We've been getting ready for this day all year. We've been collecting items to put in the shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We've purchased fleece and pre-cut it so it's all ready to tie into blankets for the Boy's Republic. And today we're going to put it all together. This is one of our favorite events - the day we focus outward and do for others. It's our way of giving back, or maybe it's better to say we're paying forward the blessings that God has bestowed on us. It's such a great feeling to know you are helping to put a smile on the faces of some kids who really need some love and blessings in their lives.
We gathered at Carol N's house, and Queen Debbie got the day started by having us tie the fleece blankets. We had tied some a few weeks ago when we had our Project Prep Day, but there were plenty that still needed tying. So we spread them out on the table and we all gathered around and started making knots . . .
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| With so many hands, it doesn't take long to get the job done |
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| Look how many blankets we made! |
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| Oops- Forget our hats! Let's take another photo! |
One project finished. Time to break for lunch . . . Everyone headed to the kitchen for our delicious potluck soup and salad feast.
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| Yummy soup and salad lunch! Delish! |
After lunch we cleared the table and started laying out all the goodies for the shoe boxes . . .
We were aiming our shoe boxes at boys and girls in the 10-14 year range, and we had collected everything from personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and wash clothes, to useful things like tools, sewing kits and school supplies, plus some games and of course, candy! Do you know that some of the kids who receive these boxes may have never tasted candy in their entire lives? It breaks my heart to think about how much stuff the kids in this country have, and how little stuff kids have in some of these 3rd world counties where the shoe boxes go. Truly makes you realize how much we take for granted - very humbling!
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Praying for our boxes and for the kids who will receive them.
We know that God will find the perfect child for each box. |
And then we passed the boxes around and started filling them up . . .
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| Trust me - those boxes were filled to capacity! |
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| 14 Shoe Boxes Done! 7 Girls, 7 Boys |
Some of the ladies had to leave at this point. The rest of us spent the remainder of the afternoon playing a silly (and very fun!) game called "What's Yours Like?" Lots of laughs for sure!
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| What's Yours Like? |
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Front Row - Linda, Carol N, Joy
Middle Row - Carol L, Debbie, Sharon
Back Row - Robin, Seema, Barbara L, Tina, Annie |
Good job ladies. Let's do this again next year!
