The Cross I Wear

alma , 42, miami gardens, US

Two weeks ago i was watching the QVC channel and the "brighton" collection was being shown. i saw a bracelet called the Eternity Cross Charm Bracelet. i wanted it but when i returned to the room the bracelet was SOLD OUT. so i contacted a co-worker who i knew worked part-time at a Brighton store. i let her know what the item was and wondered if their store carried it. well, when she told me the bracelet was there i asked her to pick it up for me and i'll pay her. now the bracelet cost $40 but i wanted to treat myself because i was going to start a new job and i like to start with new stuff. so it was december 5th and Aimee and her daughter came to the job to drop off my bracelet. she handed it to me in a gift bag and i said i'll go to the unit and get your money. Aimee replied, "no money this is a gift and congratulations. i was so excited. she did say there is a stipulation i had to follow the instruction of the little card inside. i plan to do just that, pass it on. . .kindness. i love to give to others, because i love to see people smile. An act of kindness can be that silver lining around someones dark cloud.

2008-12-06 01:13:23

Horse Riding Class

Mark Josephs, 36, North Myrtle Beach, US

I was able to go to my daughter Blair's horse riding class this mourning. It was off the hook. I hit it off well with the ranch owners. There story was next level. They found Jesus with the birth of their of daughter. Now they take wild horses and disciple them to be able to ride children. We were hanging with the teachers/owners, and she was explaining that she does a rodeo ministry, and horse show for indigent children every year in which they show the birth of Jesus. Wow! ( that was a great opening for talking bout the series we are doing) So, we told her about the Gift revolution.com, gave her a couple of cards, and offered to pay for the next students lesson for the upcoming week. It was a joy to meet other families trying to reach people in a unique, and creative way. We are doing it through the internet, and they were doing it through horses. Wow! That's next level...

2008-12-06 01:09:03

Blessed once again

Shawnda Price, 33, Springfield MO, US

I am a server at Red Robin in Springfield MO and just over a week ago Iposted a story about a generous tip recieved. So, tonight I sit with yet another story of being truly blessed. This morning was payday, and rent was due. I had figured my bills and would be $77 short of my rent going into work this morning. My GOAL for the shift, and this would once again put me at broke with no gas money, grocery money or anything. So, with a heavy heart I went to work with my $77 dollar goal. When I got to work my manager said she had a card for me that a young woman had dropped off the night before. Thinking a condolence card as the woman I had called Grandma since I was 15 had passed away and her funeral was on wednesday. I open the card and to my shock and disbelief, there was a kind message of "Shawnda, Thank You! Love. Lead. Serve." and with it were 5-6 gift revolution cards, but the biggest blessing was the $100 bill tucked neatly with the cards. I was moved to tears, because first I don't know what I did to diserve this gift, or whom it came from. I would like to thank her, but it was anonymous, so if you are reading THANK YOU, and GOD BLESS YOU. I can now pay my rent without worry of the check bouncing and have enough to buy groceries. I write this with joy in my heart and tears on my face. Her act of kindness did more than she will ever know.

2008-12-05 23:57:17

How to not miss Christmas~

Julie, 38, Weston, US

As a member of Flamingo Road Church, I have been waiting for the right opportunity to participate in the "Gift Revolution" and experience the true meaning of Christmas. Today, I was at Toys R Us, buying a couple of toys for my kids, as well as for the charity we sponsor at work. When I got into the parking lot, a woman approached me and asked if I would buy a hibiscus flower she had in her hand. She started to explain that her husband had beat her with golf clubs until she was nearly dead. He was now in prison, but she had 3 children, ranging from 8 months to teenagers and could not work. She was struggling to feed her kids and had no money to buy them Christmas gifts. I felt a strong nudge on my heart to help her. I pulled out my wallet and gave her $20.00, as well as the Gift Revolution card. The woman, named Tammy, was so grateful and she began to cry and tell me more of her story. She said God was going to bless me for this. As we talked further, she told me she was a believer. "Without faith," she said, "there would be no way she could survive." She then said, " For some reason, I feel compelled to pray with you. I feel very safe with you. Is that okay?" She took my hands in the middle of the parking lot and we began to pray. I know it must have looked strange to all the people in the cars driving by and the people walking by, but I felt God's presence. For some reason, I needed to be there with her and comfort her, this complete stranger. As I talked to her more, I gave her information about Flamingo Road Church and Women in Distress. The more I talked to her, the more I wanted to help her. So I reached in my wallet again and this time gave her all the cash I had. I had just gone to the ATM but all I could think about was how blessed I am in comparison. We both cried and hugged and went on our ways. I have helped people in need in the past but after this happened today, I feel very moved and it has definately gotten me in the spirit of Christmas. May God Bless Tammy, her children Amanda, Robby and Tiffany and her husband, Douglas.

