We are always trying to show Maddie that it is always better to give than receive. This month, I really focus on it and explain how lucky she is to have the life she does. Between the house she loves in, the abundance of clothes and toys she has, a family who loves her so much more than she can imagine, and over all the wonderful life she has.
Chick fil a was giving boxes out for Christmas Child Shoebox project and asking people to take a shoebox and fill it full of things kids in another country could use and enjoy. It is a wonderful way to show Maddie how truly lucky she is and to give to those who are less fortunate than us. I picked up two boxes one day and we sat down that night and explained what the boxes were for and what we are going to do, and had her watch videos on kids receiving the boxes and the pure joy in their face. We watched another video showing how it brings the kids and families closer to Jesus and brings so many positive aspects to their life.
I know this was a very eye opening thing to her. She didn't realize that there were kids who didn't have much, a home, a family, or the joy of knowing and loving Jesus. She asked so many questions and wanted to go to the store that night and pick out things.
I had done a bit of research ahead of time and found out what they needed most, what was the most popular gifts for the kids, and what to do.
One day, I took Maddie to the store and we picked out a bunch of things to put in the two boxes. She even wanted to spend her own money to buy something. I let her buy a pack of pencils. She was so excited to tell daddy about her good deed.
We couldn't find everything at one store, so I went the next day and picked up the rest of the items. Once I came home, we put it all together and told Maddie it was time to pray around the boxes. She got over the boxes and said a prayer for us. She was so excited to have these ready to go. 
The next day, we gathered the boxes up and took her to chick fil a to drop them off.
She was very excited to hand them over and knew what an amazing thing it was to help others.
What I didn't tell her was that if we took a box and returned it in a certain day, she would get rewarded with a gift card for a free sandwich.
You could see by her face that she was surprised.
She was so happy to do a good thing and couldn't wait to tell me all about it.
It's things like this that I hope she continues to love and get excited about. I hope she remembers these moments and knows what kind of impact her small gestures make to others. She's always trying to help others, make people happy, and do good things just to do so. She has such a good heart. She makes me so proud and I'm honored to call her mine :)
Until next time... have fun, be safe, and enjoy life.
Lori
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