I was in the drive thru and paid for the car behind me. The cashier looked at me I was crazy when I told her that I indeed DID NOT know them and if she would just hand them that card I would be happy......She asked for a card for herself!!!!
2008-11-29 23:16:10
The Coffee Break
anonymous, 40, ava,mo, US
We were just coming back from visting my mom during the Thanksgiving break and we were waiting in line at McDonald's.I just happened to look out the window, when I noticed a man pacing back and forth outside near the road.I pulled up to the the window and asked if I could add a coffee to my order.When I got my order I pulled down to where the man was at and rolled down my window. He came up to me and I handed him the coffee. His face lit up and I told him,"This is for you and I hope you have a wonderful day!"He told me thank you and that was it.I know it was a little thing but I know that it made his day!!!!!!!!!!! I felt like I helped him and I was very happy the rest of the day!!! It was my calling from God!!!!
2008-11-29 22:20:37
Pass It On..................
Beth, 49, Ava, US
I was working at Wal-Mart when i found a gift&card under my wiper.Curious to see what the gift revolution was about,i came to this site.To pass on the gift of giving,i invited my aunt to share Thanksgiving dinner with me and my kids.She had no one to be with.I fixed a dinner and we all told what we were Thankful for.I was so Happy she could be with us.I also gave a girl i work with some groceries. She was very surprised and the next day thanked me for the food especially the goodies for the kids.Had some snacks& books for them.I also went to the local food pantry and left a pickup load of clothes&toys to give to others.I have been so blessed and it is more blessed to give than to recieve.I say forward the love to others and PASS IT ON!!!!
2008-11-29 21:21:48
little boy in the mall
Callie, 17, North Myrtle Beach, US
i was walking through the mall today and a little boy walked up to me and handed me a bag full of candy and told me merry christmas. inside the bag was a gift revolution card. i wasn't expecting it at all, but when i saw the card i knew exactly what it was. im so glad that our church has really reached out to our community. seeing this little boy really brightened my day :)
2008-11-29 20:53:26
Giving is the Biggest Blessing
The Crim Family & The Freeman , 33, El Paso, TX & Ava, M, US
Our family recently spent the Thanksgiving holiday in a beautiful cabin in Ruidoso, NM. When leaving we decided to do extra cleaning, although we had paid the $150 cleangin fee, and leave a small tip and thank you letter to the housekeeper coming that day to clean. Our kids were all curious as to why we would leave money on the table when leaving, but we reassured them it was the right thing to do and someone would be blessed. Little did we know, that housekeeper's name in Ruidoso is Kim, and she would write the most wonderful letter on this website. We have all cried tears of joy all afternoon and have been further inspired to pass on the blessings. Kim, may your family enjoy the best Christmas ever and we will be watching to see how you in turn spread the Revolution through Ruidoso, NM. Merry Christmas and God Bless you!
2008-11-29 20:02:44
Random crops of kindness.
Laurie Hutchinson, 39, Portland, TN, US
Went to a cropping / scrapbooking party with several other women at the local library. At end of party, bought 4 extra pens for 4 people to be surprised with!
:)
2008-11-29 19:59:31
Family Fun with the Revolution
Pamela Crim, 33, El Paso, US
Our family hit El Paso today on a mission to start the REVOLUTION! Our 3 kids got involved and we had the best day ever. First, while at the movie theater, we bought an extra large popcorn and gave it to the family in line behind us. My kids were so excited and anxious to plan the next "adventure". We then went to Chili's and anomously bought desert for the table next to us. Each of these "gifts" cost less than $6, and hopefully started a long line of acts of kindness in El Paso. God is bigger than any financial hardship or recession . . . this Christmas is sure to be the best ever because individuals are willing to share a blessing with a stranger. Keep it going and let's change the world!
2008-11-29 19:54:24
Hardees
Barefoot Church Hempseys, 23, Carolina Shores, NC, US
Yesterday my husband was given $200 for helping a friend with some computer stuff. It was such a blessing, since money is really tight at the end of the month. Relieved that we had money for gas and formula for the baby we decided to go to Hardees and treat ourselves to breakfast. While in line at the drive-thru my husband asked if I had any TGR cards (our church ran out of them in less than a week - we ordered 150,000!). Luckily I did, so we asked the guy at the window how much the woman's order behind us was, it was like $7, so we asked about the person behind her, it was another $6. Finally my husband just said to give him a twenty and tell him to use it til it was gone. It was a good feeling and I'm pretty sure no one had TGR'd that Hardees yet (unlike at Starbucks where the barista said 11 people TGR'd before 6am!) The Revolution is spreading like wild-fire!!
2008-11-29 19:02:26
Mason's Gift Revolution
Mason Hempsey, 5, Carolina Shores, US
Mason is going to join the Revolution by putting together goody bags for his class. We bought Hot Wheels and Tech Decks for boys and makeup and jewelry for the girls. The bags were decorated with groovy flowers and several TGR cards are placed inside so his classmates and their families can join the Revolution!
