My Lydia turned nine on January 5th. We’re halfway to eighteen years old! I literally cannot fathom that the little baby who made me a mama is now nine!
For months, Lydia has wanted to have a “It’s a Small World” party based on one of her favorite rides at Disney World of the the same name. (Yes, the one with the song. Yes, we made a Spotify playlist of every Small World version you can fathom. Yes, she actually likes the song!)
We came up with all kinds of fun ideas about passports and food from around the world. I basically wanted to decorate like Mary Blair. I got my Pinterest board ready and we were set on Small World. As we talked about the party, I thought to myself, “I’m going to ask Lydia if she would think about not doing presents this year but ask everyone to bring money and donate it to Compassion or something.” It would be a perfect fit because of around-the-world and honestly, we had Christmas 12 days ago. Does she need any more gifts? I mentioned it to my husband but never said anything to Lydia.
As the holidays and her birthday got nearer, it was time for Operation Christmas Child! Lydia is madly in love with packing shoeboxes. She literally thinks about it all year round.
We shop for gifts all throughout the year–after holidays at 90% off or when we run across some really clearanced item at a toy store. Somehow, we managed to buy 40 stuffed animals last year and the kids were set on packing 40 boxes. We ended up only doing 27 (or so) and the kids were super excited because we delivered them to the Processing Center on a Family Tour day and they were all delivered to Burkina Faso, where our Compassion kids live!
During all this collecting and dreaming about 40 boxes, Lydia told me she wanted to pack 100 boxes in 2015. I’m all for my kids doing hard things. In fact, it’s what I’ve been trying to train them to do since they were very little. But 100 boxes is a lot. That’s a lot of little gifts we’d have to buy. With the $7 per box donation fee for shipping, that would be $700 just for shipping!
But I couldn’t tell her no. Not after all the times I’ve told them they can do big things for God. So, I explained that she’d have to be in charge of making sure it happened. She’d need to make a list of all the “must haves” for the boxes. She’d have to write letters to toothpaste companies and crayon companies to ask for donations. I told her it would be up to her to use her own money to buy some of the gifts and to be the one to remind us to hit up all the stores after Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. for good deals. And she was ready. She pulled out a notebook and started on her own list of stuff to do.
As we got our Operation Christmas Child boxes out of the basement (all the stuff we’ve collected throughout the year), she was like a kid in a candy store. So excited to sort the items, to pack them up and thinking about the kids who would open the boxes. That night, as we got ready for bed, Lydia came to me, still on a shoebox-high and said, “Mommy. I just had THE BEST IDEA. Instead of presents at my party, I want to have everyone bring gifts to fill Operation Christmas Child boxes!”
I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the floor and said, “Lydia. I just told Daddy that I was going to ask you if you would be willing to go without presents for your birthday and donate money to Compassion or somewhere! I think God just spoke to you and told me, too so you would know it was Him!”
That turned a switch inside of her and she could not stop jumping and laughing and giggling the rest of the night. She was so excited about the thought of the boxes, her party and yes, God speaking to her. It’s a conversation we’ve had many times–how does God speak to me when I can’t hear him?!
And suddenly, in her almost-9-year-old heart, God spoke.
So, our “It’s a Small World” party turned into a Small World/Operation Christmas Child party and she had the time of her life. The guests had a blast playing and eating food from around the world–but one of the favorite parts of the day was when they all opened their gifts (ok, dumped their gifts on my couch) to look through everything that would be put into a shoebox.
And Lydia’s favorite part? Sorting it all into FOUR giant boxes and packing her first five boxes of 100.
I hope when you read this you don’t hear a spiritually-proud mama bragging on her super-spiritual kid. Don’t get me wrong, I’m ridiculously proud of Lydia. My heart hurts I’m so proud. But Lydia’s just a normal kid. She gets in trouble, is selfish and whines when she doesn’t get her way. But God still uses her. Just like He used a murderer like David, a loud-mouth like Peter, a selfish mama like me and a normal person like you.
