We were challenged last week at our "IT" book study to come up with a Gift Revolution project. So this Sunday we all baked homemade cookies and sweets and we put together 25 gift bags. We practiced the familiar Christmas carols and went out into the Alex and Silvia Mesa's neighborhood where we meet each week. Two groups of 7 canvased the neighbors going door to door gifting strangers with the gift and with our songs. Many people didn't know how to react, but so many were very happy and receptive. One elderly women could not make it to the door, but sat next to the window as we sang as tears rolled down her face. We even had a neighbor join us to other houses. At the last house, the man was so overwhelmed he had his wife take pictures of us. He said he hadn't seen this in 20 years.
2008-12-08 19:48:10
Sweet Treats
Angela B, 31, Calabash, US
I work in a medical complex so I had gotten some candy canes and attached TGR cards to them and went to work early this morning and hung them from all of the doors of the different Dr's offices before anyone got there. So whoever arrived there first got a sweet treat.
2008-12-08 18:57:54
Chesseburger, Cheesburger chee
Holly EatoN, 28, Goodlettsville, TN, US
I was in the drive through at McDonalds, I happened to notice a younger girl behind me in an older mustang ordering as well. I thought I would pay for what ever she was ordering in the spirt of TGR. When I got to the pick up window the person was completly confused and tried to give me the girl's order. I explained that event though I purchased the meal it was for the girl behind me. It was really funny that a simple act of kindness confusses people this much.
2008-12-08 17:35:54
Glad to Share
Mandy Hunnell, 38, Little River, SC, US
Saturday night, after the North Myrtle Beach Christmas parade, my husband, kids, his brother and family, and his parents went to eat a great hamburger joint in town. Anyway, I have been talking with my sister-in-law about Barefoot Community Church. There was a gentleman eating alone at the table beside us. My hisband noticed him, I noticed him, and his mom noticed him. Well, I asked my husband how much money he had on him, he instantly knew what I was thinking. We called the waitress over, asked for the gentleman's bill, and gave her the card to give to him. Of course he questioned who and why, and she answered, "Just to be nice." Well he found out it came from our table and thanked us. It felt good, and it put a huge smile on my face when the waitress asked for some cards because she and some of the other waitstaff were interested. My sister-in-law left with a card too, and I am hoping to see her, my brother-in-law, and their sons in church soon!
Now I am heading to Food Lion. I have a Starbucks gift card I won for saying something nice about another teacher at school. I don't drink coffee, but I heard they have great sweets at Starbucks. Can you say selfish??? After reading the stories here today, and hearing Clay's message yesterday, I think the pleasant cashier at Food Lion deserves a little coffee(and a TGR card to go with it)!!!! Glad to share, don't need the sweets anyway!
2008-12-08 17:04:01
My Gift Revolution
Scott, 19, Cooper City, US
This morning I had finals for school. My biology test was scheduled for 8:30 am. My test was multiple choice and the students are responsible for bringing their own bubble sheets called scantrons. For my Gift Revolution I got up early and was at the campus bookstore when it opened at 7:45 and I bought enough scantrons for everyone in my class. I went to the room and put a scantron and a card on everyones desk and left.
2008-12-08 16:52:05
My salvaged Friday night
Michael Decker, 26, Pembroke Pines, US
It was the kind of Saturday evening that I had dispised the most. The night of the week when we were the busiest, and should expect to make a bundle of money. My name is Michael and I work at Chili's in Pembroke Pines. I have been a server for about 8 years, and normally like my job. I am going to school at the current moment, so this is something that I do not tend on doing forever.
I had asked for the night before off to celebrate a friends birthday with them, which was going to put a damper on my weekly income. The night started off as usual, good tips, and good people. As it progressed on, it was like a black cloud had appeared over my tables. The people I had were rude, needy, and to top it off horrible tippers. I am not one to brag, but I normally recieve numerous compliments everyday about what a great server I am. I am completly convinced that it was not my service, it was just the people.
I believe that it was about 9 or 10 o'clock when a couple sat at one of my tables, appearing quite friendly. As their dinner progressed, my mood was definitly changed by what a nice couple they were. Probably in their early to mid 30's, both clean, and nicely dressed. They were polite and didn't run me around all night, like I had no other tables besides them.
Upon their departure, they explained to me what there church was doing. What I got from them was it was kinda like "paying it foreward", and I thought that the idea was great. They invited me to their church, which I found out was more of a lively young crowd as opposed to what I had heard about the other churches in the area.
