This is a Pay It Forward Giveaway. Please read all the rules before replying. I have lots of extra seeds that I am willing to send to a couple of people who inspire me. I'll even pay the postage! The rules are:
1. You must agree to "pay it forward" in some way, at some time.
2. You cannot choose which seeds you want, but I will consult with you to see which plants best suit your wishes and growing conditions. Please update your wish lists in case I choose you. I just might have something you're really wanting and might include it in your package if you are the chosen one.
3. You must tell me an inspiring story of how you have "paid it forward" or you were a recipient of a "pay it forward" act. The most inspiring story gets the bubble mailer full of seeds. It doesn't have to be a garden related story at all. It can be about any situation you've known.
4. Thurs. is the deadline. I'll mail on Sat.
For those of you who may not have seen the movie "Pay it Forward," you should. It's a beautiful movie. The idea is to do random acts of kindness to people you may or may not know without expecting anything in return. It's an effort to change the world for the better. The person you grant the "favor" to must then "pay it forward," doing random acts of kindness to other people, who in turn "pay it forward" and it becomes a wonderful chain of events.
I'll lead off with a story of my own. Many years ago, I was a single mother trying to raise my son without any support at all. I worked 60 hr weeks and still had trouble making ends meet sometimes. The company I worked with had started laying people off. Before Christmas, we got word that many more would be laid off on Dec 31, and I was to be one of them.
Knowing that I would no longer have a job, I was worried about how I'd provide a good Christmas for my son. I crammed in as much overtime as I possible could. The company generally closed down from Dec 20 til after Christmas. But my boss found work for me to do to keep me busy even til Dec 24, knowing I needed the money.
On Dec 24, as I was leaving work, I had to pass thru the guard shack to get to the parking lot. The guard stopped me. "Nancy, Santa left a bag of gifts for your son," Dianne said. I just looked at her, not quite comprehending. She pointed to a bulging black lawn bag in the corner. I still didn't understand. She repeated, "Santa left that for your son."
I said, "Who did?" She grinned, "Santa." I looked inside the big bag and found all kinds of neatly wrapped gifts. I asked, "All this is for me???" She laughed and said, "NOOOOO, not for you, for your son." "But who left it?" "Santa did," she said again, still with that big grin. In a daze, I carried it out to my trunk and headed home.
That night after my son went to bed, I carried the bag in the house and put the presents under the tree. There were 25 of them! He had the best time opening them the next day. All of his favorite things were there. It was just amazing!
I later found out that the anonymous Santa was 12 ladies I worked with. They wanted to remain anonymous, in the spirit of Santa. And they expected nothing in return. How they knew what he wanted, I don't know. I don't remember anyone ever quizzing me, but that was one of our best Christmases ever, maybe because we really felt the "spirit of Santa".
Now, tell your stories. Inspire us all. I have all kinds of seeds, some are a bit more uncommon than what you might be used to. Some packs will have enough in them for you to grow a bunch and still have a bunch left to trade off too. And I grow all of these myself, so you can be sure that they are labeled correctly. On Friday, I'll let you know who I choose to receive the seeds.
I know you ALL have a story to tell, either of RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) you've given or have received. So who's going first?
NancyAnn
This message was edited Oct 20, 2005 12:00 PM
CLOSED: Pay-It-Forward Seeds for FREE
This is great. I don't care if I get seeds, but I hope I inspire someone. I don't do Randon Act of Kindness, I've decided to spend my life helping others. I help run a non-profit organization in my town that provides and coordinates free activities and services for senior citizens. That's my day job. I'm also on the board of our local Lend-a-Hand Assoc. and I'm also a member of our local Animal Welfare Alliance. I take in, foster, rehabilitate and resocialize abused animals in my spare time, so there's a constant flow of foster animals through my home. And for fun I teach free art lessons to senior citizens from my home. (I was originally a fine art major in college.) Private lessons are going so well, that I'm going to start teaching free lessons at the local adult continued learning center. I hope this inspires people. In my line of work, I hear alot of "I would but I don't have enough time." I hope that I prove that there is time if there is heart behind it!
This is my story, not about me but about my son.
