Washcloths In General

This morning I was reading in Ezekiel (probably not the greatest book of the Bible to be reading on these cold and dreary days) when I happened on Ezekiel 34:26--"I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing.  And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing."

I could really use some of those showers of blessing (as long as they don't involve snow.)

I've been praying so long for God to bless our Operation Christmas Child area team and expand our territory.  Our team is filled with women "of a certain age", so I've specifically been asking God to bring more diversity to our team and give us some men and some younger members.

Today I learned that a MAN from our area has completed a volunteer application, but he won't submit it unless my husband submits his application also.   I'm thinking I should suggest to my husband that his completed application would make a great Valentine's Day gift for me...

So as I ride the ebb and flow of hope and get ready for the next onslaught of below zero temperatures, I take pleasure in the blessings God brought me today.

I've never considered a washcloth a basic necessity in every shoe box.  Last year, though, I was blessed to have an OCC friend find a good deal on buying them in bulk so we were able to put one in almost every one of our boxes.  It was also heartwarming last year to hear the testimony of Ted, a young man who received a shoe box as a child.  Ted lived in an orphanage and shared one towel with 20 other children.  He says that when he received his shoe box he was especially excited to get a washcloth.  To him it was his own personal little towel.

I'm not sure if God will provide enough washcloths for each box we pack this year, but I feel blessed that I was able to purchase 1,784 of them in the past few days.  Dollar General has a coupon for 50% off on housewares right now on their website (you can find it online and print it out or get it on your smart phone by going to www.dollargeneral.com)

I was able to make trips to several stores in our area over the past few days and amassed 99 packs with 18 washcloths in each pack for only $2.00 each (well, $2.12 with tax)

And at one of the stores a manager I know gave me a box of donations.  Great stuff for free--quite a blessing!

I think folding washcloths and storing them into boxes will be a perfect activity for a very chilly weekend.  Maybe I can get my husband to help, if he's not too busy completing his Operation Christmas Child application.  It's only been 12 years since he received his first application so he's had a while to think about it.

When that shower of blessings comes, at least I'll have plenty of washcloths.