They introduced themselves to me, however I cannot remember their names. After they left I discovered they had left me an exceptional tip!!! Way beyond the "good" 20% that I always feel that I deserve!! With my 95% tip in hand, they had completly transformed my evening. What had started out such a bad night, had completly flipped. I was extrememly grateful.
The fact of the matter was that it wasn't so much the money that I was impressed with. It was the fact that these two people had turned my night around for the better in an instant. Something that they didn't have to do, but did just because they were two extremely generous caring people.
Sincerley,
Michael Decker
2008-12-08 16:44:04
Sweet Treat
Kym, 38, Southwewst Ranches, US
I have a small internet buisness selling cupcakes.
I heard about the Gift Revolution from my dad and I thought to myself what can I do for someone else.Money is tight right now so I can not do as much as I would like, but I thought the next order I get I will give for free. My good friend ordered cupcakes for her Thanksgiving dinner and when I delilvered them she went to pay and I said no. All I want you to do is pay it forward to someone else who may be in need. I figured whether it is a big or small gift you give if we all give something we will make a difference.
2008-12-08 16:17:05
Bus Ride
iGor, 23, Curitiba, BR
I often give my seat to elderly women as i take the bus to work. I wouldn't write something like this because I think it's what men should do, but i hope to inspire others. So now, as i give my seat to other people i hand them a TGR card. =0) I have bumped into many english speakers here in Curitiba. I hope they log on.
2008-12-08 15:26:39
Craft Bazarr
Susan Clark, 49, Auburn, US
Christmas is near and a Church was having a craft bazarr at our school.I really didn't have the money to spend but I thought it a good idea to buy some stocking stuffers for my grandkids. A friend at school paid my bill and gave me this card. She said pass it on. So now I am waiting to bless some one else.So sweet and such a great idea. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!!
2008-12-08 15:18:38
Giving Students
Teacher, 49, Ava, US
I am an elementary school teacher. I have had 3 students bring me an apple or coins to visit the soda machine to brighten my day and to pass along a card. Thank you boys, you are very giving and you do brighten my day. Merry Christmas!
2008-12-08 15:03:09
Cookies
Tony Molohon, 46, North Myrtle Beach, US
We had a bunch of cookies baked at our local grocier and baged up with the Gift Revolution Cards inside. We then went to local businesses at random and dropped them off for all to share. Most everyone was quite surprised and grateful for the jesture. Hopefully they all went to the website to find out what is going on. We are so happy to be a part of this movement! Tony Molohon
2008-12-08 14:56:11
Lunch
Montserrat Dubois, 31, Pembroke Pines, US
I was having lunch with my 2 very good friends and we ran into Pastor Garland,Brian,Ricky and Vaughn. All I can say is that these men are men with a passion. You can tell wherever they go. I want to thank them so much because when I had asked for the bill, the waitress handed me the gift revolution card and told me the bald guy paid our tab. Thank you for helping me as well show my friends how we spread the gift revolution.
Thank you Pastors!!
2008-12-08 14:48:58
Please Pray
Barefoot Member, 42, NMB, US
Last night a friend from church stopped by and asked to speak to me alone. She told me that her husband had been given a little money at church and that they wanted to gift my family with it, as well as a clothing gift card. She knows that we are not going to be able to buy Christmas for our kids this year - and she knows what that's like. We made arrangements for her to come over Friday afternoon. Well, just a little while ago, she called and said she needed to go ahead and bring me the card & money now. Her husband was in a terrible job-site accident this morning and is very hurt. He is being transferred to MUSC and will be there for weeks - they are not even sure how well he will ever walk again. I couldn't believe she still wanted to bring me the gifts and I told her to please not worry about it, but she insisted. She said that her husband, even NOW - lying in the Intensive Care facing the unknown - told her specifically to make sure we got those things!!! Can you believe that?? My husband and I sat, praying for their whole family through our tears after I hung up with her. I am asking all who read this to please, please say special prayers for this family. They have several small children and are like everyone else - doing the best they can to get by in this life day to day. Please pray for God's healing grace on his body and for the strength she will need in the weeks and months to come. Pray also for the children who will be missing their daddy this Christmas. Thank you.
