Our Story
Hi, I'm Emily… Creator of Huggy Hymns! When our boys’ nighttime lullaby plush would no longer play after two constant years of daily use, I found myself in the market for a replacement. It was early 2020 and the world just felt heavy and dark. I thought, “We sing ‘Amazing Grace’ every single night. I would love to purchase a plush that plays that over my babies as they fall asleep, so they can be covered in the comfort of God!” After searching the internet, I realized that what I was looking for was not available. Anywhere. And thus, an idea {and a dream} was born. After 15 months of God working behind the scenes, Huggy Hymns officially launched in Septemeber of 2021.
What started as one little lamb and 5 simple songs has grown into 3 beautiful plush options with over 25 different hymn choices. I am humbled to be able to present these adorable and meaningful plush to you and your little one. I pray that the love and peace of Jesus envelopes your baby as they fall asleep snuggled up to their very own Huggy Hymns.
While I am beyond thankful for what your contribution will do for my family, I also want you to know that a portion of your purchase will be going to an organization of your choice that is also near and dear to my heart. You can choose to donate to research through Children’s Tumor Foundation that is working to end a genetic disease affecting 1 in 3,000 births, you can donate to children in foster care through Isaiah 117 House, or you can choose to give a portion of your Huggy Hymns purhcase to end child traffiking through Operation Underground Railroad.
Children’s Tumor Foundation will be the default if you don’t feel strongly towards any of the 3 options, as it directly impacts my little family.
Why Children’s Tumor Foundation?
Meet Preston
At two years old, my first born was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease known as Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). In short, the gene in his body that helps regulate tumor growth experienced a random mutation. This means that a tumor can occur on any nerve ending throughout his entire little body. These tumors can be internal or external. They could be extremely painful and entirely disfiguring. They also could never manifest. The hard part about NF1 is that there is no way of knowing what this progressive disease will look like for Preston. And there currently is no cure.
As a mother, the unknown of my child’s health and future with a genetic disease was absolutely terrifying. For months on end after Preston’s initial diagnosis, I found myself crippled with fear from all of the “what ifs.” I prayed hundreds of times throughout the day for God to miraculously take away the disease. Over time, and no doubt with God having moved in huge ways in my faith, my prayer moved from “heal him” to “use him.” No matter what his body was going to look like, I knew that God had gifted me a little boy who was filled to the brim with an unparalleled joy. And I knew, without a doubt, that God would use him and the journey that He had written for our family for His glory.
It gives me chills as a write this… never having had imagined that God would lead me here to this platform. But, God has this incredible ability to create beauty out of ashes. From 2018 to 2021, I had raised a few hundred dollars to donate to Children’s Tumor Foundation, the organization that is doing research to help cure and end Neurofibromatosis. And now, through your purchase of a Huggy Hymns plush, I have been able to donate thousands of dollars to this incredible foundation and the important research they are performing.
My son has recently had a few small nodules/tumors begin developing on his lower abdomen and the back of his arm, but God has given me such peace, knowing that He is in control of it all. We also hope to qualify for a clinical trial that was made possible through Children’s Tumor Foundation that has the ability to reduce these tumors almost entirely! To God be the glory!
From the bottom of my heart, with most sincere gratitude, thank you for choosing to partner with me in this endeavor.
If you would like to learn more about Children’s Tumor Foundation or Neurofibromatosis, click here.