Being blessed the Christmas.

John Sonnenberg, 42, Grand Blanc, US

My wife and I have been in a tuff spot this year, with home schooling three children, my 9 month search for a new job continues, having the house go back to the bank, and experiencing the hit of major medical bills from a recent health challenge, we are in a major storm in our lives. God is our refuge and has given us a gift of great relationships both within our family at home and at our church. The Lord continues to bless us through the gifts from our friends, family, and others who choose to remain anonymous. Thses two verses hit home for us - Psalm 9:9-10 "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Romans 16:20 "The God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." We are learning how to ask our Father for just our daily bread and seek the Lord. Thank you for blessing us during this time. We are humbled and grateful. We hope something in these words will bless you or someone else during this revolution. Merry Christmas, John, Tammy, Jeremy, Micaela, Raelyn

2009-12-10 01:02:19

A kind gift

Veronica, 40, Columbia, US

I was in the subway and the ticket machine stopped working and two women took the time purchase three tickets for me and two other people so we could ride the subway. Thanks a million to the young ladies who took the time to help someone in need.

2009-12-09 23:40:56

2 COLD 2 WALK

Nicole LaBeau, 27, Swartz Creek, Mi, US

Today was the coldest day so far this year in our area. I'm walking out of work with my car keys in my hand as I pass 2 ladies saying goodbye. I drive away and as I'm waiting at the traffic light, I notice one of the ladies and her husband walking in this terribly cold and slightly snowy weather. I was in a hurry, it was 4:50 and I need to make it to the bank by 5. My holy spirit told me to turn around and pick these people up-as it was way to cold to see someone walk in this weather. I whipped my car right around and asked the cuple where they are headed. They told me, "The Mall" (which was literally a mile or so- too far to walk in this cold but on my way to the bank). This young couple was extremely grateful and appreciative. They got to the mall in the warmth and I still made it to the bank :). I feel great that I was able to do something so small for someone. I then gave the GR card to them and told them to pass on the favor when they are able! Love the GIFT REVOLUTION....It makes you feel so good inside.

2009-12-09 22:40:02

Ooey Gooey Caramel Pie!

India, Brooklyn, Sean, Issac,A, 14, Portland., US

India- We paid for four desserts at O'Charleys for four tables. IT WAS REALLY FUN WITH MY PEOPLES.(: Hope you liked your pie!!! Brooklyn- It was a life changing experience! Everyone loves them some pie :) Sean- ______________________ Issac- _____________________ Austin- It was a fun experience! Brittany- I loved giving to people! Plus the caramel pie looked good! Ray- the teens came up with the idea, and they had a great time 'paying it forward'

2009-12-09 22:07:56

Giving to good cause

Mindy McCall, 28, Gallatin, US

We had a fundraiser at work to benefit the cancer society, the lunch was $5.00, I gave extra money and handed the girl our card!!!

2009-12-09 21:41:20

Photo

Mindy McCall, 28, Gallatin, UM

There is a guy that works with me that will be leaving for the Airforce on Dec. 15th and I had took some pictures of him and our group at work. When I went to pick the pictures up they were $18.00 and I only had $16.00, I was very upset, the girl at the counter said hold on and gave me her employee discount, making it $15.00 and handed me The Gift Revolution card. I was so excited being that I am a member of Freedom Church!

2009-12-09 21:39:13

It's The LittleThigs

Rod, 39, North Myrtle Bech, S, US

Today a co worker purchased me a cool Christmas ink pen. Another co worker took me to lunch. It's the little things that mean so much. THANK YOU! I love the people I work with.

2009-12-09 21:27:01

Cheerful Cheerleading Coach

angelique young, 40, clinton, US

I have a wonderful friend and mentor, Cindy Cumbo, who also holds numerous national allstar cheerleading awards. She is also a woman who loves Jesus with her whole heart and chose to share His love with me this Christmas. I am a novice in the world of coaching cheerleaders. As a matter of fact, this is our first year going to a competition. Cindy not only has offered to donate her time to help us twice a month until the Nationals competition in March, but she has also offered to pay our gym rental fee as well!! Cindy has truly caught the vistion of 'The Gift Revolution' and she is a 'revolutionary' for sure!!

