Today is a giveaway I have been looking forward to for a long time friends. Today's giveaway is from my friend Laura. Well, let's stop right here. We've actually never met in person, but come on it's 2013 so can't you have friends that you've never really met in person? I mean, I think if we did meet in person we would be friends.
Anyhow Laura is the kind of person that just explodes with kindness. I mean literally she might be one of the nicest people I've ever met, although I've actually never really met her. Whatever. If you don't believe me, go right now and check out her blog because in the month of December her and her kids “pay it forward” every single day. I mean they are rockstars. Paying for people's gas, leaving treats for their trash guy, taking random polaroids of people and wishing them “merry christmas”. Rock star mom teaching her kids to be kind rock stars. I like her a lot.
Anyhow, she's also a great artist and makes incredible canvas pieces that I literally want to spread all over my house. Each one she posts I fall in love with! She was so gracious to give away one of her pieces on my blog and I'm honored. We talked about this giveaway weeks ago and as I look at this canvas I'm teary eyed. It says “take heart because I have overcome the world” and with the week we've had around here that is a statement I'm clinging to. What truth that is that we can hold on to as believers. God has overcome this world. It will not take us down.
How beautiful is that piece? Oh my word. I wish that I could enter and win this for myself and then I wish I could enter and win one for my friend Anita that lost her man this week. Oh what a sweet reminder for all of us. He has overcome the world. The world does not win. It's done. Battle over. God wins. End of story.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
{if you are reading this via your email you'll need to click the rafflecopter link above to enter}
For the month of November and December I'm showcasing places you can buy gifts that either give back, or are from small business owners. Let's put our money in places that make a difference. To make sure you never miss a giveaway, feel free to subscribe to blog. You can do that at the top right on the side. –>
Prize can only be shipped to US. Winners are chosen randomly. Please consider buying gifts for your loved ones from here. Winners will be notified within 48 hours via email. If you haven't responded within a week to claim your prize a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!
I have payed it forward with kids by paying for the person behind us in the drive thru. Love giving them an example of tangible things we can do to share Jesus. I’m inspired to try other ideas this year.
I like to steal the check randomly at dinner/happy hour and secretly pay for whomever I’m with.
We have a new favorite place to eat and have made it a point to always be generous with our tips and recently (after the very convicting generosity series) left a bigger tip than usual.
Love Pitter Patter 🙂
We sidewalk chalked our neighbors driveway with Christmas messages! We are buying hot chocolate for the Salvation Army bell ringer today.
We recently paid it forward by taping a Sonic card to the button at Sonic for our Kindness Advent. Love reminding my kids to love on others as much as they can!
We attempt the kindness advent, too, though it looks a bit different with a 4 and 1 year old. Yesterday my oldest and I bought and delivered presents to a little one we have sponsored for Christmas this year. I love teaching his little heart to give!
We had this crazy thing happen. A friend donated their old van to us, as we were adopting and they were leaving the country to be missionaries. We sold our smaller car, and used the money to build a well in India where our adopted son is from. Now that the van is probably going to be replaced soon, we’ll sell it and hopefully build another well! It’s the van that just keeps paying forward!
I like to pay for people behind my in line at the store or the drive through!
We’ve paid it forward with our kids by making treats for our neighbors (for no reason) and making cards for some elderly in our neighborhood. Would love to do more this Christmas season!
Shoveled the neighbors sidewalk yesterday…I think he knows it’s us 🙂
thanks for the awesome giveaway! i loveeee her stuff!
we’ve paid it forward at drive-thru’s and stuff like that. now that my kids are a little older and are grasping “giving” a little more, i need to be more intentional about it for sure!
I love me some pitter patter art! Amazing art work!
We are going caroling and taking treats to some elderly shut-ins from our church and neighborhood. Baking for our mail & UPS drivers this week too.
I have paid it forward, helping family that has helped me. Sending flowers to friends just because everyone can use some encouragement, and who doesnt love a sweet surprise?
I love her stuff. I have bought some of it!!
Just found your blog through Pitter Patter….can’t wait to start reading. 🙂
We are trying very hard to pay it forward this month doing things like leaving cookies for the mailman, buying hot chocolate for the Salvation Army ringers and giving treats to our neighbors. The boys love it!
I pay for coffee for the person behind me in line all the time and often buy lunch and breakfast for random strangers!
I pay it forward in making a meal for others in need!
I bought hot chocolate for the crossing guards at school last week because it was below zero here in Colorado and was grateful that they stood outside to protect our kids.
I enjoyed looking around your blog! Hope it pays off with a win 🙂
payed for people behind me in line at Starbucks 🙂
I have paid for someone’s lunch a few times. It’s always nice to see their surprise in the mirror 🙂
I have paid it forward by paying for the meal of the person behind me in line at a fast food restaurant. My husband and I also sponsor a child at the international school my daughter teaches at. We also like to pay for meals of elderly friends who don’t expect it,
I have a friend that does an Advent giving Calendar – a different way to give each day. Starting that with my kids next year when they are both old enough.
The kids and I are trying to pay it forward this Christmas, but life sometimes gets in the way for us.
I love reading Laura’s blog! It’s so encouraging.
I always want to give people on the side of the road money! on one occasion a college student was standing outside walmart holding a sign that read “Been kicked out of my apartment, have no where to stay. Anything helps. God Bless.” I could not NOT give him money. I am a college student. I live in a college town. My heart was broken for the guy. I just couldn’t imagine. I didn’t have much cash with me, but I gave him all I had.
