i was waiting in line at the kentucky fried chicken drive thru after deciding not to go inside to order dinner. after ordering, the wait was only a few more minutes. it was my turn to drive up for my order. two employees handed my dinner to me and told me the woman in front of me paid for my order and said to give me this card. i was reading the card as she drove away. i thought it was a joke.i was very surprised.thanks.
2008-12-23 21:42:32
Wild Wing Experience
Gina Sullivan, 43, Ocean Isle Beach, US
An opportunity to go out and enjoy a meal as a family is always difficult with kids off to school. With everyone home for Christmas break, we took advantage of the situation and ventured out for dinner at Wild Wing Cafe in Myrtle Beach, SC. After we were seated, I noticed a family with a beautiful baby that I could not keep from watching. We ordered and enjoyed our meal, while the family with the baby departed. When we had finished our meal, to our surprise, the waitress informed us that the family with the baby had paid for our meal and left us a "The Gift Revolution.com" card. The thought that went into this kind gesture embodies the Christmas spirit and has inspired us to bring the same joy to an unsuspecting family.
2008-12-23 20:52:04
iPod
Stacie, 20, Miami, US
A family friend went on a mission trip to South America. His hotel room got broken into and a lot of his possessions got stolen, including his iPod. Our friend is a missionary and travels a lot so for our Gift Revolution we got a couple friends to pitch in to get him a new iPod.
2008-12-23 19:43:42
Medical Exams
Dorcas Guschov, 26, Lima, PE
A member of FRC-Lima urgently needed to have some medical tests done, but he lacked the funds necessary to pay for the tests. TGR paid for his exams, & he & his doctors now have some important results that will save him from some very serious medical problems later on. Viva la revolucion!
2008-12-23 19:06:18
A tip to say thanks
Donaldo and Nefertiti Harris, 28, Jacksonville, US
I was leaving the ladies room at the mall and I just felt compelled to give the cleaning lady a tip. She was truly surprised and a little reluctant to accept it at first, but I explained to her that I just wanted to thank her for doing a good job. I have to say, it really did feel good to give to someone with completely selfless motives. Let's keep this movement going!
2008-12-23 18:42:20
Our Gift Revolution
James Harless, 28, Weston, US
My wife and I wanted to do something special for some famlies we knew needed help. We also knew we could not do it alone. We needed help. So we prayed on it and I was guided in this direction. Merry Christmas!!!
2008-12-23 18:19:19
A Company United
Tiffany Martin, 30, Fort Lauderdale, US
This year was shaping up to be the best holiday season yet, this was the first year that I was able to purchase gifts for each member of my family and still have excess afterwards to be a blessing to others. Well it was until one night on my way home from shopping I noticed the entire family was still up watching movies together so I left all of the packages in the car until morning. When I woke up the next morning my car and all of the presents were gone. I was devastated, we always share the true meaning of Christmas with the kids but being so young they wouldnt understand no gifts this year. I called out from work on a Thursday to sort everything out with my car and on Friday when I came into work the entire company at DFC Services had banded together and presented me with more than enough money and presents to give to my children and I was able to go out and replace every gift that was stolen from me. I praise God for his everyday angels and the blessings he has bestowed on my life.
2008-12-23 17:38:41
Something for Christmas
Johnoy Johnston, 26, Hallandale Beach, US
My story is truly a MIRCLE or should i say a BLESSING, my day started out by telling a co-worker my family wouldn't be having a Christmas this year because of finances. While at Winn Dixie buying two juices, I joined the line to checkout the man in front of me had a lot of groceries so he let me skip and here came my blessing, as i was swiping my card a man said wait don't do that, he gave me a card and some cash and told me to go to the website. I wanted to huge this man and his family but wasn't sure it was real, it was like a movie until i saw the website. To the man and his family i hope you read this, The Johnston's are so thankful for God and you, I have Five children who'd love to tell you how you changed their Christmas for 2008 cause they know Christmas would of missed them this year. Thanks so much may god bless you and everyone you come in contact with. Merry Christmas. Thanks also to the man who let me go ahead of him god bless you too.
2008-12-23 16:31:37
Super Sonic
Lesley, 31, Jonesboro, US
For the past four years I have frequented one of the local Sonics near my work. They have the most pleasant carhops. I went this morning to get breakfast before work and knew I wanted to give a gift. I looked in my wallet and had no cash, but found a Malco movie card for two movie tickets that was recently gave to me. So I gave it to the carhop along with a TGR card.
2008-12-23 16:05:40
The Open Door
Don Holz, 48, Davie, US
Pastor Troy asked us during the week 4 Teaching of the TGR.com to not only open our doors this Christmas but to open our hearts to that one person that has been shut out of our lives. After the Saturday service I called the person whose name I wrote on the door. He was so happy to hear from me. We've spoken a number of times since then. Last night I received a Christmas card from him. Inside he wrote that he was so happy to be a part of my life again. "You have no idea." he said. This gift of an open heart costs nothing, yet it means so much to the person you open it up to....
2008-12-23 15:26:50
Christmas for a Family in Need
Jerry, 60, Davie, US
A member of our church recently lost his job. He conveyed to me that he had no money to pays bills never mind to buy toys for his 4 children.
I sent an email to members of our small group relating this and asked for donations. Thanks to the power of the Lord, today I was able to purchase several hundred dollars in gifts, food for a Christmas dinner and some cash to help out with other expenses. They were so touched by being blessed by those who we are doing life with caring enough to help them that their eyes filled with tears, as did mine. I felt so blessed that we came together and helped this family. Thank you Lord.
2008-12-23 15:11:54
Boxer Friends Inc rescue
Boxer Friends rescue, 40, Ft Lauderdale, US
We recently received an anonymous donation. We will use this towards the care of the rescue Boxers in our program. The Boxers send you tail wags and kisses.
