We decided to go to dinner at a local resturant. As we sat down the waitress began to wait on us and it was very obvious to us that she had been quite frusterated at the time. We both agreed that this was the perfect situation and person to recieve our gift and card! We hope God was able to touch this young girls heart that night!
- Adam and Kate

As some friends and I were sitting in church, listening to the different ideas of places we could go and things we could give out, we started talking about where we thought Jesus might go if he had been given the same task. So we decided we wouldn't just go to the normal businesses in Genesee County. We went out and bought a box of donuts and dropped them off at PlayMates Adult Club. We figured that Jesus sought out people like Zacchaeus even though Jesus' followers disapproved of Zacchaeus' lifestyle. So we aren't called to just seek out people we feel more comfortable with or whose lifestyles we consider "acceptable", but every person that is in need of God's love. So, we hope this helps God shows his love there just as much as every other place that the church went out to this weekend.
- Anonymous

I packed my 7-year old sister up in the car and we set out on a quest for kindness! First we stopped by the store to pick up some things, including a dozen donuts and a pretty miniature rose bush. From there we stopped by the Le Roy Village Green nursing home. When I told the lady at the desk I wanted to deliver flowers, she said, "to who?" She looked at me like I was nuts when I told her, "no one specific. Can we just take a look and pick someone?" Once inside, we found a woman named Marcia, alone in her room. As we stepped inside, I read the confusion on her face as she tried to remember who I was. I informed her that she didn't know me, but that we wanted to give her some flowers to brighten her day. She was pleased as punch! When I asked her where she wanted them, she told me right at her bedside so she could look at them all day. I left the card with her and she promised to read it when she got her glasses. As I left she said, "This has never happened to me before." To which I replied, "Well, I hope it happens again!" From there we stopped to pick my brother up a cup of black coffee from McDonalds. While at the drive-thru we picked up the tab for the guy behind us. I told the cashier I did not want his receipt, but asked her to give him the card. I quickly sped away in my God mobile before he could catch up to me! Our last stop was an establishment in Le Roy. I am always pleased by how friendly the staff is there, although I often catch them complaining about some unfair work situations. My sister and I decided to drop our dozen donuts off there. The look of happiness on the faces of the two workers was amazing. When we were leaving the worker asked, "Why are we so special that we got this?!" I simply smiled and made sure they got the card. I felt great today, doing wonderful things for strangers. However, I have to say one of the best parts was what my sister said right after we made our last stop. As I hooked her into her car seat, she proudly exclaimed, "That was fun! I feel really happy now." Today was a great day!
- Kellie

My five year old daughter and I went to Tops after leaving church and bought 3 potted flower plants. It was invigorating just seeing the other Northgate family members wiping out the flower section! We decided to take the first one to the hospital and figured we would just take it to the reception desk and ask for the flowers to someone who could use them. As we were walking in, two middle-aged women were walking in. I was struck that they were who the flowers needed to go to. I asked if they were visiting someone today and they were. I extended the flowers and told them they were for the person they were visiting. They both looked shocked and confused. One lady said "Who are these for?". "For the person you are visiting today, please make sure you give them the card". Smiles were exchanged with a heart felt thank you and we went on our way. What joy knowing we were impacting a minimum of three people with 30 seconds of interacting and less than $3! We then went to the VA and decided to use the same strategy asking a couple that were visiting someone to please take the flowers to their loved one. The reaction of surprise repeated itself. We then went on to McDonald's where no one was in line behind us, but I asked if I could wait and pay for the person behind me. By the look on the girl's face you could tell Northgate had already struck McDonald's! What the girl did not expect was my five year old giving her the last bouquet of flowers. She thanked us and disappeared around the corner where we could hear her say to her co-workers "I got flowers" in the most appreciative voice. We waited for probably three minutes until someone came behind us to pay for. When we pulled up to the pick-up window, you could see and feel that God had already spread through McDonald's. The girl working that window gave us our food asked us if we liked biscuits and handed us a free bag of biscuits. By now my daughter wanted to make this our full-time job! For some reason as we ordered our food, I had not ordered anything for my three year old duaghter at home or husband. I thought I could pacify my three year old with a biscuit, but that wasn't necessary as my five year old volunteered to share her happy meal with her sister without any prompting. As my daughter put it..."that was the best church service EVER", and I agree! It is great to be a part of something purposeful. In my words, "Our church ROCKS!" Thanks for the blessing! I would love to have those cards attached to the weekly bulletin to take with me each week!
- Sara

