Work and Wholesome Recreation

     Operation Christmas Child was hard work.  Our family dedicated a lot of time each week to gathering supplies, toys, funds, and shoeboxes.  We wrapped the boxes in Christmas wrapping paper, bagged all the supplies and goodies, printed labels, made cards, and dropped off the boxes at the proper location.  We were able to get some other families involved which took effort on our part as well.  We enjoyed this working time together and know that our family was strengthened by it.

"Family work provides endless opportunities to recognize and fill others' needs.  It thus teaches us to love and serve one another, inviting us to be like Jesus Christ."

-Kathleen Saugh Bahr, Kristine Manwaring, Cheri Loveless, and Erika Bailey Bahr, Pg. 213, Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives

Some Hygiene Items (above)

 

Some Goodies (above)

Types of toys donated (above)

   Although this activity was hard work it was also a great family activity.  We enjoyed putting the boxes together listening to Christmas mucis.  We had goodies after finishing the shoeboxes, and laughed and sang.  It was a lot of fun.  Sometimes when we choose to work together in a way that is serving others it becomes more of a fun activity than one of work.  This I know has also brought us closer together as a family and has given us an even greater desire than before to make work fun, and enjoy the time we spend together.  The end result is we donated 7 fully packed boxes that will bring happiness to 7 families somewhere in the world.  We wish we could see their happy faces.  And maybe someday that will become a reality if we choose to travel and deliver the boxes someday.  

Boy with Christmas Shoebox

"...when we spend our free time interacting with our families by reading to our children, teaching them to ride a bike, playing a board game, gardening together, or going backpacking, we build knowledge, relationships, memories, and skills."

-Mark A. Widmer and Stacy T. Taniguchi, Pg. 226, Successful Marriages and Families:  Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives

 

...and I like to add fun, and meaningful service projects.