No. 2 Pencils for Christmas? In August?

As you know, annual Back To School sales are in full swing in stores right now! Every year, the end of summer sales make me want to run out and buy crayons and pencils and pink erasers and glue sticks and spiral notebooks. And, a lunchbox! And, hey, while we're at it, I'll take a couple of Lisa Frank folders too! But, sadly, the only one who is going back to school from my house these days is a fellow who claims that his only needs for the new year are a file folder and some new posters of France. Erg.
If you're in the same I-wanna-buy-school-supplies-because-it's-almost-September-but-I-really-don't-have-a-need-for-any-of-it situation as I am, I've got an exciting secret to share! Right now is the best time to buy school-related things to stuff into your Operation Christmas Child box!! The boxes aren't due for a few more months, but buying school supplies during major sales (now!) is the frugal thing to do!

If you're not familiar with Operation Christmas Child, I'd love to share a little bit more with you. Operation Christmas Child is an organization that collects millions of shoe boxes full of small gifts from generous people around the world (like you!). Donations are collected ($7/box), and the boxes are shipped to countries where they are needed (so far, OCC has reached 125 countries!). The boxes are distributed to children who are living in poverty--who, most likely, will not receive any other Christmas gifts. Each child who receives a shoe box also receives a copy of a book called The Greatest Journey (printed in his/her own language), which contains a 12-week discipleship program to teach them how to become followers of Jesus Christ.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry that has been close to my heart for many years. I highly encourage you to take advantage of this easy opportunity to bless a child across the world this holiday season. If you have children in your life, get them involved too! This is a fun way to teach kids about giving and loving their neighbors--even the ones who live on other continents! By the way, if you make your $7 donation online, you receive a bar code to place on your box, and then you are able to track your box to its destination. Fun--and an easy educational opportunity! If you are interested on helping Operation Christmas Child with their ministry this year, now is the time to get started! You can click here to learn how to pack your box. Collection Week this year is November 18-25, so there is still plenty of time to put lots of thought and love into your box-packing. (But, like I said, NOW is a great time to start shopping!) If you have any questions about how to pack or donate your box, I would be glad to help you out in any way I can. Happy "school" shopping!

Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child is an organization that is very close to my heart. I've been packing shoeboxes for years, and it never gets old! If you've never heard of Operation Christmas Child, I can't wait to tell you about them! "Operation Christmas Child demonstrates God's love to hurting children in a tangible way by partnering with churches worldwide to deliver gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of Jesus Christ."
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ
It's simple, but oh so big. Here's what happens: Decide whether you want to make a box for a boy or a girl, then choose an age group (2-4 yr, 5-9 yr, or 10-14 yr). Next, fill a shoebox (or two!) with small gifts that a child will enjoy. Some of my favorite things to include are crayons, stickers, matchbox cars, play jewelry, and a stuffed animal. It's also a good idea to include a few hygiene items, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, a bar of soap, etc. And, of course, hard candy is always a great idea!

When your box is full, go online to this site, and donate $7 for each box that you've packed. (This donation is to fund your box's journey across the world.) After you donate, you will be able to print a label to attach to your box. (The label has a bar code, and you will eventually receive an email to let you know what country your box ended in!) National Collection Week is November 12-19, so let's get those boxes filled and dropped off ASAP!
You can find an Operation Christmas Child drop-off point near you here. After you drop off your box, there is one thing left to do: pray. Pray for the child who will receive your box, pray for those who deliver your box, and pray for the OCC ministry.

If you've never participated in Operation Christmas Child, I cannot encourage you enough to do so! This is an awesome way to impact a child's life, and it can easily be done with your own children. As we enter this holiday season, let's give thanks for everything that we have--and give back a little to a child who has nothing!

Operation Christmas Child.

Can you imagine what it must feel like to know that Christmas is approaching, but you cannot give your child(ren) even one gift? Nothing, not even a lollipop. Christmas might even be the last thing on your mind because you're struggling to provide your child with food and shelter and safety. How discouraging and sad so many millions of parents across the world must feel every year for those exact reasons. But, imagine this: amidst your sorrow, a stranger from across the globe sends your baby a present! Not just any present, but a whole box stuffed full of toys and school supplies and treats!! And, on top of it all, you are told that this gift was given out of the love of Jesus Christ. What an amazing feeling, and what a ministry!

Last year, 8.2 million children in need received a Christmas box in the exact manner that I described above. With each box, a book telling the story of Jesus was distributed in the child's native language. Operation Christmas Child is an amazing program that is operated through Samaritan's Purse. And, this week is National Collection Week--only 6 days left!!

If you haven't packed a box (or two!), please prayerfully consider doing so. It's easy to do--all you need is a shoe box (or a plastic box of that size), and a quick trip to the store. Chose an age category for your child (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 years) and gender, then go shopping! You can fill your box with small toys, art supplies, school supplies, hygiene items, and even some sweet treats! Find a list of suggested gifts here. When your box is full (sometimes these require strategic packing when you get a little more enthusiastic than your box has space for!), you can wrap it so that the lid can still be opened. If you like, you can include a letter and a photo of yourself in your box. If you include a self-addressed envelope, the child might write back!
Next, go online to this page and donate $7 per box to help with delivery costs. The site will then give you a bar code that you can print and tape to the top of your box. This code will be scanned, and you will be able to track your box to its destination country. Lastly, find an Operation Christmas Child drop-off location near you here, and drop off your box to be shipped!

This is an awesome opportunity to get your kids involved in giving to other kids. (Even if they're little--the shoe boxes are fun to pack!!) Now go pack some boxes and wish some little ones a very merry Christmas this year!! Every child deserves a Christmas, and a gift that comes with the love of a stranger and the message of Christ is the best kind!