OCC

Teaching our kids how to be less self-focused in this world is not an easy task.  We struggle with this as parents as well.  But, one way we are teaching them to care about other people is through Operation Christmas Child.  We pack shoe boxes (or boxes of the equivalent size) with toys, hygiene items, accessories, etc. for children around the world that may not have anything this Christmas.  We choose the gender and age group for each box.  This year we did one for a boy and one for a girl, both ages 5-9.

While picking out items to put in the box, we talk a lot about the child and how they will feel when they receive this gift.  It is a real learning lesson, especially when we pick out a bunch of cars for a boy and they look appealing to our own children.

We also prayed for the boxes and the children that will receive them.  The cool thing is that if you pay online (a shipping donation of $7 a box), you can track where your box goes.  Last year our box went to Ir@q!

I found a cute idea online to include in the box.  We traced the boys' hands with a small note telling the child that we prayed for them.  Even Daniel enjoyed coloring it.

As the Christmas season is getting started, it was nice to start things out by getting our minds off of ourselves.  There is still at least one more week to donate if anyone is interested.  Just head to their website (linked above) to find more information, as well as drop off locations.

We can wait to find out where our boxes end up!

Decorating his paper to put in the box.

Just a simple message

Boxes are packed and ready to go!