I'm Back!

Hello all of my shoebox shoppers and packers!

After a three year long hiatus I am back to doing what I like most and that is posting blogs about shoeboxes and the amazing organization that is behind it. In the time I was away I focused on school and earned my Bachelor's degree in English Language Arts and I am currently at the end of the student teaching portion of my Master's degree in Education. I also got engaged!

 I packed boxes in 2018 and 2019 but I just did not post about them as I have been incredibly busy with life and catching up on all of the requirements of school and planning a wedding. I am thrilled to go back to blogging as it is a way for me to express my voice and also keep talking about stuff that I LOVE to do: aka, packing shoeboxes!

Shoebox stuff so far:
In the last two years I was able to send about 100 boxes to different countries, mainly the Philippines and Indonesia. Every year I try to do what I can and what the Lord provides for me and this year he has provided me with many free hours so right now I have been crafting up a storm of items to put in my boxes this fall.

Handcrafted items:
Hats: 48
Marble bags: 30
Scarves: 0

I plan on getting a LOT of items done in the next few months and I also plan on really getting those boxes packed and ready to ship in November. As far as I know, OCC has not put any holds on the boxes this fall so I am going to continue getting them ready for this year.

Have fun packing!

Is it all worth it? Answer: Yes

Hello Packers!

     Have you guys ever had that moment while packing your boxes or shopping for your boxes and thought, "Is this even worth it?", "How do I know that this box even reaches a child?", "Am I using my spiritual gift in the right way?"? Well, I had that moment last week when I was looking at my stockpile of Barbies for my older girl boxes. I had that moment of wondering if God even liked what I was doing with my life and if I was using my spiritual gift, surprisingly it is faith according to multiple devices, according to His will.

     Conflicted with this feeling I prayed to God and I went about my day at school. When I was at school, sitting in my English class, I went to my Facebook to message my mom that my phone had died. While doing so, I came across two message requests. I felt uneasy at first because I've gotten weird message requests before so I cautiously opened one of the messages that was sent to me three days prior. When I saw it: I cried.

From a mother in the Philippines, I received four photos from a distribution. This group might have received a few of my boxes or maybe they all received my boxes. I don't necessarily know due to the fact that there wasn't any context other than "tnk you" but regardless, it brought a huge smile to my face when I saw these children.

I was of course a bit shocked at first but then attached was a copy of one of the letters that I sent. I remember this letter because on the other side is a scrapbook angel with orange curly hair. When I saw this, my heart was racing because that means that my boxes actually went somewhere. They landed in the hands of actual children and they read the letters. Seriously, packers, I was crying with happiness in my classroom.

So, already my heart was racing because I not only got to see some of my items but I got to see this wonderful boy here. I have no idea what his name is but I know that this sweet boy received one of my shoe boxes. The group of children there really made my heart flutter but knowing that this boy specifically received one of my boxes really rehabilitated that dying desire to pack boxes. This year I will only be packing 30 boxes but I think that after this year, I will continuously pack boxes until I can no longer find supplies to pack them. This image alone...I mean, this was one of my 100 shoe boxes and because it has a photo on it, this is one of them that I packed after my 50 shoe box goal last year.

I totally regretted including that verse because it was a short paraphrase of the scripture's actual meaning but it got the message across for this child. I fell in love with this photo because this child, I know his face and I know that he benefited from this box. I don't know his full situation but I do know about the Philippines as I have many friends from that country. Man, packers, this was just one of the best feelings I've ever experienced and what was really shocking to me was the fact that I finally saw these pictures after praying to God.














     This was a completely wonderful experience and this set of pictures might just be a few basic photos, but they mean so much more.

     Along with these photos, I received another separate message from a boy's sister in Albay (a province in the Philippines).

"Hi Ate Marissa my brother have already received the gift from you by the OCC His name is *************, He is already 12 years Old. He's really thankful for the gift and of course to your letter He really appreciate everything you wrote like all the encouraging words and happy thoughts there. Thank you very much may God bless you always "

     Yeah, I was bawling. My face was red and a few people probably assumed I was going through a pre-final mental breakdown but this was one of the nicest things to open my Facebook messages to. So, although we think that we might not get the boxes to those that really deserve it or we feel like the boxes aren't appreciated: they are. They truly are and it is a great feeling knowing that we are taking care of God's children all over the world.

Happy Packing! (221 Days until Collection Week starts)

Getting the Most out Your Items for OCC: Deodorant

Hello Packers!

     Something I tried to do last year and will succeed in doing this year is including deodorant in my boxes. Strange? A little bit but like any normal boy/girl on this earth, they will develop a body odor and perspire, it would be pretty cool to provide a luxury like deodorant to a child, right? If you have never considered deodorant before, it could be a nice replacement for the tube of toothpaste that we aren't allowed to give out anymore or for the candy replacement.

