tis the season

Hello everyone!

At this time of year I cannot say that without thinking about Aunt Bethany when she arrives at the Griswald's in all her glory.

"Aunt Bethany, why don't you go into the living room and say hello to everyone."

"Hello everyone?  I should say it?"

Yes, please.

So today is Christmas Eve and Santa is on his way tonight for most of the world, but he has already visited the Huguley home.  Two days ago Kevin and I received a great present.

Something, real nice, Clark.  Sorry, had to.  :)

We have an updated picture of Gia!  

Did you see that she's holding our photo album and the Frosty book?  Sweet!  Kevin quickly noted that she has "her daddy's haircut."  Ha!

If that wasn't enough, Gia has gotten Christmas presents from family too.  I was completely not expecting that, but it was sweet that she was being thought of even though she wasn't with us this Christmas.  It warms my soul to know next Christmas that child will be tearing through boxes and wrapping paper with us. 

Gia will be 1 year old next month, so Kevin and I wanted to send her another care package.  This time we are sending some snacks for her, inspired from a blog I saw a couple weeks ago.  

Kevin has named this outfit "going out for coffee."  Apparently it's very hipster. 

I have some things I'd like you to join us in praying for...

EP approval

Since being matched with Gia in October, the number one question we've gotten is When is she coming home?  We have gladly answered this to the best of our ability, but the answer has always been the same: We don't know.   I am happy to say that starting in January the EP (emigration permits) will reset and children will be released to their families again!  From my understanding, the EP quota was met in March or April of this year, so the EPs will resume with the April families.  We are a November matched family.  This doesn't necessarily move in chronological, but it does seem we will be pretty far down the EP list.  I'm not discouraged by that because I know that eventually she WILL come home.  I just want that travel call/EP approval to come before summertime.

Money

We still have $16,000 left to raise before we can bring her home.  I know that God has even in His hands too, but I can feel myself getting more and more stressed about it.  

• We are still planning a 5K race for March, but the progress is slower than I'd like.  
• We also applied for a grant through Steven Curtis Chapman's ShowHope organization.  We will know January 15th if they are giving any money to us.  I've been praying for $5,000.  

If the 5K does well and we are granted the ShowHope money, I will feel so much better.  Regardless, we still have a long way to go.

Speaking of raising money...

Our dear friend Andrea has offered to sell burp cloths and bibs for Gia.  They are $20 for a set.  Please consider buy some for a little one in your life.  Just let me know if you're interested and I'll make sure you get in touch with Andrea.  

Transition

Please please please pray for Gia's transitioning time.  When we saw the updated picture of her holding our gifts, we couldn't help but think that she loves her foster mom and will not want to leave.  I know we will face attachment issues and bumps in the transitioning process, but we are praying that God would start to soften her heart to this big move.  We are ready, and I want her to be too!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! 

Sending Hugs