Thank you!

Bertha Morales, 48, Miami, US

I am so thankful I learned about The Gift Revolution and I am thankful to all of those that are involved in it. It has been a blessing to see the smiles on people's faces only because you pay their lunch or pay for their coffee when they least expected it. I feel so blessed to have gotten this opportunity. Although, there have been many ways I have given to others, this is probably the one I have felt the most blessed with, just being able to see someone's face go from distant and troubled to hopeful and happy. Thank you to all that have joined this great cause.

2008-12-04 17:00:34

gift revolution

Christy Ewing, 35, Hollywood, US

I was at walgreen's and noticed an elderly man walking around the pharmacy with his coupons in his hand looking for his medication. He asked a pharmacist for help with the price of the medication. I decided to go to the cashier before he got there and gave the cashier some money and a gift revolution card and asked her to please use the money to pay for the gentleman's medications.

2008-12-04 16:59:35

Hair Cut

Bob Wallace, 61, North Myrtle Beach, US

I got a haircut yesterday. There was a man waiting to get his cut after me. After my haircut, I paid the barber and gave him a tip. Then, I told him about the gift revolution, gave him cards, and gave him money to pay for the man in the chair and another haircut. The expression on the barber's face was priceless. He asked me where I went to church and gave me a card that had information about his church. I left feeling pretty good and had a pep in my step.

2008-12-04 16:27:53

Simple- Smile

MaiLee, 32, Cooper City, US

Last night when we (hubby kids and me) left church we immediately wanted to go out and continue with TGR...we went to Taco Bell and asked the guy to please give the $5 and TGR card to the car behind us...He said we were the 3rd car to do this and was amazed at how nice it was. He wanted to know why so we told him about TGR while we were waiting for our food and he said he was going to check the website out. The kids were so happy to give and we watched the car behind us receive the card and smile. Something as simple as $5 put a smile on not 1 but 6 faces...So pumped to do more!!!!

2008-12-04 15:08:28

Tis Better to Give Than Receiv

Luann , 42, Davie, US

I attended the 6 pm service on Saturday, November 22, which also happened to be my birthday. I had not been to church in some time, and wanted to get my 42nd year started in a positive way. What better day to go than on the day we learn about the gift revolution. During the sermon, I was reminded of all the times in the past where I was selfish, weak or unattractive in spirit. I wanted God's love to cleanse my heart and soul, to be renewed; I wanted to learn to be more compassionate to others and I thought God sent me here today for a reason-this is exactly what I am looking for. I was going to a Miami Heat game and thought it would be the perfect opportunity for me to start the gift revolution. After entering the arena, I bought myself something to eat and decided to buy the next person's meal. I went back to the counter and gave the cashier $20 and the gift revolution card. She went and asked her supervisor for approval, which she received. As I went back to my table I remember how good it felt to give freely and unconditionally; I was excited and full of anticipation waiting to see next person arrive and tried to visualize what the expression would be on their face. Well it took some time for the next person to make their way to the counter, and finally there she was. She ordered her food and as I waited for that moment to come when they tell her the good news, she reaches for her wallet and pays for it. Then another person came, and another, and each one paid for their own meal. I don't know what I felt first, betrayed, angry, hurt. Here I was, making my first attempt in the gift revolution and it didn't feel so good anymore. Then I realized that the money was not used for the purpose I intended, but maybe God had me go to that woman because her need was greater.

2008-12-04 15:01:10

3 cuban toasts (again)

E, 34, Hialeah, FL, US

I purchased 3 cuban toasts at the office cafeteria for the next 3 people along with the Gift Revolution Card...keep it going! The ladies at the register asked more details about TGR. They asked me for TGR card so they could participate too. I gave then each about 20 cards (good thing I reloaded it at the TGR rally last night at FRC). I will bring them a gift card to each next week. They shared a couple of stories of how the simple gifts had impacted other people. at this moment I don't think I'll stop doing this anytime soon. It just makes my day better knowing I put a smile in someones face. I'll tell you, sometimes the hard part is not having to give, for me is being busy with my own work and life and forget to do it. My goal is to make it a habit. I also did something a little crazy the first week of TGR which I will share later. It falls under the "not when you can but also when you can't" category and it has been a great source of joy for me. E

2008-12-04 14:58:44

breakfast

Steve Mackey, 43, Miramar, FL, US

While getting breakfast at the chick-fil-a in Miramar drive thru, I had the girl pay for the breakfast in the car behind and me asked her to give the 'card' to the person and tell them that the meal was paid for. Interesting...the girl at the window had obviously seen this card before because it took NO explanation at all. She just took it and knew what to do. Keep giving!

