est. 2009
Chia, 9
Chia is the middle child of a sibling set of three. Remembering back to her first days here, she was a wild one who literally wouldn't stop running. Every now and then she'd pause long enough to stare at us as though trying to figure out who we were or what we wanted with her, but then she was off again. We ran circles trying not to lose her and eventually we all stopped running ... because Chia realized she was running from the thing she wanted most: love.
Her Story
Each child's story is their own to tell so we share only the parts that are appropriate. In time, we believe the testimony that God is giving them is something they'll share to help and encourage others. Until that time, we will share those things which aren't too deeply personal but will still give you insight into the hearts and minds of these young people God has sent to us.
October 2024 Update
Somewhere along the way, someone called me (Kasey) Mom-der when attempting to say Mama and the name just became a thing. And while Chia wasn't the one to start, she was certainly the instigator behind why they still call me that today. This little wild child of a sweetheart wants nothing more than to be included in anything that offers her the stability of family. She pursues it like a thirsty one seeks after water.
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Perfectly content to exchange her comfortable bed in her room, she begs to sleep on the floor of the living room where I've slept most of this year because the airflow is so much better there at night.
In May, she broke her arm and required a complicated surgery. She was not only in tremendous pain, but she was also terrified. As she lay in the hospital bed crying and clinging to my hand, she suddenly got very quiet and then said, in English, "I want listen God." I was confused, not certain if she'd possibly broken her arm being disobedient (she was at school) and she was repentant of whatever it was she'd done. But then she made clear she was talking about hymns. She wanted to listen to music that tells her about God. I quickly pulled up the music on my phone and placed it by her head so she could listen. She calmed and was asleep within minutes. They'd given her no pain medicine but God gave her the relief she was seeking.
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She's on school break right now and visiting family for 10 days. She sent me a message today from her mother's account and it said, "Momder, tell Momder that ChiChi love her." Recently, when saying goodnight she'll hug me and tell me to tell myself ChiChi says goodnight. So getting that message from her while she was away confirmed what we already knew ... family isn't limited to shared DNA.
