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!