Successful Arrival

It has been confirmed, all 20 boxes arrived safely to Iraq and are being or have been handed out. Here is a brief note from Matt about some of the deliveries:

"Please tell Mom and Dad that me and SGT Pass handed out about 8 boxes of stockings today, most of the rest we're trying to have shipped to the outlying FOBs. One of the guys was reading his note, and the student asked, "how many people have you killed?" It was awesome, all the guys were rolling with laughter. "

Thanks again to all the contributed.

Merry Christmas!

December 8 - Update

As of December 3, 2009 there were 20 boxes, weighing 53# each, on their way to an Army Base in Iraq. All total there were 504 stockings filled with candy, bibles, mouthwash, baby powder, drink mix powder and handwritten notes from many parts of the US.

Karyn and I can't thank all those who helped in the producing of the stockings, note writing, donations (monetary and goods) - enough. Contributions of some kind came from Missouri, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Texas, California and Michigan.

When you get a minute, checkout www.operationworship.com these are the kind folks who provided the 504 Bibles on their way to Iraq. They have some pretty cool testimonies on their web site. Thank you Operation Worship!

Please pray that the boxes make it to the final destination. We are positive that God will use these little tokens as a way to warm the hearts of our Soldiers, who are courageously spending their Christmas time away from US soil and their familes.

I personally have to thank Karyn for listening to what God was telling her - and I openly admit it seemed insurmountable.

But then Phil 4:13 kicks in........................we can do all things as long as God is on it! mws translation.

Merry Christmas and may God Bless each of you in 2010.

November 30 Update

Greetings from Jackson, MI. Below are some pictures of the latest progress. Almost 250 are fully packed and ready for shipping. We need to round up more boxes for the rest and insert the notes, mouthwash and baby powder. We did send the first box today - the guy at the post office was very helpful and gave us hints on how to fill out the paperwork. Yes, there is lots of paperwork to fill out for each package.

Notes Ready for Packing

Full Boxes - Ready For Shipping - 1/2 Way Done
Packing Happening
Ready for Packing
Packing Supplies - Not the Hammock!

November 20 Progress

Today - all the stockings are sewed and stuffed with Bibles, candy and drink mix. There are 500 of them waiting to be finished off with mouthwash, baby powder and notes.

Speaking of notes, we mentioned we have been Blessed by the kindness in the notes we have received - it never ends. We have handwritten notes from Michigan, Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota. The notes have been written by youngsters in the first grade to old timers like me. Still waiting on the notes from the slowpokes in Illinois..........but wait it figures, since that state is mostly Democrats.

Several folks have contributed money towards the cost of the project - we thank them so much for their sacrifice.

To that end, we'll have a couple more updates before shipping takes place. We are waiting on Matt's Iraqi address.

Please pray for our troops AND their families.

God Bless,

mark and karyn

November 16th Update

We have received note cards from Minnesota, Missouri and Michigan. Waiting for the Illinois and Colorado input. Some of these notes are absolutely amazing. We are Blessed just to get to read them.

Karyn and some of her friends made great progress over the weekend while I was out in the woods trying to shoot the whitetail.

We want to thank all of you who have helped and ask that you keep praying for the project and the soldiers who will receive these small gifts.

I did get a shot at cutting some patterns.
Partially filled stockings stacked and almost ready. Guarded by Chauncey

The master seamstress - Karyn was flying through those bad boys.

November 9th Progress Report

Our prayers and hearts go out to the families, soldiers and folks around Fort Hood. There is lots I'd like to say about this cowardly act.............but it's better I don't. No matter what, we still have the best darn Military in the World!

So here's the tally:

Total stockings done (not stuffed like the Turkey will be in a few days) = 250. More of Karyn's pals (Susan and Leslie) have a few to be picked up.

We have a source for the mouthwash and baby powder and the powder drink mixes.

We expect 100 notes from Illinois, 50 + or - from Minnesota, ?? from Missouri, 70 from Texas, the rest will be filled in from Michigan folks.

Matt supplied the address so once we have the boxes filled - off to the shipping dock.

Cards made by Karyn's pal Mary

2 machines, bunch of fabric

Partial filled stockings - patiently waiting

We have been so Blessed by folks who want to help and have helped by giving of their time, talents and treasures.

I do have to make a huge confession - tonight was the first night I made any real contribution. I ran the quality control program. Karyn has been so forgiving - after all it's hunting season!

November 2 Progress Report

Greetings from Jackson, MI. Karyn has been working hard as have some others. Actual finished product is 30. Work in progress is about 180. As you can see, the Bibles have arrived. We need to secure the other goodies. My negotiating skills have not been very good so far so that milestone is yet to happen. We've gotten word that folks in St Louie, MO; Glenwood, MN and Ingleside, IL along with Jackson, MI are writing notes. It will be exciting to get them.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Work in progress - 117 stockings waiting to be finished off. I think that is similar to skinning a deer. It's dead but just needs some finishing touches.

Bibles have arrived. 504 of them in fact. These boxes may come in handy!

Here are a few pictures of the work in progress. Soon there will be lots of finished product waiting for the notes many people around the country are kindly writing.

Stocking supplies and stuffers

Work Table

Sample Stockings and Stuffers

"Deeds not words"

This is the motto of the 1-36th Infantry.

The 1-36th is a Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) based out of Ft. Bliss, TX. Their main maneuver elements are 2 tank companies and 2 heavy infantry companies. They will be fighting in Iraq as a light infantry batallion. When we return from Iraq, we will transition to a STRYKER Batallion, which is light infantry supported by Stryker vehicles.

Their mission in Iraq will be to support the Iraqi security forces as they maintain security in the northern city of Kirkuk and surrounding area and to ensure secure election processes and enable the drawdown of troops and equipment next summer.

Please pray for these American Soldiers.

Official

It's official - we are blogging now.

This project started from a vision God gave Karyn. Thru conversations with Chaplain Matt, it has turned into making 500 stockings to send to Iraq in a few weeks. Each stocking will contain a Bible, hard candy, baby powder, mouthwash, drink mixes and handwritten notes.

As this project progresses, we will update this site with pictures, comments and other misc information.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

mark and karyn