continues to place people with special needs in a different category than the rest of us.




I'm sure she felt love for her baby girl when she first held her in her arms but her fears of the unkown most likely kept her believing that this was not something she could handle.
The reason my heart goes competely out to this mother, who gave birth to our new daughter, is because I too felt all of those same emotions when I first found out 12yrs. ago that the baby girl I was carrying had Down syndrome.  I was scared, uneducated, confused, and within those first 24hrs I wished that I could just make this "problem" go away.   I thank God that my faith in Him was stronger than my faith in my abilities to raise a "special needs" child because otherwise our story could be just like Nadia's parents. 

So that's why I just knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that our daughter's name needed to be:

                                                    NADIA IRINA FERGUSON

Once I explained all of this to Marina, she paused for a moment, and then whispered to me that none of her families had ever named their child after the birth mom.  I guess we'll be the first then. :)

28 comments:

  1. Okay, Kristin....do you just love to make people cry or what!! I have shown your pictures to so many people and they all get teary...I outright cry!

    I love her name. I love the meaning. I looked it up. Did you know it meant "peace." I pray that her birth mother has peace and somehow knows her daughter is so loved and cherished. I know there is peace (and beyond) in your family. And what a peaceful soul you will cherish in that little Nadia.

    So, Nadia is "hope" and Irina is "peace." You sure you didn't plan that?

    More blessings.
    Gretchen

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  2. What a doll your little Nadia is. Great choice on her name too. I bet it would honor her birth mother to know that you chose a name so that Nadia will always remember her. I pray you are able to get your little girl home quickly!

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  3. Wow, this post was just beautiful...how truly wonderful you are...

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  4. This is a wonderful post, Kristin. Great photos too! Nadia looks totally at ease with you all now. Love the shot of her with Jim. She looks so big in that one! Nadia's birth parents cannot possibly imagine how God has watched over and blessed thier little girl. He has had His eyes on her from her very beginning! And now for you to honor her biological mom with Nadia's middle name...perfect!

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  5. Beautiful Kristin. Just Beautiful.

    I love it. I have always kept Artioms moms name in my heart, it's Natalia. If he would have been a girl I would have done the same. We made his last name be his middle name.

    'Nadia Irina' is as lovely as can be, and the reason behind it is even lovelier..

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  6. PERFECT!! You are a very kind soul, Kristen. I am sure that Nadia's mother would find "peace" knowing that she is being well taken care of (and the a true piece of who she is and where she came from will always be honored).

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  7. Oh Kristen, that is just beautiful!! You are a wonderful woman to include Nadia's B-mom in her name. She is a very blessed little girl!!

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  8. Yep, made me cry. And the pics of little Nadia and her new family are just so PRECIOUS!

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  9. Love your heart! What a beautiful name!

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  10. I get it. I really, really do. And I love the name--it is beautiful and perfect for your little girl. Miss Nadia is unbelievable. I am so happy for you all :)!!

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  11. Been following your blog for a little while now... I think it is a beautiful thing that you are giving Nadia her biological mother's name to keep as a part of her; your heart is huge for you to honor the woman who gave you your beautiful daughter. Beautiful...

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  12. What a true family of God and a true mother that thinks outside the box and honors the woman who you can identify with so much. You need to write a book (you already have the words and the pictures). I volunteer to be your editor and will buy the first book. Nadia Irina is one lucky little lady and it seems that all the Ferguson men are quite in love with this little girl. Mom and the girls will have a lifetime of fun memories and they all started this week!! We love you guys and can't wait till you get back to Raleigh.
    Jan, Jeff, Taylor, and Ryan

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  13. Beautiful name....and it was perfectly decided on.
    Kim Baumann

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  14. Beautiful story. Could you have imagined that twelve years ago, you would be at this place? Love, Shelley

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  15. oh geez, you have me crying again. Absolutely beautiful and so touching. She's going to love the name you've given her for every single reason you chose it for her.

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  16. Ok, so all of us reading your Blog are crying!

    What a powerful tool, my friend, you are in speaking redemption ... to literally the world. What a work of God over the years to move you out of fear and in to power, strength, and love.

    It's so easy to see the joy in Nadia and in your family as God's plan is being fulfilled. All along, He knew! He knew! And you are just the right person, at the right time, to fill this piece of His amazing puzzle.

    A long time ago we talked about the box and how we felt about the box God had given us. I can't help but think, sweetie, that you got something far beyond what you ever asked or imagined.

    Congratulations on walking by faith to find the greater treasure that He had for you!

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  17. What a beautiful post--and so lovingly written by a mom who has walked the same hard path that another mom has walked. Nadia is so beautiful and looks so relaxed and happy in the arms of her family! God is amazing!!

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  18. i've just "met" y'all and i'm so thrilled for your precious family! praying for y'all during this exciting time! hugs!

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  19. Wow, wow, wow my friend--it never ceases to amaze me how God is just soooooooo amazing. What a POWERFUL post! He never told you her middle name before today, it was not the right time. So incredible. What a wonderful story you will have to share with Nadia (who is absolutely GORGEOUS, by the way) some day.

    Hope you're all doing okay over there. Trusting for a speedy process so that you can all come home.

    Loving you and sharing in your joy.

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  20. Sweet tears of joy for you and your precious little girl! Loved the story of her name. It's beautiful!

    Praying that you are able to get the paperwork done quickly and that you are soon able to come home with her.

    Blessings
    Leslie
    www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen

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  21. Oh Kristin, I'm not sure what is making me cry harder. The precious photos of you all with her or the amazing story behind her beautiful name.

    Perhaps the reason you are the first to name your child after the birthmom is that you are the first to truly understand what she went through.

    Beautiful post. Beautiful heart.

    Much Love,
    Kathie

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  22. Wow.....very powerful post. Just when others are thinking of the bad things that are happening in the world and to children, there you and your family are making so much good. God working through you and your family is AMAZING! I am deeply touched by Nadia Irina's beautiful name and the story behind it. YOu are such a beautiful person my soul sister....no words can quite describe just how beautiful....

    My favorite picture so far....the one with you and Nadia in this post looking down at each other nose to nose......you can feel the love jump right out of the picture.

    Love you!

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  23. I've been away from the computer for a few days, but I've been praying for you. Praise God for this beautiful, loving little one. She's so precious! Can't wait to see her in person. Your post today is so special. Nadia is one blessed girl! Blessings to all of you from the US!

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  24. That was my favorite post ever!!! I love the pics!! Her middle name is soo precious!!!

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  25. Nadia Irina--what a beautiful name! And what a beautiful legacy you're giving Nadia Irina before she even knows it--as a mother who chose her & loves her dearly, but also as a mother with an understanding of her birth mother's heart (you wrote so beautifully--Nadia will know she was loved by 2 women; though, when the time comes & she's doing all that reading you wrote about, she'll probably make it through the post w/o sobbing unlike, uh, some people :-). I've been praying her birth mother will enter the kingdom soon that she can one day be with the Mom who gave her daughter a legacy of faith and love.

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  26. What a beautiful story and tribute fitting for your daughter and her lineage! So glad to have read this and see how beautiful your heart is and how God is growing you in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus!

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