I just want you to know that when we went thru the toll booth and paid our toll the man working looked sad or maybe it was just unhappiness to be working on a saturday night... however when my sons and I gave the man the bag of candy and simply said "This is an act of kindness to let you know god loves you" he smiled and told us thank you and have a great evening. We drove away feeling wonderful that something so simple put that smile on his face. Thank you...wonderful feeling.
- Tracy

By the time we got to the tables for delivery everything was gone. So we decided to pay it forward in the drive thru of Tim Hortons. We paid for our order and then told the girl that we wanted to pay for the car behind us...she gave us the most evil look. I asked her if anyone has done this yet today, and she said VERY nastily, "Yes, all day!" My husband Wade said I should have given her one of the cards. At first I was taken back by this and then I got discouraged to do it again for someone. But then I realized...this could be Satan's way of getting us to stop doing nice things for people & showing Jesus's love, so instead of not doing another act of kindness...my children and I went to Walmart and bought a bag of M&M's. We were going to give them to someone in the parking lot. But on the way out I saw 2 ladies working at the bank inside. I asked my oldest daughter if she wanted to give the M&M's to them, and she said sure. We stopped and told them that we wanted to brighten their day since it was so yucky outside. She took them and thanked us for them...but again, not excited about it. So I wasn't sure if someone already stopped and gave them something. But you know what, it doesn't matter. I showed my family, 3 children ages 8, 4, & 2 what great things we could do for people in this world...even for those that may not be greatful today...they may be greatful for those acts of kindness tomorrow. We did God's work on earth, while he will do the rest! I also got to teach my children, that just because we did an act of kindness today, doesn't mean we can't do that everyday! THANK YOU NORTHGATE!
- Sue

We surprised two people by paying for their breakfast, and they were truly grateful and gracious. It was FUN, it felt really good, and brought a tear to our eyes. But God had a bigger surprise for us. Later in the day as He answered a prayer for our son that we had been praying about for years. More tears of joy and gratitude for a gracious God. This was a very good day.
- CBS

We left the flowers with the receptionist and said they were for the staff-when she read the card she said -hmm I like that. Praying the message will make a difference to someone.
- Skip and Jacky

The Masse's and the Muskoph's went to Pontillo's in Batavia Sunday Eve and bought dinner for a family of four -- two children and two adults. We checked with their waiter and he said that the family was surprised and very grateful. When the waiter handed them the card and told them their dinner was all set they were so surprised and kept handing the card back and forth to each other. Maybe God will touch their lives at Northgate.
- Joyce

Well when I got to the tables the only thing really left was just to take a "no strings attached" card for fast food. I wasn't going to eat out so I decided to come up with my own idea. I was going to get gas today anyways so I got a k-mart gift card and gave it along with the "no strings attached" card to the attendant at the Tops gas station. I have no idea what her reaction was but I enjoyed this because my kids got to be a part of doing something nice for a complete stranger and getting nothing in return. We prayed for the women as we drove away and my son said its kind of weird she won't know who gave it to her. I told him it didn't matter because it was from Jesus anyways. Just a good moment for us too. As a side note I think the weather today was kind of ironic because with it being so dark and gloomy hopefully we brought sunshine into people's life in a different way today. Thanks!
- Shalyn

Since we set out on a trip to NC after church, when we filled the car with gas, I bought the cashier her favorite candy bar. After reading the card, she replied, How nice that is. Then after lunch on the thruway, we left the waitress a double tip with a card. It is a good feeling to do something for someone else.
- Linda

He was sweeping the parking lot at a local Batavia restaurant. It was as if I gave him a million dollars. He started pourng out his story to me,he said he was a recovering addict,with children and a sick girlfriend. He is on welfare and works every day. He said he could now buy extra milk and food. He asked about the church and if someone from the church could please contact him. After he gave me his name and address he shook my hand and said God Bless you and he truly did, I wish i could afford to do this for someone every day.
- Anonymous

Al and I decided to go to the Maturnity Ward at UMMC and Delivery Peter Rabbit Story Books to all new Mommys. What a thrill when we arrived on the floor and someone had already delivered donuts to the Nurses'Station. One nurse asked us What was going on with so many Northgate people coming with donuts to the hospital?? What fun it was to go into our world and reach out to others!!! Al and I are planning to use the cards this summer on Sundays!!!
- Al and Joan