2009-12-09 19:50:34

A trashy story

Shannon Lopez, 34, Gallatin, TN, US

Since we were given our gift revolution cards, I've been really struggling to figure out how I'm going to use them, how I'm going to bless someone. I'm a single mom with 3 amazing kids. We are really having a rough time financially and I just couldn't imagine being able to bless someone with even a free soda right now. Today, my opportunity came. It's been crazy windy here and our neighbors trash was blowing all over their yard and the yard next door. I went out and picked up all the trash, put it in bags so it wouldn't blow AGAIN and left a gift revolution card on their front door. It isn't much, and they may not even know what I did...but I feel much better knowing I was able to do something to spread the love around. I'm hoping we're able to find some more people in need of help of the non-monetary kind so that we can spread God's love. Thanks for letting me share :-)

2009-12-09 18:52:28

The Brownies

Laiken, 8, north myrtle beach, US

My mom and i were thinking what to do for the gift revolution. Then i thought about brownies. My mom wanted to do something for the firemen so we combined our ideas. We ended up baking brownies and giving them candy too. They loved it and told us to come back any time. We also gave them 2 Gift Revolution cards and said "Merry Christmas!" THE END!

2009-12-09 16:44:56

mailman

vicky, 32, north myrtle beach, US

The kids and I made a gift bag for our mailman with some yummy goodies in it and put it in the mailbox tonight and put the flag up so that when our mailman opens the mailbox he will see a giftbag that says to our wonderful mailman. Inside the bag is a gift revolution card.

2009-12-09 16:34:12

God's answer to the gift

Candi Johnsen, 58, West Plains, US

We were encouraged to try this new gift giving thing at church on Sunday. They gave us a packet of cards to give out whenever we choose to give a gift to someone for them to pass on to someone else. I prayed about it and asked the Lord to help me with how I could do this anonymously. I was going to a fast food drive-up window and thought, I should try to do this, but I was somewhat thinking what if their order is a pretty large one, what would I do. Well, when I pulled up there was no one behind me and I thought, Lord if you want this to happen someone will show up. Well sure enough someone pulled in behind me. The clerk handed me my order and I asked how much the order was for the car behind me and she said $2.14. The Lord sure knows how to make things easy. So I paid for it and gave them a card to give the recipient and all was happy. Never doubt the Lord God, He always knows exactly what is needed for everyone involved. So now all I do is pray for the Lord to use me again and it will be easy to listen. Thanks

2009-12-09 16:13:09

A simple act of kindness

carrie, 21, jacksonville, US

As I approached the window to pay for my drink, the lady at the window informed me that the person in front of me had paid for it already. It took me by surprise that a complete stranger did that for me! It was very refreshing and encouraging that there are still kind people around. I look forward to passing it on to others as well. May God Bless this Christmas season!!

2009-12-09 11:06:36

Walmart Rx counter

PatiMac, 51, Morganton, NC, US

Was getting Rx's at the Walmart with a long line. After waiting about 15 minutes. When it was my turn I made my purchase and Asked for cash back on my debit card. I wanted some tens but the cashier didn't have any. She had two 5's I had asked for 60.00 cash, so I had a gift revolution card. So my heart said do it anyways. I gave her a $20.00 bill and the card and asked her to give this to the next person who she took care of, she asked "Huh?" I told her she'd know what to do. Then it clicked, she smiled and said she would. Hope someone was really blessed.

2009-12-09 11:05:51

God tells us at right monent

Jen, 39, Burton, US

I'D STOPPED AT MCDONALDS FOR A FRIEND,NOTICED THE LADY BEHIND ME WAS CRYING ON HER CELL PHONE, GOD TOlD ME AT THAT TIME TO PAY FOR HER MEAL, SO I PAYED, LEFT THE CASHIER THE CARD TO GIVE TO HER,WHEN I LEFT I THOUGHT SHE WAS FOLLOWING ME SHE LIVED IN THE SAME PARK AS MY FRIEND I WENT ONE WAY AND SHE WENT THE OTHER.WHEN I CAME OUT OF WORK THERE WAS A NOTE ON MY WINDSHIELD IT READ."THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PAYING FOR MY LUNCH,I WAS HAVING A VERY BAD MORNING AND YOU BRIGHTED MY DAY!GOD BLESS YOU TERRY .GOD IS SO GREAT!!!!I Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!And God Bless!!you.