Thank you, secret donor!
2008-12-23 14:58:55
Starbucks Surprise
RLA, 55, Lansdale, US
I was at the drive through getting my morning coffee and when I reached the window I was told that my coffee was paid for and I was handed a Gift Revolution card and asked to just pay it forward. It felt like such a nice gesture. I haven't paid it forward yet, but I plan to.
2008-12-23 14:12:51
Bus Man
iGor, 23, Curitiba, BR
I was walking toward my bus stop the other day when I saw the bus coming. I began to run, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to get to the stop before the bus. So I extended my hand out, as people normally do when they want the bus to stop...and the bus driver stopped for me to get on eventhough he wasn't at the bus stop yet. Normally they don't do that, but praise God for this one act of kindness toward me.
here to serve you,
iGor
2008-12-23 13:17:09
My New Christmas Spirit
Aileen Cortazar, 38, Miami, US
I wasn't in the Christmas mood and hadn't decorated my house. My neighbor, who also attends FRC, decorated my house for me. What an awesome gift! Thank you Tyler for my wonderfulgift! You helped bring back the real meaning of Christmas! You Rock!
2008-12-23 13:16:08
Our story
Greg Jackson and Meleta Gablos, 39, Zephyrhills, US
On the second Sunday of "The Gift Revolution" service Greg and I decided to take a walk around Walmart after service. We went and bought a gift card and went looking for a family that we could give it to. We found a family that we thought needed the help. Greg walked up to them and handed them the gift card along with one of the "Gift Revolution" cards that we had. He told the man Merry Christmas and walked away. The man had a big smile on his face and was telling his wife what he was given when I walked by. We found so much joy and satisfaction to see that we could help a family that we didn't even know.
2008-12-23 12:43:04
A Reminder of the Season
robin, 33, plantation, US
We've had a rough Christmas season: they found a spot on my aunt's pancreas that they think could be cancer and our good friend just had surgery to remove tonsil cancer, both could have long roads ahead of them in 2009.
It's our son's first Christmas and when we arrived in Florida to spend the holidays with his grandparents (my parents), my mom told me the story about how, while standing in line at Carter's, a woman asked her if she was buying the clothes in her hand. After my mom answered in the affirmative, the woman her a gift certificate to use for the purchase.
It was a very special surprise and a beautiful reminder of just how good people can be - a bright spot in some otherwise hard times.
Thank you for helping us celebrate the holidays.
2008-12-23 11:46:30
Anamazing Journey
Erin J., 25, Sunrise, US
When TGR first started I wanted to do so much, but financially i was lucky to be paying my bills and just getting my daughter a few things for Christmas. Then I remembered what Troy had said in the start of TGR, that the greatest gift could simply be opening a door for someone. While i was running around to get the few things i could afford for christams an elderly lady was trying to get a Wal-mart employee to help her find something. Rather than simply ignoring her, i started to tell her where she could find the item she needed. The following week I bought someone coffee, Continued with complimenting the staff at various stores and telling them that they were doing a great job at a time of year when so many people are rude. Well, after giving my time and my gratitude to various people I had received my greatest gift. I don' think my dentist knew the impact she would have on my life, but she gave me my confidence back. I had to have three fillings done to my front three teeth. The decay had been so bad and so embarrassing that i simply stopped smiling and start to hide my mouth whenever i talked. I had just had my son three months ago and wasn't working so to afford to do these fillings, well that wasn't going to happen. It was then that my dentist told me she was going to do the work at no cost to me. Understand that this was 600 dollars worth of work that she did for me. To this day i still cry when i think of what she gave me. Not just a healthy smile, but she gave me my confidence back. That is the greatest gift i could ever receive. And my thanks and prayers go to her for doing something that was so gracious, when she had no responsibility to do so. God works in mysterious ways, TGR has helped me rethink the way i speak to people, and reminded me of the values that my parent raised me with, to show kindness to everyone you meet, not just people that you like.
2008-12-23 10:52:24
family
dana Romanowski, 34, pembroke pines, US
My husband of almost seven years left last December...I was devasted we have 4 kids,the littlest ones are three and one...a friend told me about flamingo road and Ive been attending for over a year now. I felt lost and hopeless...i love my husband with all my heart and still pray every day that he will come back to us..our 3 year old daughter still cries herself to sleep asking when is daddy coming home it breaks my heart.. this has been a hard year for us ive been laid of work..since the end of october and cant seem to find a job, i am two months behind on rent and needles to say money is scares... I just asked if someone might know of a job. I worked as a office manager for dental office..but I am a fast learner, bilengual and just need to work. my family are in central america, but thank God been blessed with a wonderfull brother who lives in Atlanta, I have an amazing neighbor Jacui who I truly believe God has placed in my life..with Flamingo road church and pastor Troy who every sunday just lift my spirits and when im feeling hopeless im reminded to just trust in God and to reamain hopefull and trust that God will take care of us. Thank u for taking the time.
2008-12-23 10:09:20
The Diaper Miracle
Dee Mencia, 27, Miami, US
2008 has been a particularly difficult year for us. My husband and I both got laid off; and although we are grateful for our new jobs, we are making much less which makes it difficult with a 2 year old and 11 month old. Through it all, I have kept the firm belief that everything happens for a reason. I changed my menatlity from needing to get objects - to enjoying what I have and being grateful for my beautiful family. Our financial situation is something that worries me - and I always hope for the best. This morning I found TWO packages of diapers on my care - not one, TWO! I thank God for the Christmas miracle I got today. This is what Christmas is about - a random act of kindness is something Jesus would do. I am grateful for the little angel on our block that thought of us. Now it's my turn to teach my kids a valuable lesson and lead by example. Thank you!