2008-11-29 18:45:29
Another Free Sale
Ric & Lisa Engelhardt, 50, Ava, US
Ric and I also attend Life Church in Ava. We are blessed to be involved with a Life Group in Seymour a small town about 20 minutes away where most of my family lives. When Lacey mentioned having a free sale an idea that had been rolling around in my head to give stuff away from my car blossomed. I called my sister and my grandma & shortly we had plans for a free sale in Seymour. What an awesome day! We had the opportunity to share His love with so many. People were shocked. One gentleman came back 3 times trying to pay us, another reached into his pocket and said let me share this with you and gave each of us a piece of candy. I have never had the opportunity to witness to so many who were so willing to truly hear about the greatest gift of all. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for this wonderful blessing.
2008-11-29 18:44:56
In the midst of a storm
Nikki Terry, 23, Dallas, US
I had to fly to Dallas, Tx for my grandmothers funeral on black friday. Then my father and I had to rent a car to drive an hour an a half to Ardmore, Ok where my dad's family lives and the funeral was to be held. It was cold and pouring rain down outside. Being born and raised in Florida we were miserable. My father was pulling out more layers from his suit case to pile on as we waited 20 minutes for a bus to take us to the rental car company. We finally got on the bus irritated and frozen. We were the only two on the bus and neither of us was in a really great mood but the bus driver was so kind and warm towards us. She probably doesn't realize is but she was the only sunshine we had that day and it made all the difference. I immediately thought of the Gift Revolution card that my fiance gave me before I left. I pulled it out and pulled out a five dollar bill and tucked in under the card so she wouldn't see it till it hit her hand. I had a feeling that she was the type that would turn down the money, so on the way out I handed her the card (the money hidden) and told her to go to this website. She said, "Ok." So I pray she reads this and knows how much we apprieciate her kindness on such a gloomy day.
2008-11-29 17:49:21
Road Trip Revolution
Steve, 34, Beavercreek OH, US
Today I drove from Ohio to Wisconsin for the National Collegiate Cross Country Championships. The University I work for is competing and I am here to supervise one of my athletic training students. On the way I thought what a great way to pass out some gift revolution surprises to individuals along the way. In Lafayette Indiana I stopped at a KFC for lunch and upon leaving I bought a gift card and when the manager and assistant manager gave it to me I gave it back and told them give it to the next person that comes in and tell them Merry Christmas and pass the revolution on. They stood there with their jaws dropped. It is amazing how something so simple feels so good doing. As I was driving away I noticed that an elderly woman was entering the door and I said a quick prayer for her, who knows where she is but I hope that she felt a lil Christmas spirit. In Chicago I had to go through a number of toll roads and upon going through one I gave the attendant enough for the car behind with a card and said this was for the person behind me. He took the car smiled and said Happy Holidays and God Bless. Finally tonight when I arrived here in Kenosha Wis. I went to dinner at Subway and gave the worker an extra 5 and said put this toward the next person that comes in. As soon as he got the card he looked at and immediately went to his laptop on one of the counters. I imagine he was a college student and did homework during slow periods of his shift. When he saw the countdown counter He asked me what it was, I just told him a chance to change the world and to check it out tomorrow. In doing this I think one of the coolest things is what effect it will have on those that pass it on to others such as the manager at KFC, the toll booth attendant, and the Subway artist. There is no telling what God can do through each of us and I am so excited to be part of it.
2008-11-29 17:42:16
Great Feeling
Gail, 57, Pembroke Pines, US
I purchased a gift card at a local pharmacy and kept it in my purse looking for just the right person. Then I noticed a gentleman that lives in my community walk by. He was checking on an elderly widow that live next to me. He is always doing good deeds for people here and helps maintain our community to look really nice and he doesn't get paid for it. I gave him the gift card and the revolution card and at first he said he couldn't take it, so I explained how the church was doing this and he gave me a big hug and said "Thank You". It was a great feeling to reward someone who is always doing good for our neighbors. I asked him to go on the website and see how we are making a difference.
2008-11-29 17:18:04
Through the Window on Thanksgi
Bryan and Holly Eaton, 31, Portland, TN, US
My wife Holly and I were at her favorite coffe house on Thanksgiving, which happened to be our anniversary. We know several of the girls that work there and we were telling them of what we had planned for that day. It was pretty empty, so empty that the lady taking my order was also taking orders in the drive through. As we placed our order a family came up to the drive through and made an order as well. Without missing a beat I asked the cashier to add their order to ours. She looked up with amazement. I told her that I simply wished that she would give the family a thegiftrevolution.com card and tell them Happy Thanksgiving. I explained the simple task of spreading God's love through simple acts of kindness with the hope that the person in reciept would be the next one to give, the kind of pay-it-forward idea.
When the family came to the window to pay for their drinks and she gave them the card the dad looked at her with shock and then studied the card.
