It's Shoebox Time---Is yours packed?

Yeah, if you can see it, hit that little green play button below-
I worked hard to embed this song!
I have better luck getting the song to play on my laptop than our iPad.
  

(If it doesn't give you the choice to play the song, so sorry....
my technical skills are fairly limited, enjoy the posting anyway!)

Anyhow: I LOVE Operation Christmas Child!  

This year we were able to pack 5 boxes-

one box from each person in our family!

After giving it a kiss, 

Chloe added a monkey (to my box!) that was given to her at the hospital when she had a minor surgery recently...it touches my heart when this project becomes personal!

 

Kelsie made sure the toys were in working order...

Sammy helped a lot......

Did you know that since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child?
 
  

 
And guess what, it's really not so much about the tangible gifts the children receive: the candy, the toys, the toiletries, the school supplies.....those are all nice and fun and I'm sure very much appreciated, but the real ministry of this project is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.  

 Samaritan’s Purse works with local churches and ministry partners to deliver the gifts, 

and share the life-changing news of Jesus with children that may not otherwise ever have a chance to hear about Him.  

 Not only do the children get a "free" tangible gift (the shoe boxes WE pack), but they get to hear about the true free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ....God's Son. 
 "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15

We love this ministry of Operation Christmas Child and their mission work to children!

And somehow, I think we are just as blessed doing this project together 

as a family each year, as the kids are that receive the gifts!

So, say cheese....and get to packing! 

We send our shoebox gifts each year as a dedication "gift"
for Sampa and Meemaw in lieu of buying gifts,
.....so this blog posting is dedicated with love to both of them
as an early Merry Christmas!
For specific tips on packing a shoebox, check out Uncle Si's shoebox...
click here: pack-a-shoebox-with-uncle-si