Sorry I've been AWOL. I signed up as the "Box Top Mom" at our school this year, so instead of writing I've been clipping tiny pieces of cardboard along the dotted lines. On an unrelated note, I think I need reading glasses.
Guess What?
It's Shoebox time again! I hope you'll join me in assembling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child in memory of Jack. Last year we sent hundreds of boxes, and underprivileged children all over the world received bulging boxes of goodies for the first time in their lives. These boxes are truly life changing. We will be packing shoeboxes as a family, with our church, and at Tim's office this year.
The Operation Christmas Child website gives you info on what to pack, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, hard candy and small toys. You can even track where your shoebox goes.
Here's a short video made by blog reader Katie. She used it to inspire her church to send more boxes than ever last year.
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=youtube+do+you+know+jack&tnr=21&vid=&l=182&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3Dv.4653657955434582%26pid%3D15.1&tit=Do+You+Know+Jack%3F
My friend Ellie, a teacher in Illinois, packed a special box in memory of Jack last year and included all of his favorite things-- Legos, logic puzzles, etc. She did not track the box. However, this summer she saw a picture on the Samaritan's Purse website of a teenager in Haiti with a box that looked just like Jack's. Whether it is the same box or not, we'll never know, but the impact the experience had on Ellie is unmistakable. Read about it here.
Packing boxes changes kids' lives, and ours too!
I hope your family enjoys packing these boxes as much as we do.
If you are unable to pack a box, but would like to drop off any supplies at my church, Margaret, Tim and I will be happy to pack them for you!
Completed boxes are dropped off at collection points around the country Nov 12-19.
Many thanks, much love, and happy packing!
Hey Anna,
ReplyDeleteI've been BT coordinator for the past 5-6 years (at two different schools). Happy to share some tips and hints with you...
Our prayers for you, Tim, and Margaret continue...
And we're gathering up stuff for our Christmas boxes for C to pack at youth group.
Love and hugs from the other side of town
We have done shoeboxes with our church for at least 10 years now and I used to do ones for my kids ages, but I had gotten away from that and just given random stuff for the Sunday school kids to create boxes with the last few years as my kids have gotten older. I think I will try to do at least one teen boy box this year though, for my teens and for Jack. The church usually gets at least 100 boxes.
ReplyDeleteAbout your friend Ellie and Samaritans purse....God communicates to us in so many different ways. Nothing is impossible for Him. Bless you.
ReplyDeletelove Samaritan's Purse. Give from their Christmas Catalog :)
ReplyDeleteside note: get +1 cheaters from Dollar Tree they're a buck!!
The photo on Ellie's blog is incredibly gorgeous. Thanks to her for sharing that!!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful and we are in! xo
ReplyDeleteP.S. I finally broke down and bought readers/cheaters last year. Anthro has a very hip selection. ;)
Hi, Anna,
ReplyDeleteAt our school, we all cut our own box tops and glue or tape onto the collection sheets. I can't imagine one parent having to do all the cutting!
Our church participates in OCC, and I was thinking of you all and Jack as they did the presentation. My boys really get into it when we can do it.
That IS amazing to see "Jack's" box - don't you love it when His plan comes together? (For some reason I always think of the A-Team when I see all the little connections and "coincidences" in our lives.)
Love ya,
Lisa G. in CT
I would rather clean my commode with a toothbrush very intimately than clip teeny-tiny pieces of cardboard. If you saw my house and the shape it's in, you'd get a real guffaw from that statement.
ReplyDeleteOur church also does shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse--and organization dear to my heart. Our pastor has worked with Franklin Graham for 12 years now on different projects. Because of BGEA, he was ordained 3 years ago and now he is at our small church.
This year, I will be sure to include some LEGO projects in memory of dear Jack.
You amaze me with how you are managing, although I'm sure you are still silently crying at night or in broad daylight sometimes. Maybe sometimes it is not silent at all.