One day when he was in 3rd grade, he came home from school, and I could tell that he was upset. After quizzing him, and him saying nothing was wrong, I left the subject alone. This little tow-headed boy stewed and worried for about 3 days, until finally, he said mom, could we talk. Those words have struck terror in the hearts of parents. So at an earlier than usual bed time, I went to his room and sat on the edge of his bed, and he proceeded to tell me about "Jimmy" a boy in his class. He said that Jimmy's dad was in jail, his mom was sick and not working, and Jimmy didn't have any clothes. He said that he came to school every day with the same clothes on, but they were clean. His pants had holes in the knees, and on the day that he was so upset, he said they were playing on the playground and Jimmy ripped the seat of his pants. Jimmy started to cry, and my son went over to him to see if there was anything he could do. He said "mom Jimmy didn't even have underwear on". "Could I please give him some of my clothes so the other kids won't make fun of him?" Well, I helped him pick out 4 outfits, with underwear, socks, and shoes. I told him that sometimes people were embarrased when given things, so instead of him taking the things to school to give to Jimmy, I wanted him to invite Jimmy home with him to spend the night. |I phoned Jimmy's mother, told her what we wanted to do, and she cried and replied "nobody has ever wanted to help us." Thank you so much. So the arrangements were made, and several days later Jimmy came home from school with my son. They played we had supper, and Jimmy ate like he was starved. Then baths and to bed. In the morning as they were getting ready for school, I went into my son's room, and told Jimmy that we had some things that my son had outgrown, and would he like to have them. In reality my son could still wear them, but Jimmy beamed like it was Christmas morning.
We kept up with Jimmy for several years. The father got out of jail and got a job, his wife regained her health, and started babysitting at home, and things seemed to be going well for them. Unfortunately, they moved away and we lost track of them.
Even today, when I see a small boy with ragged clothes, I think of Jimmy, and how grateful he was to get some "hand-me-down" clothes.
I always give out unused clothing to a mission house, and hope in some small way, I am making a difference in someone's life.
So that's my story, I would much rather give than receive. I really have a problem accepting anything from anybody. That's why I am constantly amazed that the folks on DG are doers and givers. What a great bunch of people. I love them all!!
What an excellent idea ButterflyChaser....and to share your experience too....brought tears to my eye.....I'm still wiping away the wetness. defoecat you are a very kind and thoughtful person to have handled it the way you did.
This message was edited Oct 18, 2005 8:12 PM
Here goes mine! I am a Medical / Surgical RN in the Intensive Care Unit. A lot of our patients are very, very sick. Some awake, others sedated. Every once in a while, you get that special patient who touches your heart.
Last week I took care of a 45 year old girl, who had breast cancer a year ago. The cancer came back in her lungs, it's really bad. She is awake and on a ventilator. On her wall is a picture of her white dog, I think a Collie. She really wanted to see her dog, maybe for the last time.
First, I went down and bought her a white, stuffed animal dog - her family thought all the staff went in on it, which was just fine with me.
Next, I got with our palitive care person, and arranged to have her dog brought into the hospital to see her. I didn't work Monday, so I missed the doggy and getting to witness her seeing her dog again. I heard that the dog was wagging his tail really fast when she saw her master. I just feel lucky to be a part of her care.
NancyAnn, What a very special idea. Sometimes you are just tooo cool for words :))
God bless you gf :))
Margo
This thread took me back to the year cabbage patch came out and they were so hard to find. My friend and I would go around and if we found some we would buy a few and sell them for 20 dollars more.
Well I had one left and I could have sold it but I decided I was going to find a little girl and give it to her for Christmas. I proceeded to call around as I wanted someone who wouldn't recieve much if any for Christmas and surprise her with something people were hurting each other to get. I knew even alot of rich kids were not getting because they were so hard to find.
I got ahold of a lady at the welfare office who told me about a girl around 12 yrs old. Her mom cleaned office buildings for very little and her dad was terminally ill with cancer and had a very short time to live. I decided also to get a laundry basket and put in a huge turkey, and and the trimmings for their Christmas dinner. I took it over myself and if you could have seen not only the girls face when she opened her gift to find it was a cabbage patch but her mom and dads faces that someone would care enough to do this.
This was the best Christmas.
My neighbor thought I should be in the newspaper. I told her that that would ruin the whole thing. I did not do this for me. I did this for the little girl. Although it blessed me beyond belief.
This is the first time I have shared this. Only 3 people have known I
did this all those years ago until now.
My husband and I bought our house the week before we got married. When we got home after our honeymoon and moved in, I found a money order for $1000 dollars in an envelope in our mailbox. I don't know anyone that has that kind of money to give away. And the postmark wasn't from anywhere I had friends or relatives.
Someone out there must have had a tender place in their heart for a new couple in a new home. We put it to good use!
