Have you ever heard of Operation Christmas Child?  This is a project run by Samaritan's Purse, an organization that provides spiritual and physical healing to people around the world in need.  Every year, for about 13 years now, they've been sending shoe boxes filled with toys, toiletries and school supplies to children worldwide, children who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas.  The Gospel of Jesus is also shared with these children.  The boxes are filled by volunteers from many countries, including U.S., Canada and Australia.  I heard about this several years ago at a homeschool curriculum fair and picked up a video about the project.  My kids have watched the video many times but never expressed a desire to contribute.  Yesterday was different.  They hadn't seen the video in awhile but after watching it, they began talking about how they could fill boxes.  The ball began rolling.  We began making lists and by the time we were done, it was decided that they would each do a box for a child about their age.  My 8 yo Alec gushed that this year, he would rather give gifts instead of receiving them for Christmas.  I told him that was very sweet and we could think about that.  I'm pretty sure he'll rethink that one!  I was so proud of my kids for thinking of someone else besides themselves.  They tend to be self-centered, as kids can be in our society and I try so hard to help them care about others and their needs.  I didn't want to be the one to tell them to do this, that's why I waited for God to move on their hearts.  I'm thrilled!  We spent the morning at our local Fred Meyer, checking off our lists and looking for the right things.  This evening, we made sure the items fit into a shoe box with the lid.  We still have a few more things we want to get, and then we'll prepare the boxes with the forms necessary.  A local church in Seaside, south of us, will be accepting the boxes in November and then they'll send them on to Samaritan's Purse.  The waiting will be hard - we want them to go out now!  We've started praying for our "kids" (whoever they will be) and we gave them names to make it more real.  My daughter calls everything Emily (don't know why, she just does.)  I think my kids are going to each write a little note for their box, too, and maybe include a photo of our family.  It really does make us feel good to help someone else, even in a small way.  I hope this helps my kids to look for other ways to help people.  Samaritan's Purse is headed up by Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son.  If you are interested in doing this, you can call 1-800-353-5949 (that's the number on the video) or visit online: www.samaritan.org. 

It's been kind of weird around here lately.  My in-laws are in South America on vacation and last Friday, there was a plane crash on route to Rio de Janeiro, one of their destinations.  We were uncertain of their itinerary and after several phone calls, we were relieved to hear that they had flown that route on Thursday and were safe.  Whew!  Still, it was sad about the plane that crashed.  Then that awful news about the Amish children and a disgruntled milkman.  I'm still shocked and saddened about that.  I've prayed that many would draw closer to Jesus as a result of this tragedy.  And yesterday, we thought we heard a thump on the kitchen window and my husband found a bird that had just died, must have flown into the window by accident.  My kids immediately got out a bird guide to identify it.  It's amazing how they are so fascinated by things that I can't handle.  If they find something interesting like that, I try not to show any emotion unless I need to.  Ick!  I felt sad for the bird and I've actually cried over things like this.  We gave it a proper burial to keep it away from our neighbors' stinkin' cats.  (My apologies to all you cat lovers!)  Death is a part of life.  I just try not to dwell on it.  Jesus came to give us life, to the fullest.  Amen to that.

On a humorous note, just wanted to share this:  I don't normally like to write cute things my kids say because I feel it turns this into a Christmas newsletter but, that said, my 5 yo daughter had finished her evening snack (cereal) and I told her it was time to brush her teeth.  Her brothers tend to bug her when they are all in the bathroom at once, as brothers tend to do, and I said, "I'm sorry I have to send you in there right now.  I know it's scary to go in the bathroom when the boys are both in there,"  Carmen said, "That's o.k., I like my boys."  My baby is either really brave or just naive!