And she's off!

By the time you read this post the #CrazyShoeboxLady will be on my way to Paraguay! It’s really hard to believe! It is a dream come true, trip of a lifetime. I wanted to take this opportunity to first of all say “Thank you” thank you for your support, with finances, prayers, time to help with shoeboxes, and even emotionally! 

Our team has been sharing in devotions in the time leading up to the trip, the more I read God’s word, and pray about the trip, the more humbled and amazed I am that this trip is even possible?? Yet with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!

I then think about how I got here. The reason I can go on this trip is because of the generosity of friends, and family. The reason I was invited on this trip is because of the growth of my area team for Operation Christmas Child. The reason my area team has grown both in shoebox numbers and in team members,  is because I have an amazing area team! The reason I even HAVE an area team for OCC is because of our packing party “Shoebox 1K”  It caught the attention of Samaritan’s Purse, and they asked me to “join the team.” The only reason “Shoebox 1K” got so big is because of the time friends put in, because of the generosity of individuals, companies, groups and manufacturers. The only reason “Shoebox 1K” came into being is because I was challenged by a young man named “Caleb.” Caleb knew about shoeboxes because he was in my children’s ministry and his mom was one of my “partners in crime” for collecting supplies year round. The reason I started collecting supplies year round because a 3 year old Winter had her heart touched by our yearly family Christmas project. Our family’s Christmas project was started because someone told me, I could use a shoebox gift to bless a child in need and tell them about Jesus. 

Sunday, I was able to share with our Children's Ministry about my trip, they then helped me put the finishing touches on a shoebox I am taking with me. This shoebox represents so many who have given to not only this trip, but to Shoebox 1K! There are things from my fabulous group of "Shoebox 1K Crafters," there's a sewing kit with a sampler in it from Jack Dempsey Needle Arts,there are items chosen by dear friends, there is a special top made by Caleb (yes the one who first challenged me to do a 1000 boxes!) There is a Monster Loom from Rainbow Loom and a loom bracelet made by my daughter, there are letters and a "boo-boo" bunny from my Children's Ministry and I filled each and every nook and cranny the way my OCC team members Dorinda and Becky would :) Each item representing something/someone that means so very much to me, because they helped make this possible. 

THE SHOEBOX!

The children from church praying over this box

Monday, I should have been packing but you know me; I had to throw in a last minute crafting project *grin* (shhh they are for my team members in Paraguay.) Which then made me want to pack an emergency craft kit cause you never know when you will have a "crafting emergency!

Shh I should be packing, but decided to fit in some last minute crafting! 

Then I had the kids over before I left (and they came with friends) and now I should be sleeping but wanted to share here first. 

So if you think about me this week, pray for me, and the team and the opportunities the Lord will be opening up for us, and pray for those very precious children receiving the boxes we will be handing out! If you want to follow my adventures check out "Shoebox 1K" on Facebook! 

Thank you Jack Dempsey!

One of the reasons I am so passionate about Operation Christmas Child is the fact a simple filled shoebox can bring so much hope to a child in need. The group I coordinate called Shoebox 1K  attempts to pack 1000 shoebox gifts each year. We normally pack more but 1000 is the goal. In poorer societies, older children are normally already forced to help bring home money for the family, school sometimes getting cut short. Girls especially can be overlooked. 

This is why one of the things we love doing is packing sewing kits into our older girls boxes! We coordinate our kits by hand, using donated supplies and materials to make sure each girl gets an assortment of items useful to her in sewing. In addition we try to include a project to teach simple stitches, as well as some fabric for her to work with. 

When talking to Jack Dempsey Needle Arts about our project, they were touched, they volunteered to donate sampler fabric and the directions for 500 sewing kits! 

Each sewing kit not only gives a girl a chance to have some necessary and needed supplies at home, but because we try to include picture directions, it could give a girl a chance to learn some life skills to help her when she gets older! 

One of our 500 boxes for the 10-14 year old girls, complete with sewing kit!

It took our volunteers many, many, many hours this summer, to sort through donated fabric, cut it into usable pieces, sort out embroidery floss and thread, purchase scissors, and then collate the 500 plus bags to be packed. But in the end it was so worth it!  

A big thank you to our volunteers but especially to Jack Dempsey Needle Arts for their generous donation!!