We headed to Walmart where we picked up two bunches of flowers and two vases and a bunch of candy bars. Josh, 14 and Jonathan, 16, decided to go through seperate lines, pay for flowers and a vase, and then give them to the cashier. Jonathan was successful, Josh was refused. Poor kid.
I paid for the candy bars and then handed one to the cashier. As I walked away she was reading the card and smiling. It appeared to make her day.
I had a talk with Josh about how there is always a chance of rejection when we step out to do new things like that. He agreed to try again. So I took him into the VA nursing home to find a resident who would like the flowers. The activities coordinater met us and took us to a woman who was more than happy to receive them. While we were waiting for the coodinater to meet us, another couple from church came with flowers as well. The coordinater told me they had also gotten a call from someone who wanted to deliver donuts. She said she felt bad but had to refuse due to dietary restrictions among the residents. She was very appreciative of the flowers, and the thought behind the donuts, and said it was really a great idea for the church to do that.
The other six kids all handed out candy bars to cashiers at Walmart and Kmart. While in Kmart, Preston, 12, got a hug from the woman at the pharmacy. Michael, 10, saw a cashier with a deformity on her face and he felt bad for her so he decided to give the candy bar to her. He said she smiled and thanked him.
It was a great experience for all and when we got home Samantha, 14, asked if we could do that more often.
- Debbie

What a great teaching momemt not only for me but for the kids; showing that its not always about them. And how doing something so simple can touch someones life. Hope and I decided that we wanted to go to the nursing home in Leroy. We saw this elderly woman sitting out by herself eating her lunch. I knew she was the one. Tears filled her eyes oh thank you and God bless you. She was so sweet. She asked if she could give the kids and me a hug. Then we continued on to find our next person. We went to the lunch room and found this sweet lady that just looked like she needed some flowers. The worker commented as we left, You chose the right lady. Noah wanted to pay for someone through the drive thru so we went to McDonalds in Leroy. It was fun being kind to people, especially when they didn't expect it.
- Heidi, Hope and Noah

There were no doughnuts left so my daughter and I went to buy some at Tim Hortons drive thru. I remember thinking that I was glad we had to buy our own because then it cost me something but when I pulled up to the window the cashier handed me my doughnuts and said that I was all set because the person before me had paid for my order. Then they gave me the card and I knew what it was all about so I wasn't all that surprised but the look on the cashiers face as she handed me the card was amusing. She had taken part in this whole affair without actually agreeing to particapate. I have to say that having my bill paid even though I knew what had happened it made my day. I kept the card that the cashier gave me from the person who paid for my bill and my family and I decided that we would use it to do another random act of kindness. My 9 year old daughter really liked doing this excercise and we will make it a family tradition.
- Ken

Everyone, starting with the florist(!), wanted to know what was up! "such a 'run' on the flower requests".
Anyway, found a sweet little lady, Julie that saw me as soon as I walked in. She was so friendly and obviously needing. She had tears in her eyes. I did cheat and give her a quick hug before I left. Feels like something I will do again!
Oh and thank God for supplying the ride. Both vans broke down within the week. Had to bum a ride to church. Then bummed a ride to the nursing home with a lady whose car also broke down and was using her son's car!! God is in even those details... Woohoo!
- Martha

Laura and I went to the state police and the hospital. We had a Hale of a good time. It leaves the people spechless when there is no strings attached. We do that from time to time. Just pay for ones coffee. Just for fun it makes you feal good and you hope they as well and pass it on. I like it better with a northgate card. GOD CARES just a small card could save them. That is the BEST thing we can do. It was said we cant save the world. One at a time WE CAN. WE CAN ... NORTHGATE
- John & Laura

Since the sheriff's dept. is no longer at 14 Main St., I brought the candy to the jail and gave it to the officer there. He was very surprised and touched that I gave him the candies and it was a nice experience.
- Barb

We decided to buy brunch for a family. The waitress was very eager to help us out by giving the family the card. The comment from the guys at the table were "really" "that's cool" and they probably heard our profanity!They were trying to fiqure out who would do that for them but our great waitress told them she really couldn't say, just someone doing something nice for them.I think it touched our waitress as much as it did the family.
- Warren & Nancy

