August Fields

operation christmas child: fill a shoebox!

How to fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child

do you fill shoeboxes?

if you have never filled a shoebox we would love for you to join our family this year!

i am going to do a series of posts that show how and why we fill our shoeboxes.

but hear this:  they need to be ready for your local drop off  NOVEMBER 14-21!

for all the information right from the organization checkout and save the following website:

we are filling five shoeboxes with toys, candy and toiletries to be sent to children around the world.
this has been such a great way to prepare our hearts as we head into the season of Christmas.
to fill a shoebox you need:
1.  a standard size shoebox or small plastic container similar in size
2.  decide if you want to fill a shoebox for a boy or a girl
3.  choose an age range 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14
go out with your children and start choosing small items that fit the criteria.
some of the items we’ve purchased so far:
socks
combs
stickers
small ball
jump rope
individually wrapped hard candy 
hair clips
toothbrush/toothpaste 
crayons
markers
pad of paper
some items we have yet to purchase:
small cars and trucks
small dolls
tshirts
we’re just getting started so there is plenty of time!  will you join us??  
“go, fill a shoebox!”

mudroom decor.

it has been fun adding personality to the house over these past few months.  
here are some updates we’ve made to the mudroom.
these vinyl numbers came from etsy and took mr. daddy about 30 minutes to apply.

its fun to count our way up the stairs.  especially with the little ones.

we also decided to consolidate the kiddos artwork on canvas all into one place.

the mudroom walls.

i’m sure they like seeing their work proudly displayed as the best decor choice for that room 🙂
i can’t wait to add more!

fall days

this fall has been full of fun!  i really really like all the different seasons and fall is no exception.
walks in the woods.  crunchy leaves and changing colors.

trying for the world record of “biggest pile of leaves”

then settling for the thrill of burying their 2 year old brother.

harvest festivals with petting zoos.

and of course deeeelicious crispy, juicy apples dipped in warm caramel.

or for the particular ones, no caramel.

bobbing for apples.

changing out the window boxes to mums.

this time of year carries traditions, memories, yummy smells (spices and caramel!).

so much goodness.  so much to be thankful for.

master designer.

when we form words to speak from our mouth let them be purposeful.

when we put our hands to work let us do so with purpose.

when we place one foot in front of the other let us be purposeful in our steps.

when our minds process and create new ideas let them be fulfilled for purpose.

            

my friend, darlene, has boldly put out a challenge to each person who wants to stretch their purpose.
to those of us who appreciate a beautiful landscape, a well designed space, a passion for creating beauty.

let not these desires be meaningless or fruitless.

thank you darlene for encouraging us to look deeper and give glory where glory is due!

in darlene’s words:

“I AM A MASTER DESIGNER.

I LOVE BEAUTY;
I SEE POTENTIAL AND I WANT TO FILL IT WITH BEAUTY.
I AIM TO CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL THAT IS WORTHY OF JOY.

DESIGN IS A HIGH CALLING, ONE THAT CAN IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS, BE A MEANS TO FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS, AND ADD MUCH JOY TO MY FAMILY.

I APPRECIATE FINE AND LOVELY THINGS, BUT THEY ARE NOT MY TREASURES.
I KNOW WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT, AND
I DO NOT AIM TO “STORE UP MY TREASURES HERE ON EARTH.”* 

I LIVE TO BRING GLORY TO GOD, THE ULTIMATE MASTER DESIGNER.
HE CREATED BEAUTY.
HE CREATED ALL BEAUTIFUL THINGS.
AND, HE CREATED MY PASSION FOR DESIGN, AND SET THAT JOY IN MY HEART.

EVERYTHING THAT I CREATE,
AND HAVE CREATED,
IS BECAUSE I MYSELF WAS CREATED BY A MASTER.

I AM A MASTER DESIGNER.”

*{VERSE REFERENCE, MATTHEW 6:19}