A Cup of Cold Water

We have been so blessed this year and it is important to give back to those in need. Operation Christmas Child is a great opportunity to share with needy children all over the world and let them know they are loved. I have always wanted to be a part of Operation Christmas Child, so (when I started using coupons) one of my goals was to be able to put together a couple boxes myself and have supplies to offer to others for their boxes. Every time I bought another tube of toothpaste and another toothbrush, I was getting one step closer to that goal.

So, the time of year had finally arrived and we started hunting around the house for shoe boxes to fill with goodies! After finding our boxes, we sat down and watched the video on Operation Christmas Child and got to see some other boxes from last year being delivered. My 4 ½ yr. old was so excited and wanted to put together a box for a boy his age and one for a boy “just like brother” (2 yrs. old). I can not express how wonderful it was to be able to take my little boy “shopping” in our garage to fill up the shoe boxes! He kept pulling things of the shelves and saying “he will like this, Mommy” and “I want to give him a red toothbrush, okay?” We did take a trip to the store to pick up a couple things we didn’t have yet (the yo-yo, recorders, jump rope and toy dinosaur), but everything else came out the stockpile we had been building since I started using coupons. Seeing my son’s generous heart as he gathered gifts for “his friends”, I was (and still am) so thankful for the special moments we have together and the way that couponing has changed our lives. Using coupons has allowed me to take care of my family, as well as give to others. So, if anyone ever asks, this is why I purchased over thirty tubes of toothpaste this year! These things are the “cup of cold water” I have to offer in the name of my Savior (Matthew 10:42).

Box for a 2-4 yr. old boy (in upper left):

1 toothbrush

1 tube toothpaste

1 stuffed animal

1 blanket

1 recorder

2 coloring books (Noah’s Ark and dinosaurs)

1 pack washable markers

1 pack crayons

2 pencils

1 mild bar soap

3 different candies

1 scotch tape

3 balls (one lights up and bounces!)

1 toy dinosaur

Box for a 5-9 yr. old boy (in upper middle):

1 Noah’s Ark activity book

1 (24 ct.) pack colored pencils

2 regular pencils

2 glue sticks

1 kid’s scissors

1 scotch tape

1 jump rope

1 recorder

1 coloring poster

1 pack crayons

1 yo-yo

1 pack floss

1 toothbrush

1 tube toothpaste

1 bar mild soap

3 packs gum

Plus more to donate:

27 toothbrushes

34 tubes toothpaste (8 regular size, 26 trial size)

31 packs floss

14 bars mild soap

5 (24 ct.) packs crayons

4 (10 ct.) packs pens

4 packs gum

(Large box in bottom left of picture is going to a family in our church who is putting together boxes and is in need of these items to complete their boxes. All other supplies will be put on a table at our church for others to use when filling their gift boxes.)

If you add up the overage I received from the floss and some of the toothpastes, everything being donated was free - I didn't pay anything. This is not a brag, all glory goes to the Lord Jesus for showing me a way to give to His children. I am sharing this simply to encourage others that it is possible, even on a very limited income, to bless others this Christmas season.