I was so excited about giving to Genesee County. What a GREAT idea to remember someone that doesn't feel that they are remembered.
I chose the Sheriff's Dept, and the Batavia Police.I thanked them for their service and helping those that are in trouble. However,people from church already gave to them. I gave them the donuts and Chocolates anyhow.
I noticed that I was having trouble with my car, so I decided to go to Crossroads House where I volunteer and I could drop off donuts to them! they too had the delivery. Where am I going to drop off my donuts and chocolates? My car did not start so I called triple A and they sent a tow truck from Dan's Service Center in Batavia. Nice man, thought my car had a bad alternator so he towed me home. Once home, I thanked him and gave HIM my donuts and bag of chocolates. I told him even though he was working that day, God does love him and appreciates what he is doing to help others.
- Mickey

Elijah and I took quarters to Aldi's and they were well received with questions about why we were doing this and big thank yous. We took donuts to the Super 8 hotel and to Burger King. Funny thing was that on our way Elijah thought maybe he could have one donut but I told him we had to deliver a full dozen....when we got to the Super 8 the girl behind the desk was eating a huge chocolate donut so then he was really sure he could have had just one :). I was blessed to work the flower and etc. table after the second service and was impressed with the excitment shown about the event. Can't wait to hear some of the stories. At least we were out planting seeds of kindness and I am sure many were blessed.
- Sue and Elijah

It had been a long busy week of events and work at the community garden, so we decided to take the kids out for lunch at the Peking Buffet for some quality family time. We had many laughs together and the kids were excited about blessing someone at the restaurant. We prayed for the waitress as we blessed the food before eating. It was great to see other Northgate families there knowing that they probably had similar plans as us to bless the customers and workers there. Sean wrapped the card with our tip "In God We Trust" facing up and placed it on the tray before we left. We have no idea what the waitress' reaction was, but trust that a seed was planted in her heart on Sunday. Trusting that as we plant and water seeds for God's glory that He will bring forth a plentiful harvest. To GOD be the GLORY!
- Sean and Melody

I made a little gift bag with a new baby outfit, a note of congratulations, and a bag of diapers and dropped it off at the maternity ward. I asked the nurses to give it to a new mommy who was low on resources. They were thrilled to hand it off to a mom who could use some encouragement. It was cool to see that the nurses had just been given a dozen donuts, too!
- Tasha

We dropped off donuts to a floor at the VA Hospital. The nurse was very thankful and wondered who it was from and why. We just gave her the card, thanked her for taking care of our veterans, and left. It was wonderful to be able to put a smile on someone's face.
- Jessica and Cali

Last week my 19 year old daughter surrendered her life to Christ so I was very interested to see her reaction to our assignment on Sunday. We took several cards and a dozen donuts and were hatching plans as we hurried out the door. As we left the parking loyt she excitedly said "This is so cool. Its like we're and army or something". We went to Tops and bought flowers and candy. The donuts were delivered to a shelter for homeless vets. One young man struggling with PTSD after service in Iraq said, "Very cool, I guess we're not forgotten after all." Flowers were taken to shut ins and candy all over. It was an amazing day.
- Todd

My sister, boyfriend, and I drove up to Tim Horton's to pay for the car behind us at the drive-thru window. I wish that I could have seen the man's face behind us when he was told that we had paid for him but we weren't parked at a good angle. We were parked because I had ordered a bagel and it was going to take a few minutes to prepare. Instead of making the server walk out to the car, in the rain, Zack was kind and waited for my bagel inside the restaurant. My mother and father had decided to bring candy to the liquor store and were surprised to find it closed on Sunday, so my mother and I stopped there this morning. The owner was standing outside of the shop smoking a cigarette. He was a large, tough looking man and it was so amazing to see his heart melt in his eyes when my mom handed him the candy and said, "This is for; you the card explains everything." It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait for another opportunity to do it again.
- Sammi

elivered Candy to a Batavia City Policeman at the police station. Told him that God loved him and thanked him for protecting our community. He was gracious and thanked us and read the card we gave him. At Northgate, we should make "random acts of kindness" something we do each month.
- Stephen

At the Town and Country Dinner, Linda and I met a couple who were married 65 years as we were going into the dinner. We asked our waitress to come over and told her that we wanted to by the older couples dinner and to give them the card from Northgate in place of their bill. We didn't expect them to come over to our table and thank us but they did and we had a chance to tell them that God loved them and that they were an inspiration for all married couples. The husband thanked us and was very grateful for our act of kindness.
- Linda and Stephen