Since my last comment to you, I have read most of your blog. I wish I had had a blog when we lost Sherry, maybe I would have vented or told her story, but instead I completely fell apart some days---but I couldn't for long; I could not have read a eulogy at her funeral if they'd held a gun on me, and I would have been glad for them to pull the trigger that particular blurry day. There were hundreds there, but I can only remmber 3 faces other than my family's---they were smiling and I wondered how anyone could smile on that day!
I so wish I was strong and had it together like you continue to do. There is so much I'd like to have said about her.
Sorry this has veered so much from the topic, but you mentioned that Jack had a good friend named Courtland--I'm from a little town called Courtland--and we live in the same state! I keep finding little things like that. So odd.
I'll be thinking of Jack and you and your family as I fill those boxes for our church this year, dear Anna! You are a terrific writer, and I have both cried and laughed out loud at your posts. You are such a very gifted and thoughtful blogger, admirable and awesome mommy, funny and loving wife and most importantly....outspoken woman of God! ( Please forgive me for this long "comment-turned- post?")
Love, Sherry's Mom
Absolutely. Our family will have Jack night and fill each box with lots of legos, loot, and love. Thinking and always praying for comfort and peace
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from you Anna. I've been thinking a lot about you and your family lately. My kids and I would love to participate in the shoe boxes for Jack. Hugs and prayer to you and your family :)
ReplyDeleteMy son's school just did the Samaritan's purse shoe box project. We filled 800 boxes (There are only 900 in the school). I love this project. It feels so much more helpful than just sending money. I hope the girl that gets our box loves the stuff in it.
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ReplyDeleteOkay, you know I'm already having a party and creating boxes with my kids, so onto box TOPS.
ReplyDeleteOur student council kids cut them twice a year, and for some reason they LOVE it. Talk to someone on staff to see if kids can do it.
Wow, that got me when I read how your friend saw Jack's box. God is so good. I love making boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
ReplyDelete@Bluebird49/Sherry's Mom
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved daughter. May God bless you and your family.
I think of you all and Jack every time I pick up a few more things for our boxes. We are planning to pack 15 this year.
ReplyDeleteHooray, there is an Australian arm to this project! But the deadline here is the 26th Oct so I have to get my skates on. In honour of Jack each of my boys (3) will be packing a box this week and getting it dropped off by Friday! Thanks for the challenge Anna!
ReplyDeleteWe are always looking for something impactful to do with my son and this will be perfect. We will lift you and your beautiful family up in prayer as we do so. Jack continues to spread the light!
ReplyDeleteI vote we all email and write theose BT people so they will make those expirartion dates larger. I think that is middle age mom abuse!!
ReplyDeleteYou've made it this long without reading glasses? Impressive....
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ReplyDeleteYou have such a lovely blog, Anna. No wonder Shell Flower sent me over. She mentioned you also have a son named Jack. It's a beautiful name. We lost our Jack in 1991, then his twin Jody in 2007. I haven't read the rest of your posts yet because ... I'm not sure. I will, but in the daylight. I just wanted to say hi, and to let you know that I'm thinking of you. I'll be back.
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ReplyDeleteI was the BT coordinator at my son's school a few years ago. I NEVER cut along the tiny dotted line. I ripped around the edges to size it down if it was too big. Never received a complaint from BTFE and we received all the money we earned.
ReplyDeleteI will watch the video, Anna, and see what we can do. Would love to do something like that in honor of Jack.
ReplyDeletehugs,
kiran
That really is amazing. And across the world....
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteI signed up to be the Box Tops mom at our school this year too so I feel your pain! :) I LOVE Operation Shoe Box. There is a lady in our town who organizes a huge collection each year. Such an awesome experience!!
Love you,
Annie
Way to go Anna! :-)
ReplyDeleteHI Anna! The kids and I packed out Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes this weekend. We had a great time. They each contain legos in memory of Jack. thinking of you all.
ReplyDeleteMy boys and I just finished our Shoeboxes...it seemed it was meant to be. Both boys came home telling me about this program through their school in Washington, the next day I read this blog. We are sending four boxes (2 girls, 2 boys) and will be thinking of you, Jack and your family (as I do so often!).
ReplyDeleteCentura, Ryder and Reece.