This is just the way God is choosing to show Himself, to grow my daughter and to reach kids for Him. So, this year, I’ll be documenting Lydia’s 100 boxes on my blog—showing you how she’s writing to companies, packing Christmas gifts in May and saving money to send boxes around the world. Not to show off, but to keep us accountable and to remind you that God can use you at any age and any capacity! {ETA: See our end-of-the-year update here!}
And don’t worry, I’ve got a special Small World Party post coming up for you–complete with games, food and costumes from around the world! Oh, ok, because I love you. Here’s a picture of the birthday girl at the party…
Krista says
Wow! That so is amazing and wonderful that she came up with the idea herself. I’m looking forward to seeing all the post on this project!
oh amanda says
Thanks, Krista! I wish I could show everyone how incredibly excited she really is. She told me, “I thought it would be hard to not have any presents–but it wasn’t!” 🙂
a
Andrea in AK says
Oh my gosh! I am crying! I love when our littles show their spiritual hearts like this. Especially poignant as my own oldest will be turning 9 next month. Wow. Thank you for sharing such a happy story!
oh amanda says
Thanks, Andrea! I’ll post about this later but during the party she wanted to show a video about OCC and when it was done I was just going to say “Ok, let’s eat cupcakes” or whatever and I almost couldn’t do it b/c I was about to cry! It was so sweet–and fun at the same time! 🙂
a
Anna Rendell says
LOVE this, and filing it away for my ‘when he’s older’ file. My son’s birthday is December 15th, and he just turned three. Since his first birthday we’ve donated a portion of his birthday/Christmas toys, but as he gets older it will be great to have ideas like this in the back of my mind. Thanks Amanda!
oh amanda says
Thanks, Anna! I love it because I didn’t ask–and it made it that much more special to her b/c she really knew for the first time maybe that God can/does speak to her!
a
Kathy Hill says
Oh. My. Word. I am so super proud of Lydia. How wonderful for her and what a big thing for her to hear God speak to her in such a concrete way. He is so good.
I’m going to get with my girl and see if she wants to help. How exciting. I can’t even stand it.
Amelia says
Love this. Thanks for sharing, Amanda. (My oldest is 8.5.) When this stuff happens, I tear up. I am right now. It is so good to see kids listening to God. And, as you said, they are still just kids who get into trouble like anyone else, but it’s great to see Lydia’s heart. You helped give her that heart. Way to go, Mama. You are raising them up in the Lord. Inspiring.
LeeAnn G Taylor says
Love that you shared this! I’ve shared with with my Parenting With Purpose FB group and hope they’ll use it to gain more ideas on how their kids can make a difference. I also love how this taught Lydia how to hear from God. What a blessing at such a young age! I was much older before I learned the same lesson. Thank you for leading the way and sharing this experience with us!
Karen says
This is the best! When I read this, I immediately thought of daughter who is 7, and loves assembling shoe boxes. I couldn’t wait for her to get home from school so I could let her read. I usually don’t leave comments on blogs, but she wanted to leave one for your daughter. Here is her comment:
Hi my name is Elizabeth I am in second grade I think shoe boxes is a great Idea I want to do that to for my birthday I hope you had a good birthday your thinking about other people instead of you love Elizabeth
oh amanda says
Hi Karen! Thank you so much for your comment! Lydia and I read Elizabeth’s comment together and Lydia wanted to respond—>
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you! You should do it for your birthday! Love,Lydia
🙂
Patricia Faulkner says
it so beautiful you did for kids around the world what wonderful project for you it blessing that you are doing great in get organized in each boxes. I love your idea. Keep you busy and enjoyed your time with your friends and I am glad your mommy and daddy help you and you are doing great job. God love you. God Bless You.
RJ says
This is a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
I have been thinking already about Christmas, 2015. Last year was quite challenging financially for my family, and it looks like it will continue to be that way for quite awhile. Recovery from hard times isn’t easy or quick.
However, I saw many blessings emerge during the Christmas season, 2014. God did some beautiful things.
I did, however, feel a twinge of grief when I walked by the local giving tree. I try each year to pick a couple of names off the tree, of local children who I can bless at Christmastime. I love the idea of buying a couple of gifts for children locally, and also making some Operation Christmas Child boxes for children around the world.
My twinge of grief came when I fingered the little paper ornaments on the tree, and began to read the names, ages and wishes of the children that each of those ornaments represented. I would not be able to take any ornaments from the tree in 2014. I nearly cried.