2008-12-05 23:53:00

CANADIAN ANGEL

Sergio E. Torres B., 43, Bucaramanga, CO

I have been organising for 15 years now a Christmas campaign (collecting toys for por kids in my Country) This year the goal is 5000 presents for 5000 kids. By this time I had have all the presents but no this year. this morning I got a call from Western Union and I went there to the office and they asked me are you SERGIO ENRIQUE TORRES BARRERA (My name and middle name and my father and mother´s last names) and I was so surprised and I said yes, and they guy told me that someone from Canada had sent me 100 dollars to buy presents. It was a person I met 5 years ago and new about the program I do here in Bucaramanga, Colombia, South America. He remeber my e-mail sejuma@yahoo.com and my telephone but I have change numbers at home. So He decided just to send me the gift. Tomorrow I will buy 50 presents for 50 really poor kids. God is great and I will also invite someone to have a Hot chocolate cup and I will pay for it. I don´t know where he lives but his name is Phil Towers from Toronto. God bless him and my phone is 157 310 680 8536 and address is Calle 63# 48 - 15 Bucaramanga, Colombia. Next time please tell me that you are sending something just with and e-mail because sometimes is hard to get the money if I don´t know the 10 digit numbers they give you in Western Union. I can´t imagine the faces of the 50 kids tomorrow opening the presents. Once again THANK YOU

2008-12-05 23:51:53

Chilis

Autumn & Bryce Bennett, 21, Jonesboro, US

My husband and I were eating at Chilis. When we asked for our check, the waitress told us that she had never seen this happen, but someone in the restaurant had anonymously paid for our meal! They left a gift revolution card, but we didn't get to see them or thank them. Thank you so much whoever you are! We are very thankful and promise to pass on the kindness!

2008-12-05 23:42:40

Frosty Rocky Mountain?

Steve, 34, Beavercreek OH, US

While in Denver for a volleyball national championship. We took the team to Wendys and right before we left I got a gift card and had the guy behind the counter hand it to the next individual. I don't know if he got Frostys or not but the gift revolution keeps rolling in Denver CO.

2008-12-05 23:31:44

6, 7, 8 & 9 of 25

P BJ, 38, Davie, FL, US

Am I cheating or maybe multi-level marketing my gift revolution? Hopefully I am leveraging my relationships and challenging friends and family to join the revolution on my behalf........how can they refuse if I put TGR as the ONLY request on my Christmas wish list?! So here goes 6, 7, 8 and 9: 6 & 7 of 25 - since my sister drew my name for our sibling gift exchange, I requested she purchase two grocery or Target gift cards. I gave her instruction to give them each to a total stranger that is black or hispanic. This is a HUGE deal, since she lives in Memphis where race relations are terrible. This will stretch her and who knows, maybe the story of a white lady gifting a total stranger from another race will help mending from years of bigotry and hatred in the USA. 8 & 9 of 25 - losing creativity steam here, but I feel so strongly that we can make a difference in the day of an individuals life, the direction of our communities, and ultimately in the love of our world for Christ!........ so I gave the same gift wish to my sister-in-law in Phoenix, Arizona. Two gift cards to two strangers in her community! 9 of 25 and counting.....share your ideas....do not deliberate, let's create, motivate and dominate the world with peace, love and joy this Christmas season!

2008-12-05 22:58:16

2, 3, 4 and 5 of 25

P BJ, 38, Davie, FL, US

I used to deliver pizza for Dominos back.....well, way back. I know how important tips are, and how a nice tip can really make the day for delivery guys. So I continued my revolution tonight when I ordered pizza. 2 of 25 - gave my delivery driver tonight a nice tip. 3 of 25 - gave him a separate tip for the store manager that actually made my pizza 4 & 5 of 25 - I gave him two - $5 bills and asked him to "reverse tip" his next 2 deliveries. Can you imagine the Dominos driver tipping you bigger than you tipped him?! Makes me laugh. I also loaded him up with thegiftrevolution.com business cards to hand out. On my way to 25 and beyond!

