3 for 1 revolution

Rich, 41, Weston, US

An interesting observation when I revolutionized the Weston B'buster store yesterday. The Gift Revolution isn't just about giving the gift and paying for the person behind you; it involves a 3rd party (usually the cashier), and gets them involved in the process too...in a most unexpected way. When I handed the cashier the TGR card and told her what I was doing, she expressed how amazing this was. She asked if it was a movement, and I told her it was more than that, it was a revolution, and that she should check it out online and join. She kept saying to herself how cool it was and that she would look it up, and I just know that whoever got the gift card (the store was empty when I did this), that it not only moved the recipient, but the intermediary too. It's like a "3 for the price of 1" revolution! My heart, the recipient's heart, and the cashier's heart, who actually gets to hand the gift to the person. As I read so many of these experiences online, I continue to see that 'middleman reaction', the 'you want to do what?' reaction by the intermediary, and God nudging that heart as well. Maybe we are actually giving the 'gift of giving' to those who would like to give but don't have as much of an opportunity to do so. When that person gives the TGR card and gets to explain what the gift is to the unlike recipient, especially when we aren't there to witness it, they are performing the giving...and we all are experiencing how wonderful that feeling is.

2008-12-10 10:20:43

Usually the giver, Unexpected

Cheryl M, 46, Longs, US

I love the GiftRevolution! I love giving and seeing the looks of surprise and sometimes, just doing the giving, walking away and not seeing the reaction, but hoping that I may have just blessed someone's day. So to be on the receiving end is totally unexpected. We didn't have a Christmas tree yet. I had spoke to a couple people about one, even asked to borrow one from our church, Barefoot Church. I talked to Mark B, he said, "call me when you get home, we'll figure something out!" He would have to find where they are. I got home to take my 3 chihuahuas out, running thru the garage. When I called him, he said, "you still don't have a tree?" I said, "no". He said, "I'll call you back". My phone rang and it was Whitney Hempsey asking for my address. When I told her, she said I think there is a tree dropped off. I opened my door, and there was one on my front porch with a giftrevolution card. Whitney and Nick Hempsey gifted me with a tree, but I went thru my garage and not my front door and MISSED MY GIFT! I would not have gone out my front door either because I use my garage door all the time! No surprise to those who know me well, I cried. Thank you so much Whitney and Nick.

2008-12-10 08:02:03

Thank you

Jose Diaz, 48, Pembroke Pines, US

I have been attending the book study on Mondays. The first day of class, i did not know we had to buy a book. That day I had left my wallet at home and when I came to the table where they were selling the books, I said that I did not have the wallet on me, so I could not pay for the book that day, but I promissed to pay for it the following Monday. They accepted and gave me the book. When a I was at the table, this lady came to me and said that a wounderful person had paid for my book. I want to thank that person.

2008-12-10 03:51:34

Merry Christmas for the mailma

Emmanuel "Manny" Rivera, 25, Hialeah, US

A couple of weeks ago, I was at the Post Office and overheard the Mailman telling the customer next to me, which he seemed to know, that money was extremely tight for him during these times, especially when it came to the mortgage. I felt God nudging me to do something, especially since Pastor Troy has been mentioning paying someone's mortgage for a while now too...so I went back today with the little black "TGR" envelope and put some money in there for him, along with the card. I waited in line, which I had to let like 10 people pass me, just so that I could have him attend me, and not the other mail men/women. I finally went up, and asked him for the stamp I needed to mail out a wedding invitation. As he finished ringing me up, I gave him the envelope, and wished him a Merry Christmas. He took the envelope and was going to put it aside, but I told him, you might want to open that, and I walked away...I pray that God does great things in his life! Let's keep this Revolution going!!

2008-12-10 01:03:56

Ask and you shall receive

Emmanuel "Manny" Rivera, 25, Downtown Miami, US

I had to go to Downtown Miami today to pick up the yearly tag renewal for my car. While I was walking to the office in Downtown Miami, this lady sitting on the side-walk asked me to buy her food. I don't typically carry any cash with me, so I told her I couldn't right now. However, while I was in the tag agency, I noticed that in my wallet, I still had the $1 Pastor Troy gave us a few weeks ago. So I took it out, and on my way back to my car, I bought her a couple of bag of chips, and gave them to her. She was asleep, so I had to wake her up, but she was glad I did. She immediately opened the bag and started eating them. It's awesome how God had me save that dollar for that specific moment!

