Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Operation Christmas Child
Two years ago a volunteer from Operation Christmas Child came to our MOPS group as part of our service opportunity. She shared with us what Operation Christmas Child was and what this one little shoe box means to so many. To sum it all up you pack a shoe box/Rubbermaid bin with hygiene products, school supplies, little toys, candy, etc and it ships to kids around the world who have nothing. The shoebox also opens a window to share the gospel and to show the children there is someone who loves them so much!! The videos were inspirational and really made you think about how blessed we are in this country.
One story was of a little boy in an orphanage who was always the last to bath (he shared a bath/including the water) and he had received a washcloth in his shoebox and that was "his" washcloth. So even though he was bathing in dirty water he felt clean because he was using "his" own washcloth.
We take for granted these wonderful things....and with only $20 or less you can make a shoebox that could change a child's life.
I have made a shoebox every year with MOPS, but his year I was called to share this idea and hopefully collect many shoe boxes from my family and friends. Rory and I packed together a shoebox for a little girl (5 to 9 yrs old), but the most needed shoe boxes are for Boys 10-14. They sometimes will receive a girl shoebox because for some reason boy shoe boxes are the ones less packed. The boys still receive a shoe box but it may be for a girl. However, if you watch the YouTube videos of boys receiving girl shoe boxes they are still elated. :)
HOW TO PACK A SHOE BOX
1) Shoe Box
Use and empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. PRAY for the child receiving the gift.
2)Boy or Girl?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or girl, and the child' category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label shown below. (I printed out a bunch of them so if you live near me I can give you one or you can just print it out from the website) Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
3) Fill with GIFTS (my favorite part)
Gift Ideas:
TOYS: (small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, jump ropes, etc) DOLLAR BIN TARGET!!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Most kids can't attend school unless they have school supplies. So this is very important. pens, pencils, crayons (crayola best..rose art melts), paper, writing pads etc
HYGIENE ITEMS: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (wrapped in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth
OTHER: hard candy (jolly ranchers), shirts, socks, toy jewelry, sunglasses etc
A PERSONAL NOTE: include a note, picture of family, address (the child may write back)
4) Include your Donation: You can write a check to Samaritan's Purse (OCC on memo line) and put in your Box $7. Or I did it online and that way you can track your box to see which country it goes too. www.samaritanspurse.org/occ
5)GIVE TO ME!! OUR MOPS GROUP IS A DROP OFF LOCATION. Or if you don't live near me you can send your shoe box too: Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child 801 Bamboo Road Boone, NC 28607 or you can look on the Samaritans purse website to see if there is a drop off location near you.
I can't stop thinking about this charity and idea, This touched my heart as I hope if will yours too!!
I can also make a box for you....or you can donate items too for me to put in a box. :)
Here are some pics from our box!! :)
You can YOUTUBE Operation Christmas Child and find lots of videos of kids opening their shoe boxes!! IT will melt your heart!! :)
One story was of a little boy in an orphanage who was always the last to bath (he shared a bath/including the water) and he had received a washcloth in his shoebox and that was "his" washcloth. So even though he was bathing in dirty water he felt clean because he was using "his" own washcloth.
We take for granted these wonderful things....and with only $20 or less you can make a shoebox that could change a child's life.
I have made a shoebox every year with MOPS, but his year I was called to share this idea and hopefully collect many shoe boxes from my family and friends. Rory and I packed together a shoebox for a little girl (5 to 9 yrs old), but the most needed shoe boxes are for Boys 10-14. They sometimes will receive a girl shoebox because for some reason boy shoe boxes are the ones less packed. The boys still receive a shoe box but it may be for a girl. However, if you watch the YouTube videos of boys receiving girl shoe boxes they are still elated. :)
HOW TO PACK A SHOE BOX
1) Shoe Box
Use and empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. PRAY for the child receiving the gift.
