a smile?

I. S, 40, Miami, US

I was in a Walmart parking lot on my way to the store. There was a lady walking towards me and I smiled to her. She smiled back and stopped me to give me $20 Walmart gift card and giftrevolution buisiness card. wow.

2008-12-23 09:55:02

Blessing, then being blessed..

Shanda Norton, 17, Ava,Missouri, US

At our church, Life Church of Ava, we were doing this fundraiser to by less fortunite families christmas dinners. Each dinner cost forty dollars. God had compelled me to give up forty dollars of my money to feed one of those families. I really struggled with this decision, but decided to doanate the money because I knew it was what God wanted. About a week ago i got a card in the mail from my biological dad. I figured it was a christmas card with the usual fifty dollars in it, which still would have been nice. I opened the card to find a check for FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS! I felt extremely blessed and thanked God many times. Then the next wednesday I received another Christmas card, this one from my grandpa (my biological dad's dad). I was not really sure what to expect from him, maybe the usual fifty bucks, or maybe nothing more then a card if he knew that my dad had sent me five hundred already. So my boyfriend opened the card for me and imediately sat down on my bed with this blank look on his face. I said "what is it?" he handed me the card and inside was ANOTHER FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. I can not even explain how much this means to me, because now I have went from maybe one hundred dollars of my own money saved for college to one thousand dollars! And I honestly do believe that God gave me this blessing because I was willing to submit to his will and give up that forty dollars a few weeks before!

2008-12-23 02:21:26

Blessing and being Blessed

Zohn Engelhardt, 17, Ava, US

So I have done a quite a few little things to contribute to the gift revolution. But there are just a couple of oppurtunities that really stand out to me. Some of these were things I did for other people, some of them were things other people did for me! The first thing that stands out in my mind was on the second day of the gift revolution I went to get my hair cut, and I took the chance to bless someone by paying for their hair cut, I told them all I asked was that he checked out www.thegiftrevolution.com and handed him a card, he said "you can't beat a deal like that." and walked out. A couple of weeks ago I had been praying for God to show me a way to bless someone and make an impact in their life without having to spend a lot of money becaues I was getting tight on cash. On the way home from my girlfriends house a couple with their grandkid was stuck almost in the middle of 14 highway right out side of Ava, Missouri (the town I live in) with a blown out tire. Another couple stopped to help and the man helped change the tire while I directed traffic around the cars. The reason the tire had blown out was because of all the weight put on the back from the, if I remember correctly, eight bags of feed they had in their trunk. It just so happened that the other couple who stopped was going to a relatives house that lived right next door to the couple that had the blown tire. So we carried the feed bags to that couples truck. The man who owned the car with the flat tire thanked me and said something about trying to repay me. I handed him, his wie, his grandkid, and the other couple a gift revolution card and told him he could pay me back by checking out this website, then I told them "God Bless" and headed home. The next couple of ways were actually ways other people blessed me which allowed me to turn around and be a blessing. Last week at work I got a 6 dollar tip on a ticket that 6 dollars was much more then ten percent. Wrapped up in it was a gift revolution card. I then took $2.50 of that and payed for a couple who came in and just got coffee and handed them the very same gift revolution card given to me with the 6 dollar tip. They turned around and left the hand full of change that they were going to use to pay for it as a tip. That hand full of change equaled a little more then $3.50 so I ended up gaining a dollar. This week I felt compelled to pay for a couple with three kids meal and give them a gift revolution card. I did it spite the fact that it took most of my tips from the beggining of the night to then that I had made.I told them marry christmas and handed them a gift revolution card. They were very surprised and thankful. By the time the night was over I had made 32 dollars which is more then double the amout it cost ot pay the family's meal. Here is another: one of my teachers just found out they have cancer, she is doing a fundraiser for a copmany called "Neighbor helping Neighbor" which helps cancer victims with finacial issues such as gas money. The fundraiser involes shaving your head during an assembly infront of the entire Ava High School if you can collect a minimum donation of ten dollars. I had been telling people that my goal was one hundred dollars. A couple days after I started saying that I got a letter from someone I know but has asked me not to tell anyone else who they are. In the envolope was a hundred dollar bill, a gift revolution card, and a note that said "I hope you make your goal 2 hundred dollars now!" I felt so blessed because not only did that person allow me to reach a personal goal, but now I get to turn around a give that, plus what ever else I can raise from here to jan. 9th, to a company does so much for so many people and expects nothing in return. For these reasons and many more, this is one of the best (if not the best) christmas's I have and will ever had, no matter what is wrapped up for me under the tree come decemeber 25th.

2008-12-23 02:06:56

Small Group of friends...BIG G

lili, 36, P.Pines, US

We got together to give a gift revolution christmas to a family newly arrived to the US from CUBA...it felt so awesome to be an extension of Christ in their lives..to give them some HOPE in His name, bless their kids with a ton of gifts for christmas morning and the best part was...extending that Christmas Eve invitation & them ACCEPTING IT!! That is the BIGGEST GIFT REV we can give ANYONE this Christmas...an invitation to one of our Christmas Eve services...whether LIVE at one of our campuses, or online via our Internet Campus!!!

