It never ceases to amaze me at how LuLu’s heart is in the right place, no matter what her mind and behaviors seem to be doing. Yesterday was our church’s formal collection of Operation Christmas Child boxes. If you’re not familiar with this program, it’s a simple and tangible way that anyone, especially children, can reach out to children around the world and give back some of our blessings. This year, for example, Samaritan’s Purse plans on delivering over 8 million Operation Christmas Child boxes to children in 100 countries.

Our church always holds a box making party, where participants bring their boxes and all the goodies they’ve collected. Once each family makes the boxes they intended, then we pool or left over resources to see how many more boxes can be made. It’s always fun to see what people have collected throughout the year that may have significant use and meaning to children around the world.

LuLu hopped out of bed early yesterday, ready to shop for Operation Christmas Child. We had fortunately collected toys all year long (and I had enough brain cells operating to remember where I had stashed them), so the toy part of our boxes was already purchased. But after church we went shopping for other goodies (necessities) to make the box really special – toiletries, art and school supplies, clothing.

And this year LuLu included a hand-written note complete with pictures of Santa, God and ladybugs. It was loving note. One year, many years ago, she got a letter back from a child in India. It was exciting for the whole congregation. Both LuLu and Kay dropped notes into their boxes in hopes that English translators could read them to the kids.

It was one of those surprisingly joyous activities. You know, the kind that you don’t expect to have a particularly good time at, but do. LuLu was not without her issues though, deciding that she wanted a toothbrush from the leftover table and having to be reminded that she didn’t need it. But, overall, it was a day that was outwardly focused, and that was good. And it was a great way to kick of Thanksgiving week.

Interesting side note: the Operation Christmas Child website has more than one story of internationally adopted children who received the shoe boxes and then, once home with their forever families, participated in making or distributing the boxes.

More on Samaritan’s Purse.

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