My college graduation happened [well] before every other person had a zoom lens on her digital SLR. Okay, fine. It was [well] before the digital SLR. As a result, every photo of my graduation ceremony was taken – and looks like it was taken – from quite a distance. Mostly you can just see a sea of black robes.

But you can also see a pair of glaring white chunky tennis shoes. On my feet. Because they were comfortable.

Never mind how bad they looked (I didn’t know! I didn’t.), they kept my feet in comfort (if not in style). Yes, it’s true. I’m a fan of the practical shoe.

I’m also a fan of the practical shoebox – you know, the kind you stuff with Christmas gifts for needy kids instead of letting it take up space in your closet?

As a practical shoe person, I don’t have a lot of shoes in the first place. But I never really know what to do with the boxes they come in. It’s not like I’m really going to keep my shoes in them, lined up neatly on my closet floor. And while I’m sure they could be used for so many crafts, odds are not in my favor that will happen anytime soon. Can I really just toss them out? Recycle them? But what if I need them later?

I’m being tongue in cheek, of course – and just a little bit silly. Finding a practical use for my practical shoeboxes is not really why I love Operation Christmas Child so much.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The program is operated by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham.

And the tangible way OCC helps children is by shoeboxes filled with gifts each Christmas. The National Collection week is coming up on November 14-21. Annalyn and I will be filling and sending a box this year, but I’m also excited to tell you that I’m donating proceeds from my ebook to OCC.

All of the proceeds from the books I sell on November 8 [Launch Day] will benefit Operation Christmas Child.

So, if you needed [another] reason to mark your calendar for the release of Plan a Fabulous Party {without losing your mind}, there you go!

Are you a practical shoe person? [Please tell me it's not just me!] And does your family participate in Operation Christmas Child?

In case you missed any posts from the Compassion bloggers this week, here’s a quick (but amazingly powerful) round-up. I hope you have time to check them out.

Emily @ Chatting at the Sky

• Compassion That Comes from Empty Hands :: Day 1
• For When Provision Looks Different :: Day 2
• The House Made by Compassion :: Day 3
• How Stickers Can Change the World :: Day 4
• This Crazy Hope :: Day 5

Tsh @ Simple Mom

• What do kids really need?
• The opulent ability to give.
• So that others may simply live.
• Do you feel guilty? Don’t.
• Now that you know, what will you do?

Kat @ Inspired to Action

• The Tears, They Were Aplenty Today
• My Bathroom is a Portal to the 1980s
• Grab Your Passports…I’m Taking You on a Trip Today!
• What Do You Do When You Can’t Do Anything?
• The Power of Being Known…

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home

• What Does It Take to Change a Life?
• What the Hands and Feet of Jesus Look Like
• Of Rubber Boots, Self Pity and Ladders
• Because I’m Afraid That I Will Forget
• How to Pry Open Swollen Eyes

Lindsay @ Passionate Homemaking

• Achy Bones & Beautiful Faces
• I Just Want My Child to Be Healthy
• The Beauty of Third World Hospitality
• The Power of a Letter
• The Hands and Feet of the Gospel

What have you been reading lately?

“Did you all hear about @miskellany?” That was the first moment I learned about a fellow blogger (and Giving Up on Perfect reader) being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Immediately, several of my blogging friends were wondering what we could do to help.

Jessie at Vanderbilt Wife actually grew up with Kelly but has just gotten to know her through blogging, and she’s organized a great way for us to help out our friend. Like Jessie said, blogging really creates a small world where we’ll so much more connected – and affected. I’m honored to help Kelly as she starts the fight of – and for – her life.

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The Situation:

A few weeks ago, Kelly was your everyday mommy blogger: a frugal, vegetarian, natural and green living, PhD student, living in Mississippi with her husband and almost two-year-old son, Simon. When her vision started blurring, Kelly thought she needed some more sleep and less time at the library staring at a computer screen.

As her vision worsened, however, Kelly underwent medical tests and found out she has a rare type of brain tumor sitting on her optic nerve. She will travel to Johns Hopkins next week for consultation and surgery. In the best case scenario, Kelly will be in the hospital for five days and recovering nearby for two weeks. If the surgery is less successful, Kelly will lose her eyesight. She would need to stay in Baltimore at least a month to go to rehab and learn to live as a blind woman.

Kelly is 29 years old and has a toddler. She could be me. I can’t even imagine what she is going through right now.

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The Plan:

A group of us want to help Kelly have the most comfortable hospital stay and recovery possible. We’re asking if you would consider donating just $3 by clicking on the “donate” button. The money will be used to fulfill Kelly’s wish of having some wonderful, new, comfy pajamas for her time in Baltimore. We’re hoping to have enough to throw in a gift card to Trader Joe’s, so her husband can buy some prepared foods for their family that fit with their dietary preferences.

Will you help by pitching in $3? Thank you so much for considering this!

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One More Thing: