Operation Christmas Child

This blog originally started because Amber and I were expecting triplets a year ago. Towards the end of November and beginning of December last year, we lost the triplets due to what was later diagnosed as an incompetent cervix. Fast forward this year, Amber had the cerclage procedure to prevent an incompetent cervix. The coming months will be difficult for Amber and I as we are with child, but we also want to remember our children in heaven.

I have always admired and supported the ministry of Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse. Here is an organization that really takes to heart the needs of the world, seeks to meet them, and oh ya, do it all for the name of Christ. This goes from feeding the worlds impoverished, disaster relief for areas hit by hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The one outreach that has always had a place in our hearts is Operation Christmas Child. What I love about it is that it is so simple, yet the impact in people's lives cannot be measured. It is a ministry to the world that God bless beyond our imagination. During our summer trip of 2007 to visit my parents in North Carolina, we visited and toured the Samaritan's Purse facility and Operation Christmas Child warehouse. My parents live about 30-45 minutes away from Boone, NC where it is located. It is an amazing center and well organized. We toured the warehouse and saw how the put together many flats of gifts for children that normally would not get a Christmas gift. One day Amber and I hope we can get there to volunteer on the lines to sort the shoe boxes before they are shipped.

This year we wanted to give Christmas gifts to our children, but we cannot. Instead, in honor of Amanda, Andy, and Katelyn, we will be making 3 shoeboxes, 2 for girls and 1 for a boy to give towards Operation Christmas Child. I guess you can say we are making this a family Christmas tradition. We hope that our child on the way will join us and we will add an additional shoe box for next year. We invite you to join us in donating a shoebox gift to Operation Christmas Child. We ask that if our family wanted to give a small gift in remembering Amanda, Andy and Katelyn that you simply donate a shoe box gift. The shoe box gift is just a shoe box with whatever toys, clothes, and food you can cram in it (there are restrictions, link below). You can spend as much or little as you want. OCC does carry a $7 donation to cover shipping costs which you can make online if you want. Below are a list of links to help you get started. Once you are done making your shoe box, take it to the nearest collection center. National Collection week is November 17-24. We will be taking our boxes to Sagemont Church in SE Houston, and if you live near us, we will gladly take your shoe box for you to the collection center. We hope that you all would join us in donating a shoe box as we remember Amanda, Andy and Katelyn.

• Operation Christmas Child main page.
• How to pack a shoe box (what to put in, what not to put in, gift ideas).
• Drop Off Locations
• EZ Donations (online donation)
• FAQ if you have questions