Shoebox Packing Review

We had a small packing party and we packed 27 boxes! It is such a joy to do it with friends, and this year Samaritan's Purse has all their videos available online! Click here to check them out.

And if you're needing ideas, here is what we packed in each of our shoeboxes! In the past we've aimed for a box in each category, but this year we each packed a box for a child closest to our age...and José did not participate! But we also helped pack a lot of extra supplies because when we have a packing party, we bring enough for our boxes plus some to share.

~~~

Girl 2-4

* One shirts
* Skirt
* Flip-flops
* Headties
* Comb
* Toothpaste & toothbrush
* Soap & washcloth
* Ball
* Elephant toy
* Dinosaur toy
* Stickers
* Sandwich box
* Utensil set
* Pencil box
* Pencils
* Eraser & sharpener
* Small pink bag

~~~

Boy 2-4

* Shoes
* Hat & gloves
* Sunglasses
* Soap & washcloth
* Toothpaste & toothbrush
* Comb
* Pencil box
* Sharpener
* Pencils
* Stickers
* Dinosaur toy
* Sandwich box
* Utensil set
* Toy lizard
* Ball
* Matchbox cars
* Small blue bag

~~~

Girl 10-14

* Shirt
* Flip-flops
* Socks
* Washcloth & soap
* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Headbands
* Comb
* Utensil set
* Nail kit
* Small pink bag
* Pencil box
* Notebook
* Pencils
* Colored pencils
* Solar calculator
* Ruler
* Sharpener

~~~

Boy 10-14

* Flio-flops
* Soap & washcloth
* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Comb
* Lion toy
* Ball
* Christmas puzzles
* Notebook
* Pencils
* Colored Pencils
* Ruler
* Sharpener
* Pencil box
* Small pink bag

~~~
A few final tips:

* This is the LAST year that toothpaste will be allowed! So don't stock up for next year...

* Don't include candy or liquids! Our local drop-off location has officially said "no" on the candy.

* Do include a note, Christmas card, family photo and/or this fun coloring page from Samaritan's Purse! (Local friends--save your ink! I have tons of copies of this. Just email me at berry31(at)gmail.com and I'll get you as many as you want.)

* Do wrap or decorate your box! BUT make sure that box can be opened (don't wrap it shut)! For the plastic boxes, we just put a little sheet of wrapping paper inside so it can be seen through the bottom. (For those coming to the packing party, we will provide wrapping paper.)

* Do include $7 per box or pay online and track your box!

~~~
And it is not too late to still pack a box! We are in the midst of the drop off week and you have until the 21st to get your boxes in! Check out my Shoeboxes post from earlier in the month if you need resources for finding a drop-off location or learning how to pack a box online.

Shoeboxes!!!

It's that time of year again! I absolutely love being able to pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child!

We are hosting a packing party on November 12 with some friends! I highly recommend gathering a few of your friends to do the same! Collection week is November 14-21 and you can search for your local drop off location here.

The kids and I recently headed to the Dollar Tree to pick up the toiletry items (we bought our school supplies earlier this year) and Juanito and Rosie each picked out a special toy to include in "their" box (they are slightly confused and think we are packing for Oscar and Kendra again!).

You can visit the Operation Christmas Child page for more information on how to pack a box, on how to follow your box (you can find out where your box was delivered!) and even pack a box online! Click the image below to https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/:



I also compiled a list of suggested items based on OCC's website:

And if you need more ideas, check out what we included in our boxes the past few years: 2014 and 2015.

Operation Christmas Child: What We Packed

In preparation for our packing party, I've been answering a lot of questions about what to pack in a box. So I thought I would show you what we're packing this year (and if you want to see what we packed last year, click here).

What I pack is generally determined by what we find on sale during the year! I aim for packing 6 boxes, but we have recently switched to plastic boxes which don't hold as much…as you can see from the photo, I filled 10 boxes with my 6-box supply, plus I have a huge bin of stuff to share with others at the party (extra combs, toothbrushes, headbands, little toys, a bunch of stuffed animals, etc.).