2008-12-23 00:32:34

God faithfulness

LINA NARBONE, 44, CORAL SPRINGS, US

Tonight Iwas in a party with some ladies who belong to a nice organization. Women and wishes..I share about the gift revolution and one lady handed to me a check. When I get home the check was made ton thegiftrevolution for 400 dollars.

2008-12-23 00:12:48

Little Angels

Liliana , 40, Pembroke Pines , US

I was in service this last weekend and saw the video of the group that went to Joe DiMaggio's children's hospital and was so tuched. I volounteer there once a week and saw many of the babies that I get to hold while the parents are not able to be there in the video. I may not get to meet the parents, but I know how much they must have appreciated that time that you gave. I know they have been there when I see the books and toys and blankets they leave for their little angels and the car seat waiting for the day they can come home. I was blessed to know that one in particular that had a long stay was finally able to go home for Christmas. My prayer is for those families and I know you've touched their lives. Thank you and thank you again FRC for the difference you make in my family's lives. Lily

2008-12-22 23:25:39

The Gift

Liliana , 40, Pembroke Pines, US

I am the mother of five children and times have been a little tough, not unlike most people everywhere, but this was the first Christmas that I wasn't sure how we would take care of our bills much less do presents. I am going to school and my husband has been there all the way.I am so busy I don't even check the mail anymore. My husband checked the mail one day and found five hundred dollars in cash in an envelope with a Gift Revolution card inside. Between his schedule and mine we didn't see each other that day. The next day he showed me the envelope. We were so stunned that we didn’t tell our kids for a couple of days. Now our bills have been met and we can think about presents. Thank you FRC for the difference you made in our family’s lives and the world through “The Gift Revolution Lily

2008-12-22 23:01:57

More Christmas Angels

Lynn Goodrich, 38, Calabash, NC, US

We have truly been Blessed this year and sabotaged by Christmas Angels, those who KNOW about the Gift Revolution, and those who DON'T (now they do). Amazing what this idea has done for some, to put them in the true Spirit of Christmas. This has been the MOST difficult year for Us, ever, but here we still remain. Believer, Christ-Follower and Christian Sister... When I was in a more fortunate position, I gave freely to those in need and when they would tell me that they would "pay me back" I would tell them that it was "okay". One day they would be in a position to help others and that when they were, they would, and when they DID, THAT would be repayment for me. I NEVER imagined it would work OPPOSITELY for me in the future, where I would be the one in NEED, however, here I am, living proof, and Christmas Angels from Near and Far (England and Colorado), co-workers of mine, but more importantly, FRIENDS, got together and MADE Christmas this year for my Children "happen" and for our Dinner, in addition to enabling me financially to keep the business going by adding time to the phone system I use to call around the World. To Marion and Michelle and Your Entire Families, If you are 1/2 as Blessed as I am today, then you are Doubly Blessed as you SHOULD BE. God Bless You and Thank You All!

2008-12-22 21:47:09

Christmas Dinner

Bob Wallace, 61, North Myrtle Beach, US

I shared The Gift Revolution.com with a gourmet chef. She was so moved that she decided to prepare and deliver Christmas dinner to a deserving family. I know a family that is having financial challenges. I asked if they would be receptive and they were overjoyed. God is indeed moving people’s hearts.

2008-12-22 20:58:32

Paneton!

Dorcas Guschov, 26, Lima, PE

Here at FRC-Lima, we are donating dozens of panetones to various individuals & families. A "paneton" is a Peruvian fruitcake. Unlike in the USA, where the fruitcake is not very good & no one wants to receive it, here in Peru the fruitcake is delicious, & everyone wants to receive it as a Christmas gift. So we are giving out dozens of them here in Lima as part of TGR!

2008-12-22 20:07:18

Pleasant Surprise

Darla, 40, Jonesboro, US

My mother and I were finishing last minute Christmas shopping in Target and were at the end of a LONG day. A small boy and his mother came up to my mom and gave her an ornament and wished her a Merry Christmas. My mom was so surprised and pleased by this small gesture; it moved her to tears. This is such a true testament to the real meaning of Christmas. God Bless!

2008-12-22 18:53:21

Helping hand

Patrick, 36, Paragould,AR, US

I was leaving my daughters Christmas party at her school and my car took out in the intersection. I really didnt know what to do since traffic was piling up behind me and the car was dead in the water. A young gentleman came up and asked if he could help and we pushed the vehicle off the road to a nearby filling station. He got in his car and came past and handed me a card with the Gift Revolution idea on it and told me the story. It was an amazing feeling to know that we all have bad days and to know someone is there when you may have noone else to turn to. When I was younger I was a good samaritan and frequently stopped to help people and in recent years I have stopped this because of safety.....you just never know who is out there. I now realize that just as you know not who is out there we also know not how horrible a persons situation is and as we coexist on this planet it is our obligation to help each other, it has reignighted in me the spirit of helping others and this is a much bigger blessing than the man helping me push my car off the road...it has changed my view of people in the world.I know not his name but he is an angel among us....thank you kind sir for your help and vision to an old man who had lost the view of what is really important in life.