Just this past year, I was waiting in the dentists office for my husband, when someone came running in and wanted to know who owned a black mazda. I said I did and she prompty informed me that she had just rear-ended my parked car. I rushed out expecting the worst. The poor girl was so upset and just apoligized up and down. It cracked the bumped and scruffed it up badly. I could tell it was going to have to be replaced. I looked at her and felt a tender spot for someone who was just learning to drive and made a mistake that anyone else could have made. I told her not to worry about it. I lied and said it didn't look that bad to me.
My husband was upset with me for letting her go, but because I have been given much, I too must give. I still have a cracked bumper, but I don't really mind.
Don't want any seeds, but I wanted to share a story nonetheless.
On a different forum, a woman sent me an email asking me if I had any loofah seeds left (since I'd gotten some in a public swap). Sadly, I did not but on yet another forum, this one devoted to my job (teaching), a guy posted about how his student's experimental loofah harvest had come in. I asked what he was doing with the seeds and he responded, "Sending them to you, of course. They'd have gone in the trash otherwise."
Well, I told the woman who emailed me to send me her address and that she'd be getting loofah seeds (at my shipping expense) in the mail. She insisted on doing something in return. Since I'd just seen the movie, I told her to pay it forward.
I like what you are doing here. I think it is great! I wish there were a website I could reference everytime I tell someone to pay it forward that gave the "rules" of the game, as it were. Any ideas on one that doesn't require a DG membership?
This summer I stopped at a gas station that a friend of mine owns, and a younger guy was there, sitting inside the station with my friend. I stayed a while to talk to my friend, and talked to this young man as well. His story was that his mom had been in a car accident in Michigan, and he had been walking for the past 3 days to get to her. He had no money, hadn't had a meal in a couple days. He had almost passed out from the heat, and gotten escorted off the freeway because you aren't allowed to walk on the freeway. He saw the gas station, and went in and asked to sit a while, and use the phone. While I was there, he was begging family to help him get to Michigan over the phone. The only person that would even offer to help him was an aunt in NC, who would come get him and take him back to NC, but not to Michigan. Wiring him he money for a bus ticket to Michigan would have been $50, and you know it cost more than that in gas to drive from NC to OH and back. not sure why they wouldn't help him get to Michigan. It was going to take them like 10 hours once they got on the road.
I spoke to my friend, who is good friends with the local cops and they had already run him through the system when he got picked up on the freeway. I also trusted my gut feeling about him. Instead of him having to sit in the heat for hours, I took him to Burger King, got him a meal, took him back to my house, fed him a good home cooked meal, before taking him that night at midnight to meet his family. I also tried to find him a job that would pay him cash for a couple days and a place to stay so he could go to Michigan and not to NC, (there is alot of farming here, farmers always need a hand or two) but by the time we had some leads, his family was already on the road.
I wasn't able to do much for him, but I knew he wasn't hungry or sitting in the heat, I wish I could have bought his bus ticket, but we just couldn't do it. My DH wasn't happy with me for even trying to help this boy, but I knew in my heart it was ok, and that he needed it. I was paying it forwar for the time an aquaintance took me in off the street to keep me from going back to an abusive husband, and kept me hidden until my dad could wire the money for me to go to Alabama with him I truly believe he saved my life. Maybe I didn't save this young mans lfe, but I hope someday he runs into someone in needs and rem,embers how kind a stranger was to him
Janis
These stories are making me cry...Well here's mine.
Three years ago I was making Christmas Angels for tree decorations. Some were Christmas colors and some were birthstone colors. I made so many I decided to give them to friends and co-workers. I think I gave away about 20 that year. One of the ladies that I gave one to took one look at it and said "I know just where I'm going to put it, on my Chad tree." About 8 years ago her son who was 16 years old was killed in a car accident and she had a special tree for him. His birthday was in March so she only put blue on it. Well for some reason I had deceided to give her a blue angel. When I left her office, with tears in my eyes, I felt truly blessed to have had a part in remembering her son that Christmas.
Brenda
I remembered a story last night that happened about 20 yrs ago. My sister had gotten married in June and moved off to Ohio with her husband. By August, she was begging us to come and visit her. She was so homesick. I was in college and school hadn't started back yet, so I decided to make the 12-hr drive up and see her.
I had my car serviced--to the tune of $500--belts, hoses, tires, etc. to get the car ready for the road. The mechanic kept the car two days longer than he was supposed to, delaying my trip and really making me mad. Then when I got it back, the AC didn't work! I should have known then something was wrong. He said he couldn't fix the AC until the next week. So I hit the road, in August (about 100 degrees) with my 8 month old son strapped in his carseat.