*Disclaimer: If you are coming to our packing party, you don't need to have your boxes pre-packed!* I just mostly packed our boxes ahead of time for two reasons: 1) to show you what we're including in each box and 2) Juanito really wants to help and doesn't yet have an idea of what's appropriate for age group. I tried not to over pack the boxes so that he can squeeze in extra cars, pencils, and balls as he desires. (I am also missing some toothpaste and washcloths…I'll add them to the boxes before they're officially done!)

~~~

Girl 2-4

* Two shirts
* Pair of pants
* Hat & mittons
* Headbands & clips
* Comb
* Toothpaste & toothbrush
* Soap
* Stamps
* Crayons
* Pencils
* Noisemaker
* Sandwich box
* Stuffed bunny

~~~

Boy 2-4

* Two shirts
* Pair of socks
* Beach ball (deflated)
* Soap & washcloth (the kind that grows in water)
* Toothpaste & toothbrush
* Comb
* Pencils
* Crayons
* Sandwich box
* Toy lion
* Stuffed bunny

~~~

Girl 5-9

* Drawstring bag
* Flip-flops
* Washcloth & soap
* Toothbrush in case
* Fork, spoon, knife set
* Water bottle
* Headbands
* Comb
* Play jewelry in bag
* Notebook
* Markers
* Pencils
* Play pack with coloring books & stickers
* Glitter
* Stuffed bunny

~~~

Boy 5-9

* Drawstring bag
* Flip-flops
* Soap & washcloth
* Toothbrush
* Comb
* Fork, knife, spoon set
* Notebook
* Pen & pencils
* Colored pencils
* Playing cards
* Ball
* Water bottle
* Stuffed bunny

~~~

Girl 10-14

* Shirt
* Flip-flops
* Fun Christmas socks
* Washcloth & soap
* Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
* Chapstick
* Headbands
* Comb
* Spoon, knife, fork set
* Sewing kit
* Water bottle
* Drawstring bag
* Notebook
* Pencils
* Colored pencils