I love what Northgate did this past Sunday! When service was over my friend and I decided it would be a great idea to take our 5 children to deliver donuts to the Alexander Fire Dept. My friend had noticed they were all at the dept on our drive into church from Attica. When we showed up the kids knocked on the office door. They invited us when we said the kids had a special delivery. Our daughters (ages 3, 7 & 8) handed over the donuts and our sons (age 5) gave them the "no strings attached" card. My son said "thank you for doing your job" and the fireman said "thank you for acknowledging us!". After we had piled in the car I turned around to see my children clapping excitedly in the back seat. This one act brought THEM joy! We now want to do the same for the Attica FD. Thank you for a wonderful lesson our children will always remember!!!
- Jennifer

As I was about to drop off my dozen donuts to Michaels in Batavia, another Northgater was headed in to do the same :) They got:: love times two! The person that I gave them to was quite surprised.
- Wendy

The tables at church emptied at lightening speed - praise God!! So my son and I stopped at Dunkin' donuts to pick up some munchins. I think half the line were Northgaters picking up more donuts. Praise God again!! We took them to the service desk at Walmart and just said " We are sorry that you have to work on Sundays. Please take these to the break room to share with this card." The ladies there were so surprised that someone would do this and one of them even asked God to bless us.
My son even said that we should really do this again so we can bring someone closer to God and us too. What insight from a 10 year old!
- Just more Northgaters

After leaving some flowers off for a nurses aide that had been especially kind to a friend's parent, we headed to Tim Horton's to "pay it forward." When we told the girl we were paying for the car behind, she said she understood.(Guess she had done it before) We picked up an extra hot cocoa at Tim Ho's and decided to find someone who might be working outside Sunday in that cold, damp rain. We found the perfect candidate in a young man who appeared chilled collecting the carts outside at Walmart. He seemed extremely pleased and eagerly thanked us.
- Diane

Gave a patient in the Batavia emergency room flowers. She said, "Oh, thank you. They're so beautiful!"
- Hanna

I brought a bag of candy to the 3rd floor of UMMC. The nurses and a doctor and the secretary behind the desk were delighted with it and thanked me very much. I said here is a card to read. Then I went to Wendy's. Had to wait for a little while for someone to pull up behind me in the drive through line. I prayed for that van with one lady and a little girl in it. It was the best $8.85 I ever spent at Wendy's. We have a truly awesome God.
- Anonymous

We decided to go to the nursing home and as we were heading there, we ended up turning into the wrong driveway. We started to turn around, but saw a "back" entrance, and thought maybe it was a sign that we should go there. Chris went in and was looking for an employee and passed by a man in a wheelchair, probably a patient. Right after he passed him, he said he just felt like he was supposed to give the candy to that gentleman. He turned around and went up to him and asked him if he could give it to him, and said the man's face just lit up. He asked why and Chris handed him the card, and as he was walking away the man called and said Thank You in an excited voice. Chris was smiling as he walked to the car and said he really felt like he just made the man's day. It was such a blessing to us! I can't believe how much I felt touched by it! Even as the day went on, we were still in the "spirit" and wanted to continue to "be" the church. It was awesome! Thank you SO much for this experience!!
- The McMillan's

Both my children, 8 and 11 thought it was a great idea to hand out candy and actually picked the two businesses, until we got there. At Wendy's neither one wanted to do it. What a great way to demonstrate giving to my children! Although I was nervous I went in with the kids dropped off the candy and said this is for all of you that are stuck working tonight. What surprise on their faces. At the second stop, the ice cream store, the kids were then able to do it after seeing mom at the first. I think the kids experienced the most because it taught them to give and to not be so worried about being "different" when you are doing something good. They also loved the idea of time spent together so we had ice cream and spent the evening playing baseball and frisbee. The kids experienced God that night in a fun and calming way.
- Debbie

My family had fun picking out a family we'd like to surprise by paying for their breakfast...we chose a young couple and watched them as they ate and interacted. We eventually realized that we knew them, and that made it a bit more special in a way! Probably more important for us though, was what stayed with us all that day and the next and the next. It helped us to remember our blessings and how much we are loved, and made us more aware of others that we come across in our daily lives. Sunday's lesson is a keeper and will remain with us for a long, long, time.
- Anonymous

