What's in Our Box?

In the last post, I shared how awesome and life changing the boxes can be for kiddos. This post is more about what to pack in your box. I figured I would show you guys how easily it is to pack a box filled with items to change a child's life and how to do it without breaking the bank. I'll break down what is in each box and how much we spent. I'm no expert, especially since this is just my first year, and I am sure there are cheaper ways to do it and better items, but I figured it would still be helpful to see what's in a box. Some of the items have weird prices because I divided the total cost between all boxes. So here are the 5 boxes we have packed, so far.

Boy (Age 2-4)

Total cost $13.60

Ruler- $0.25

Maraca- Unused toy from my house

Library shirt- Inara got this from reading books, but didn't want it. So I saved it for a box!

Hard candy- $0.60- I found 3 bags on clearance and divided them between all the boxes

Coloring roll- $3

Band-aids- Free (I had 3 unopened boxes, I split between all the boxes)

Crayons $0.50

Finger puppet- Unused toy

Punch ball balloon- $0.25 (Pack of 4 divided between boxes)

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Toy- $4 (clearance section at Kroger)

Toothpaste- Free from Inara's dental cleaning

Flossers- Free from dental cleaning

Tooth brush- Free from my bathroom closet

String bag- Free from VBS

Flashlight with batteries- $3

Soap- $0.5

Girl (Age 2-4)

Total cost: $11.60

Shirt- $1 (Clearance at Kroger)

Minnie Mouse Toy- $4 (Clearance at Kroger)

Flossers- Free from dental cleaning

Toothbrushes- Free from dental cleanings

Flashlight with batteries- $3

Bracelets- $0.50

Castanets- Unused toy from home

Crayons- $0.50

Flashcards- Free from house. (I bought them $1 at the Target dollar spot, but Inara never used them)

Band-aids- Free

Bag- Free from VBS

Punch Balloon- $0.25

Soap- $0.50

Happy Meal Toy- Free

Hair rubber bands- Free because I have ONE MILLION of them for Inara

Barrettes- Free- Bought them for Inara and after they were opened (of course) they never used

Girl (Age 10-14)

Total Cost: 12.85

Bag- Free from donation at church

Homemade sewing kit- Thimble, needle, thread, tape measure- Free from my sewing box

Ribbon- Free from sewing box- Could use to embellish clothes or tie in hair

Bow- Free- bought for Inara, she didn't like it.

Stretchy headbands- $4

Clips- $4

Earrings (3 pair)- Free- Made by me

Band-aids- Free

Candy- $0.60

Ruler $0.25

Soap- $0.50

Poncho- Free from my bathroom closet

Bracelets- Free (bogo at Kroger)

Solar string lights- $2- Clearance at IKEA

Composition book- $0.50

Colored Pencils- $0.50

Boy (Age 10-14)

Total Cost: $12.60

I rearranged a few items from other boxes and added them after I took this picture.
This one looked kind of empty when I compared it to the others

String backpack bag- Free from VBS

Composition book- $0.50

Candy- $0.60

Colored Pencils- $0.50

Legos- $6 for 2 packs (Target Clearance)

Ruler- $0.25

Paddle ball- Free from (BOGO at Kroger)

Flossers- Free from dental cleaning

Soap- $0.50

Jump Rope- $1

Gum- Free (Unused from my junk drawer)

Flashlight with batteries- $3

Punch balloon- $0.25

Boy (Age 10-14)

Total Cost: $7.35

Deck of cards- Free (Unused from my junk drawer)

HUGE bag- Free from Justin's video game tournament (Seriously, it's the size of the table)

Toothbrush- Free from dental cleaning

Gum- Free

Candy- $0.60

Solar string light- $2

LEGO- $3

Composition book- $0.50

Soap- $0.50

Band-aids- Free

Punch Balloon- $0.25

Colored Pencils- $0.50

Flossers- Free

I think what has been really apparent in packing the boxes is the sovereignty and the love of God. At first I was stressed about some of the items I was packing. Like that little tank top. I worried, "but what if its sent to a little girl in a cold climate?" Or the solar lights, "what if that gets sent to a kid who doesn't need that or doesn't get a lot of sun?" Bt then I remember, God knows! God knows where each box is going and WHO is receiving each box. So the box that I packed that has double toothbrushes, I'm praying that goes to a child with a sibling. It has been so encouraging to follow Operation Christmas Child on Facebook, I highly suggest it! Here are some of my favorite stories that show how big our God is!

