Easter Clearance is HERE

And now is the time!!! Walmart, Fred Meyers, Rite Aid, grocery stores, stores of ALL kinds have their Easter stuff on CLEARANCE!!! Most places will be 50% off today and keep going down and down in prices.

What can you get???

Stuffed animals!!! The stores are full of small stuffed animals, sized for an Easter basket they are perfect for the shoeboxes. Bunnies abound, but you can find all kinds, including MY favorite, lambs! Walmart's should be 1.49 today... and IF they make it to 75% they will be 74 cents but they often sell out before then.

CANDY! Remember, hard candy only... no chocolate. (Leave that to treat yourself.)

Small toys! Of all kinds... sidewalk chalk eggs, balls, etc.

School supplies. Yup, pencils and erasers and notebooks all themed for Easter. Bunnies, yes, but SOMETIMES items with christian themes as well.

Extras- cups, tshirts, etc.

And what about those eggs??? Well, they will probably go deeper in sales but what do we do with them??

There are tons of ideas! I love this one I found on ClipWithPurpose's pinterest page

http://www.craftinterrupted.com/2013/03/fun-jar-friday-38-nesting-eggs.html

All over the web are ideas on how to make maracas or shakers with plastic eggs. Or how about a mini sewing kit. For TONS of ideas check out pinterest and especially this board: http://www.pinterest.com/clipwithpurpose/eggcellent-ways-to-use-plastic-easter-eggs/

Easter Clearance for Operation Christmas Child coming SOON

First I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed weekend as we remember what our Savior did for us on the cross and in His resurrection.

As you head to the stores this next week, consider purchasing some Easter Clearance items for your shoebox. In years past I have found wonderful stuffed animals, small and adorable, designed to fit in an Easter basket they fit perfectly in a shoebox. Walmart's Easter plush start at 2.97 so at 50% off (as is typical immediately after Easter) they are 1.49... IF you can get them when they go to 75% off they are only 74 cents, but they often sell out before that point.

Other things you might find include cups, pencils, erasers, small toys, notebooks, and more... sometimes with Christian themes. And don't forget the possibility of picking up hard candy for the boxes as clearance.

Each store paces their sales differently, so begin watching now and keep watching in the weeks to come. You may find a treasure for a child that will speak to their heart your love and the love of Jesus.

A Child's Giving Heart

I have shared many times that I got started with Operation Christmas Child many years ago when my kids were little. It was a blessing to do so and I have many memories of seeing my children WANT to give.

One of the main reasons this program is so dear to my heart is that it not only touches the heart of children overseas, but also right here, developing in OUR children a tender heart that desires to give and that is thankful for their own blessings. I watched that develop in my young children and have seen that continue now as they are older teens.

Today this was posted on Operation Christmas Child's Facebook page and I had to share as it speaks to this so beautifully:

>A 4 year old went shopping with his grandma, and together they made 2 boxes. A couple of days later he asked his mom "Why don't those kids have any toys?" His mom explained about poverty and sharing. Then he wanted to pretend that his mom was a needy child, and he went around the house choosing toys, and giving them to her. He commented, "I have a lot of toys." A couple of hours later, he said to her, "We need to pack more boxes. Seven more." She said, "You mean five more to add to the two you already made?" And he insisted, "No, 7 more!"

This year, take the time to pack a shoebox with your child and watch their heart bloom with love for others. You can learn more by reading about OCC here or at Samaritan's Purse's website.

If you are in Klamath Falls you can also join us this fall at our FIRST Community Wide Packing Party... even if you don't have the means to give, bring your child and let them pack a shoebox for a child in need... they can draw a picture or write a letter to include... and partake in the joy of giving. Details will be posted here as we get details locked down.

Distribution Video from April 4th in Pampanga

 So blessed with each video and picture to see the love of God going forth to these precious children. Remember, the distributions will be continuing for months... keep praying and rejoicing for our God is doing great works! (I especially love the pictures of the students doing the Greatest Journey Discipleship books!)