2008-12-10 00:56:04

Taco Bell Surprise

Susy & Frank, 37, Miami, US

My husband, daughter and I were at the drive thru at Taco Bell at Ludlam and Miami Gardens Drive. When we got up to the window to pay, the TB employee handed us TGR card and explained that the gentleman ahead of us had paid for our food. This is such a powerful thing. We have been thinking all night of all the ways we can pay it forward. Thank you to the kind person who paid for our meal. Humanity is alive and well. God Bless.

2008-12-10 00:40:48

Welcome back from Iraq Fellow

Tony Kluz, 51, MacDill Air Force Ba, US

Last week I saw two Airborne troopers just back from Iraq with their 101st Airborne Division Combat Patches sewn on their uniforms... (I served with that unit for 8 of my 21 years myself prior to retiring in Miami). I spoke with them about their service to the nation, thanked them, and welcomed them HOME! Later that day, they were behind me in line for lunch at a local eatery... I gave the cashier $20 for each and told her to please pay for the two Airborne Troopers coming up... later she brought my change at my table and thanked me! The next day, the two soldiers saw me and thanked me saying they "hoped to repay me some time!" I told them, no thank you, I was thanking them and talked to them a while about The Gift Revolution! They were so delighted and that made my day! They will be checking out the Gift Revolution now too! Thanks Troy! Hola Annette!

2008-12-09 22:07:40

Heat

T, 42, Ava, Mo, US

Yesterday I went to the local propane store and gave the lady there $100 and a card. I ask her to put it towards the bill for a customer who needed it. I hope it keeps the heat on for a while. Today I left an $8 tip when we went out to eat. I can't wait to see what I can share tomorrow.

2008-12-09 21:25:45

:)

Roberta Robinson, 17, Augusta, Maine, US

I'm a senior in high school, so I get out of school at around one. Yesterday I dropped by to say hi to my mom after class and when I left, I "stole" her car while she was still teaching and filled up her gas tank. I had plenty of time to take it back before she knew it was ever gone.

2008-12-09 20:48:19

A Note & A Treat

MV, 36, Pembroke Pines, US

While sitting at a workshop for school yesterday, someone gave me a gift revolution card, a note of encouragement, and a protein bar. (Bonus - it tasted like Thin Mint cookies :) ) Thank you M.R.! That made my day. :)

2008-12-09 19:25:27

waitress

barefoot member, 47, NMB SC, US

At a local resturant we visit regularly the waitress that was at the table next to us was left with no tip from a table full. I asked to come over to our table and handed her a 10 wrapped around a card. I also told her not to think everyone was like that. The smile on her face said it all

2008-12-09 18:16:21

Free Meal

Michelle, 18, Davie, US

I was in the McDonalds drive thru and ordered Medium Fries. When I got to the window to pay the girl said, "your ordered has already been paid by the car in front of you". WHen I looked in front to see who it was the car had already left. The girl at the window then said, "the guy that paid your order told me to give you this card". THe card said "The Gift Revolution.com". It was very unexpected and wierd at the same time. I wont lie, at that moment I wished I would've placed a bigger order. However, I'm thankful for the man that paid for my fries. If you read this...Thankyou...I really do appreciate it and I plan on doing the same thing to a future person.

2008-12-09 16:13:03

My visit with Heart of The Oza

kathy, 50, ava, UM

Today was so special. I desided that I was going to take every resident at the Nursing home a Christmas Bud vase, Just a small one with lots of love. I went and delivered each one went in everyroom, And visited,Prayed with some and hugged some and it was such a blessing to see them smile. I gave each one a card and explained what the gift revolution was all about. You could see that they were thinking of what they could do as a act of kindness to each other. The first day I delivered 50 the next day I delivered 16 more and,I found that they had a new resident the next day and one of the other residents had given their flower to her. So even though they may not be able to get out they found a way to share with others. I would have never believed how much fun it was to visit the nursing home And I thank God for the People who work and take care of our Love ones. If you ever want a wonderful blessing visit a Nursing home. You will get hugged Like you never been Hugged before and the smiles are priceless. God Bless and Merry Christmas