     Anyway, I was at my neighborhood 99 cent store and was searching through the deodorants and was shocked to find out that for the same dollar price, you can get a deodorant that is only 1 oz or 1.7 oz! I know! I thought to myself in that moment, "Wow, we usually grab items from the shelf and not even look at the ounces on them. We could be wasting our money!" With that being said, I took to the arrangement of deodorants that they had and started to look specifically at the ounces at the bottom of the containers. This is what I found:

Girls:

Alright, so I prefer Suave or Teen Spirit if I'm going to be completely honest on my own preference but this Secret bar was the one with the highest amount of ounces at 1.7 oz. I was a little shocked that that was as high as it would go for the ladies but I will take what I can get for the price.

Of course, I checked everything to make sure it was okay (smell/looks) and of course everything was fine. They had this scent which is Shower Fresh and they had another that was called Powder Fresh. I must say that the Shower Fresh had a nicer smell to it and I think that the girls that receive these deodorants will appreciate the pleasant scent. It is a solid deodorant and unfortunately I didn't read anywhere that it was an invisible dry so that is also a bit of a downfall on this deodorant. However, my mother loves Secret and has been using it for year so I believe this brand will work perfectly.

Secret Shower Fresh: 1.7 ounces





Boys:

Alright, well for some reason Blogger won't let me post my own photo so here is a photo I got from the internet. This can be compared to Speed Stick and to me, it smells pretty dang close to the original scent. I like it a lot and it is lucky for us as there are a few other deodorants at the 99 cent store that are the same amount of ounces as well if you don't want to buy this brand. I will be going with this brand for a reason that I'll tell you in just a bit.

Clear Stick: 2.25oz

Alright, so there is a reason why I chose these specific brands other than the amount of oz they carry. Did you guys know that deodorant has an expiration date? No? Well neither did I until I turned the bar around to see the lovely "exp" on the back. Of the other brands, they all expired in a few months but I wanted to get the bang for my buck so to speak and get something that I know customs won't throw out.

Boys:

 Expires October 2019

Girls: expires September 2018

Again, Blogger is making my post a bit wonky so I apologize about that. But check the expiration dates on your deodorants. As far as I know, we are still allowed to include deodorants but just to be on the safe side, check the expiration dates so we can know for sure that those items will be making it to the child.

Happy Packing!

Changes for my 2017 Boxes

Hello Packers!

     This year is going to be an interesting year for me for the boxes for 2017 because I have put a limit on myself this year...let's see how well I stick to it. This year I am limiting my boxes and will only be doing 30 boxes. I will be focusing on the boys mostly this year with a whopping 14 (10-14) Boy boxes, 1 (5-9) boxes, 3 (2-4) boys. Then 9 (10-14) girls, 1 (5-9) girl, 2 (2-4) girls. 

      What I'm doing differently this year is making more items for my boxes by hand and hoping that I will be able to reach that goal by the end of the packing season. I have been making scarves for the boxes since December and I have a long while till I have 30 scarves prepared as well as 30 hats ready as well. I'm contemplating giving two hats per box but still, as I have no idea how the boxes will look this year, I will just prepare with that thought in mind. 

     So far, I must say that I have some changes that I'm making to my boxes this year as a result of the block on candy as well as toothpaste this year on. With the money I would have spent on candy or on toothpaste, I went a bit all out on the soaps this year and will be giving each child a 7 oz bar of soap that was made right here in the United States. Each soap smells absolutely heavenly and that is something that I remember reading on another blog. The children loved the smell of the soaps because what they are used to doesn't have a scent or smells more like animal fat. I think that with as much money that I spent on toothpaste and candy last year, I think that it is more than okay for me to splurge a little bit on these necessary items. Last year I sent every child a 3.2 oz or so bar of soap that smelled clean but never really had a fruity or interesting scent. This year, the scents I'm sending smell like almond and honey, cucumber melon, and a lemon-herb scent.

     Another aspect to my boxes that I will be changing this year is the amount of school supplies I pack in the boxes. Last year toward the end of the season I started giving children 10 pencils and 6 pens, this year I will be giving each child 10 pencils and 10 pens as I know what it is like to not have that many pencils or run out of my favorite pen so in hopes of them being able to make them last, I'm giving 10 of each. I will also be including full size coloring books opposed to the thin free ones I got last year. Why? Well, to be honest, it's a combination of reasons. 1. I found them all on sale for $0.50 each this year and they are all the recycled paper kinds which is something I just love. 2. My grandmother has a woman and her two 10-16 year old children living at her house. On Christmas, they ran up to my grandmother's portion of the house and were overjoyed by what my grandmother gave them: dollar store trinkets and coloring books. These kids never really had a big Christmas before either and to know that they were overjoyed by something as simple as a coloring book, and this is coming from children in the United States, is just a reminder that kids in that age group will be pretty excited to find one too.

