Happy Monday! I want to share some pictures of our shoebox packing parties. We loved our time working together. Some of the younger ones packed their boxes with such care. Ruthie was observed giving each little stuffed animal a kiss before placing it in her box. Adorable! Others gave much attention and detail to the items they put into their boxes. A number of the extended family came over in the evenings to help out.

I’m happy to be in the Denver area today volunteering with a friend at the OCC processing warehouse.

Love,
Sarah

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither
in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:18

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Collection Week is right around the corner: November 18-25. To find a location near you, visit OCC’s site.

Buying gifts for a shoebox and then packing it is a great way to encourage your kids to share with others and truly understand the meaning that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. You can also include a letter and picture in your box. The shoebox will be a gift to treasure for a child who doesn’t have much. When the boxes are handed out, they include a little booklet called The Greatest Gift. The Gospel message is shared, and that’s exciting. Think about it. A Christmas gift with an eternal impact.

OCC box preparation is in gear around here. From rolling washcloths and securing them with hair ties (practical), to putting together the boxes, to starting the assembly line.

I’d love to hear if you’re involved with OCC!

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion
one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.”
1 Peter 3:8

My sisters and nieces hosted their annual Operation Christmas Child Breakfast Fundraiser this past Sunday evening. Yes, because of scheduling conflicts, breakfast for dinner seemed best, and it worked out so well.

Anna and Mary purchase items for shoeboxes throughout the year, especially when items are on sale. After Valentine’s Day and Easter, they stock up on cuddly stuffed animals. At back to school time, they buy crayons, rulers, notebooks, pencils, etc, in quantity.

If you’ve considered doing shoeboxes, please consider it this year. It’s about five weeks until the National Shoebox Collection week. Samaritan’s Purse shows love and compassion to those in need, doing what they do In Jesus’ Name.

We’re grateful to have a family who values children, and the OCC fundraiser is a time to give to others.

Learn more about Operation Christmas Child at their site.

Love,
Sarah

Mid-afternoon, Abby, Betsy, and Tina came over to help Anna and Mary get ready. The girls all pitched in to transform the house into a Christmas whirlwind.

Betsy shared about what they typically put in the shoeboxes.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
and the Father by him.”
Colossians 3:17

Over a week period, Anna and Mary organized shoebox packing parties, inviting different family members. Even the adults enjoyed being a part of the process.

The girls have a heart to minister–whether to kids at the Bible club or in ways like the shoeboxes. They poured so many hours into shopping, planning, and then the final put-it-all-together sessions. 

The process was set up like an assembly line, and then each group received info on how to do it. Usually, it was one of each item but sometimes two. Plus, if you packed a girl box, it needed a hairbrush and a girl-themed water bottle (with hair ties!) versus a boy who received a comb and boy-themed water bottle.

It’s exciting to join others all over sharing love to these sweet kids. We love Samaritan’s Purse doing what they do In Jesus’ Name!

Now onto the delivery!

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in
love one toward another, and toward all men,
even as we do toward you.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12