by jenn_davis | personal
This year I really wanted to do something a little different to celebrate my birthday. Not only was it a big one for me, but it was right before Thanksgiving, so in the spirit of giving I thought it would be appropriate to give back! I was initially inspired by how my good friend, Cheyenne, celebrated her 31st birthday.
The day before my group of friends and I headed to the beach I loaded up on various goodies (i.e. jelly belly’s, snickers bars, orbit gum, etc.) and taped a note I wrote to each one. I also purchased several Starbucks gift cards and attached the note. Saturday morning I shared with my friends how I wanted to celebrate and handed them each a bag with 4 quarters to give out as we headed out to Broadway at the Beach with our big bag of goodies! We had a blast giving out candy and filling fish food machines with quarters! Some of the best reactions were from handing out the Starbucks gift cards!
Pretty much everyone was receptive to us. A few were confused and one turned down a Snickers bar….can’t please everyone I suppose! 🙂 My favorite reaction was a little girl who wanted to feed the fish so bad but no one in her group had any quarters. I happened to walk right through as she dropped her head in disappointment after her father told her he didn’t have any money. I was holding Dyce but was able to shift him so I could reach in my pocket and get my bag of quarters. You would have thought she won the lottery after I handed her the bag!
It’s the little things.
At the bottom of the notes I had put an email address. I wasn’t really expecting to hear from anyone, but it made my day when I got this email late Sunday night…..
Dear thefortunateplight@gmail.com
Your random act of kindness touched me beyond measure! It was so nice to be the recipient of this Starbucks gift card while walking from the bitter cold to where else, but Starbucks at Broadway at the Beach to get a hot chocolate. Thank you for that!
I was eager to help you celebrate your birthday wish…so when one of the performers (aka…Santa Claus) asked if their grandparent could hang around with us because she was all alone. Not only was your generosity paid forward, but a new friend was made as well! Here’s to sharing hot chocolates and warm blankets!
Great start to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season!!!
Happy 30th Birthday and may many blessings abound you.
Last night (my actual birthday) I was driving home from a late meeting at work. When I pulled onto my road I saw that one of my neighbors trashcans had tipped over and trash was all in the middle of the street. One of the bags had opened and loose trash was starting to litter their lawn. I’m not going to lie, at first I drove past thinking how late it was and I was tired, cold and hungry, but then I thought about this sweet woman’s email and how important it is to practice what you preach. I put my car in reverse and there I was in the middle of the night picking up bags of trash in the middle of the road and realizing that sometimes you have to make a conscious effort to pay it forward.
This week let’s make a conscious effort to be better, kinder and more generous people. I truly believe only great things can come of it.
xo,
by jenn_davis | creative tips, personal
Hey guys. Sup?
So here’s the thing, I’m sure some of you out there know someone in need or perhaps you are in need of a few things yourself. With the holidays nipping at our heels it’s so easy to get caught up in seasonal recipes and diy decorations, meanwhile there are thousands of families in need.
Should we feel bad for caring about baking a delicious meal or making brilliantly creative place settings and tree toppers? Absolutely not. However, wouldn’t it be nice if we took a few minutes out of this busy season to help those in need and spread the love we have such an abundance of?!
We all have our own definition of giving but I want to share a few sites that I came across recently and encourage you to give back, should you feel so inclined.
Covenant House’s Baby Registry – The Covenant House in Newark, NJ is caring for homeless families with children and they need some essential baby clothes. It’s urgent. They are caring for families all across New Jersey and beyond that have been directly impacted by Sandy.
Monkee See Monkee Do – Helping families in need. I sat reading these families requests, some big and some small, and reading their sometimes tragic stories. It will be hard for you to not want to help them all!
HSRF – Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund
Project Flipmode – Our mission is to help individuals and families facing homelessness and other crisis with prayer and support. Also by providing help and resources that will empower them to change their lives.
Do you or someone you know have needs this holiday season? Do you know of another worthy cause you would like us to share? If so, email us at sslideup@gmail.com or leave a comment below and tell us about it. We would all be more than happy to try and help in any way.
And in the spirit of giving, don’t forget to enter our Turkey Giveaway!!
Happy Tuesday!
by jenn_davis | personal
Obviously, we are all fully aware that today is Election Day. For months now we have been reading politically charged Facebook rants and our televisions have been inundated with political commercials and debates.
I don’t want to discuss my personal political views on this blog. We write here as a group and I don’t necessarily feel that my personal opinions should ever be mistaken for being the groups.
Having said that, tonight we will find out who will lead our nation for the next 4 years. I have been praying about this for months. Praying that Gods will would be done and trusting in his guidance not only as I decided who I would be voting for, but praying for the future of our country.
For those of you who know me fairly well, it’s no secret which candidate I support. I would like to say, however, that regardless of which man is elected tonight, I am thankful for him and the sacrifices he will and has made for this country.
I am thankful to live in such a beautiful nation filled with great opportunity. I know it may not always feel hopeful, but I believe it’s our responsibility as Americans to understand how very fortunate we are. I have witnessed first-hand, great success being born from hard work and perseverance. We are one of the only nations where we have the power to build something from nothing, all while having the freedom to speak our minds publicly, worship whatever god we choose, love freely, and even select our own leaders. We live in a land of opportunity and the uglier other regions of the world get, the more fortunate I feel.
Tonight after the results are announced, I will pray for our elected president, that he may lead our nation to be better and stronger.
Regardless of your political affiliation, I think we can all agree that we want what’s best for ourselves, our family, our children and our country. So, the next time you find yourself annoyed with someone’s views or their political rants, try to remind yourself that this is what makes America so wonderful.
Not all are as fortunate.