2008-12-05 22:44:22

1 of 25 > Slow start...but cat

P BJ, 38, Davie, FL, US

I loved hearing all the stories, but was a little timid when it came to actually, physically doing the gift revolution. Well, after a week of kicking myself for not following many 'nudges', I finally busted out with a gift to the car behind us in a Burger King drive-through. It was so cool...the lady taking my money just didn't understand. I had to explain it a couple times.....I think the person I gifted even honked the horn at me to hurry up! Well now I have the 'gifting bug', and plan to gift at least once for each of the 25 days of Christmas! This is 1 of 25......keep an eye out for the next 24. I love to get, share and celebrate ideas on thegiftrevolution.com.

2008-12-05 22:35:19

Starbucks

Whitni Weese, 20, Brookland, US

I went to a Starbucks that was attached to the mall. When I saw that there was no one around, I went to the cashier and told him that I wanted to pay for the next persons coffee. He was shocked, I don't think he understood why I would want to do something like that. I explained to him the idea, gave him five dollars and a Gift Revolution card to give to the lucky person. Then I sat at a table in view of the action. A young woman came up to the counter and ordered her coffee. She was so shocked and touched that someone would do that sort of thing. She too, didn't really understand, but I know she walked out of that Starbucks with a smile on her face and a question on her mind, "What is this gift revolution thing all about?"

2008-12-05 22:02:13

Sweet Idea

elizabeth, 40, pembroke pines, US

myself and three nine year old boys just gave away ten milkshakes and five brownies in the food court at the mall. We gave them to people working and people dinning. Then on the way home I had a sweet idea for the struggling diabetics who are supposed avoid all the holiday treats. I went into the drugstore and three bags of sugar free treats and talked the pharmacist into helping me by giving the candie (and TGR card) to three diabetics when they pick up their medicine.

2008-12-05 21:40:40

Dinner for 3

Andie, 41, Davie, US

I went to dinner with my 3 sons tonight. While waiting for my check the waitress came over and said the people who had been sitting at the table next to ours had paid for our dinner. She handed me the card. The first thing I did when I got home was go on line and find out about TGR. It's a beautiful thing. Thank-you!

2008-12-05 21:37:15

After Care

Matt Miller, 31, Sunrise (Go Sawgrass, US

Today a family from our FRC Sawgrass Campus invited me to be a part of their thegiftrevolution.com! We went to Horizon Elementary in Sunrise and paid the After Care payment for 2 families who haven't paid their December bill. This Sawgrass family wanted one of the payments to be from our FRC Sawgrass Campus. They made sure that the director got both the tgr.com card and a FRC Sawgrass card so that the receiver of this gift might come to church! I love tgr.com and I love this family!!

2008-12-05 21:37:06

Big Screen

Frank Cunyus, 39, El Paso, US

I am recently divorced and have been struggling; I finally have my head about water and was looking for a great TV deal. I missed out on the great after thanks giving sales. I had been going from store to store trying find the perfect deal. I then turned to the local classified ads and saw several ads for big screens raging from 300-500 dollars. But add stood out a 55 inch Mitsubishi for 300 or best offer. I called the number and left a message. My call was returned by Pamela, her voice was pleasant as could be. I told her I would like to see the TV and check it out and if I liked it I would give her full price. My thinking was I will never find a Big Screen TV for that price if it works. We set up a time for me to see the TV. Once I arrived at the house I this great feeling like universe was about smile upon me. I saw the TV working and worked the deal Pamela, I would pay her 150 dollars now and the other when I picked up the TV the next day. I asked if it would be alright if I picked it up the next day. Pamela then said well I have been completely honest with you, I did put the ad in the paper but I do not want to sell the TV. I must say I was taken back. Pamela then says I wanted to give it away to someone for Christmas, Merry Christmas its your Christmas gift. But you have to pay it forward and she explained to me the history of The Gift Revolution. The next day I was at my local burger joint and I explained the The Gift Revolution to several people, then at work. I am telling everyone I know about it and more. I have already started myself just doing little stuff, while at the store the women in front of me was short some cash when she turned to look in her purse I slipped the cashier the cash. He looked at me wired and said ok, miss please do not worry its ok she smiled and walked away. Thank you Pamela for telling about The Gift Revolution and I will do this way beyond Christmas. Frank

2008-12-05 20:00:10

On the other end

Garland, 48, Pembroke Pines, US

I was on the receiving end of "The Gift Revolution" today. My sister-in-law lives with us. She moved in with us after my wife's mother passed away a few months ago. Lisa is very special to our family. She has special needs and continues to be a bright spot in our lives. I was getting ready to take her to work this morning. She has a job at Publix and bags groceries three days a week. Before we left she told me she had something for me. She came in the office and handed me a "Gift Revolution" card. She then handed me ten dollars and told me to go by Starbucks after I dropped her off and get me a coffee. She was so excited! I was excited too. I was happy for her because she is seeing the importance of this revolution. "The Gift Revolution" is an opportunity to change the world. I have been on the giving end every day since it started. Today it was pretty awesome being on the other end. Thanks Lisa! It is cool to help change the world with you.