My wife and I gathered our drinks and left, as we pulled away the Dad was showing the Mom the card and they both looked totally confused. It was such a rush seeing the shock and aww of a simple gift.
Thank you all so much for being a part of something as special and grand as this. If the family sees this I just hope that it made the hectic day a little more Thankful. God Bless
2008-11-29 16:12:07
Brush brush,Sweeping rush.
india somerville, 13, portland,TN, US
hello my name is india and i'm 13 from portland,tennessee.recently with my aunt,sister,cousin,and friends we all drove to westmoreland to come with krazy ideas on how to bless the community.one includes-we were driving around trying to some up with something to do,when BAM! it was right in front of us.(:we saw a woman-in the freezing wind-sweeping a grocery store parking lot!111so we jumped outta the car and started sweeping for her.she was blown away.in fact,at first she thought we were mocking her,and wouldn't let us!(: but eventuallly she did.you know the world needs more love when they are afraid to recieve blessings.
2008-11-29 12:25:22
school bus
Olivia, 8, Little River, US
I got a dollar attached to a card at church on Sunday and decided to give it to somebody that rides my bus. The next day I gave it to a girl and she looked at it tried to give it back. I wouldn't take it back, and she was so surprised and said "I can keep it?" and I said "Yeah!" Then she was REALLY surprised and happy!
2008-11-29 12:04:00
Translation
Tom, 38, Bridgetown, BB
I was leaving Barbados checking in for a flight to Miami, and I was thinking, TGR has started, here I am in Barbados and I haven't given a gift yet.
As I walked towards the departure doors, I saw Chefette (Barbadian fast food joint) out of the corner of my eye and thought I should go and buy someone breakfast. Exactly while I was contemplating this, a woman stopped me in my tracks and asked me in Spanish, if I spoke Spanish. OK, so this was my opportunity, right in front of me.
I spoke Spanish with her and she was desperately in need of translation. The immigration agents would not let her leave Barbados because she did not fill out the right form; but she had no idea what they were saying.
She was from Colombia and trying to get home via Barbados, to Trinidad to Panama to Colombia. I helped her fill out the form and walked her all the way through immigration, security, and got her to the right gate. I even translated for her at the currency exchange kiosk.
She was so grateful and did not know how to thank me. I told her not to worry about it; that it was I gift. I gave her a little Caribbean souveneir cake that I had with me and a TGR card. I explained that I was part of a gift revolution and that she now was too. The whole thing left her in shock, and I could tell that she was touched that this could happen by a stranger.
God allows our small gifts to become so powerful, in unlikely forms, in unlikely places, by unlikely people in all languages!
2008-11-29 11:44:27
A Waitress with a Smile
Tracy B., 37, Dade City, US
My husband & I took our two daughters out for dinner at the local Village Inn. I was unwinding from a hectic day and really not looking forward to the normally slow service at the restaurant. To my surprise we were waited on by a new smiling waitress who was willing to please. Her caring service was beyond expectations! My husband & I decided to give her an extra $5.00 tip and wrote a note on a napkin thanking her & urging her to visit TheGiftRevolution.com. She read the note as she walked away with a huge smile on her face! It made our day. What an awesome feeling!
2008-11-29 11:13:02
McDonalds
Salley, 38, North Myrtle Beach, US
I was on my way to work and went through the drive thru at McDonalds and my order was only $4.29. I thought about the cards that our pastor and his family gave us at church and felt that little something that this is your turn to do somehting. As I am facing a lay off I thought to myself I really shouldn't even be buying me anything and I should just keep my money but I didn't because I knew this is something the Lord was speaking to me to do. So I told the lady at the window I would like to purchase the next persons order. She looked at me very strange and said why would you want to do such a thing. I told her about what our church was doing and she said that is really special and she never hear of people doing such a thing. I then asked for a receipt and she said I would have to get if from the next window. When I pulled up to the next window the lady there said are you the lady that just purchased the breakfast that was $12 and some change for a perfect stranger? I said yes and she asked me why would you do such a thing? I then had another opportunity to tell my story. So just by listing and acting I was able to tell at least 3 people and I am sure that everyone at McDonalds in Myrtle Beach,SC now probably knows. I cannot explain the wonderful feeling I had when driving off as the person behind me was yelling out there window - Thank you!!
2008-11-29 11:02:57
What a Feeling!!!
Tracey, 44, Orange Park, US
I went to Starbucks (something I will only allow myself once in awhile) and as I was waiting for my coffee (in the drive-thru) I thought hey even though I don't have a card (our church, Journey Church, is starting a series on The Gift Revolution tomorrow)I can still pass on the gift of kindness and decided to tell the gentleman at the window as I handed him money and he said you already paid that I would like to pay for the person behind me. He kindly said "O you know her" I said no if you could just tell her to go visit TheGiftRevolution.com and she will then know what it's all about. He smiled and said "shoot when I get home I going to TheGiftRevolution.com. I want to know what it is all about. I said well you do that and have a blessed day!!!!