About two hours into our drive, the car just quits! I'm on the other side of Memphis, about 40 miles from ANYTHING!! And back then, cell phones were rare, so I was STUCK!! I knew I couldn't walk far, with a baby in tow. So I sat on the side of the road.
About an hour later, a carfull of ex-cons (they actually told me this!) who had been drinking stopped and offered to take me to Akron OH. I refused their offer, but I couldn't help but think how vulnerable I was. At that time, I was about 21 with a cute little figure (boy I miss that figure!). Those guys could have kidnapped me!
After I got them back on their way, without me, I sat in the car and cried. There were no state troopers around to call a tow truck or anything. I felt so lost and so stupid for taking my car to that rip-off artist! I was so scared and we were hot out there in the August sun. My son was an angel though and slept or laughed most of the time.
After about two hours of sitting there, an 18 wheeler pulled up behind me. A very tall, well built man walked over to my car and tried to help start it. Then he offered me a ride to the next truck stop 40 miles down the road. After some hesitation, I decided I had no choice.
He settled my son in and then helped me climb up in the big rig. When he climbed in, I noticed he took a gun out of his waistband, and my eyes must have been as big as saucers. He caught my look as he put the gun under the truck seat. "I always carry a gun," he explained. He stopped to help a lady like me once and her boyfriend was hiding in the backseat. They attacked and robbed him. So he is always cautious now.
He drove me the 40 miles to the next truck stop, bought me lunch and made phone calls to towing stations until he found one that would pick me up and tow my car the two hours back home. When the tow truck driver arrived, I tried to pay the driver of the 18 wheeler and he refused to accept any money, just wished me a safe trip home. I will never forget his thorough, selfless kindness. He went so out of his way to take care of me--a true prince. I have a real soft spot in my heart for truck drivers now.
And he picked a good tow truck driver too. This driver towed my car all the way home AND treated me to a steak dinner at our fanciest steakhouse. And THEN he gave me a 50% discount on his bill!!
We need more guys like these out there on our roads, don't ya think?
NancyAnn
As a parent knowing that we teach our children someting special is the best reward, I loved all of the stories, but the one of Jimmy touches my heart. Be very proud of your son. In a world where there is sooo much caos, war and anger, I am strong in believing that the world is full of many wonderful loving people.
Many of you on the site may know that I am the director of two alzheimers dementia units and chair a local support group for my neighborhood. Every day is a new day, dealing with families, educating them, assisting with role reversals of making decisions and following some very special elder people thru hospice.
A few years ago, I recieved the moral challenge. I was in a situation of needing to be the scapegoat as they call it, of going over my direct ED and reporting elder abuse, when the very large company I worked for wanted me to should we say keep it quiet. I did not.
I did take a lesser paying job, after being on unemployment for a few weeks, had to cut back and face many challenges as a single parent, at that time my son Brad was in his senior year of High School. involved in all the music programs did have to miss out on some of the xtras. Even though Brad went without many important items including prom, yearbook. Always had our roof over our heads and made all of our bills.
I am proud to say that Brad graduated as an honor student and recieved the Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz. And my challenge to a large corporation, did prevail.
I won in federal court, am back to work in the same field, with a letter of apology I was ordered by the judge to compose and they would sign along with a letter of apology from the company to me. With money to replenish my savings a bit of money to catch up.
But more important reminded that values and beliefs are worth standing by.
My newest job in July, was to take a position in a 3 year old assisted living building with two dementia units and bring it to higher standards. My corporate QA this week was 100%- plus a promotion within the company as a possible new director to travel to help open new locations choose their start up staff, train them on dementia and sit back and watch it all work.
But with all of this I am awake today at 5 am, I lost three residents in hospice in the last two weeks. Stressed a bit, but it feels so good to give and help others.
Sitting with the chaplain last week speaking bedside with a family I still remember these words.... that god dosnt take away the bad experiences or pain, he brings himself there to help, sometimes he is represented by the others who enter your lives.
My thanks is to god who I always feel put me here to do this work.
Great stories folks!! I've made my decision, although the choice was a tough one.
WOOFENS AND DEFOECAT ARE THE WINNERS! I'll privately email you guys and see what seeds I have that will fit into your gardens.
Thank you all for your inspirational stories. Keep paying it Forward!
NancyAnn
WOW
Thanks so much Nancy Ann!