2008-12-04 14:32:32

Paint It White

Steve Guschov, 43, Lima, PE

Dorcas and I live on the 5th floor of a 19-story condo tower in Lima. They've been painting the outside of the building white in recent days. A couple of days ago the painters were on their scaffolding, right outside our living room window. We saw them and quickly whipped up a batch of ham & cheese sandwiches for them to enjoy, along with jungle-fresh Peruvian pineapple juice to wash it down! They said that the only thing anyone had ever given them before was a hard time! It was cool to watch them munch on their sandwiches & drink their pineapple juice & gaze at their TGR cards, 5 stories up from the street. Viva la revolucion!

2008-12-04 14:27:18

Free Lunch

Sean, 22, Gainesville, US

I went to the dining hall for lunch at the University of Florida and had my lunch paid for by the person in line before me. Awesome. I'll have to pass it on to someone else.

2008-12-04 14:26:41

Too Excited!

Rose Palmer, 57, Gallatin, US

I stopped at McDonald's one morning to pick up a sausage/biscuit and paid for the person behind me. I got so excited that I forgot to stop at the pick up window to get my order. After pulling on the main road I realized I had not picked up my order.

2008-12-04 14:26:30

Sheridan House Donation

Brian Robbins, 34, Davie, US

Our business just donated toys to the Sheridan House. Other people were there as well droping items off. I actually spoke to Bob Barnes and they were very appreciative of us doing this for them

2008-12-04 13:52:05

In Sync

Cathee, 51, Pembroke Pines, US

I was really bummed because I had not been to church in a couple of weeks & when I went online I was shocked to see that so much was going on and I didn't know anything about it. I couldn't quite figure out what the revolution was by reading the website, so just thot I need to get to church next Sunday to figure it all out. I received the email that last night, Wednesday, there was a revolution going on at church. I attended & was a little miffed at myself for being out of sync, when God reminded me of something I had forgotten. Only a week ago, I was in Dunkin' Donuts (am I allowed to say the DD word here?) and there inside, trying to stay warm was a homeless man. God prompted me to buy him whatever he wanted, give him a little money, and tell him that God cares for him. I know the man was very grateful and his face lit up when I told him that God cared for him. The only thing missing was the card, but God reminded me that while maybe I had missed church, I truly had not missed the revolution. I am excited to see whom God has next in store to bless!

2008-12-04 13:47:03

Pretty freaky

K.A. Fara, 55, North Myrtle Beach, US

After passing on the story, as well as website to all we knew, we continued to talk about the coolness of this movement, and how it couldn't help but affect you to others...but you know how that goes, once you send it, you're sure that those same people that you've always known, that either delete what you send or downtalk whatever it is that you send, so it's real meaning gets lost in the shuffle of all the negativity...but then..........................a wonderful thing happens..........you get a call from that person that you didn't even remember sending the e-mail and updates to....and he is BLOWN away....and of course .........so are you! Chris calls me and says that he had just read the article that I had wrote and sent out to him about "The Gift Revolution", and he had been to a confrence up the coast of North Carolina, it was late, and he was thirsty, but he didn't want a cup of coffee for the long ride home, instead he thought of me(for whatever reason), but he remembered how I told him about how much I liked Vanilla Coke, so he stopped by this little whole in the wall party store, some where near "nowhere" North Carolina, reached into the cooler grabbed a coke, and on his way to the cashier, he said to himself, "this didn't feel right", I mean the bottle felt funny...as he looked down he saw that a $1 dollar bill with a "Gift Rev'card" had been attached to the bottle...now mind you this is hours after reading the e-mail about the movement, and he's not what you would say, a "Spirtual" guy, but a very caring and loving sort of fellow just the same! He said to me on the phone..." Ken, I just had to get to the car and sit down and think for awhile"..."it was too freaky"!...he put the dollar in the change tray, and after a few minutes of just sitting, him and his son drove away....moments later, he pulls up to an intersection, in some other small town in N.C. and a woman with her small children came up to their vehicle talking about not being able to feed her children.......to which, of course, Chris took what ever he had in his pockets, wallet, and "The Dollar", gave it to her(he said he kept the card though), as a reminder of what lifes really about!...and they just drove away....OH, MY LORD!..we talked for a few minutes longer, sometimes saying nothing at all...nothing....just OH, My Lord! Thats all I'm gonna say about that!