2008-12-08 14:44:59
Giving is Fun
Karen, 47, North Myrtle Beach, , US
I sent through to Sonic and after I paid the waitress and gave her a tip I gave her $10 and a Gift Revolution card and she was very happy. Another day I went through the drive thru at Steak N Shake. (yeah, I eat out too much!) anyway, I gave the cashier a snowman soap dispenser with a Gift Revolution card attatched to it. When I drove off I could see her showing it off to her co-workers and she seemed very excited. The best one was when I was with my oldest son (who has a good heart but won't go to church with me) we were at Food Lion buying groceries. When we were checking out I went over and picked up a package of Christmas cookies and I gave them to my son and told him to give them to the cashier aftert he paid for everything. The cashier hadn't smiled at all thus far. When my son gave her the cookies she had a dumbfounded look on her face. She then SMILED and said that no one had ever done anything like that for her. She seemed so grateful! My son was really happy that he had done it for her, and I was too. I love the Gift Revolution!!!!!
2008-12-08 14:44:21
I Received a Gift!!
Jerry, 60, Davie, US
On the day before Thanksgiving I received a phone call from my executive vice president and was informed that due to lack of sales my contract with them is canceled and because they had no cash, I would not be paid for the work done in November. They were kind enough to offer me to work for FREE until sales picked up! I had only signed the contract with them 3 months earlier. I have been unemployed or underemployed since June 2007. I had discussed this with my closest friend at Flamingo Road Church as we discuss everything together. A few days later I asked him to swap vehicles so I could take some visiting family members to the airport and he agreed. The day before going to the airport, I had to call and tell him I had a tire blow out and my car had a small spare tire on it. He was aware that I needed two new tires on the front and was planning on getting them before the year ended. Well, he called me and told me to meet him at Sears tire department and he purchased two new tires for my vehicle so that me and my family could travel safely. His love of God and caring for a fellow brother really made me feel good and up beat. Thank you God for putting Johnny in my life.
2008-12-08 14:10:34
Bless their Socks Off
Kellye Cantrell, 24, Portland, TN, US
I was shopping at our local Kohl's store Saturday night after church, I had just bought my daughter the Chutes and Ladders game. When we got up to the register I saw those soft fuzzy socks and I thought to myself I would love to have a pair. Then I thought why don't I buy them for the next lady in line. I looked at my husband and said do you want to do a Gift Revolution, and I told him what I was going to do, he thought I was silly. My thinking was that I could have been selfish and spent the money on myself or I could have blessed a lady and spent the money on her. And that is what I did.
2008-12-08 14:06:59
Black Friday
Kellye Cantrell, 24, Portland, TN, US
I arrived at Walmart at 4:30am on Black Friday, I know crazy, right? There was not very many people there when I arrived, so i thought this is not going to be as bad as I thought, boy was I wrong. Well, about 5am, when the sale started, there were more people there than I had ever seen before, you could not move through the aisles. So I got what I needed and went to check out, and much to my suprise there were no lines. so I thought what a way to bless someone, than to give them a $5 gift card on the craziest day ever. They guy behind me was shocked and thanked me. And even though it was only $5 it seemed like a lot to him and the cashier.
2008-12-08 13:57:55
puzzled
Jennifer, 41, Davie, US
I went into the dollar bill store and was purchasing some items for my son's class. I asked the cashier to please take the card and $5.00 cash and give it to the next person in line. He looked at me a little weird and called his manager over. At first she told me no, we cannot do that and I asked why? She did not know what to say. Finally she agreed and I just hope the next person appreciated it. I purchased a gift card for $5.00 and gave it to the cashier to share with the next person. The gift of revolution makes you feel good about helping out other people no matter how big or small the gift is! Flamingo Road Rocks!
2008-12-08 13:08:47
A candy cane goes a long way
Emmanuel "Manny" Rivera, 25, Miramar, US
This morning I had to go into my office to do some work. We have this one girl at the office that takes care of "EVERYTHING" we need. She always does so much, and expects nothing in return. I saw I had a candy cane in my car, so I took that and gave it to her with TGR card. It brought a big smile to her face. She looked at the card, and I'm sure she'll check out the site...I've been inviting her and her fiance to church for a while now, so only God knows if this could bring them one step closer to coming...
2008-12-08 12:58:41
A gift for a giver
Emmanuel "Manny" Rivera & Nikk, 25, Davie, US
Nikki and I were shopping at Walmart this weekend for some wedding items we needed, and on our way in, we saw the Salvation Army "bell-ringer" at the door. We figured how hard it was for him to be ringing that bell all day long, and he was doing it to help others. We went inside, and while buying our items, we picked up a tin of cookies for him. So on the way out, we put in some money into the little red can, and gave him the tin of cookies along with TGR card...he was shocked, but he had a smile on his face. We just wished him a Merry Christmas and walked away as he looked at the card in wonder.
