One afternoon at the pool a few months ago, Cate and her friend Norah started talking about having a bake sale. Norah loves baking, especially cupcakes, so I think her hobby prompted the conversation, but I’m not even sure. I just remember sitting in the baby pool with Rachel and my best friend Jaclyn when the girls were telling us about their idea and asking about when and where they could have it. My favorite part was when they started discussing to whom they could give the money they earned.
That was July, probably. And here we are in October.
But since that initial conversation, they recruited another friend from church, Violet, and nailed down specifics. And us moms figured out a time and place for them to have it. Jaclyn hosted a baking day. Then the girls individually decorated the cupcakes and cookies closer to time and baked some brownies.
Well, the much-discussed bake sale happened Saturday.
The girls raised $96 to send to Bethel Ministries International, the ministry with which we served in Guatemala in July 2015. Bethel serves families throughout Guatemala by distributing wheelchairs, food, and clothing; building houses; and sponsoring children who can’t otherwise afford to go to school.
With $96, one elementary-school aged child can attend school for about four months. That’s the kind of investment I want my kids and their friends to realize makes a difference.
I want my kids to notice other people.
I want them to see their friends’ and strangers’ hurts and needs so they can help them. I want them to realize our lives are better together – and sometimes that means taking the first step. I want them to love Jesus and love people.
And, let’s be honest, I want that in my own life, so I might as well teach my kids as I’m learning myself.
I don’t want service to be a part of our lives,
I want to default to living generously.
How do you teach your kids about giving? What are you some service projects that have worked well for you?
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Here are some other ways I’ve tried to teach my kids about living generously.
Operation Christmas Child
Compassion International birthday gifts & sponsorships
Collecting diapers or other supplies at birthday parties
Jesus Birthday Party
Treats for fire and police departments
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Tweeted your thoughts on a service foundation for our family’s life. If it’s something we just tack on, it’s sure to get lost in the chaos!
You’re right about it getting lost if we just try to add another thing. Thanks for tweeting and being here!
Love this! Our little guy is only 5 months, BUT we are going to send our OCC box in his name this year to start him young 😉 Grateful for your example!
It’s a good place to start! Hope y’all enjoy packing the box and start a family tradition you love!
What precious little givers! I love to see kids carry out these types of projects. I’m thankful that my children have always enjoyed service projects as well. We seem to do more in the Christmas season. How beautiful that these precious little girls came up with this sweet idea!
Yes, opportunities seem to present themselves during the holidays. I’m grateful for the way these girls carried out this project. Thanks for being here, Candace!
I love the bake sale! My granddaughter had a lemonade stand one summer while she was here – all proceeds went to a local missionary family. One year she had an oregano sale – our crop was huge so she bundled it up and sold it. I can’t remember where the oregano money went! Hands to work – Hearts to give! xo
Hands to work, hearts to give – that is a great saying, and it goes along with your blog so well. 🙂 I love hearing these stories. And I love having you here, friend. xoxo
Sometimes these projects end up being another to-do on the mom list so hat’s off to you for seeing their vision through. They’ll remember how good it felt to raise & share!
Thanks – although, I’m sure can imagine all the mom reasons the bake sale didn’t happen until October after they started talking about it in July … 🙂 Thanks for commenting, Lisa!
Friend, you are a great mama! Love that your kids are such a reflection of your generous heart. We’re trying to cultivate a heart of service with our son by reminding him that he is a contributing member of our family. That he needs to work alongside us to maintain our home and cherish what God’s blessed us with. He’s 13 and a boy – so I get eyerolls often, but I also get the trash cans taken out to the curb, so that’s a win, right?! 😉
TOTALLY A WIN! 🙂 We have our share of sibling arguing and disobedience around here, but I’m grateful when there are peeks to what God is doing in their hearts. I’m always glad to have you here, Tiffany! xoxo