Red Lobster Lunch

Cece Ramirez, 52, Pembroke Pines, US

My husband and I were having lunch one weekday @ Red Lobster. There was an older woman sitting across from us in a booth, by herself. My husband commented that she reminded him of his mother, who is now deceased, and that she looked lonely. When the waiter came to our table, we asked him for her check along with ours. We paid for the two checks, and she summoned the waiter and asked for her check, at which time he advised that we had paid for her lunch. She was so grateful, almost tearful, and blessed us. It was a great feeling just to make someone's day a little brighter.

2008-12-07 15:36:12

Text Revolution

Karen Solis, 50, Miramar, Florida, US

I teach at Broward College, (formally known as BCC). The cost of college textbooks is a real hardship for many students. I prayed and asked the Lord to guide me in my contribution to The Gift Revolution, and that I would obey his "nudge". And it came to me. I went to the college bookstore and asked a cashier the most common price for a textbook and she said "about $100". So I gave her $100 and asked her to use it for the next student who was about to purchase a text book, and to give them the gift revolution card. There was another cashier standing next to her who came around the counter and hugged me with tears in her eyes and said "God bless you, there is hope!" I was so moved by her response that she was so moved, even though she was not going to directly benefit from my gift. The whole experience was incredible and felt so great!

2008-12-07 15:33:08

Free Gas:

Jim Vick, 42, Jacksonville, US

I just got cards from our Church today, (JourneyChurch.Org) I made a quick stop at the gas station and after getting a drink put one the gift cards in to the credit card reader with a $20 I prayed that the person who receives that is blessed above and beyond just the free gas but has their needs met as only Our God can do! Go God!

2008-12-07 15:25:40

we were blessed

Linda Cline, 43, Gallatin TN, US

My kids and I have been doing small things and passing out the cards. My son and I were running errands Friday night and stopped at Shoney's in Hendersonville just because it was handy and I hadn't eaten all day. We had a nice time since it is hardly ever just the two of us. We were shocked to find when it came time to pay that the waiter said Merry Christmas and our meal had been taken care of. I guess the person responsible didn't know of the Gift Revolution, but it sure was a WONDERFUL treat!!! I looked at Spencer and told him, "We've just been gift revoutionized". It was a true blessing for us. I hope the person who did this for us knows how heartfelt our thanks are. I just wish we could have thanked them in person. I gave the waiter a huge tip and hoped that he was blessed too. This world is a very confusing place these days. It is full of so much evil. We are so blessed to live in the area that we do and I feel extra blessed to be a part of my church family. It is the type of church I searched my entire life for. I don't think there are a better bunch of church pastors,leaders, or members anywhere. I feel they do their best to make a difference in this area and others. I think their idea to be involved in the Gift Revolution was awesome and I hope everyone that has been on the receiving end feels as touched as we did Friday night. Linda Cline

2008-12-07 15:08:51

Gave the shirt off her back

Heather, 35, Fort Lauderdale, US

Today, I was complimenting my friend, Darlynn, on her cool Christmas tees. She had two on, one long sleeve, one short sleeve. Well she walked away, went into the bathroom, removed the long tee, walked out and handed it to me. I was so moved by her gift. She totally didn't have to do that. What made it really special, was she didn't even have to think about it. The idea to give came so instinctively & immediately to her. I know God will bless her for this. Thanks, Darlynn, you made my month!

2008-12-07 15:03:26

The Gift Revolution

Linda Allen, 49, Zephyrhills, US

I left church today as I do weekly, up lifted and blessed from being in our Lords presence. Pastor Gary once again mentioned The Gift Revolution, I am disabled and drove into CVS Pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions. As with many people there are many like myself who sometimes find themselves blown by the cost of medicines needed. And as with the elderly and disabled the cost of prescriptions, well sometimes we just can't afford it, so we do without. After I picked up my prescription I gave the Cashier a few dollars and asked that she apply that to the next persons medicine bill that came through. With God's Blessings and an invitation to New Walk Church. Christmas is about giving to others, and the way I am blessed the most is to share God's love and kindness. Thanks with God's Love, Linda Allen of New Walk in Zephyrhills Florida

