Christmas In July

I have been thinking about Christmas for about 4 months now. Not because of things that Patrick & I could get the kids though. At least not our kids. This year I have been thinking about Operation Christmas Child.

I decided this year, instead of waiting until the end of the year (when we are busier & more strapped for giving cash) to start collecting items right away. So we did. I would find a shirt or flip flops here and there for $1.00 each. Erin & Luke saved many of their Happy Meal toys to put in them. We were thrown sealed toothbrushes and stuffed animals at parades...We found a few things on clearance at the dollar general...Erin even handmade a necklace and paper crown for a lucky girl.

My closet was getting a little more cramped than I like it to be. So Erin decided it was time to pack the shoeboxes, and we did! My goal was four, two from each of the kids. But by the time we had everything dumped out and the shoeboxes filled, we had six! Three each for boys & girls.

If your family is looking for a way to spread the love of Christ, and give to others who are much less fortunate than we are, I would encourage you to check this out. With shipping, you can pack a shoebox for less than $20.

I am so thankful to Jesus, for Him providing unfailing for us. And I am thankful for our family for being so good to us, so that we can do for others.

And if you need EVEN more encouragement, check out this lady. She is a volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, and their goal is 12,000 shoeboxes this year!

Matthew 25:31-46

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."