2008-12-22 17:55:53

snail mail to wisconsin

Ann Somrah, 30, Miami Beach, US

last week my best friend was feeling a little discouraged so i snail mailed a card to him to let him know i care and to lift his spirits.

2008-12-22 15:58:52

Starbucks

Jazz, 34, Philadelphia, US

While visiting my boyfriend in Tampa, I went to a local Starbucks to get some coffee and was happily surprised that it was already paid for compliments of The Gift Revolution...it made me stop and think about how it made me feel so I began giving as well.

2008-12-22 14:49:29

Finish School

family of 3, 33, miami, US

Getting an education to educate others is a great story about inspiration. I was sitting in a meeting when a friend mentioned she didn't know where she was going to find money to finish her education and get a degree to teach. In simple words, i felt the nudge, shared what i felt with my family, and that same day we presented her with a check to help finance her last semester of school. When we presented the check to her and her husband.......... well there wasn't a dry eye. It was a big sacrifice on our part, but it was by far the easiest. I'm not a good story teller, but at the end of the day, we were the ones with the greater satisfaction. Go and give a gift.

2008-12-22 13:34:35

I Didn't know about the Gift R

Margie, 53, Orlando, US

I just sent the following email to someone by mistake and she said I should post my story on the Gift Revolution! I have to tell you a story that makes me know how truly blessed I am and that God always provides. I work with a woman here whose husband needs a kidney transplant so he hasn't worked for as long as I've know her and she was a single mom before she married him. She is an hourly employee whose hours have been cut since our business has slowed down. I heard her on the phone with the finance company for her car and they are trying to repossess her car. I know she has always had a hard time. Another woman and I have in the past years given her $100 each at Christmas so she could have food and buy her daughter something for Christmas. Well the other lady retired this year but I thought she should still get $200.00 so last week I gave her $150.00 cash and a $50.00 publix card to make sure she bought food. Today I got a check in the mail from one of our guests that I worked with in November for the Florida Classic football game - $300.00..... with a lovely note just for doing my job! Our company is changing our payroll from every week to every other week starting 1/2 - so we won't get a paycheck until 1/16 - when she thanked me for the money she said she was going to use it that week we didn't get paid. Well I'm going to cash the check and give that to her too. God is Good!

2008-12-22 12:23:31

Dreams do come true

Kathy Florczak, 55, Davie, US

One of the attorney's at the law firm I work at, daughter was born with a form of cancer. Thankfully, God cured her and she is now cancer-free. In return, every Chirstmas this attorney arranges for the Firm to "adopt" a family whose children have cancer. This year we adopted a single mother with five children, all of which have some type of cancer. Everyone picks one of the children to "adopt" and fulfil their Christmas wish. Two of the boys, ages 8 & 9 wrote to Santa asking for something to do with wrestling. I didn't want to just get wrestling figures, so I asked my son, who is an avid wrestling fan, what I could get. He suggested buying tickets for the boys to go see a "live" wrestling show BUT he said to make sure we bought a ticket for their mother to go too. He said he knew how hard it was for me, as a single parent, to spend time with my sons, and how important it is for mothers to spend time alone with their children. When I passed this suggestion on to everyone who chose to "adopt" the boys, we raised enough money to not only buy 3 tickets to WWF in January, but also had money left over to give to their mother to spend however she chose.

2008-12-22 11:39:57

Friend's Gift

Mary Lathem, 73, Rincon, Geoorgia, US

Sunday at church one of my friends asked if I had heard of the The Gift Revolution. I said that I had not. Later she gave me a bag of candy and had attached the card. It was a surprise and I then looked at your web site. I am most thankful for the gift of Jesus and wish everyone a wonderful Christmas filled with joy.

2008-12-22 11:28:07

Wanda is so generous

Sandy, 43, Fort Lauderdale, US

I was surprise when I came into the office today to find a sweet little present from Wanda. Thanks for thinking of me this season!

2008-12-22 11:01:08

Destin Commons Toy Drive Colle

Crystal Petti, 27, Destin, US

Long story short...two weeks ago I called Toys for Tots and asked how they were doing with donations. At that point, they had only received 2,500 toys and they needed 10,000. So, I figured...I am the marketing director of the only major shopping center in Destin and I go to Flamingo Road Church...presto! My gift revolution gift was to host the community's largest Toys for Tots toy drive - encouraging others to give and impacting children. In one week we received A live interview on WEAR abc channel 3, Coverage in all local and surrounding neighborhood newspapers, PSA’s on four radio stations for one week straight, A live interview on fox 1340 am, WEAR abc channel 3 on air mentions Thursday and Friday, Distribution of event information at the Destin chamber meeting, Information posted on the Build-A-Bear Workshop Destin website and Three of our media partners sending out an eblast on our behalf with event information. And the best yet, on Friday December 19th we officially hosted the largest one day toy drive in the area, generating over 750 toys!!

2008-12-22 10:34:24