2008-12-07 14:15:21

Everyday blessings

Vicky Thomas, 40, Longs, US

It's funny how this series came about and was such a shock when it first started. A few days before the Gift Revolution started, I was in Pac Sun @ Myrtle Beach Mall. There was a teenager and her friend @ the counter w/a jacket that the one girl obviously wanted very badly. She was short a few dollars and they were discussing putting the item back. I felt the need to help out so I handed her the few dollar's that she was short. It was such a joy seeing her big smile. I do so much for my 3 children that it felt nice to do something nice for another one. After the first Sunday's sermon it inspired me and I haven't stopped. I paid for a women @ Cracker Barrel eating lunch alone and treated my college classmate as well. A simple hello, how are you to other's works well also. Kind words this time of the year (and everyday during the year) really help out a lot. Just letting someone know they matter will hopefully make their day a better one. I also found an Angel Tree and will be supporting a little 4 year old with some gifts that she wants as well as a couple of underpriviledged families that I know well that can't really afford much this Christmas season. My kid's and I will be gift wrapping at one of the local stores in the area on the 18th which I look forward too. I haven't been able to do much with my church and my dear friend's there since college began. I have one more semester to go and can't wait to fellowship and get back into the things I enjoy most with my christian friend's @ Barefoot. The people there are such wonderful people and I'm blessed to be able to say I've found a home with Barefoot. God Bless Everyone and have a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!

2008-12-07 14:10:20

Subway MTA card in NYC

Katie Soto, 33, Pembroke Pines, US

My mom and I visited NYC from 12/4-12/7 and we each purchased a 7 day subway card for $25.00. Since we only used 4 days we wanted to give our cards away tosomeone so they could use the remaining 3 days for free! We found 2 elderly ladies and the lady I gave mine to was just about to put her money in the machine to pay for a ticket when I tapped her on the shoulder and offered my ticket to her. She was puzzled at first and surprised at the same time. I told her that it was a gift from me, I wished her a Happy Holiday and briefly explained The Gift Revolution to her. I handed her the TGR card and hope that I made a difference! She was very grateful. I love this TGR and it worked all the way up in NYC!!!!!!

2008-12-07 12:26:32

The Coffee Girl's Baby

Barbara Rojas, 72, San José, CR

At my local supermarket in San José, Costa Rica, there is a small cafeteria and a gourmet-coffee concession operated by a young woman named Hellen (spelled with double-l)who always seems grumpy. When I go shopping there, I usually stop for a cappuccino and I had never really talked to her because she is so grumpy. Sometimes another gal is working the stand who is so cheerful and sweet, the contrast makes Hellen look even grumpier. But I have been noticing her belly growing, and yesterday I realized she is very very pregnant! So I asked her when she was due, and she said the first week of January. So I started thinking about the possible reasons for her grumpiness: firstly, she should already be on maternity leave; obviously, she doesn't enjoy the job anyway. Also, is she married? Is the baby's father supportive? How about her parents? Or is this pregnancy a problem? How is her health? So I stopped by the booth again and asked her if the baby was a boy or a girl. She said a girl, so I went over to the baby department; the newborn clothes were rather scarce, so I bought a nice pink cotton blanket, gift paper and a gift box, and a little roll of Scotch tape. I went to the package-keeper's counter at the front of the store and gift-wrapped it, and then took it to Hellen. She was surprised, of course, and gave me a hesitant, tentative smile and said "gracias" -- boy, she really has a problem with smiling! I am not sure I'll see her next time I go to the supermarket because she will surely be taking maternity leave soon, but I just pray that somehow this will be a bright spot in her life. She may not even be appreciative or grateful to me specifically, but I know that God will use this somehow to touch her wounded heart.