~~~

Boy 10-14

* Hoodie
* Pair of socks
* Soap & washcloth
* Toothbrush
* Comb
* Noisemaker
* Notebook
* Pencils
* Colored Pencils
* Sandwich box

~~~
A few final tips:

* Don't include candy or liquids! Our local drop-off location has officially said "no" on the candy.

* Do include a note, Christmas card, family photo and/or this fun coloring page from Samaritan's Purse! (Local friends--save your ink! I have tons of copies of this. Just email me at berry31(at)gmail.com and I'll get you as many as you want.)

* Do wrap or decorate your box! BUT make sure that box can be opened (don't wrap it shut)! For the plastic boxes, we just put a little sheet of wrapping paper inside so it can be seen through the bottom. (For those coming to the packing party, we will provide wrapping paper.)

* Do include $7 per box or pay online and track your box!

Operation Christmas Child!

It's that time of year again! I absolutely love being able to pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child!



We are hosting a packing party on November 15, so if you're local, we'd love for you to join us!

You can visit the Operation Christmas Child page for more information on how to pack a box, on how to follow your box (you can find out where your box was delivered!) and even pack a box online! Click the image below to visit their page:


I also compiled a list of suggested items based on OCC's website:

And if you need more ideas, check out what we included in our boxes last year at our Shoebox Packing Party!

Thoughts about Isaiah 58

Sometimes my Facebook feed makes me want to mourn. Often it is so full of sharing about petty disagreements and people standing up for their preferences and yet there aren't reminders that there is a bigger world out there and we have a chance, as God's people, to stand up for those who are being oppressed and hurt. I feel like those of us who are Christians in first world countries can be so complacent…

“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure," Isaiah 58:3

I think that our society is so focused on satisfying ourselves and living for ourselves. I think Ezekiel 16:49 encompasses much of what we see in our lives and those around us,

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." Ezekiel 16:49

My prayer for myself, and for my fellow followers of Christ, is that we remember the rest of Isaiah 58…

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail...

If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
And call the Sabbath a delight,
The holy day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord...

May we speak up for justice and care for those in the world around us…there are so many practical ways we can help! Here are a few things that have been on my heart recently and some ministries that I love:

* If you want to learn more about the Syrian refugee crisis, Ann Voskamp has some wonderful blog posts full of information and resources for helping!

* Why Now is the Church's Moment
* 5 Ways to Stand Up & Be the Church in the World's Worst Refugee Crisis Since WWII

* If you want to help fight for the lives of the unborn in the States, I love Focus on the Family since they actually have crisis pregnancy centers and counseling for women who are contemplating abortion and for those who have had abortions.

* Samaritan's Purse is an organization I love and they have recently gotten involved in the European refugee crisis. You can see what they're doing and donate to them here.

* If you have a passion for helping those who are at risk for human trafficking, check out what the International Justice Mission is doing! This is a practical way to let the oppressed go free.

* And finally, you can sponsor a child through Compassion, you are helping feed and cloth the hungry and helping the oppressed go free.

May God grant us all wisdom as we seek how He desires us to serve Him. God bless you.

All photos are courtesy of Compassion.

Operation Christmas Child: Shoebox Packing!

It is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child! You can find a drop off location here. If you haven't packed a box yet, there's still a little time! Or you can build a box online.

Because we have trouble deciding which category to choose (boy/girl and 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14), Eric and I packed 6 boxes with our kids, one from each category! I was inspired by Yvonne, who blogs at Our Little Corner of the World, to share what we put into our boxes! This year, we bought plastic boxes from Walmart. We had heard that these boxes are very helpful to families in poverty! The one downside is that they are very small and it can be hard to fit everything we would like to send. But the photos will hopefully give you an idea about what can fit!

Eric and I shop throughout the year…we learned this from my mom! For the most part, we try to keep each item under $2. We check clearance racks at Walmart and Walgreens. We also buy some items, like toothpaste, from the Dollar Store. This allows us to fill six boxes on a budget!

~~~

Boy ~ Age 2-4

* Stuffed animal
* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Washcloth & soap
* Flip-flops
* Hat & gloves
* Bowl, plate & sandwich box set
* Crayons
* Toy cars (one not pictured!)
* Christmas card with family photo

~~~

Boy ~ Age 5-9

* Stuffed animal
* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Washcloth & soap
* Gloves
* Sandwich box set
* Crayons
* Notebook
* Toy cars (one not pictured!)
* Motorcycle toy
* Reading light with batteries
* Pencil box with pencils and eraser
* Christmas card with family photo

~~~

Boy ~ Age 10-14

* Stuffed animal
* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Washcloth, soap & deodorant
* Gloves
* Hackie sack
* Colored pencils
* Notebook
* Toy cars (one not pictured!)
* Motorcycle toy
* Flashlight with batteries
* Pencil box with pencils and eraser
* Pencil sharpener
* Christmas card with family photo

~~~

Girl ~ Age 2-4

* Stuffed animal
* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Washcloth & soap
* Flip-flops
* Hat & gloves
* Bowl, plate & sandwich box set
* Crayons
* Toy pony
* Jump rope
* Bracelets
* Christmas card with family photo

~~~

Girl ~ Age 5-9

* Stuffed animal
* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Washcloth & soap
* Shoes
* Hat
* Sandwich box set
* Crayons
* Notebook
* Toy pony
* Jump rope
* Necklaces
* Magnetic frames
* Princess party bags
* Pencils & eraser
* Christmas card with family photo

~~~

Girl ~ Age 10-14

* Toothbrush & toothpaste
* Washcloth & soap
* Shoes
* Gloves
* Brush & comb set
* Colored pencils
* Notebook
* Toy pony
* Eraser
* Necklaces
* Magnetic frames
* Small bag
* Christmas card with family photo

