A New Name

Tim and I have been talking a lot about our daughter's name. We wanted to use her Ethiopian name, and we've also had some family names that are very important to us. We had gotten very used to calling her Lidiya, but we were not completely settled on that name.

We've decided to name her Lidiyanna Jo Franklin. We will call her Lidiyanna.

Lidiya is her Ethiopian name, and we will honor her first family and her beautiful birth country by keeping that name.

Anna was Tim's grandmother's name. We want to honor her and Tim's dad through this name.

Jo was my grandmother's name. I was named after a very special woman, and I want to honor her in this way.

Tim and I have both thought about the song I will change your name by D.J. Butler. It describes beautifully how God has changed our name. Without God, we are wounded and lonely. When He comes into our lives, He makes us joyful and confident.

Over and over through this adoption process, we've seen God's redemption, His rescue, and His love and compassion for His children. Not only have we seen it in the life of Lidiyanna or other orphans, but we have a greater understanding of how He has rescued and changed us.

God is changing Lidiyanna's name and story. That is what He has done with us.

I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, outcast
Lonely or afraid

I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, joyfulness
Overcoming one
Faithfulness, friend of God
One who seeks my face.