Blessing Others & Ourselves Too

So the girls & I had a great time working on a shoe box for our Operation Christmas Child. First we went & bought a bunch of stuff for our little girl, I thought maybe this year we'd make a shoe box for a boy but what can I say...they like girly stuff.
We did hit a few snags though. Like I couldn't find a shoe box!
Normally I buy a gift box, well...it's not exactly a gift box. More like a decorated keep sake Christmas themed box thing-a-ma-jig. And it's bigger than a shoebox so getting a few more items is no big deal. However, this time I couldn't find one of those boxes so I opted for a regular ole shoe box. No biggie right??
Wrong, seems you need to call shoe stores ahead of time because they toss 'em. I mean right away, they tear em' up & toss them!! UGH!
So I figure OK, quick run to the dollar store to pick up a plastic shoe box with lid & we're set.
Wrong again.
Dollar store is all out.
So I'm ready to just sit down & cry, Oh did I mention this is Saturday & I need to turn the box in Sunday at church??
OK, where was I? Oh yea, I'm gonna throw a weeping hissy fit.
However, I remember that I have one of those plasticky box thingys at home, it's full of little toy animals but all I gotta do is empty it (where?? I dunno).
So, finally I get home & we're ready. I get the girls & we lay out all the toys, crayons, notebook paper, etc. That's when I noticed it, we had too much stuff. I just didn't know how in the world we we're gonna get all that stuff in there,
The Bear had all sorts of ideas & The Monkey gave up

Thankfully, the Hubby saved the day. He has an uncanny knack for packing things. I mean give him 20 clowns & a compact car & he'll get them in there, so naturally he took over. He & Bear sat there for a good 45 minutes putting things in & rearranging & sure enough every single item fit!! YAY!
Bear was so very happy & so was The Hubby, I think they were both really proud of what they'd done & that they did it together...

I was really proud too, but I was most proud of what happened next. Hubby took Bear on his lap & said it was time to pray. They both laid there hands on the box & prayed that the little girl receiving it would be blessed, feeling the love of Christ & come to salvation. Hubby took the moment to teach Bear to remember to be Christ to others, to be His hands & feet and to be "The Good Samaritan"

I'm really in love with that guy...oops sorry. Wandered off for a moment =)
I'm really blessed to have a man who knows to take every moment he can with his children & be an example of Godliness. I'm very happy with my little girl too, she's got a huge heart & it belongs completely to God.

Operation Christmas Child

OK, so every year the girls & I look forward to packing our shoe boxes. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, let me tell you cuz it's the most awesome thing ever!!
Samaritan's Purse is a ministry following the example of The Good Samaritan found in Luke 10: 30-37.

"After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, "Go and do likewise."

For over 40 years, Samaritan's Purse has done our utmost to follow Christ's command by going to the aid of the world's poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, earns us a hearing for the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ."

At this time of the year the mission is "Operation Christmas Child"
See, what you do is simply get a shoebox & fill it with toys, school supplies, & hygiene items. You can also write a letter to the child receiving the box & include a pic if you want to. See, it's that simple! And it's honestly fun!
Tomorrow the girls & I are heading to WalMart to shop for "our child" see, you get choices of gender & age to help picking out the right type of stuff. Last year Samaritan's Purse delivered a whopping 8 million shoe boxes!! That's 8 million smiling faces! 8 million joy filled hearts!! And 8 million children hearing the Gospel & feeling the love of Christ through His people!!
Awesome isn't it?!!
I can't wait to pick out our stuff, wrap up our box in Christmas paper, & pray with the girls for the child who will open this box. I hope you'll also get involved & send a box to a child who may have never received a Christmas gift in their life. Just think of the joy this little one will feel.
Will you let God use you to bless the "least of these"?
I know we are & I can't wait!!
Check out this video to learn more.
If you decide to make a box...AWESOME!!! Here's the link to get you started.