     My boxes this year will be relatively gender neutral for the most part but there will be a few distinct differences that will make one box for a girl and the other for a boy. One aspect that I want to tell you all about now so that you can maybe think about it for your own boxes is the inclusion of a hair brush. I know that on certain blogs it says not to include hairbrushes and to just include combs but here is my reasoning. 1. Not all boxes are headed to African nations where girls shave their heads. My boxes went to the Philippines in 2015 and they are allowed to have long hair there. 2. Even if it does go to a girl whose head is shaved, brushes can be used for multiple things and can be used to brush the fur of her stuffed animal or her pet/farm animals if she needs to.

     This year will definitely be different for my shoe boxes but the thoughts and prayers are still the same. I hope you are all enjoying your January and I'll be posting again in due time. God Bless!

Happy Packing!

Dropped Off My Boxes! #ipackedashoebox 2016

Hello Packers!

     Ah, yes, the wonderful time of the year right before Thanksgiving break has come where all packers across the nation are sending their boxes to the drop off locations that will soon be sent to processing then to the hands of a blessed child. This time of year is always a fun and happy one so I hope you all had a great time dropping off your shoe boxes. I dropped off my boxes at Bayside Church again this year and at times of dropping off your boxes, we need to remember that although the volunteers might be a bit dismissive, this does not deter from the main focus of the ministry: to get those boxes to children in unfortunate circumstances.

     These children out there are going to be so thankful that you took the time, energy and who knows how much money into putting their box together. Truly, this is an amazing ministry and your work is being recognized. 

     This year, I surpassed my OCC goal of 50 boxes and ended up with 159 boxes. This is one of the most exciting moments for my OCC career as I have never packed up these many boxes before.

2014 - 9 boxes

2015 - 20 boxes

Packing these shoe boxes has been a great experience on both my heart and my connection with the Lord. With every box, I can feel God telling me to include certain items that each child might like or really need. These shoe boxes might not look like a lot but each one represents a child that is going to be exposed to the gospel and might be saved. That is something that any packer or Christian can really hope for. 

I don't know the child that any of these boxes are going to nor do I know what their life is like but God does. God knows their struggles, their problems, their position in faith and He knows that with every box there is a specific child for each one. This year, especially with everything going on, I am so grateful that the Lord inspired Franklin Graham to create this ministry so that Christians all over the world can come together and make a child's day with a box filled with goodies, hygiene products and extra school supplies. I love this ministry.

DROP OFF:

The drop off happened right after I got out of my SFG at school. I had to wait for the flat bed as many people had brought large amounts of boxes too. I had arrived at about 12:00 and didn't get out of there until 1:00. This is my first cart of shoe boxes and my goodness, it was hard to decide if I should drop off the plastic or the cardboard boxes first. It was also so heavy that a member of the staff had to come out and help direct me to the drop off building.

The team was a bit different compared to the team last year as they didn't really show much enthusiasm for the boxes I was dropping off like they did last year. They looked rather frustrated that I was bringing in so many boxes. I understand that they need to put them into larger boxes and send them to the processing area but it was a bit discouraging the way that they were treating me like an unwanted customer. Nonetheless, I ended up cheering on other people that were bringing in shoe boxes in place of the volunteer workers. I remember the way I was treated last year and the year before that but today I didn't feel like we were part of a ministry but part of some business and that is something I hope you guys didn't experience when you were/are dropping off your boxes.

I might not have had the best experience at Bayside but I will say that it is the reminder that I am doing this not for the volunteers or the likes on Facebook/Instagram but I am doing this so children that are less fortunate than I can have a Christmas and maybe come to know Jesus through it. 

Shoe Box Gender Breakdown:

BOYS:

10-14: 59 Boxes

5-9: 3 Boxes

2-4: 34 Boxes

GIRLS:

10-14: 37 Boxes

5-9: 4 Boxes

2-4: 22 Boxes

2016 has been an amazing year for us at Shoe Box Loving and we hope to spread more cheer and excitement for the cause next year as well. We are blessed and thankful that we have come across so many resources for our shoe boxes and that next year will be prosperous as well. 

God Bless and Happy Packing!

9/29 2-4 Girl Box

Hello Packers!

     I have been on a young child box kick as of late and I just couldn't do a box for a boy and not do one for a girl. I have a space in my heart for those young babies. Even in the US I feel for the children that are unable to be fed, to wear appropriate clothing or to be able to play with educational toys. The economy of the world, the ongoing war going on in the Middle East and just all of the chaos going on in the world...I believe that these boxes are little rays of sunshine in a world of grey. I feel that these boxes can possibly give a child a chance to realize that they are worth more than their situations and know that there are still good people in the world that want nothing but the best for them and for them to come to Christ.