Janis
It would have been hard for me to choose alse. But I think you did great. I could have told all day on how I was on the receiving end
of great things. God is awesome and no matter how small even a smile can make someones day. I would like to share on where Jesus sent us angels.
It was during Hurricane Rita. We were headed out of town with no where to go. We just figured we would stay in a parking lot. Of course we never once thought of the 102 degrees 107 plus with heat index we had been having. We did know we had no money for a hotel and the news said there was none to be found.
That morning Calalily offered us to stay at her home. Which is where we started out towards. As we got farther down the coast it seemed
like a good idea to get as far inland as possible. My best friend
was 5 hours behind us as they chose to wait till it cooled off to leave home. I had called her and told her we hit no traffic as we headed south down the coast then west. We agreed to meet in Sealy Tx
but not knowing the city, I wrote her cell number on the back of my hand. (My son had forgot to return my charger for the car for mine so it was dead.
Well needless to say when we found somewhere to call her again
part of the call phone number had sweat off the back of my hand.
I was frantic. Not sure what to do, but the last city we stopped in we went to 3 stores until I found a charger to fit my phone. But my friend did not know. So she wouldn't think to call me.
We drove on to Sealy praying she would try to call. We found a place that was a dollar general and another store and all under the
eaves were 2 rows of flouresent lights. We passed the walmart but with no lights in the parking lot and it was crammed with cars, I was not going in there. We parked so she could see the color of our
truck and let our Doxies out to potty.
After just a few minutes, great fear set in. Here we are, nowhere to
buy gas so we could not let the truck run with the a/c on and the doors locked so we could try to sleep. Everyone knew everyone had to have cash, it was on the news to take cash as out of town checks
would not be accepted. I kept thinking about the stabbings and rape
in the super dome and there were all those people around, and here we are and not as many people around. On top of that it was so hot
it was unreal. We were drinking warm water as we did not have a way to keep it cold.
The first car that pulled up right beside of us was a family of Mom and Dad and 4 kids. They were so nice. They ask were we had come from and when we told them Mont Belvieu they replied us too.
when they ask where abouts, It ended up they were the very next road to the right after our subdivision. Small world. They took our cell phone number and if they found a room they were going to get us one and call us.
A couple hours later a car pulled up beside us and their little dog
came out. So it wouldn't get hit if someone pulled in I was trying to head her off. I ask her name and the gentleman got in his trunk and
said they were fixing to eat. I told him to please use our tailgate to sit on as they could sit and eat. As he was getting the stuff out I ask
how far they had come. They said from Baytown. I could not believe
how small the world had gotten as we live in Mont Belvieu but Baytown delivers our mail.
He told me he worked for Buds BBQ.He does the BBQing for them. OH my I told him because alot of the eating places were closed Wed, the day before we left, my friend had ate at Buds. Small World? He laid enough BBQ out on the tail gate of our truck to feed an army and told us to help ourselves. My DH was full after eating alot of that. I took a few bites of sausage but knew as up tight as I was no matter what I ate it would make me sick and I had enough
to deal with. I told them I was not hungry but I would eat it later.
He loaded up our little sandwich bag that had ice with as much as he could fit in it. I thought it would pop.
Later a very skinny lady was walking by and wanted directions to get to houston. As she was walking off I ask her if she wanted some water. I told her it was not cold. I gave her one to drink then and
one for her purse. She gave me a couple bigs hugs ang told me she knew God would bring her something to drink. What a sweetheart she was.
I don't believe any of those people were sent by chance. I believe
even though the first family did not call back with a room. I am sure they did not find one. That Jesus had sent us 3 angels to tell us
all will be ok. After all we were atleast 125 miles from home if not farther. we drove probably 300 miles all the way around to get there
trying to miss all of Houston Traffic. And we did not get stuck in that.
At the time I was thinking small world. When actually nothing is too big for Him to show you how much he loves and cares for you.
My friend did try my cell phone the next morning and they had turned left to find a shelter 1/2 block
from where we were parked all night. I showed her the next morning. She could hardly believe
the people we met during the night.
Be Blessed,
Sandy ^8^
Janis, your seeds are packed and will go out in the mail tomorrow. Thank you for paying it forward.
NancyAnn
Just wanted to publically thank those who submitted stories. They have all touched me. I believe we all have guardian angels, but when in a tough spot he recruits other angels to come help out. I just want to say I think that all of you are angels, and that God has sent you into situations to help out others.