2)Boy or Girl?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or girl, and the child' category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label shown below. (I printed out a bunch of them so if you live near me I can give you one or you can just print it out from the website) Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
3) Fill with GIFTS (my favorite part)
Gift Ideas:
TOYS: (small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, jump ropes, etc) DOLLAR BIN TARGET!!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Most kids can't attend school unless they have school supplies. So this is very important. pens, pencils, crayons (crayola best..rose art melts), paper, writing pads etc
HYGIENE ITEMS: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (wrapped in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth
OTHER: hard candy (jolly ranchers), shirts, socks, toy jewelry, sunglasses etc
A PERSONAL NOTE: include a note, picture of family, address (the child may write back)
4) Include your Donation: You can write a check to Samaritan's Purse (OCC on memo line) and put in your Box $7. Or I did it online and that way you can track your box to see which country it goes too. www.samaritanspurse.org/occ
5)GIVE TO ME!! OUR MOPS GROUP IS A DROP OFF LOCATION. Or if you don't live near me you can send your shoe box too: Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child 801 Bamboo Road Boone, NC 28607 or you can look on the Samaritans purse website to see if there is a drop off location near you.
I can't stop thinking about this charity and idea, This touched my heart as I hope if will yours too!!
I can also make a box for you....or you can donate items too for me to put in a box. :)
Here are some pics from our box!! :)
 |
| Rory's ALL ABOUT ME PAGE to put in the shoebox! :) |
 |
| OUR SHOE BOX IS READY TO GO to BLESS A LITTLE GIRL!! :) |
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Fall Saturday's :)
We had a very busy Saturday! We went to the doctor to receive our flu shots/mists first, then a birthday party, then home for naps, and then dinner at Central Market with the Davis Family. :) It was a fun filled Saturday! :) Greg had to work Saturday, so Aunt JJ came over and took care of Rylee for a few hours while I took Rory to the party. So thankful for her!
 |
| Birthday Girl Isabella with their clown noses! It was a Circus themed birthday party! So cute!! |
 |
| Fun Games! |
 |
| Glittery Tattoos! |
 |
| Pinata Fun! |
 |
| Big Lollipops!! :) |
 |
| The mom's got the baby table and the dad's got the toddler table. Poor dads! lol. |
 |
| Cuties!!! |
 |
| Great Catching up with Misty! :) |
 |
| Kisses for Sister! Notice the wet hair...good thing we got those flu shots. :) |
Friday, October 4, 2013
Pumpkin Patch Fun with MOPS :)
 |
| My little sweet pumpkins! :) |
 |
| The point to which they realized these wagons were more then they could handle! :) |
 |
| That's not real corn, Hudson! :) |
 |
| Parking their wagons in the perfect spot before jump house fun! :) |
 |
| MOPS friends, Amy and Oliver! :) |
 |
| :) Rylee, Kelli, Hudson, and Baby Dawson (in the tummy). :) |
 |
| We having fun yet, Kids? :) |
 |
| This hay is making us itchy!! No smiles for you! |
 |
| Suzy and her pretty girl! :) |
Hubby Brag Moment :)
We have been a one car family since June. We thought we could never do it...and while it has been a sweet blessing in disguise because we have had lot's of family bonding time in the ole Jeep Compass. :) My sweet hubby rides his bike 12 miles to work at least once a week (sometimes twice) so that his 3 girls can sleep in! Love you so much, honey! xoxo
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Milestone Church Playscape :)
I have realized there are very few places where you can take a "new" walker and an active 3 year old and they both can enjoy themselves. Example: The trampoline park..Rory jumps/runs around the whole time while I am pushing Rylee in the umbrella stroller frantically trying to keep up with Rory on the sidelines. With Rylee now full on walking this "staying in the stroller for an hour or so" is coming to an end. So we love Milestone Jungle Gym! Both girls have a great time and It's FREE!
 |
| Watching Cartoons early this morning with Lauren!! :) |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)