 "The story that we like the best is the one from a little girl who has leukemia (final stage). She opened her shoebox and found a hat that she needed because she didn't have any more hair. We were surprised how God gave each child what he or she needed. Only God knows what our needs are."

"When I was a child I went to Sunday school at a local church. I did not have a father, and when I needed something my mom would tell me to 'ask God in prayer'. I wanted to have a watch, so I prayed for it. Later, our church had a Christmas celebration and at the end we had OCC gifts given to us. When I opened my box I found a watch. I was so glad that such a great God in heaven had answered my prayer! I had that watch even after I finished high school and for many years it was a testimony that God answers prayers. Now I am 25 and I always wanted to write a letter of thanks to the family that put my shoebox together, but I did not have a chance. Right now I work with children and we also distribute shoe boxes among them. It is a huge blessing for me." 

"After one distribution in Lithuania, a girl came up to us and shared her story. That week their class was going to the swimming pool. It's a great event for the kids living in a village area. The girl had one problem – she didn't have slippers and without them kids were not allowed to come into the pool. When the girl opened her box and found slippers, she was so excited that she rushed toward us to tell of her great miracle and show us proof that God really cares about her!" 

Seriously guys, you should follow them on Facebook to see story after story of God answering the prayers of little children and changing their lives. This is my first year, have you guys ever packed boxes before? Any tips?

Operation Christmas Child

For a few years I've been reading posts from one of my favorite "mommy bloggers" Amanda at OhAmanda post about Operation Christmas Child. And each year, I'm always like "Oh dang! Its too late now to participate!" Our church is hoping to pack and send 350 boxes this year, and I am super, SUPER excited to help! In fact, I've been storing away things from the clearance section, the $1 spot at Target, and back to school sales for about a month. Last week I decided to bust out all the stuff I bought and start packing them in boxes. I was amazed when I realized I have enough stuff to pack 5 boxes nearly full!

Source: Operation Christmas Child Facebook Page

But what I am more excited about than the great deals, is the lives that will be changed this year. Here are some of the sweet stories I've read from the Operation Christmas Child's Facebook page:

"A Collection Center Leader from Germany participated in a distribution trip to Poland. During one of the distributions, the team visited a family with two little girls in one of the villages. As both of the girls opened their gifts, the collection center leader recognized one of the boxes as one (of many) that she had packed herself. She was overcome with joy and tears at this miraculous act of God’s grace. She now has divine motivation to pack even more boxes for children in need."

"The child of a prominent witch doctor in a Tanzanian village received a gift at an Operation Christmas Child distribution. The witch doctor was touched that someone who did not know his family would send such a wonderful gift. He heard the gospel presentation at the distribution and was so moved, he decided to accept Christ as his own personal savior!" 

"As a 10-year-old boy living in an orphanage in Central Asia, Timur had no concept of unconditional love. He had been abandoned in the hospital after birth. Survival required him to be guarded and self-reliant. At age 13, Timur received the first gift he had ever been given—an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Inside was a yo-yo, Tootsie Roll candy, school supplies, and a letter and photo from a boy in Texas. 'The shoebox reminded me of Jesus’ love for me, that He forgave me of my sins. It reminded me that I should forgive my parents for what they did to me,' said Timur. 'When I forgave them, God set me free from the bitterness.'"

Even posting these stories is making me cry. Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me" and he is chasing after them, through Operation Christmas Child. I'm so honored to pack boxes, pray for these kids, and show them the love of a God who has not forgotten about them. Will you join me? I'd love to have some other's jump on board with me! Next week I'll be sharing how to pack a box, what was in our 5 boxes, and how much we spent. You'll see how little is actually costs to change a child's life. It didn't break the bank, but it did take some planning. Collection week is in November, so you have a little over 2 months to pack. So who is with me?