2008-12-05 19:55:48

Homeless

Vince, 47, Miami, US

Just wanted to share that my family and I stopped at a red light where a homeless man was sitting and where normally I would just go on my way, we decided to give him $10.00 so he could eat something. We have also paid for a few cars in the tolls and drive thrus and will continue the gift revolution... I think it is great.

2008-12-05 19:25:51

"Isle" Be Giving

Joyce, 39, Pembroke Pines, US

Some co-workers and I went to The Isle Casino in Pompano Beach, FL for lunch today. In addition to my meal, I told the cashier I'd like to pay for 2 more people and that I didn't know who they were. Asked her to give The Gift Revolution card to the next 2 people who came in, tell them to have a Merry Christmas, and to pass it along. Not only did the cashiers think that was awesome, but I was still eating when the unsuspecting TGR recipients came in. I guess they asked who had paid for their meal and I was pointed out. The couple thanked me several times and agreed to pass it on. I'm having so much fun with TGR and I love reading all the stories people are writing in. I hope everyone gets involved it's such a joy!

2008-12-05 18:42:40

No Co-pay Challenge...

Pastor Marc Millan, 33, Pembroke Pines, US

Ok, real quick, today I had a doctor's appointment and while I waited in the office and the nurse was getting ready to check my vitals I wanted to take a picture of the TGR card and save it for a background on my Iphone, she Recognized the CARD and asked "You go to THAT church?" We engaged in a conversation and I ended up giving her a card and inviting her this weekend to one of our campuses. My Doctor came in, he did out check pu and talked and before he was done I said "Doctor I want to ask you and challenge you with an idea, my church is involved with this series called TheGiftRevolution.com..." I asked him to have his staff get involved and gave him the idea of "gifting" the next several visitors with "No Co-Pay"....We shook hands, as I walked out, I heard him walk into the office of his staff and say "everyone listen up, I want you all to check this Website out The Gift Revolution.com and for the next few people..." Yup, I could not believe it as I walked out smiling.. www.TheGiftRevolution.com

2008-12-05 18:38:34

FRC Elves

The Altmans, 42, Davie, US

As partners of Flamingo Road Church, we are aware of The Gift Revolution! Our family has been trying hard to find ways we can “give gifts” during these trying economic times and have done things like bring up the neighbor’s garbage cans (it has been fun to see their expressions over the past 2 weeks) and bring the grocery cart back to the front door of the store when we are done-my daughter is really not buying into this one : (. I gave out my ONE TheGiftRevolution.com card I received at the November staff meeting with $10 to some young men selling M&Ms outside of Old Navy for their basketball team a few weeks ago (no, I didn’t take $10 worth of M&Ms but it was sure tempting!). I asked the young men to please do something nice for someone by the end of the day and to check out the web site. So, it was totally unexpected to have a group of elves sent from God appear at my door yesterday and present our family with a gift-an enveloped stuffed with 15 Benjamin Franklins to put towards our mortgage payment! I don’t remember much of the few minutes they were there but I recall Pastor Scot telling me, “It’s a gift”. They prayed with me and were gone. I sat stunned for several minutes wondering how and why something like this could happen to us? My mind was racing and the events of the last few days, months, years ran thru my mind just like a movie. I know it was God comforting me, showing me why He chose us for this gift. He made clear the events, decisions (both good and bad), health issues, death and losses were His will and provided us the opportunity to draw nearer to Him. As a family, these trials have made us more aware of God’s presence and have lead to an obedience that I hope pleases Him. We work hard and still live paycheck to paycheck. One bump in the road would just devastate us. This gift is truly a blessing and came at the perfect time. I have been doing creative math the last few months to get things out on time and this month was going to be very challenging. I had just the day before been telling a friend how I did not know how I was going to pay the mortgage and the home taxes. It is so amazing how God hears our cries and comes to our rescue. I’m off to the bank to deposit the money so I can pay the 1st mortgage payment due on the 12th. There is just enough to cover that and a 10% tithe. We thank God for His love and the FRC Elves for their generosity. Now my family will work on paying it forward by helping someone else. My husband who is a mechanic will be helping a young man fix his car. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 The Altmans Kenny, Kaarina, Chad, Caleigh and Carlene

2008-12-05 18:17:14