2009-12-08 22:09:48

Random Acts of Kindness

Bre, 22, Jacksonville, US

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went out to eat at Cracker Barrel with our newborn son. We had a very nice meal together and celebrated my husband's birthday. When we asked for our check, our waitress had told us that our meal had been paid for. We felt so special and thankful for the gift. It was a wonderful feeling! We passed it on by leaving our waitress a $10 tip, even though our meal only cost around $17. Well, a couple of weeks later, we're at church and they're kicking off the gift revolution. We were excited to be able to do random acts of kindness! We had a very nice waitor the other night at dinner. So we left him a $15 tip and the gift revolution card. Hopefully he will pass it on!

2009-12-08 19:23:18

Paying it forward

Jean Stone, 62, St. Petersburg, US

i was at a local grocery store and left some money with a gift revolution ticket for the clerk to give it to someone, preferably whom God laid on her to heart.I know this clerk, as she goes to my church.I spoke with her today & the lady reveiving the money was very surprised & was not sure of it.SO the clerk explained it & ask her to pay it forward. It left me with a wonderful feeling & that I hopefully was a blessing to someone in need. I plan to do this as often as I can.

2009-12-08 17:24:51

Bonus Blessing

Blessed Mom, 42, Westmoreland, US

I was so blessed by a wonderful woman in my Wednesday night women's study she knew I was struggling being a single Mom and out of work and she offered to help pay a bill for me using her Christmas bonus. She knows who she is and she knows I love and appreciate her!!! It is a revolution and it is changing lives, and I will find away to pass on my blessing to someone else.

2009-12-08 15:06:52

Making Him Smile :D

Amanda, 34, Sunset Beach, US

I am a single mother of a child that is considered special needs. I'm going through one of the most difficult times of my life..my relationship just ended, I was terminated from my job, I have no money, I dont know anyone in Myrtle Beach.. I've been forced to apply for assistance w/ Social Services. About two months ago my mom started telling me about a young boy in her department at work that was going through a harder time than me. Even in my sadness over my own situation, my heart hurt for him. His mother is an alcoholic, they were evicted, he had to drop out of high school to work & help pay bills..now living alone hopping from one friend's house to another, he has no car and is walking 7 miles one way to work everyday..his mom just left him. After waiting for 6 weeks, I finally got "foodstamps". Because of the delay and the back payment, I'd gotten an extra $200. I called my mom's work and spoke to the boy. Although he didn't know me, he agreed to let me drive him "home". I asked that our meeting remain private and asked if I could make a stop on my way to take him "home"... I took him to Foodlion and we spent the $200 extra God had given to me. I asked for nothing in return.. I cannot express the joy, the smiles, the excitement over having food..I watched him pick things he needed and had dreamed of eatting for forever and it was AWESOME!!! At one point we were on the cereal aisle and he said "its so overwhelming, we (his mom and him) hadn't gone real grocery shopping in almost 5 years!"...what an amazing feeling, even in my situation where I have nothing to offer..I made him smile :) No one will really understand how much it does matter until your on the receiving end of the gift. Thank you so much to all of you that pass a good deed forward.

2009-12-08 12:51:43

DQ

Chuck, 48, West Plains, US

I went through the drive through at DQ to get my ever-so-needed blizzard. After I paid I gave the young lady some $ and told her to apply this to the next person who comes through. I also gave her a Gift Revolution card and told her to give it to the customer to which I was going to bless. She looked at me somewhat confused, smiled, and said "ok". As I drove off, she just stared at the $ as if she was trying to figure out if this was really happening and how she was going to explain this to the next drive-through customer. People have a difficult time understanding a "gift"....receiving something unmeritted without expectations of repay! Isn't God AMAZING?

2009-12-08 12:41:06