My son was a straight A student all through school, went to barber college, got a good job, married, (unwisely) I might add. He drifted into alcohol and drugs after his divorce, and I spent many years praying for him. I am happy to report that after 10 years of "wandering in the wilderness" he has now been clean and sober for 1year. With a nice young lady, who I hope will become a daughter-in-law. One of my friends urged me to "give him up" and get on with my life. What if I had stopped praying after 5 years, do you think that his life would have been turned around? I don't. It's all God's plan. He doesn't promise no problems, but he promises to be with us. What more could we ask?
God Bless you all.
Amen!
I appreciate all of your stories they have touched me. The only thing you get to keep is what you give away. I attempt to do that always. The stories I have are numerous but one in particular in the process of learning sticks to me. The other thing I try to always remember is if you get found out --it doesn't count.
Gala was a young lady I sponsored in a 12 step program many winters ago-mother of three young teenage daughters and really at a low spot in her life-it was cold -she lived three miles out in the country and she was walking back and forth to work-no food to feed children-and no heat in home. I had had someone to help me out in tight spot and it was time to pay forward.
She ended up with a car in her driveway to attend her and the girls needs, keys to car hung on her door knob when she arrived home --not pretty but very reliable. With help of sheriff in town we got car in her name with insurance coverage. She had heat in the house and bagged groceries in front of her door. The joy in hers and her girls face said it all the next time I seen her.
This was nearly 26 years ago and Gala ended up marrying a millionaire a few years later and she has passed this on--she still has no idea where those things came from.
We still have contact and she came to see me several months ago--she brings it up occasionally--I just say I have always wondered who did that.
These are the things that bring so much joy to my life yesteryear and today.
Prettylady, the name suits! That's one of the best stories! Your favor has been reproduced upon the rest of the world over and over. So your gift is truly one that keeps giving.
I think you deserve a few seeds too. I'll privately email you and we can work out the specifics.
Thanks for the inspiring story!
NancyAnn
Prettylady, the name indeed fits, that was a very touching thing that you did. Doesn't helping without anyone knowing the most rewarding thing? Several years ago, I had a friend who's husband was very ill and in the hospital, for a long time. She was always staying at the hospital, or enroute to or from. Knowing that she had'nt had any time to catch up on household chores, I checked her schedule the night before and found out what time she would be leaving for the hospital the next morning. And I went to her house, (I had a key) as rural neighbors usually do, and went in, cleaned her house from top to bottom, did the laundry and cooked food and put in refrigerator. Noticing also that the pantry was pretty bare, went to grocery and re-stocked it for her. She also wonders out loud from time to time, who could have done that nice thing for her. So glad that I could help her out.
Ironically 5 years later, my DH was in an accident, and was in the hospital for 2 1/2 months. During that time, I too was at the hospital or enroute most of the time. Someone in the neighborhood, came and mowed our lawn every week until things were back to normal, and I could resume the chores. Still to this day don't know who it was, but I surely did appreciate it. I know it couldn't have been my friend returning the favor, as they had moved out of the area by that time.
I agree the only thing you get to keep is what you give away. Blessings to all of you.
Hi I saw this a few mintues ago and decided to write
I have 2 stories one I have to tell you about and one i really have on my heart to share.
first one-I was two a single mom raising 3 children and going threw a divorce a few years ago.It was thanksgiving we always had a big dinner-this year seemed sad with kids-and i was.
We use to have fred,his two children big meal and this thanksgiving was so different you could see it in childrens faces.
so i decided to tell the children we are packing up for a trip this thanksgiving-going to conn.and cape cod.they said mom you dont have the money i said no but it will be fine trust god.and they said our car wouldnt make it-old beat up car. i said things will be fine.
we prayed before leaving over finaces and car.we made it down and back just fine I spent 342.00 all money we had.I returned following day in mail check for same amount.so isnt that power of god??? yes i do belive.
second story
you all know i had to leave quick
my neice was in flordia hospital overdose.
going threw a bad divorce -got sick with croans disese.
well my sister and nice asked me all upset how do i get there
I said we will get you there.I had 350.00 of my bill money for car insurance and wood -for heat and another bill i was suppost to pay.