2008-12-04 13:01:49

GO RED!!!....

Scott Prat, 45, Cooper City, US

Today at the Flamingo Road Church Staff Challenge, Team Red Hat, has partnered with Chipotle Mexican Grill, All State Insurance, Brian Robins, VPX, Healt Supplement Company of Weston to provide a Gift Revolution Care Package valued at 250 USD to Sheridan House Ministries, for single mothers located in Davie, FL. The gift package is for a mother and four children. GO RED!!!

2008-12-04 12:54:46

not knowing there is a gift re

cindy, 54, hollywood, US

My co worker has been listening to myself and debbie about Flamingo Road Church for the past two years. We have discussed the Gift revolution with her and shared our stories with her. I explained that my family raised me to pay it forward and its something that comes naturally, but not as often as it should. We had peeked her curiosity. She went to Publix for lunch and was standing in the 10 items or less line. Two people ahead of her in line. The older lady had her groceries rung up, but when she went to pay her card was declined. The manager came over to void the transaction. At that time the gentleman behind her who was purchasing a sandwich immediately said" I will pay for her groceries". He did not hand out a card, he simply was being a loving kind person to someone in need. Well needless to say my co-worker was impressed and touched. I am praying she will see more of the same and start her own revolution, discover the gifts that were given to us by God, and have the eternal life we all are so looking forward to. This man touched many lives by his act, by my co worker getting to see the kindness and by her telling the story to others!!!!

2008-12-04 12:03:44

thanks for help with laundry

Eric McNeill, 35, North Myrtle Beach, US

I was busy doing laundry Thursday night and a little down and out when I was gifted by a seventh grader from Barefoot Church with cash and a card. I wish I could remember his name but he knows who he is. The gift, the smile, and the help carrying out my clothes was very uplifting!

2008-12-04 11:31:38

Fun Time Giving!

Lisa, 41, Pembroke Pines, US

I have started my revolution. After church 2 weeks ago Saturday I went and purchased some Publix Gift Cards. The first one was $200 for a good friend of mine that is having a hard time - had my daughter deliver to him. I purchased 5 others for $10 each to give out to strangers. The first I gave to a crossing guard that I pass on the way to work that is always smiling. The 2nd & 3rd I gave to two friends that I had dinner with as I was telling them about this. I asked them to give the cards to others as I know they didn't need. The 4th I gave to the lady at Dunkin Donuts that helps me in the morning. But while I was giving her the card I told her I wanted to pay for the guy behind me - funny she thought I was trying to pick him up!! I said nope just want you to give him this Gift Revolution card!!! Funny people really do have a hard time thinking something is for nothing!! Can't wait to give more cards!!!

2008-12-04 11:18:59

A Smoothie Gift

Shants, 29, Weston, US

On Saturday I went Juice Belndz to purchase a smoothie. When I got my credit card to pay for it, the woman who made it for me said she would pay. Puzzled, I asked her why and she just handed me The Gift Revolution Card. THANK YOU. It's a great idea and I promise to spread the word and to do the same as she did for me.

2008-12-04 10:57:00

headed to Ponte Vedra Beach

Ann Somrah, 30, Miami Beach, US

This little box of gifts is headed for Ponte Vedra Beach, FL into the hands of my gal pal, Holly. Thanksgiving day I got the opportunity to share this global movement with her and she was sooo excited. The gift box contains small tokens I picked out especially for her…to inspire her to inspire others to inspire the world. Woohoo!!!

2008-12-04 10:50:45

Big Tip

Valerie, 28, Miami, US

A friend and I were eating at TGIFridays and when the $38.00 bill came, I left a $15.00 tip and TGR card. I hope that helps with the waitress's Christmas shopping some. Merry Christmas!

2008-12-04 10:11:40