OCC

I am so excited that we got to make an Operation Christmas Child box as a family this year. Nathan and I have done then before, but we have been waiting since Lydia was born so she can actually understand what we are doing.
We thought that this year would be a good time to start introducing her to real meaning of Christmas - God's love as  present to us, and how we can give to others. We've also started talking about a shocking truth - that our family actually has way more than we'd ever need, and that most other children around the world have almost nothing. Now, these are big concepts for a little girl. But they are so important - vital, almost - to her understanding of Christ and Christianity. We want to start early and teach her (and Luke!) the right way to go.
Lydia has such a sweet, giving heart.....she was super ready to go buy things for the little "3 yr." old girl we "chose". Only once did she ask if she could have the same toy - and, can you really blame her? She even brought her own pennies to pay for some of the items, and she offered to give some silly bands and one of her purses at home! :) How precious!
We were so happy that she was willing to give something that was hers, because we have been thinking of a way to help our children "give away" gifts at Christmas time, instead of get them. So, I encouraged her to give her new special toothpaste that we had just bought for her....and after a few minutes of thought, she agreed. It is definitely the small things that mean so much to a child, and I am super proud of her! She is by no means a perfect, cheerful giver - but this is a good time to start practicing. And, it reminds me that what she needs most for Christmas is not presents, but intangible items like character, love and grace.