~~~

Juanito also decorated letters to include in each box and the letters have our address, so we'll see if a kid replies!

~~~
And then yesterday we had a packing party! We were blessed to fill 53 boxes! We want to say thank you to all those who came out to join us! It's such a blessing to pack with friends.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is just around the corner! The collection week is November 17th through November 24th and you can find a drop off location here.

If you have not heard of OCC, it is a ministry through Samaritan's Purse where you can fill shoeboxes for kids and they will be delivered along with the gospel message!

The shoeboxes go all over the world! You can choose to fill a box for a boy or for a girl, and choose between three age groups: 2-4 years, 5-9 years, and 10-14 years. Eric and I like to fill 6 boxes…one for each gender and age since I can't every choose! This year we are packing plastic boxes, instead of actual shoeboxes. We heard that the plastic boxes are really useful to families living in poverty.

Then you can fill the box with all sorts of stuff! School supplies, hygiene items, clothes and toys! We have such fun filling the boxes. I'll try to take some photos and share them on here! I love hearing what others pack as it gives me more ideas.

You can also find packing instructions here.

One additional thing that can be included is a letter. If you give your name and address, you might receive a letter in return! Years ago I received a thank you letter from India and my sister received one from Ghana. Just recently, I received a letter from a girl who received my box in Madagascar!

Have you ever received a letter in return? I'd love to hear about it!

Have fun packing! And if you live nearby and would like to be a part of our "Potluck Packing Party" on November 16th, send me an email at berry31(at)gmail.com and I'll give you the info!

Healing for Hewa

My family brought this video to my attention. It highlights medical missions in Papua New Guinea with Samaritan's Purse and World Medical Mission! It is so encouraging! It is about 30 minutes long and well worth watching. Enjoy!

Pray for the Philippines

Last week the Philippines was hit with a super typhoon--a category 5--that wreaked havoc across the Philippines. Please be in prayer for this country!

One of our correspondents, Earl John, lives in the Philippines. Thankfully as more news has been received about the typhoon, it sounds like his province of Palawan was not severely hit! For that we praise God!

If you would be interested in sponsoring a child from the Philippines, a child who could use encouragement in the midst of this national struggle, click here.

Compassion shared this wonderful post: Pray for the Philippines, where they shared prayer requests from staff in the Philippines. And you can both learn more about the disaster and can donate towards the relief efforts here.

 

I also love Samaritan's Purse and their relief efforts. You can check out what Samaritan's Purse is doing by checking out their page here.

And above all, please pray! Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the Philippines and for many to come to know God through the midst of this tragedy.

* The map of the Philippines is via World of Maps. All other photos are taken from Compassion.

Ideas for Shoebox Packing

I modified a list found on Samaritan's Purse's OCC page to create a suggested gift list! I hope that this is helpful to all of you who are packing shoeboxes this year.

Are there things that you like to include in the boxes? I'd love to hear more ideas!

Operation Christmas Child: Shoebox Packing Party!

It's that time of year again! Samaritan's Purse will be collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child from November 18-25. (You can find a drop-off location near you here.)

We're going to be hosting a packing party on November 17th and would love if you could join us! And if you don't live nearby, I hope that you still get involved with packing shoeboxes for these kids. These boxes truly make a difference in the lives of kids. Before I get on to the invite, I encourage you to check out this video:

And if you enjoyed the videos of Alex's story check out these two:

Packing Party 2012!

We had our packing party last Sunday and thanks to all the generous donations we received, almost 50 boxes were packed! We're so thankful for God's provision and are praying that many kids come to know Christ through these gifts.

There is still time to pack boxes! The final date for collection week is Monday, November 19. If you would like to know more about packing shoeboxes, check out my posts: SHOEBOXES!!! and Ideas for Packing a Shoebox.