I was shopping for grocerys michael called me said your sister needs you get home now.
she said robin i need you please get here gayann is on life suport and is flatlinned to flordia hospital.
i stopped what i was doing and drop straight there doing over 60
she was a wreak.She said i dont know how ed /and i will get there i said i will drive you.I had so much news this week about sean-my son and my neice's child and bad news i new i had to do something.
well i drove most of way ed forgot his glasses i had to be his eyes on signs so i got less sleep.
we couldnt afford 2 rooms we had to share which i got no sleep
we arrived she looked like a 100 year old woman so skinny.I said gayann i am here now.she opened her eyes.I said i have been praying for you she shook her head and closed her eyes.
while i was there i ran out of money.they didnt care how i got home it seemed.Then a old friend sent me money for gas -which i owe.
and i have been driving for 3 days.I gave all of me to make sure she could be with her daughter.I came home to my lisence.being suspended.from not paying my insurance.Owing dg i cant afford so you may see me not here much after november.and my hubby having 2 blood clots in his leg.My son needing heart sugery.I felt I did my best and i am home safe all that matters.and thank god for my family here at dg for all the prayers and blessings to get me home .robin
I wanted to tell everyone that I received my seeds today from Nancy Ann, and I was very pleased, and cannot say thank you enough.
I'm so glad to read all these Pay it forward Stories.
Hugs to all
Janis
About 20 years ago, I moved to Texas, to live with my parents. One day I took their car and came into town..(at the time they lived some miles, outside of Denton) At one of the major intersections, the car ran out of gas...It was summer and a lot hotter than I had ever experienced. (I had moved there, from California) I didn't have any money, none. and I really didn't want to call my family...I felt real stupid, not having checked the gas gauge or bringing some money with me...I went into a convience store and called someone (probably someone in California, to what purpose, who knows, as they couldn't help me, from there) I started to cry, as I felt so helpless...a woman who came into the store, approached me, and asked me what was wrong...I told her and she bought me enough gas to get home. When I told her that I would pay her back...she told me that she had a business near by, and if I could do some filing for her, we would be even...so I did. Her business was Real Estate, and at the time I told myself, when I was able to think about buying a house, she would be the person I would go to see...Fast forward a number of years...I was looking to buy a little house, so I called this woman...she asked me how I had chosen her, and when I told her, she remembered the encounter, she told me, that I just looked so miserable, that she just had to do something...she could not believe that I had remembered her, for so long...of course I did!
Woofens, you're so welcome!
Melva, great story! I've been to Denton. I used to have a friend who was attending the college there. I visited her once and had a great time. Sooooo, did the realtor help you find a house?
I have got to tell you all something some here in Dg someone did a wonderful thing for me! They paid my membership as I was very worried I couldnt stay on here at Daves garden.Oh my -I found out my membership is paid and have no one to thank.So please if you happen to run into this thread.I thank you so very very much words cannot tell you! and I pray that got blesses you 100 fold.Thank-you very much Robin
She helped me find one that I really wanted to get...but she talked me out of it..it was in real bad shape, and would have taken a lot of money to repair...she says I would have had the costliest house in the neighborhood, and when it came time to sell, I wouldn't get my money back...so I found another one, but Kathryn did help me...
In october of last year my brother was diagnosised with Lou Gehrigs disease. I came on Daves and ask for prayers. So many wonderful people prayed for both of us and ministered to me. Also quite a few sent him cards. He ask me at christmas who was a few people and what was Dave's Garden. I told him about all my wonderful friends here and he was so proud so many took the time to send him a card.
Around the end of January I got a dmal from a member here asking me if I could get to the airport here and from the airport there. They told me they wanted to pay my way to see him. I was flabergasted.
Waht a wonderful offer. It was something hard to accept as I would rather give. But Jesus has taught me alot about the person on the end of the giving be blessed and stealing their blessing by not accepting. It was hard and took me awhile to make the arrangements, but I finally did after they told me I would go if they had to make them. They had contacted other DGers and others helped. Even those who didn't have it but responded that they wish they could, I consider the same as those who gave money.
I got to spend almost 3 weeks there and we had great visits. I came home on March 30th. And he passed away April 30th. I miss him so much, but not like I would if I had not seen him.
The other Huge blessing we had this year is our car broke down
in may not to run again. We did not and could not foresee anyway we could get one. Our Saturn was voluntarily surrended for repo in Jan. as we could not pay for it when I lost my workers comp check.
I knew in my heart Jesus would meet our needs and a car is a big need.
A guy my DH works with gave him a ride to and from work and that was great. We insisted he take money for gas. My DH worried and worried and told him to hang on. i Knew it would be ok. I even told my 5 year old DGD that Jesus was going to give us a car.
My DH worried himself into the hospital with left arm pain and blood pressure of 187/136. He spent 3 days in there. we ran into a neighbor we hadn't talked to in about a year. While catching up on
all the things going on DH mentioned all the things going on.
He got out on Aug the 12th and my 50th birthday was aug 13.