     

ITEMS:

As you have probably noticed from my previous articles: School Supplies, regardless of age, is always an important inclusion. So, I included in her box:

- 2 Coloring Books -2 Notebooks

-Pencil Sharpener - Crayons

- 10 Pencils - 5 Pens

-Heart Puffy Stickers

Just like the previous box, I am so incredibly happy with the educational items that were on clearance at Target. I love the items and they're also fun so it's a win-win.

-Numbers Book -Doc McStuffins Puzzle

-Alphabet Puzzle -Matching Set

-Water Color Paint Set -Eraser

-Lacing Shapes

Some other great items are hygiene items as well as clothing items. 

-Socks -Comb Brush

-Tooth Brush -Tooth Brush Holder

-Soap -Cookie Cup

Those magnetic yo-yo's are the coolest things I've ever found and I'm super excited for the little girl who gets to play with them. I also wanted these boxes to have large stuffed characters so she gets a relatively large Disney Pirate Girl. 

PACKING:

Step One: So, like all the boxes, put the flattest items on the bottom of the shoe box and most of the items I put in this box are relatively close to the same size so they stacked perfectly on top of each other.

Step Two: There was a space behind the notebooks and other square items so I put the pencils and the tooth brush items there.

Step 3: I had to rearrange a few items as the fillers went in but thankfully they all fit in perfectly. The doll's head is unfortunately really big and not that squishable so the box closed at an angle but still it looks quite nice with the brown polka dot lid and the floral box. 

I hope you guys are having as much fun packing your boxes as I am packing mine. Love and prayers, everyone.

Happy Packing!

9/28 Just Couldn't Help It: Here's Another Box

Hello Packers!

     So, I have been on a box packing/researching hiatus for the last month or so but something truly pulled at my heartstrings when I found a lot of toddler educational items in the Target Clearance section a few weeks ago. I was planning for my 2-4 year old boxes for next year but as I put the items away, I just couldn't help it. Something inside me told me that I needed to pack this box. I fell in love with this child, although I have no idea who or where he is, but I could feel myself knowing who this child was and how helpful these items would be to him. I hope you enjoy the photos and have fun packing!

ITEMS:

So for this box, it is mainly education and creativity based so this child gets:

-Two coloring books

-A Shapes book

-Two Notebooks

-Pencil Case

-Crayons

-Flash Cards

-Eraser

-10 Pencils

-5 Pens

-Lacing Shapes

-Alphabet Puzzle

-Soft hacky Sack

-Water Color Paint set

Something that inspired this box was the large stuffed green teddy bear. My mother had tons of these during my soccer years and we still had one left over. So, this child also gets:

-Green Teddy Bear

-Lion Puzzle

-Tooth Brush

-Tooth Brush Case

-Comb

-Soap

-Jesus Necklace

-Pencil Sharpener

-Magnetic YOYO

PACKING:

Step 1: When filling the shoe box, try to put the flattest stuff on the bottom just because it keeps them from bending/getting wrinkled, it won't take up much space and you get to feel like your box is organized which is a plus for those of us that hate putting items together haphazardly. 

Step 2: Other items that don't take up much space or can take up the length of the box are a good item to put in next. I placed the pencils length wise and then the toothbrush. I decided that I won't put the toothbrush in the container anymore. I understand that it is better to keep them together to save on space of the box but I also remember how it is whenever I get something new, I love to take off the paper and enjoy the fresh new item. I don't want to strip the child of that too much.

Step 3: Then go in the other items that you haven't put in yet. Remember to use the volume of the water bottle when you pack so you can get as much as possible in the box. The Magnetic yoyo was in a large container that took up too much space so we took that out. By the way, we should be careful with how much packaging we send overseas. A lot of the communities that these boxes show up in don't have a great waste system so their garbage piles up. It is unfair of us to add to their garbage in that way. 

Step 4: I had to redo the coloring books because having them curved really bugged me. But the stuffed animal went in last as it is the one thing that will be able to be crushed down and still come out normal-looking. 

Step 5: Always put the rubber bands on the box even if it is perfectly secure. In the process of transporting our boxes from the drop off site to the processing center, some lids can become unhinged and some plastic lids can fall off. Then the crew would be stuck trying to figure out which items belonged where and I believe many of us pack our boxes to be one of a kind, so it would suck if those items were lost. Also, place the label at one end of the box. Some put it in the middle but it is not a great idea as the tape that they put on to secure the boxes for international travel tends to go right over the middle of the boxes.

Alright, I hope you all are having a fabulous time packing. 

Happy Packing!