41 Boxes for Operation Christmas Child!!!

Emily wanted to do something different for her 11th birthday... she asked if she could ask her friends to bring something to donate to a charitable cause instead of gifts. We explored several options. Emily decided on Operation Christmas Child, an ministry that distributes shoes boxes filled with gifts to children in third world countries. The 18 girls filled 41 shoe boxes with toys, toiletry items and small clothing items. They had a ball filling the boxes, writing cards and praying for the children that will receive their boxes. What a blessing it was to see the girls focusing on giving to others. We live in a society where our kids are very priveleged. They have the latest video games, countless pairs of shoes, the trendiest clothes and the most up to date sports equipment. We take for granted just how blessed we are in this country. I think Emily was much happier delivering those boxes to church than she would have been opening her own gifts. Emily decided that this was indeed her 'First Annual' Operation Christmas Child birthday party! More pictures to come from the party...