Blessings on a table

I was going to leave $5 bills on random co-workers cubes in my office, but when I went to do so, I was afraid someone would see me. I ended up leaving a $5 bill on the break room counter. With the $5 bill was the attached note: "This is yours to spend. There are no strings attached. Use it however your like. I hope this brightens your day.... blessed.donor@gmail.com".

I left an anonymous e-mail address I set up this morning on the letter. I didn't think anyone would respond. The email below is their response. You can blog about this if you would like.

How long can this go?

Here is the email I received from the recipient:
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Hi there. I first want to tell you that I think what you are doing is absolutely wonderful. I too am a Christian and came across the money left on the counter, I have wondered what to do with this money, and have decided, like you, I am forwarding it on to someone else who needs it. God says to share what is yours, and so that is what I am doing. I want to thank you for your kind generosity and therefore, I am passing it on for someone else in need. I wonder how long it will go? May God bless you and your family. God is good!

Brownies & Balloons

I was overwhelmed with joy today!!!

My kids and I made 8 pans of brownies and delivered them randomly yesterday morning between 7am and 8am on the way to school and work. We delivered to a dry cleaners, construction site, gas station, car wash, fire station, car repair business, copy center and hardware store. It was amazing! People couldn’t believe someone would do something kind for them and invite them to be a part of such a great kindness initiative in our community. The smiles on their faces were PRICELESS!!!

We also delivered a cake (for the staff) and balloons (for the residents) to a local nursing home. As soon as we walked in, the first person who saw us (a resident) said, “Those balloons are pretty!” (not knowing one was for her). J

Thank you for the wonderful teaching on Sunday and for challenging us to actively serve in the community. It was a true joy!

Special Day Surprise

We went to Chili's for dinner tonight and at the next table was a mom and her maybe 10 year old daughter. They had dinner and dessert and I asked the waitress to bring us their check. We paid for their dinner and wrote a note on their receipt that said "Your dinner has been paid for! Hope this makes your rainy day a little brighter! God Bless You!" The waitress delivered it and they were all smiles!! You could see them looking around trying to figure out who did it. It felt really good...and even better when the waitress came to tell us that it had been the little girl's birthday dinner!!! The waitress said, "That was so nice! I thought you knew them." I explained that it was a church project, and she said, "That's awesome!"

Helping Internationally

I sent the seed money (plus my own) to help the survivors of the cyclone in Myanmar through World Vision organization.

Flowers for those who help others

I used the big give money to purchase bouquets of flowers for the six staff members of the Alzheimer care unit at our local assisted living facility. When I delivered them, I thanked them and told them how much I appreciated the work they do in caring for those who are no longer able to care for themselves.

THE BIG GIVE

Sunday @ Crosspoint, we started a new series called HEROES. With as many different ways as that could go, we've decided to take a look at some of the Old Testament heroes. This past week (5.4.8) we looked at Abraham's call from God. Genesis 12:1-3 shows God calling Abraham away from what he has known to "be a blessing to all." The passage ends with "all nations will be blessed through you."

That's what we want to be at Crosspoint. So, Sunday AM, we taped envelopes containing $10 under each chair in the auditorium. The goal was to bless someone this week. If everyone that received an envelope would follow through, we would be putting over $1500 into the community as a blessing. If everyone matched it, as we were also asked to do, then over $3000 would bless.

From buying someone's Starbucks, to buying a few stranger a few gallons of gas... the goal is to bless... because we can.

What Children's Ministry Means To Us

I wanted to share...

Last Sunday as we were walked out of Crosspoint, Lena (our oldest daughter) says, " Mommy it was fun." I said, "What was fun, honey." She said, "My Class was Fun!"

That is a real testament to the time put into, not only to make a safe environment for our kids, but one that is FUN! Even at 2 1/2, they know the difference.

Thanks for all you do.
-The Niharts