Operation Shoebox

A couple of weeks ago in church,we were all issued memos to create a 'shoebox' for a little child in a third world (especially war ravaged) country. Many of you may have heard of these over the years. You get a simple old shoe box and fill it with items for the particular child of your choice. Of course, I chose a little girl. It's always easy for me to buy dolls and toys and things that are pink. :)
But, today,we were inspired to do another, for a soldier in Iraq. I loved this idea. So I am putting one together today. Just think about these guys over there for a minute, and all the creature comforts (as simple as good toothpaste and a new toothbrush) that they probably don't have. Think about how nice it is when you get something special in the mail. A trinket, a lovely handwritten card. Imagine then, how extra nice it must be for these guys who are in a desert environment, far away from anything familiar, fighting for us.
Send one of them something. You can, of course, keep it anonymous.
Here are some of things I put in (which boys always seem to like/need) Maybe it will give you some ideas.
*Toothbrush/ toothpaste
*Good Mach 3 Razor ( a boy needs a good shave)
*A couple of nice black and/or white cotton T-Shirts from Old Navy or Gap
*Nice white athletic socks. There isn't a boy I know who doesn't always need good athletic white socks.
*Chocolate or homemade cookies (yes these will preserve)
*A good, moisturizing lotion. The desert is dry and sometimes boys are not that best at taking care of their little old dry skin. Other uses are not of my concern. ;)
*And you know what I thought was a fun idea? I got two high thread count pillow cases and washed them with pretty smelling soap and made them soft. Sleeping on a pretty, fresh smelling pillow, over the startchy, basic cotton case the service gives you, may be a nice change.
*A flash drive with some of my Itunes new music on it. A boy can't have enough rock and roll.

Anyway- think about it. If it were you, you'd like it.
Go here for more info and mailing instructions:
http://www.operationshoebox.com/

Something else.
In the lesson this morning, the minister said something interesting and it really moved me. He was talking of how he had by chance caught the movie, 'The Passion Of The Christ" on a movie channel last night. He spoke of how he was again, moved by the scene where God was carrying the Cross up the mountain and had been- and was still being -terribly, terribly beaten. Yet still, when he got to the top of the mountain, he set the cross down and placed himself on it. For us. And then the minister said the thing that put it all together for me, and I wrote it down. He said:

"And do you remember what Jesus said? He said, 'Forgive them for they know not what they do.' Now I don't know about you, but I don't know many people that love like that. If you can strive to love beyond your own parameters, you may be living as this story has been trying to teach, and living the laws of God."

Isn't that moving? He knew that continuing to love although he was brutalized, and forgiving though he could have been angry, was the only was to save their souls and at the same time, keep his heart pure as well. Just thought I would share.