Baby J's Journey
We had to temporarily take down the baby blog.
Baby J updates will be posted here.
Please check back soon.
Baby J updates will be posted here.
Please check back soon.
July 14th, 2017 'Baby J' update:
11 months ago Heidi and I met with Indian Child Welfare (ICW) to discuss Baby J and the possibility of fostering/adopting him. During that first conversation we asked if it would be possible for Baby J to remain connected to his Native culture through the traditions of the tribe and a strong partnership with Heidi and I.
Considering my Christian theology welcomes the notion God is greater than one religion, cannot be limited to [my] systematics of deity, and quite possibly chooses to reveal God's own self in and through other religions and traditions we posed the question, "If we adopt Baby J, would you(the tribe) be willing to give Baby J an indian name to further shape his identity [as a child of God] and more deeply establish connection to his Native heritage?" Their answer was a genuine and emphatic "yes"!
Paired with a tentative adoption date of less than 1 month away, Baby J, Baby J's nurse, Heidi, tribal members who have become his "wayances"- (an assimilation to the Christian "God parent"), a few very close family and friends, and myself gathered today in the presence of [a] Medicine Man and participated in a Native American naming ceremony.
Thus we gathered, shared in rituals rich in history and spiritual significance, observed smoking of the pipe, and listened with open hearts to Medicine Man speak at length in Ojibwe with a conclusion of hearing Medicine Man announcing Baby J's native name-- Biidaasige. It is pronounced 'Bee-dos-i-gay' and means/translates "light coming".
I am filled with joy 'Baby J' has a Native name and am grateful for a tribe that values cooperation between traditions and religions. Moreover, I'm excited Heidi and I can give Baby J an official name of "Baby J" Biidaasige Johnson in less than 1 month through the reciprocal gift of adoption.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. It is what we draw on each day as we work towards and then celebrate the developments of a medically fragile and tech dependant child we wholly and fully love unconditionally.
Peace,
Peter
Considering my Christian theology welcomes the notion God is greater than one religion, cannot be limited to [my] systematics of deity, and quite possibly chooses to reveal God's own self in and through other religions and traditions we posed the question, "If we adopt Baby J, would you(the tribe) be willing to give Baby J an indian name to further shape his identity [as a child of God] and more deeply establish connection to his Native heritage?" Their answer was a genuine and emphatic "yes"!
Paired with a tentative adoption date of less than 1 month away, Baby J, Baby J's nurse, Heidi, tribal members who have become his "wayances"- (an assimilation to the Christian "God parent"), a few very close family and friends, and myself gathered today in the presence of [a] Medicine Man and participated in a Native American naming ceremony.
Thus we gathered, shared in rituals rich in history and spiritual significance, observed smoking of the pipe, and listened with open hearts to Medicine Man speak at length in Ojibwe with a conclusion of hearing Medicine Man announcing Baby J's native name-- Biidaasige. It is pronounced 'Bee-dos-i-gay' and means/translates "light coming".
I am filled with joy 'Baby J' has a Native name and am grateful for a tribe that values cooperation between traditions and religions. Moreover, I'm excited Heidi and I can give Baby J an official name of "Baby J" Biidaasige Johnson in less than 1 month through the reciprocal gift of adoption.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. It is what we draw on each day as we work towards and then celebrate the developments of a medically fragile and tech dependant child we wholly and fully love unconditionally.
Peace,
Peter