2008-12-07 12:00:27

Mrs. Smiles

Lisa, 40, Gallatin, US

I go to the Mcdonalds in Gallatin almost everyday for tea. One day my favorite cashier noticed that I was wearing a brace on my right hand. I had recently had surgery for carpal tunnel. She asked if the surgery helped. She said her right wrist had been hurting her for a long time. I said take some ibuprofen and buy an $20.00 wrist brace at the local store next door. The next 2 visits I noticed that she did not have a brace yet. One Saturday night I was told about the gift revolution. After church I went to Walgreens and bought my favorite cashier a wrist brace. I drove thru the drive-thru and she was at the pay window. I paid and handed her the brace, she started to cry and said "I love you, thank you so much;" I said pay it forward do something for some else. And drove off, everytime I drive thru the window she says "There is my friend ".

2008-12-07 11:08:28

coupon christmas

j.patterson, 38, cooper city, US

My husband and I have been attending Falmingo Road Church for a couple months now...I love it!!! What I have been doing for The Gift Revolution is when I get a giftcard in the mail,$10 off $100 at Target,Bath and Body Works,etc.,I give it to someone in line with the Gift Revolution Card or to the cahier for "the next person"...I feel so good knowing mabe I brightened someones day,I dont need aknowledgement...it brings tears to my eyes to see so many people involved in selfless acts.It is wonderful to see how many GOOD people are out there!!!

2008-12-07 10:50:00

Are you an Angle?

George Sachs, 57, Myrtle Beach, US

As I was walking into a Walgreens store I made eye contact and exchanged smiles and hello to a nice lady. When I took my items to the cashier the same lady was in front of me and when she put her item on the counter I placed mine with hers and told the clerk to put them all together and I paid the total bill. The lady said "You got to be kidding me, thank you very much, but why did you do that? Are you some kind of an Angle or something? I gave her The Gift Revolution card and told her to go on line and check out what people around the world are doing. I then invited her to come to the Bearefoot Community Church and learn more it. She said she was looking for a church and would definately check it out. I gave her directions and wished her a blessed day.

2008-12-07 10:34:54

15+banna Suit+300 TGR cards=Re

Steve & Sheri Mackey, 43, Miramar, fl, US

We took 15 students from theRUSH at Cooper City FRC, with 300 candy canes with TGR cards attached, 2 1/2 hours, 1 free car wash, a big banna suit, and most importantly...a willing to serve! And went to the Arby's at Pembroke Lakes Mall. We washed 20 cars for FREE We gave away 300 candy canes with TGR cards and wish people Merry Christmas We shared TGR story with dozens We heard several stories of pain and hurt Several were invited to church "where they are" including HB and Sawgrass campuses Are you Fellin the RUSH? if not, check us out at feelintherush.com (yes no G) or Saturday nights at 6PM corner of Flamingo and Sterling 15 Students+300 candy canes & TGR cards+free car wash= Priceless Merry Christmas

2008-12-07 08:59:23

First Church, then Chilis

Sandra Monteagudo, 45, Pembroke Pines Flori, US

After my husband and I left the Saturday night service at Flamingo Rd. Church, we decided to go out to dinner at Chilis. This is something that we haven't done for awhile because of our financial situation. We were blessed to get a great server named Michael (very rare these days) who was really on top of everything. We really don't have much to give but I remembered what Pastor Troy said about giving even when you don't have it to give. We decided to reward him with a nice tip...in fact, the tip was almost as much at the cost of the dinner. My husband was explaining to him what TGR card was all about and he told us that he was new to P. Pines and really didn't know of a church here, that was like his church in Tampa. So, of course we invited him to check out Flamingo Rd. and he said he definetly would, and he seemed excited about it. And, he said that he would start his own Gift Revolution too! See you at church Michael!

2008-12-07 08:40:36

Campus Revolution

Olivia, 20, Columbia, US

It's been a long semester for me at college, and going into finals week now, things promise to get a little tougher. Today, I'd just finished up some homework in the computer lab in my dorm, and when I reached my room, I saw it . . . a WalMart bag filled with Starbucks frappucinos and little chocolates. I was touched that someone thought to bless me this holiday season, especially during the hardest two weeks of school. Whoever my secret gift-giver is, I pray they'll be truly blessed in return this Christmas for their thoughtfulness and inspiration.

