Dear Alethia,
Daddy and I figured that it was time to get moving with the Christmas Spirit. I know you aren’t here in flesh to celebrate this season with us, but we know that you are doing well and that you are healthy, happy and safe.
We went out to get a Christmas tree with Rainy, Zeke, Cai and Nonnie this afternoon. We were about to pay the guy at the tree stand counter, but then I saw these perfectly cute little trees. You came to mind right away. I know that it may be kind of cheesy and silly, but I asked your daddy if we could get one of those little guys just for you! In remembrance of you…and how could he resist?!
Areyna and I spent the afternoon making it look perfect with colorful lights like you saw at Roma Cafe in Kampala and got absolutely silly over:) We found a star to put on the top.
We don’t know where this journey with you is leading us. Of course we are praying that you will be joining our family here in America VERY SOON, but we also know that there are NO guarantees.
Regardless of the outcome we want you to know that you are LOVED by your family, by our friends and by people you don’t even know! You won’t “get it” until you are older, but what a treasure to be able to give you when you DO understand that you are not alone in this world…
We are going to be collecting comments and emails we get on your behalf to put in little ornaments and then place them on your tree all season long.
We miss you little girl, but we’re thinking of you all the while.
Love,
Mommy
PS – If you want us to place a prayer or encouraging note on Alethia’s tree from you and/or your family just email us or add it to the comments below. I believe it will be something for her to cherish for the rest of her life!
Alethia Grace 
Alethia, we don’t even know you but we are praying for you to join your family very soon. Even though we haven’t met you, we know that you are cherished by your friends, family and by God Himself. Never forget that you do not walk alone. You are never abandoned. We are praying for you this Christmas that you will come home, but also that you will deeply feel at peace and know that you ARE home in the shelter of the Most High God. —your friends, Shawn and Jaclyn Bohanan (old friends of your mommy)
Dearest Alethia, I don’t know you personally but I know your Mommy and Daddy! We are all helping them pray for you. We all love you, Alethia and pray that you can come to America one day soon. We know that you are loved at the Babies’ Home and we are thankful for everyone who is with you there. You are always in my heart. Love always, Ms. Wanda
Alethia,
I have not and probably never will meet you or know you, but my family and I pray for you everyday. You will never have o walk alone, you will always have us praying for you every step of the way. I pray that someday soon you get to have a Christmas home with you family; God works all things together for thise that believe in Him. Have faith little one, Jeusu loves you!
Altheia- I truly believe God has a special plan for your precious life. Your story and your family’s fight for has touched many (including me). I can’t wait to meet you and see all that sweetness in person!
Blessings,
Peri
Shabi, by the time you can read this, you will have been here with your family for a while. We will all tell you the story of how you came to be with us. It is an incredible story of love. Your Mommy and Daddy will teach you about God and how he helped them bring you home. You, sweet girl, have been on an incredible journey. Yours is an awesome story. Sweetheart, as I write this, so many people are praying for you to make it here to your “forever” home and your “forever” family. If you only knew. It is an amazing thing to watch, how this tiny little Shabi has captured so many hearts. I can’t wait to meet you and hold you and love you and watch you grow. I have all the faith in this world that God will see you safely home to your awesome family, I will see you soon. 🙂 Love, Granna
Alethia, I hope you get to come home to your family soon. Merry Christmas, sweet girl.
Even though we have never met, you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God will watch over you, protect you, and bring you home to a family that loves you dearly. You are a blessing to those that you come in contact with and to those around the world that have only heard your story. Merry Christmas sweet Alethia!! May your life be blessed now and forever. Love, Amber B.
Every good and perfect gift comes from Jesus and you are a gift indeed! Your story and the faith your Mummy and Daddy have, encourage us all in our own walk with Him. We are praying for your heart to rest in Jesus this Christmas and to know how much He loves you. He has such a plan for you Alethia!
