The real reason we made the climb was to get to Samaritan's Purse. Megan began our family's relationship with them some 7 years ago. The Operation Christmas Child boxes are plenty of fun to fill and they did (for preteen boys lately because they get fewer donations), but there are big boxes to put all those shoe boxes in. The original distribution center is in Boone, NC and there are more than enough volunteers from all over the eastern United States (so many that there was a small window of time to sign ours up in August), but the kids have gotten so big that their strong backs are in demand. For hours, they packed and moved.
There are apparently people who have been on site for disbursements to share unique and inspiring stories, like a boy who'd gotten a gown accidentally and sweetly gave it to his sister who didn't own a dress, and a boy who got a hammer and gave it to his Dad who desperately needed one. There was even a lady who lost her $10K ring in a box while packing at the center last year. Imagine the delight of that child! There are lots of other stories and pictures, but what hit closest was when they were told that the delivery of the boxes which they were handling had been halted because the central African country's American embassy was under physical threat and the missionaries were evacuated. The gravity of living in such instability suddenly made hard work seem easy, I'm sure.
The minimum age to help out is 14, so the younger ones and I set out shopping. I don't know how long it's been since Dad started divvying up money for the kids to purchase gifts, but it became especially important 4 years ago, when all hell broke loose with that 8 mm kidney stone of Mike's, and we were unable to pay them for their extra work. Speaking of health, today Mike had his yearly check of the aortic kevlar graft with his Vascular Surgeon at Wake Forest. Thank God, everything was clear. Dr. Geary (1 of top 10 nationwide) mentioned too that one of the dozens of residents, who witnessed the bypass, wrote an article in a medical journal about the circumstances. He said he'd try to get the names of it all and pass them on to us. Too bad it wasn't before the statute of limits was up for malpractice charges against the dishonest Urologist.
Or maybe not "too bad" because a lot of good has come to pass since. Even presently, the old friend I mentioned, with the deceased son, was looking for a job since he'd been laid off for months from the one he'd had for 15 years. Mike's been "looking" to make his way back up the ladder and so they decided to team drive. If all works out, they'll split and drive 2 trucks come spring. The other guy and his wife are expecting a baby then, so we'll see what's destined. The thing I like for Mike now is that it will relieve some of the loneliness that alienates him. Well, as Miranda said, assuming Mike doesn't forget him at a truck stop!
And back to Dad's money: he leaves it up to the kids how to disperse it. It's become particularly important (since we haven't made a church home to tithe to) that a big portion be devoted to someone other than family and friends. Christmas is sold as being about family blessings and togetherness and it is, but I've gotta believe that the delight of gifts to someone who truly needs them and the message they carry is better. We know that we'll hardly ever get to see that delight, even locally because of the anonymity of children in peril, but imagining is enough. So, the Asst. Director of the local children's home put together a list for our younger kids. While the big kids were working, we went to Big Lots in Watauga County. Although it doesn't look much different than any other, it's part of our old stomping ground and is an annual attraction to pick through the deals.
The first lists were likely compiled by "house" parents or foster parents. An "African" American doll was one of the requests of a 3 year old little girl. We didn't think we were going to find it (and were afraid it was because of the climate and population up there) until Melody (11) came across the beautiful Disney black princess, Tiana, soft-bodied baby doll. Then, she found the whole shebang, a matching dress up gown and shoes. And it was on; we found bath and spa treatments to accompany. The lovely thing about it all is that Melody always picked out black baby dolls for herself when she was little. She had a black friend of Strawberry Shortcake, a black Barbie, and a black Brat Doll, per request.
Madalynn (3), who'd help pick out things like a pillow pet for an 11 year old, might've seemed like she didn't comprehend what we were doing but the other day when Macklynn unknowingly was about to use pencils allotted for shoe boxes; with finger pointed, she scolded him and told him they were for kids who didn't have any! THAT is the ONLY reason I reveal any of this with a degree of comfort. BECAUSE it is never too early to instill charity. I implore you to seize the opportunity to show first hand the despair that's happening in our local and international communites. It's more than current events. Faces belong to them. Explore your resources, your talents, your strengths, your time and those of your CHILDREN! Through this early and natural process, I realized that the kids have come to EXPECT to do these things. I don't have to encourage in the least. These trips aren't about "us"; someone else is the EVENT. Too, there is a another program through Franklin Graham that makes it MORE than a festive event. We can purchase, throughout the year, farm animals and supplies to prosper their villages and to place in the arms of missionaries tools of hope.
For my own sanity and with a sleepy little girl, I fell for the idea of a movie, with the catch that they again pay their own ways. First, we came across the Pizza Hut buffet, which was an excellent deal until they finished a couple of pieces and complained that their stomachs were full of candy. I tried to make up the difference, I did ;) Adam Sandler's "Jack and Jill" was funny. I had a good time cuttin' up with my 3 little people. The 2 lt Mountain Dew we'd gotten with the pizza kept them alert and ready for our last stint, Kmart, trying to dust Wal-Mart from my shoulders.
Macklynn had some unfinished business. "His" 6 year old boy still needed a shirt, "adjustable waisted pants", and "Dr. Seuss books". He really searched through and found a jacket that was fleece lined with ultra soft material and was dead set that "he" would like it. We agreed, sped over to gather the rest of the troups, and listened to their stories all the way home, through the whiteness of the fog in the darkness, nearing midnight. I spent a miniscule amount of money for food. Gas is a necessary evil. We were out of toilet paper, Dove Soap, and milk; so we replenished. The children paid for their own candy and movie. The workers even earned shirts (and reportedly were more mannerly than some adults). So, we left with virtually no purchases for ourselves yet had an unforgettable/hopefully eternally memorable day of "getting it right". Now, we're back to algebra, dictation, recitation, and memorization ...and sweatin' the small stuff. But, believe you me, it won't get in the way of life as we're getting to know it.
(Though Mike is rarely home this time of year, he gets his hands on an "imperfect" tree now and then and finds someone who could use it. It's hardly a sacrifice for us, but the joy of the recipient is tenfold. That's what I'm talking about. We can find something that already abounds for us. We don't necessarily have to place hardship on tight budgets. Although ...as I was passing by a gift tree at the front of Wal-Mart and paused with the girls to read the tags, I spotted a charming list placed by an elderly woman ...soft spot I have. I picked it up and put it with my list, so I could pray, if it was something I should add to Mike's heavy load of financing us Harpers, while I was shopping. I was checking out and was surprised to find the necessary hanger ripped off the card. Weeellll, I took it as a sign. :) Donations of large sweat suits, stationary, stamps, and canned Cokes can be left at the door here! Otherwise, I can mark off a bottle of wine, my favorite olives, and some other things from my own "to get" lists. Most of us can and should. I don't mean to take away from the "tithe" but is your giving personal enough for you? Then, make it personal ...and find unexplicable meaning in doing so.)
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