We are paying it forward by bringing dinner and treats to two of our very favorite families that give their time and energy to others. We do a countdown to Christmas with random acts of kindness, and the kids favorites are probably when we leave money in the candy machines for kids and watch to see how excited they get when they walk by and get to get a treat 🙂
I love paying for someone meal or coffee while in the drive through- I have been on the receiving end once and it just make you happy.
Just discovered your blog via Pitter Patter Art. Love the Kelley Family…even though I don’t really know them!!
Love!!!!
Love this giveaway! Happy Holidays.
I know Laura in real life. She truly is kindhearted and awesome, just as you note from your virtual knowledge!
I have payed it forward by paying for vehicles behind ne in car wash! I love Laura and I agree, one if the sweetest people I know (and never met either)! Her art inspires!!
Laura has actually inspired me to pay it forward more! Most recently, I anonymously paid a vet bill for a dear friend who couldn’t stand to let her dog suffer (he needed fairly expensive medication), but couldn’t afford to help him. She finally decided to get him the medicine, and put it on a payment plan at the vet’s office. I called in and paid it off for her.
We sure have…when my children have field trips at school, we almost always pay for at least one extra child that might not have enough money to go on the trip otherwise. I feel like it’s such a wonderful (and anonymous) way to support their classmates.
My family and I have gone over and shoveled snow off our neighbors’ driveways in past years, ideally without them knowing it. My kids are grown now, but when they were little I loved finding ways to help them think of others… and how we could ease their burdens!
I have paid for the car behind me in the drive thru. We are currently helping give Christmas to a family members children who are having a rough go right now…all secretly…lol!
I love to pay it forward with paying for someone’s meal either in a drive thru or restaurant. My kids think it’s so fun!!
I love paying it forward in the line at Starbucks. I like surprises in general, and it’s always fun to see their face in the rear-view.
I try to by paying for things for others when I can.
I’ve been reading Laura’s blog for a few years and just adore her family and LOVE her art! I hope I win 🙂
I try to pay it forward as much as possible. I pay for the people behind me at fast food places, help little old ladies load their groceries, leave big fat tips when I get horrible service at a restaurant. i remember all the times someone has made me smile, and try to do the same.
Last year we drove to a big city and bought 25 Hot chocolates from Starbucks and delivered them to all the Salvation Army bell ringers. It was an amazing experience for the kids and I to spread the love of Jesus.
Last year, on 12/12, my brother died. Last minute air plane tickets were extremely expensive, and so it looked like my hubby wasn’t going to be able to go with me. A dear friend dropped off an envelope of money, and it was enough to cover a ticket for my hubby! It meant SO much to me. This year, a dear friend is struggling financially and is three months behind on her rent. Friends are rallying to raise money so that her family can stay in the house. My hubby worked overtime several times this year and we saved the money. We have enough that we can cover rent for a month. It’s a tough time for many, and it’s a way to help this holiday season be a little easier, and remember what we have to be thankful for, instead of just focusing on the pain.
Leaving quarters at the laundry mat:)
Yes! I did this in the starbucks line last week!
Beautiful artwork!! I love the ways your friend Laura has been paying it forward along with her kids. I’ve paid for people behind me in the drivethru, but I definitely need to be more creative!
I have paid it forward by supporting others who are adopting and trying to promote their fundraisers. We were so blessed when others supported us.
One of my favorite pay it forward moments is with the quarter carts at Aldi.
Like to buy flowers at the store and pray for where to give them away, or whom to give them to
I love the idea of “Pay it Forward” and I was inspired by MANY ideas that I found on the Pitter Patter Blog! I am going to use some of these ideas with my kids in the coming days! I have paid it forward by paying for a car full of people’s drinks at Sonic and it was so fun! Made me feel great all day.
Pay it forward– well I’ve purchased lots of lovely gifts for others that are purposeful at timbalicrafts– everyone should check them out! Great gifts even greater cause!
We like to leave the quarters in our shopping carts at Aldi…it may not seem like a big deal, but hopefully it makes someone’s day a little better, and maybe they’ll leave the quarter for the next person too.
Laura’s art is awesome and she is an example to all of us. Love your blog too.
I’ve given extra tips in the states to restaurant servers, and I bought food for begging children in India.
Love this! Someone just paid it forward for me today.. after a pretty rough trip into Walmart. I’d love to give this to a good friend of mine!
Love Laura and her blog! My husband and I were just discussing pay it forward. I would like my kids to develop this mindset. We don’t have much extra money, but are looking for deeds to pay it forward.
We have given envelopes with cash in them to the workers at a local sandwich shop – on Christmas Eve. We knew no one WANTED to be working on Christmas Eve, so we thought we’d give them a special blessing!
I’m enjoying your blog! And the chance to win one of Laura’s fabulous pieces of art!
I’ve done the paying for someone at the drive-thru before and also baking goodies for people that don’t expect it.
Most recently I gave a gift card to the lady behind me in line at the store. She was so confused because she had watched me select the perfect design and stick it in the envelope as though I knew who it was going to. God has blessed me to be a blessing. What a joy to share that!
My husband I always choose a family to buy presents for around the holidays.
Paying for someone’s food and/or coffee in line behind me 🙂
I have paid it forward by buying hot coffee for a guy on the side of the road.
Oh I love her work and blog so much. What an inspiration she is!