2008-12-07 01:10:50

Small Surprise

Kristen, 17, Pembroke Pines, US

Today i left a dollar and a gift revolution card on a winshield wiper of a car next to me in a parking lot. :) And yesterday in busch gardens i left $5 and a card for the next person who walked into one of the stores :)

2008-12-07 00:25:10

giving and receiving

barefoot member, 52, North Myrtle Beach, US

Just wanted to take time to encourage all Barefoot members to keep up God's work and continue to give to the Gift Revolution. My wife and I have done numerous random acts without getting any posted thank you or responses but as Clay reminded all of us last week don't miss the positive. You or we may have blessed someone who has no computer or internet service available. We must trust that God nudges us when He wants us to act and that we know he makes no mistakes. I am sure that many lives have been touched and we can only hope that many more will find God and the peace that comes with him. Remember we are all about changing lives to change the world!

2008-12-06 23:22:10

Taking the Gift Revolution to

Kathy W, 60, Fort Lauderdale, Fl, US

No one should be exempt of the joy and hope of acts of kindness, so I do a short inspiration for about 350 homeless people of Ft Lauderdale on Thursday nights. I shared the Gift Revolution with them and most have access to the web at the local library. They loved the idea and decided they all had something they could give even if it wasn't money. The whole idea seemed to lift their very low spirits (especially around the holidays) because they now had something good to focus on and look forward to in their drab day.

2008-12-06 22:59:45

Kindness to someone who'd leas

Kathy W, 60, Fort Lauderdale, Fl, US

The Lord had been asking me to pray more specifically for those who had been enemies, when at service this weekend, Pastor Troy talked about doing a kindness or gift for someone who'd least expect it. Then the Lord asked me to send the gift revolution information to my former husband (who had left his long term family 6 years ago) and his girlfriend and invite them to come to our Christmas Service. My invitation was prefaced from the concept these are negative scarey times for us all, and we were trying to spread hope and encouragement. I asked if they'd like to come to the service too, because the aim of FRC was to "partner with us to reach our God given potential" and weekly had offered us hope and ideas as to how to achieve this. The Lord closed His suggestion (to me) with the idea "it was in the best interest of our daughter to have her father - who had abused us, left us destitute and had very little to do with her - to find a relationship with Jesus". I had with the grace of the Lord completely forgiven him years ago and we do socialize from time to time, because of our daughter, but I hadn't given him much prayer thought - other than 'bless him Lord'. Now I am sincerely praying for them both because to have her father and his girlfriend, regardless of our current circumstances, doing life with the Lord canonly benefit us both. And as Pastor Troy so profoundly shared "we are never more like God than when we forgive". Since that statement I am realizing more all the times the bible mentions "God desires none should perish" (so His attitude should be mine); God gave us His only begotten Son (so why would I want to deny my former husband that too). Things like that kept jumping out at me. Because I love the Lord and He has been so good to me (regardless of the moment of hardship - that too is no surprise to Him and He's always got an important purpose and solution - I want to be more like Him and the Loving Father we both share.

2008-12-06 22:54:46

A Flat Tire - it's a good thin

Kathy W, 60, Fort Lauderdale. Fl., US

The lst day of the gift revolution I had my 2nd flat tire in two weeks. I called Broward Towing and they sent me Keith. He arrived quickly (the Lord was good enought and faithful enough to see the tire went flat as I pulled into my driveway after having just come off 2 expressways). Keith offered to repair the tire if possible, saving me a trip to a tire store. He saw he could not repair it himself, but offered to follow me around the corner (unknown to me) to an auto repair shop, Express Tires. He wanted to make sure I was okay (how kind is that!). When wee got there the shop said my repair would be $10 but could not take Am Ex card or a check. I had $2 on me. So Keith, the tow man took $10 out of his pocket and gave it to me! The shop quickly repaired the tire stem but inasmuch as I am in rought areas all week I wanted the peace of mind to have the tire removed and thoroughly checked out, but I would have to come back when I had some cash. They said never mind, they would do the check out for free (another act of kindness). I gave them all 'gift revolution' cards, explained the idea and thanked them for doing their act of kindness for a stranger to me. I told them to go on the website to check out my experience and they could look for some ideas themselves. They were all happy and thought the idea was really great and would check it out and pass gifts on.

2008-12-06 22:41:14