We've always heard of Operation Christmas Child...and years ago, filled some boxes when my older girls were little. But this is the first year that we've gotten involved in a big way. My dear friend, Cindy, is the coordinator and she really needed some help...so...we jumped right in!
Today, my oldest daughter , Meghan, and I went to our local Chick-Fil-A and promoted Operation Christmas Child. (OCC) What a blessing it was to us to see how many people wanted to bless a child! To see children excited to give to others...to see teenagers excited about filling boxes for little ones....at this time of year, when consumerism 'peaks' I was humbled and blessed by being surrounded by the generousity of people and the people of Chick-Fil-A.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, to reach children all over the world. Each box is filled with generously given gifts for a child who might not otherwise recieve any gift. But, the most precious gift each child recieves is the gospel. Yes...the gospel of Christ's great love goes out in every box.
It really is the "Power of a Simple Gift" that makes such a difference!
For anyone wanting more information about Operation Christmas Child, please go to: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/
With the economic downturn and rising prices, many many families in our own neighborhoods are very hard hit, many for the first time. We'll be looking into serving in our community to help other families.
God bless the power of a simple gift!
~Sue~
~May you all have a very, very blessed Thanksgiving! May we all praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for his love, provision and many blessings! I cannot express it as well as my daughter can, so please ....go to my daughter's blog and read a special Thanksgiving blessing! 
She had spent tons of time patiently teaching her little cousin and coaxing him to say the right words and BE "Joseph" to her "Mary"...
Scene one....take one....in Bethlehem praying over baby Jesus...
This was a 'scene' from Tinkerbell (guess who is Tink?)...she dressed Ty up as the boy tinker fairy, Terrance...he plays along with whatever she wants so well!
And of course....the ever-present 'Star Wars'....these things and Legos are very present thru-out our days....Anna LOVES to color and spends a lot of her time doing that and playing with her dolls....and she loves it when her big brother or little cousin plays along with her.