I want to make 2015 a year where, I do a little bit each month toward making Operation Christmas Child boxes, and also do a little each month to collect items so I can make some special shoe boxes for children here in America, who may be in foster care, or in a place where they do not feel loved or special.
I also have a yearning to start a ministry that fashions shoe box gifts for the elderly, who are often placed in nursing homes and forgotten. It would be such a blessing to see their eyes light up, when a group of children and adults show up during the Christmas season, to distribute shoe boxes full of gifts for them–a nice pair of socks, a large-print word find book, a teddy bear to cuddle–the options are endless!
Seeing your daughter’s commitment to Operation Christmas Child is an inspiration. It is a reminder not to give up. It is a reminder that anything we do, whether it is one box for Operation Christmas Child, or 100, one tag from the giving tree, or a truckload of gifts, each gift represents an individual life that is precious to God. Each giver and each receiver alike are loved, valued and cherished.
ohAmanda says
“It is a reminder that anything we do, whether it is one box for Operation Christmas Child, or 100, one tag from the giving tree, or a truckload of gifts, each gift represents an individual life that is precious to God.” Yes! That is exactly it! Our one little gift or act is BIG and important to God.
Thank you!
a
eveline says
What a great heart your daughter has. I would be more than proud of her too. It makes me so happy swing kids learning how good it is being used by God.
May He bless your desire of a 100 boxes.
Regina says
This has really touched my heart. Me and my 14 year old son has been talking about this as well but we were only going to do about three but now from your post we are going to changelle our selfs to see just how many we can do before the turn in date. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
Alexa Fox says
???????? This is so touching. What a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing. It’s a great motivation for others. My family and I have been packing shoeboxes for few years now too. It is so much fun. I started buying things in the winter sales right after Christmas. We’re planning to pack more shoeboxes this year. My friends and I started knitting hats, scarves and socks. Looking forward to your postings. Best regards sent to you from Germany… In Gernany the OCC is called “Weihnachten im Schuhkarton” which means ” Christmas in a shoebox “???? Thank you Lydia & family ???? All the best.
Beth says
I have an idea for Lydia — to ask her dentist to donate toothbrushes! I’ve done that in the past for shoeboxes and received way more than I suggested! My daughter began packing boxes at a young age too. The summer before she entered college she was actually blessed to be able to hand out shoeboxes in Ecuador on a missions trip! Pastor Jonatthan is the pastor of our sister church there and also the director of Latin Americas for Samaritan’s Purse. He was able to arrange for our youth group to help with the box distribution to a village, a school, and an orphanage. Soap and washcloths were favored items in the boxes!
In December my husband and I were able to attend the airlift of shoeboxes at BWI to Northern Iraq and were so very blessed to be there!
Our family LOVES Operation Christmas Child! I’ve already started knitting and getting things for our 2015 shoeboxes!
I can just imagine how full of joy your heart is . . . my daughter asked her friends to bring gifts for the pediatric wing at a local hospital on her 16th birthday! They all had so much fun oohing and ahhing and remembering playing with toys as she opened them! It was so much more fun for everyone than my daughter actually opening gifts for herself! Your love for Jesus is shining through your daughter too!
Many blessings for you this year!
ohAmanda says
Beth: thank you so much for your sweet words! How cool that your daughter went to Ecuador with OCC! I got to go to the Dominican with OCC and once you see those boxes in a child’s hands, you see what a difference they make and you just can’t get it out of your head or your heart.
I’m totally going to ask our dentist! Great idea!
a
Jill says
This is so amazing. Go Lydia!! Can’t wait to follow along.
Eilleen Madore says
Dear Amanda,
You have inspired me to do even more. My goal this year was 30 boxes but after seeing what you have done, I will do 60 boxes instead. Thank you and God bless you.
Eilleen
Canada
Heather Taylor says
How awesome Lydia. I am so happy to hear about your generous heart. My daughter just turned 8 (yesterday). This is her second birthday party where instead of receiving gifts for herself, she collects gifts for shoeboxes. I am so proud of her for doing this. And not only that, but each year there is a family or two that hasn’t heard about the shoebox program so it is also an opportunity to educate and hopefully inspire others. Keep up the good work and listening to God. ????