Naomi, Jeff and family
DEAR ALETHIA,
WE ACTUALLY HAVE MET. I BROUGHT YOU A DRESS TO THE BABIES HOME. IT WAS NOT THE DRESS I BROUGHT FROM AMERICA FOR YOU BUT IT WAS YOURS. I TOOK A PICTURE OF YOU AND YOUR SOON TO BE COUSIN. AS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON APPROACHES WE WILL BE WONDERING WOULD COULD HAVE BEEN BUT WE KNOW THAT GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES AND HE WORKS EVERYTHING OUT IN HIS OWN TIME. I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU AND CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU. WE ARE AWAITING THE DAY YOU WILL COME HOME. LOVE AUNT DEBBIE
Alethia, You are very sweet and special little girl who is greatly loved. I pray that you will be home will be home soon to be with your family.
Carla
Alethia, your parents’ journey to bring you home is such a beautiful picture of what God did to redeem us. Please know that you are loved and prayed over, not only by your family, but folks like me who may never meet you. And I pray that you will grow strong in the Lord, in unshakable faith like your Mommy and Daddy have. God bless you, precious angel.
Sweet Shabi,
I can hear your laughter now and the image of your precious smile warms my heart. I played with you at the Babies Home in March 2011 and you are such a lovable and jolly child. I have been praying for all of you and praying you are able to come home very soon. I pray that God protects you until you arrive and that His pathway to get you home will continue to touch lives. So many are praying for you and your family. It has been truly amazing to see the faith your mommy and daddy have shown through this journey. God is definitely at work sweet angel! I love you!
Alethia,
I am another of those who’ve not met you, but I am helping your family pray your way to them.. God loves you and so do all of us.
Stay happy and healthy, and you will be here soon.
I love you too.
Marla
Dear Alethia,
I was blessed to be ministered to by your Mom and Dad. I have known them since before your sister Rainey was born. Through the years, I have seen their hearts grow as each of your brothers and sister(s?) was brought into their lives. Their love for all of you is real and deep. It is the same love that our Father has for us. It was our Father and our Lord that chose your Mom and Dad just for you. He loves you so much that he hand picked the perfect Earthly parents for you. I pray that He will continue to work in your life as you come home to the US and join your family. I pray that God will use the journey to bring you home as a powerful testimony for your family to bring others to Christ.
I can’t wait to meet you and love on you. Until then, I’m content sending you love and prayers. Merry Christmas Sweet Alethia. You are loved and wanted so much. And, one day, when you’re old enough to understand, you will realize that Love is the most important Christmas gift there is. For God so Loved the World…
Love Always,
Jessica Burnette
Alethia,
I go to Journey Church and I have been praying for you everyday since your Journey began. A few days ago I saw a shooting star…I have not seen many of these in my life and the first thing I thought about as I saw it was you. Instantly I began to wish and pray for you to come home. I feel miracles happening for you. Be still sweet girl you will be coming home to your family soon! God is using you to change hundreds of lives including my own and I know the big gift in the end is what we are all praying for. I can’t wait until Journey gets to welcome you home.
Kelly Hales
Dear Alethia –
Last week I was with your family. Although you were not there in person, I had a very real sense of your presence as we talked about you and prayed for you. I saw your smiling face in the pictures on the wall. I slept next to Rainy in your spot of the bed. I imagined you running around with Zeke and playing cars with Cai. I thought how you would love the lights and ornaments on the tree.
We know that there is a special plan for your life in our family, and I am so eager to meet you face to face and give hugs and kisses.
Love,
Nonnie
Alethia…. God, the one who created the universe and knit you in your mothers womb… The same God who made your sweet smile and who holds all things together by the word of His power… This God is watching over you even now. In His lovingkindness He has a plan for your life and we are all watching with eager anticipation of what He will do in and through you. He is good and His love endures forever. You can rest securely in His arms. May His grace and peace be poured richly over you, sweet girl…. love you – Shelly