May 2nd, National Day of Prayer

Hi all.... this Wednesday, on Tuesday, Operation Christmas Child supporters around the nation will join in prayer. If you are local, we are having a prayer meeting at Calvary Chapel, KFalls, at 3pm. Whether or not you can come, please pray with us for Operation Christmas Child. For our local ministry, for those in the ministry around the world, and for the precious children!! Distributions are still ongoing.... and of course, for the children who already received their box, and heard the Word of God... that God would continue to work in their hearts. Thank you

Free Printable Disney Princess Coloring Book

Are you packing a box for a little girl?? Maybe doing a Princess theme box? http://klamathocc.blogspot.com/2012/02/theme-boxes-princess.html I found a great deal listed on ClipWithPurpose and just HAD to share!! http://www.target.com/c/brand-shop-National-Princess-Week/-/N-56g3t?ref=tgt_adv_xasd0001&AFID=Performics_Passion%20For%20Savings&LNM=Princess%20Download Go to the target page this week, click the gold badge, and you can print a Disney Princess coloring book in honor of princess week. For a little princess far away, a precious child of God, this might be just the thing!

Mary Damron ~ Operation Christmas Child video

What Makes a Good Box...

A while ago I started to plan a post on packing balanced boxes.. including a mix of items.... you know- toys, clothes, toiletries, school supplies, etc. A mix of practical and fun. I still believe in that method.. but our God is bigger than a formula!! And so when I read a blog today I just HAD TO SHARE IT. Read the blog and remember.. PRAY before you pack.. while you pack.. and after you pack. Pray for the child who receives the box... because God is WORKING.

http://occnwpa.blogspot.ca/2012/04/what-makes-good-occ-box.html

Here is part of the blog:

My friend and fellow-OCC Area Coordinator, Jaimie Lindley, had the privilege of distributing shoeboxes recently in the Dominican Republic and she told me about the boy and his mother pictured above.  The mother was helping in children's ministry at the church where the boxes were given out that day and when her son ran to her yelling "Mama, Mama!" and showing her his box, she burst into tears.

Jaimie was watching and asked an interpreter to talk with the mother to get the story.  The interpreter explained to Jaimie that the son had been praying for only one thing in his shoebox--a baseball glove.  And, as you can see from the picture, that is just what he received--the desire of his heart and the answer to his prayers.

A bit later, on the bus with her team, Jaimie told the story and her husband piped up and said, "That's not the end of the story.  I was there when he opened his box and all his friends also got gloves and balls in their boxes."  So, Jaimie explains, God gave that boy not only a ball and glove--He gave him a whole team!  Only our loving God can know what each child who will receive a box needs and desires and as we pray and fill them in the best way we can, He can use these gifts to meet those needs.

Easter Clearance 75% off Walmart

I am still visiting family up in Bellingham.... so I am unsure about sales in Klamath.. but HERE the Walmart Easter items are all 75% off! 74 cents for cute plush! Check it out and stock up! This is the last holiday for good plush before shoebox collections.

He Knows My Name

Crocheting Cute Animals

I am such a beginner with crocheting that I am not sure I am quite up for all the cute patterns out there.. but I think it might be time to learn. If you crochet, I think many of the following would be appropriate for a shoebox.

http://harugurumi.blogspot.com/2008/02/baby-sheep-free-pattern.html

Puppy Love
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/puppy-love

Bunny

http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60480A.html

Easter Clearance

Hi all! I pray that your Easter was blessed... if so now might be a good time to think about shopping to bless others. Easter clearance is one of the biggest and best shopping opportunities for shoeboxes!

Have you SEEN all the goodies???? Walmart has stuffed animals that started out at 2.97 perfect in size for the shoeboxes.... they should go 50% right away.. and perhaps even 75% if they make it that long. Other stores will have similar deals. Plus stickers, pencils, toys!

I will be traveling this week.. so I will not be able to report on local deals... but I will be reporting on what I find while traveling as many deals will carry over here. And feel free to comment about what YOU find in the comments section, especially if you find a GREAT DEAL.

Stuffed bunnies

Do I have bunnies on the brain given the holiday? Perhaps.. but I love to have a lovie in each box packed... and these are CUTE!!!

OK.. how cute are THESE?? These were designed by the talented crafter at 365 crafts and the instructions can be found at http://www.365-crafts.com/0121-Stuffed-Animal-Pattern.html. They were done with cashmere from a thrift store.. but I think I will try it with fleece and fabric... whatever they are made of they should be cute and fun for the shoeboxes!

Another option is a felt bunny.

Find the instructions at http://www.365-crafts.com/0621-Stuffed-Animal-Pattern.html

I am not skilled in these crafts but I think I want to try!

Operation Christmas Child Boxes at Easter

HAPPY EASTER!!! And Joyous Passover!! To all my friends let us celebrate what Christ has done! For He is good!!!

Here is a little video to enjoy this Easter.

Operation Christmas Child boxes for Easter! from Lisa Nicky on Vimeo.

Pray for those who were in the path of the Texas storms and for Samaritan's Purse and others who go help

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/responding_to_texas_tornadoes

April 5, 2012
Responding to Texas Tornadoes

Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief teams are in North Texas to provide relief in the wake of a major storm that spawned numerous twisters

Samaritan’s Purse is responding to a series of tornadoes that hit the Dallas/Fort Worth area on Tuesday, April 3.

As many as 15 twisters may have touched down, according to the National Weather Service, as a slow-moving storm system moved through North Texas. The violent weather destroyed about 200 homes and damaged hundreds more, according to preliminary estimates.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Samaritan's Purse is scheduling volunteers for this response. Click here for more information.

Two of the hardest hit areas were Lancaster, a southern suburb of Dallas, and Arlington, a city between Dallas and Fort Worth. There are 300 homes damaged in Lancaster, and at least 488 in Arlington.

Samaritan’s Purse has deployed two Disaster Relief Units. The tractor-trailers arrived early Thursday morning. We are establishing one base at First Baptist Church in Lancaster, and the other at Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington. Local volunteers are expected to begin working Friday, and overnight volunteers will start arriving Sunday.

Please pray for the families who were affected by the storms and for our staff and volunteers as we respond.

The joy of music!

One of my favorite things to include in the shoeboxes is a harmonica or any other musical item. Yes, it is a simple toy... but with practice can become much more. I also love putting in art materials.. to provide other creative outlets but they get used up.. a harmonica lasts. :)