Love Boxes

It's been a while since I've sat down long enough to get to my blog.  We recently moved into a new house, so life has been pretty hectic.  It's been such an incredible blessing to be in our own space, and we're having a ball giving it a facelift to fit our family's personality.  Not to mention, to the glory of God, I've been able to walk through most of the process (take that, CRPS!).  Grace that I so don't deserve.  It's amazing.

Well, somewhere in the middle of packing endless stacks of boxes for our big move, my creative and innovative first-born (who was obliging the role of "un-packer"), came across an unopened box of markers.  She squealed with delight:

"Mom--there are children who don't have anything to color with!  We need to give them these markers!"

She sat down at the table, with a bright colored sheet of paper, and concocted the most beautiful idea.  She sketched out a box, filled with several (very specific, in her typical detailed fashion) items.  Her list included crayons and markers (the good ones, to be exact), drawing paper, a Jesus Storybook Bible, a water bottle, and a healthy snack, all placed in a white plastic box.  Then, Ava asked me to write out the note that would go along with it.

Four years old, and the lovely little soul had me pen these precise words:

Dear Friend,

I may not know you yet, but Jesus knows you, and He loves you very much.  The Bible says, "We love because He first loved us," (1 John 4:19), and it also says, "Be kind to one another," (Ephesians 4:32).  I hope you have fun coloring!

Love,
Ava Grace

We shared Ava's idea with my parents, who showered Ava with financial assistance to get the boxes started.  We then pitched it to our Community Group at Northridge Church, who gladly got on board, as well.

Within a week, Ava raised enough money to purchase the makings of eight "Love Boxes," as she calls them.  Through the help of one of our service coordinators at Northridge, we found a local organization that is thrilled to distribute the Love Boxes to children in need. 

Sweet little Ava, we couldn't be more proud of you.  Watching God's love grow in your heart is the most amazing privilege we could have as the people who were so greatly gifted with you.