Two kids were loaded in the shopping cart. One was being worn, and the eldest walked alongside my husband.
Their excitement . . . contagious.
It is the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. Join us.
My kids . . . love giving gifts. So when we have the opportunity to fit as many presents as possible inside a box large enough for my size 8 1/2 feet – they are up for the challenge.
Because they would want a copious amount of loot.
So why wouldn’t another child their age?
And so began our 7th year of this sweet family tradition. The legacy we have established with our brood . . . that launches our journey into the celebration of the biggest gift to have ever been given to the world . . . to us . . . Jesus.
This year, Operation Christmas Child will hand-deliver some 8.5 million shoe box gifts to hurting kids worldwide. Join us.
The boxes . . . waited. Sitting patiently for us to finish our RARE Wal-Mart frozen meal. Orange peel chicken and spring rolls.
Due to a small area . . . an attempt to streamline our packaging operations, I gave the boys a designated spot on the couch for their Operation Christmas Child box.
Operation Christmas Child uses whatever means necessary—truck, boat, plane, helicopter, bike, donkey, dog sled, even elephant—to bring shoe boxes to children in more than 100 countries. Join us.
So as to not cause fights, I pulled out three toothbrushes and those were hastily placed in the box with sticky fingers. Followed by the soap. Soap that had to be put in a plastic bag by precious stubby fingers.
They wanted the cars. And the train whistle. The toys that would delight. “Hurry Mom.”
And when we had interviewed our boxes for our own video library, we gingerly packed our items.
Praying that the next hands to touch our unique gifts would bring smiles . . . laughter . . . and a knowledge that if a complete stranger across the world loved their beating heart enough to send love in a box then so must the God of the universe.
In each box we also packed a note . . . and our picture.
Though faith is believing in something you can not see . . . sometimes it is nice to see. May we be the tangible . . . the real-factor of an omnipresent God.
Because I simply can’t fit in a shoebox.
Well, I take that back. I can fit in a shoebox, thanks to the Operation Christmas Child booth at The Relevant Conference back in October.
But there isn’t room for toys . . . necessities . . . the Gospel.
Our boxes are packed up.
Labeled.
And were taken to church tonight.
Won’t you join us?
- To get instructions on ALL the nitty gritty details of Operation Christmas Child, click here.
- Download a label.
- To see how to pack your Operation Shoe Box watch this video.
- Find a drop-off location for your Operation Christmas Child box.
- Read how this arm of Samaritan’s Purse impact people, read this.
Jodi writes over at Granola Mom 4 God, where you can find her pursuing three little homeschooled boys, one baby girl, and a large Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. In her spare time she dates her husband, ferments, gardens, and reads a lot of books.
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This is one of our favorite charities, too! We save all our Happy Meal toys throughout the year for our shoe boxes. This year, Chick-fil-a provided special Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. They're so pretty. lol
I pay for the shipping on-line so that I receive an email telling us where our shoe boxes landed and who received the blessings. It's a wonderful geography lesson for the kids.
I am so bad about taking photos of the process. I need to document the experience (stuffing, packing and collecting the boxes).
Great post and great job, mama!
I meant to pay for the shipping online . . . but forgot until they were already taking to church last night! Next year. . . . What a great idea to save Happy Meal Toys! Thanks for the tip!
What a neat charity and tradition for your kids to participate in. Thanks for sharing this, Jodi and God Bless you and your family!