Good News! Great Joy!

This is Hudson's second year to participate in Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child.

To be honest, it was more fun and more challenging this year.  More fun in that Hudson was able to help pick out gifts for the little boy; more challenging because he didn't always understand that said gift wasn't for him.  Oh well, it's a hard lesson in giving to others and all in all, by the time it was all over he seemed to understand and be excited to be sending a gift to a little friend overseas.

We chose to give a gift to an age 2-4 year old boy, just like Hudson!

It was a tight squeeze!

This particular foam football was the source of much jealousy from Hudson.
Despite the fact that he has one just like it, he really wanted it for him.
But Mama persevered despite tears and tantrums and it is packed!

Some fun toys: playdoh, jump rope, a hotwheels car, a foam dinosaur puzzle,
and the ever desired foam football.

National Geographic Animal Book, Stickers, and Crayons

Mickey Mouse Shirt, Mickey Mouse Cup, and Flip Flops

All ready to take it to church Sunday!

To be honest, it doesn't take much money to fill a shoebox:

Plastic Shoebox: $1 (Dollar Tree)
Foam Football: $1 (Dollar Tree)
Foam Dinosaur Puzzle $0.50 (Found while in Vacation)
Jump Rope: $0.50 (Found while on Vacation)
Playdoh: $0.50 (Wal-mart, with coupon)
Hotwheels Car: $1 (Walgreens)
National Geographic Animal Book: $3 (Wal-mart, the splurge of the box)
Stickers: $1 (Walgreens)
Crayons: $0.50 (Dollar General during Back to School Sales)
Mickey Mouse Shirt: $1.99 (The Children's Place clearance)
Mickey Mouse Cup: $1 (Dollar Tree)
Flip Flops: $1.99 (The Children's Place Clearance)
Also included, but not photographed
Dove Soap $0.30 (Walgreens)
Toothbrush and Floss: FREE from Hudson's visit to the Dental Hygenist.

So just over $14 total, plus the $7 shipping makes a really fun thoughtful gift for only $21.

We also wrote a letter to the little boy and included some pictures of Hudson.

A local sister church is acting as a collection/distribution center so we hope to volunteer as a family.  Hoping this blesses the little boy who receives it as much as it has blessed us to give it!

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must

help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:

'It is more blessed to give than to receive'

Acts 20:35