Our neighbor had left us a message that morning and I called him back. He wanted us to come over they wanted to talk to us. I called
and told them we would be over, but it took longer because DHs IV
site got infected in the hospital and the dr wouldn't lance it. He just put him on antibiotics. He was having alot of pain and the new blood pressure meds were making him feel bad.
I called our neighbor and explained things and said we would be over in a bit. He insisted he tell me what it was and I kept saying no.
So finally he told me they wanted to give us their truck. I was never at such a loss for words or breath in my entire life.I was tripping over what to say besides mumbling.
He said it was in good shape. a 1996 chevy S-10 with only 50,000
miles on it, brand new tires, a/c and alot of other work. We got ready and walked over. It has an extended cab. It blew us away. It is a fine looking truck. He kept saying it wasn't much and I told him we had been praying for something drivable and this was a whole lot more than we ever dreamed.
They were afraid they would offend us with the offer. I still walk out into the driveway and am taken back by the gift we recieved. I call it my Jesus truck. Because If I ever forget He gave it to us, I will start believing I did something to deserve it. And I did not and never could
do enough for Him to bless us so.
On top of that 1 month and a few days Hurricane Rita was heading this way and we had a way to get out of here in our own vehicle, with an extended cab for our 2 doxies to be in their kennel. Talk about
a double blessing. Also our DGDs car seats fit on the seats in extended cab so we always have a way to take them to church which they cry if we don't get to go. Something we did not have with the car that went up and it had no A/C in this heat. The first time they saw it. Our 5 yr old DGD said " it is a dream come true" She will tell you Jesus gave it to us.
Thank for the chance to share.
Sandy ^8^
Oh wow sandy you where doubled blessed It is amazing how much love that people give they get there reward for doing unto others.
I too.back years ago when girls where young being a single mom-
My daughter had a friend from school her parents where christians going threw a divorce.Mom was devoted to faith i guess from what i was told man was a pastor-hear say not sure.He fell enough with another woman and wanted a divorce.And this woman was from old school -wasd evasted right around christmas told my daughter they wherent celebrating christmas didnt have money.
He left her for this woman and kids and her was left alone we I got my thinking caps on and decided we had what we needed more than enough god kept blessing us.So i did up a christmas dinner with fresh chicken i ordered from a neightbor,the works.A pair of rollerskates for girl my daughter said she wanted those.And for boys gift cert.and for mom a dinner cert out to eat with stockings fulled my car was filled.Well they where not expecting It when I showed up and said god laid on my heart to make your christmas special.I was truly blessed when all of there eyes lit up and they watched me and my 3 children unload the car.and they thanked me and i went home.I got a christmas card in the mail she was so down and that lifted her spirts .and told me have a merry and blessed christmas.that was the best gift I ever got -helping this fmaily.and had to share that
Family Friends and Strangers
As a young girl I loved to go to my neighbors house , she was a widowed farmer but always found her own way to get things done. My Grandparents raised me and I had no neighbors that had kids to play with so I sought out my famer neighbor with all her animals. I saw how she struggled doing all the chores herself. Grandma would send me for eggs to her house and I jumped at going back that long lane. One day my brother and my causin were out looking for something to do so they went to annies (the farmer) and were fooling around with things they should not of been. They opened the hatch to the feed storage area and out came all the grain all over the ground. Well needles to say my brother and causin were in deep trouble. They were told to go and shovel all the grain back in the grain pit. Well they didnt do it. So instead of them getting into more trouble I went down to annies and watched as she shoveled and shoveled. My grandparents thought I was doing my homework and I slipped out the door without them knowing and went to annies .
Anyway,, She was so tired of shoveling I told her I would do it for a while. She took me up on the offer and I shoveld till i had blisters on my hand. I took no notice of of how late it was because I wanted to get it done to really surpise annie. She went into the house and I did not see her for the longest time, but I was still shoveling. Then annie came out and said it was time for to go home she did not want me into any trouble. So we covered up the grain and and off I went . The next day was saterday,, I got up as soon as it was light out and down the road I went to annies. No one around just me. I started shoveling again and finaly it was all done by the time annie got outside. By that time I was at home. Annie called to house and thanked my grandparents for my brother and causin finishing up the job of the grain mess. Well I never said word that it was me who went down and finished it. I just did not want to see my brother and causin get into any more trouble. When grandma told them what annie said they were all smiles,, never one word out of them that it was not them who cleaned it up. And not a word from me either till 23 years later.
Vicki