Thank you for your interest in learning more about my name. “Elyse” is my English name, given by dear mother-in-law in 2005. I love my English name and its meaning ( a child of God; promise of God). Married to an American husband, I learn to embrace my American identity starting from embracing my English name. Meanwhile, I don’t want to give up my Chinese root. That’s one reason we are settled with the site name 3rd Culture Living.
Knowing my Chinese background, a lot of friends asked about my Chinese name. I appreciate their respect to my ethic root and efforts in trying to pronounce my Chinese name. In reality, I prefer to be called “Elyse” by English speakers. However, I am delighted to explain a little bit more of my Chinese name here as well. I grew up in China and I am eternally grateful for my parents for their decision to keep me as a second child, despite the government’s “One Child Policy” pressure. They gave me the beautiful name “Yunhong (云虹)”, which means “cloud rainbow”. After I have become a follower of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I am encouraged by so many references to “cloud“(Exodus 24:15; 40:38) and “rainbow” (Genesis 9; Ezekiel 1:28; Rev 4:3, 10:1) as a sign of God’s presence and His promise in the Holy Bible.
What a joyful surprise to realize both of my names could carry similar hopes! God is in sovereign control of my name, my family, my circumstances and His plans are higher than mine, and my parents’. My life is not an accident, neither is yours! He knows my name and He knows your name as well! If you want to know more about Jesus and His promise to all His children, it would be a privilege for us to walk part of this seeking journey with you (See “Good News“)!
3rd Culture Living 