Every year our family and our church participates in the Operation Christmas Child.  Our church collects items for Operation Christmas Child throughout the year.  Each month they have an item or two that they request donations for and in late October they have a big Operation Christmas Child Packing Party.  The girls enjoy donating items throughout the year but they really look forward to packing the actual boxes.  We were not able to go to the church’s big packing party (the girls were very disappointed) but we were able to have a packing party at home. We had so much fun doing it I totally forgot to take pictures of the process!  I was simply amazed at how many items we were able to get into the boxes.  Our kitchen table was full of goodies and we were able to get almost everything into the boxes.  The children getting these boxes will be very surprised at all the fun stuff the girls included.

How did we do it?

• We collected items throughout the year to put in our Operation Christmas Child Goody Box (toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, toys, trinkets, notebooks, books, socks, shirt, sunglasses, crafts, etc…)
• Once our OCC Goody Box was full we donated any extra items to our church’s packing party
• Throughout the year during the girls devotions we talked about helping others, Operation Christmas Child, and prayed for the children who would receive their boxes.
• The girls saved some of their money to purchase a few specific gifts for their child
• We prayed for the kids who would receive their boxes and went to the store to pick out items for them.
• We set all the gifts out on the kitchen table and packed as many gifts and treats that would fit into the boxes (the boxes barely closed with all the items).
• The girls proudly carried their boxes into church so they could be sent to their kids.
• We are continuing to pray for the girl and boy who will receive their boxes in the next few weeks.

Brina picked out items for a little girl and Karlie picked out items for a little boy.   This activity provided many great opportunities to show the girls what it is like to give to others, pray for people who we will probably never meet, to share, and many other learning moments.  The girls enjoyed donating to the church’s packing party throughout the year and it gave us an chance to discuss giving each time we donated items.

They love putting together their individual child boxes.  I am amazed at how much thoughtfulness they put into each item they pick out for their kid.  Even though we may never know the full impact their gift has on the recipient it is a true blessing to see them desiring to give generously to others without any expectation of getting anything in return.  I pray that Operation Christmas Child will be a blessing to many children this Christmas Season and for many years to come.