2008-12-09 15:11:17

Mickey D's Apple Pie! =)

Jen, 23, Coral Gables, US

I just picked up some lunch at McDonalds and added 2 apple pies to my order. When I got to the window to get my order, I asked the cashier to give the 2 apple pies to the car behind me with the Gift Revolution card and tell her Merry Christmas. I didn't stay to watch her reaction (I haven't stayed to watch anyone's reaction thus far), but I hope it made her day. Enjoy the apple pie and spread the word! =)

2008-12-09 14:09:49

Needed Meds

Lacey Davis, 26, Branson, US

I work at Skaggs Hospital in Branson. A young pregnant girl needed some medication and had no money to pay for it. She called social services and they directed her elsewhere. She was about to make a phone call to see if anyone could pay for her meds when I felt like God was saying Hello Lacey!! So I walked with her to the pharmacy and paid for her meds and gave her a card. She was so thankful! God Rocks!

2008-12-09 14:04:20

My Gift

Karen Posey, 41, Clinton MO, US

My husband and I spent the past two weekends in Ava, MO with family. They had told us about TGR. I found it very interesting. This past weekend, we went to church with them and I was very moved by the service and the stories about TGR. So, they gave me some cards to bring home. TGR has now been brought to Clinton, MO. This morning when I went through the drive thru at Sonic, I gave the girl at the window a few dollars and a TGR card and asked her if she would do me a favor and pay for whoever came through the drive thru next, give them a card and tell them Merry Christmas. She looked at me and said yes I will! She closed the window and I could see her get everyone's attention and explain to them what I was doing. When she opened the window to give me my food, she told me how cool that was. I drove away from that window feeling wonderful. It was like I had made her day, and I hadn't even done anything for her. I don't know who was behind me, but I hope they enjoyed their gift half as much as I enjoyed giving it!

2008-12-09 13:52:29

A big thank you

Sara, 27, Ava, US

To the person who took over my recess duty at school on Monday. I am already excited on what I can do for someone else!

2008-12-09 13:13:53

Passing It On

Tim Reynolds, 41, Hendersonville, TN, US

I'm a pastor and received a coupon in the mail yesterday from another pastor for a free lunch at a local restaurant. In the envelope was a card for the website so I logged on. This is something that I do personally from time to time, especially at drive thru's, but I thought it was fabulous that this has become an organized movement. So...our staff had our annual Christmas lunch yesterday at a local restaruant. Across the way from us were to ladies, one older and one younger, who were having a very intense conversation. They looked stressed, fatigued, and overwhelmed, but I noticed that when their food came they stopped to pray over it. I was touched and realized I had the card in my pocket. So I called their server over when she passed by and told her I wanted to pay for their lunch. I paid the bill and the tip then gave the card to the server. "When they ask for the bill," I said, "tell them it's taken care of and give them this card." Then I left. I would have liked to have seen their faces, but I didn't want them to see me. I was afraid the look on my face would have given me away! Thanks for this opportunity. I hope to do it a lot more in the coming days with my kids!!!

2008-12-09 13:12:49

gift of The Nutcracker

Tara Isley, 30, Bedford, KY, US

Last week, I was home watching TV, when I got a phone call from the mother of two of my former third graders. She was calling to invite me to go with her and her family to see the Nutcracker! I accepted the invitation, obviously. Not only that, but we got to sit in a boxseat. It was wonderful! I hadn't seen The Nutcracker since I was a little girl, and it brought back great memories of my childhood. In the car on the way to the ballet, she handed me the Gift Revolution card and asked me to pass along the love. I don't think I can give anything quite so delightful as she did, but I'll give it a try.

2008-12-09 11:53:27

Lunch and Dinner !!

Sandra Lipman, 37, Pembroke Pines, US

I was at Wendy's drive-thru and I asked the cashier to pay for the car behind me and to please give them the gift revolution card. She looked puzzled but she did it. I did not wait to see their reaction but I hope it made their day. I went to lunch at Subway. I had 3 girls under 11 with me who took FOREVER to order. The man behind me was on his lunch break, I could tell because he was wearing a mechanic's uniform. I could see him a bit frustrated, but he patiently waited his turn. I asked the cashier to pay for his lunch and I turned to him and gave him the gift revolution card, it made him smile. It was awesome !!!

2008-12-09 11:35:16