When we went to Aldi's to give out the card, I waited near the shopping carts I could catch someone on their way in... well the woman I gave a cart to looked at me funny and asked if I was a realitor, I laughed and told her no and that the card would answer all of her questions. I didn't know realitors hung out in shopping cart corrals! As a P.S., My husband and I LOVED this outreach and feel it is something that we would like to see more of... keep up the great work! We are visitors at this point but things like this really hit the spot in a church for us.
- The Paratore Family

We chose donuts for Batavia downs. But thought a dozen might not be enough,so we stopped to pick up another dozen. As we delivered them to security they were very suspicious, when we told them our son worked there they finally accepted them.
- D&E

Hi folks, I wanted to report the outcome of our participation this past Sunday. I looked at my friend during the sermon and said "we're going to participate, if you feel you are up to it...he eagerly nodded agreement.
As my friend and I were leaving sanctuary, the tables were mobbed (powerful preachin' pastor....).I was concerned about his safety as he walks with "sticks", and I had to sort of clear some room so he wouldn't trip someone or fall down himself. With him out of danger, I dove back into the crowd and grabbed 2 destinations, 2 Church cards and 2 bags of candy. We didnt look at them until after he was safely in the car.
Our first stop was the Comfort Inn. On his own, my friend got out of the car, got his "sticks", candy and card; and slowly but confidently walked himself thru 2 sets of double doors to the front desk. He spent a few minutes talking to the staff at the front desk, came back thru the 2 sets of doors, and got back in the car. He had a big smile on his face, I wasn't sure if it was the service or his independence...it WAS both. You helped make his day, he is still talking about it this week.
Well, next it was my turn. I'd like to thank you for the humble task you sent me too as well. You have no idea how happy I was sitting at a Liquor Store... on Main St.... in my very visible van....on a SUNDAY morning! (We had to enjoy this pleasure for 10 minutes, as liquor stores don't open until 12pm on Sundays. This one is privately owned, so the owner was probably at HIS church service as he certainly wasn't on time. We left and returned about an hour later. (so, yea...2 trips to the liquor store...on Main St. ..in my van....on Sunday) Anyways, he appreciated the candy as well. My face was red, and I ran to my car....Pete thinks this is funny; but he's my witness that I came out EMPTYHANDED.
Thank you for a very blessed and uplifting day to "be the church"!!!
- Carla

My husband and I decided that we were going to go to brunch and pay for another families brunch. When we walked into the restaurant we noticed our candidates, but also knew another family so I went over to say "hello". Well I chatted, my husband took our table and waited for me patiently. When I returned to the table, to my surprise, our candidates had already had their brunch purchased by another wonderful couple. They had received their cards and carefully placed them in their wallets. It was so neat to hear my husband explain how this family's attitude changed instantly after reading the card and how he was touched to watch it all unfold. After watching our waitress run around and listening to her personal stories, we decided to leave her a very generous tip. We left before she realized. Then we felt we need to continue our day with fixing a homemade meal and dessert and took to our brother-in-law who has been battling cancer. We had a fabulous visit with them. GOD is SO GOOD!!! When back home we discussed our fun-filled day and decided it was VERY rewarding to "Be the Church" for the day, and are looking forward to doing it again!!!!
- Cheryl & Tim

I saw the sign for the VA hospital and had to go there. I took them to the nurses station on the second floor where my dad died on June 25, 1993. I gave them four cards so there would be enough. I'm glad to hear all the stories and how the kids were so involved. Every year I take laundry dryer sheets to crossroads. I send a small donation to city mission at Christmas time. The story I enjoyed the most was the young man sweeping in the parking lot. You don't need a lot of money to make someone feel special. I'm sure we will see many candles lit in the weeks to come! Praise the lord and God bless you all.
- Chris

Purchased four $5 Wal-Mart gift cards; attempted to give one to cashier, but she couldn't accept the gift per store policy. Spoke with her manager to give her a compliment on her service and integrity, and she will hopefully get time toward a day off. Waited in vestibule to find people with families that were going in to shop. All cards were put into Wal-Mart gift envelope with inscription "To: YOU; From: Someone Who Cares...." along with gift card and No Strings Attached card. First, a young mother with young boy was recipient, HUGE smile and quiet acceptance. Second, Family with two young kids. Eyes locked from Dad who was almost speechless holding his coffee cup... "Thank you" but you could tell they were both touched. Third and Fourth, were two young girls with small children and a baby. Each received and were extremely thankful. Best Part: Driving out of parking lot, just going in reverse, then a BANG on window. Rolled down window to see what the young boy wanted. He said his Mom told us to find us (it was the last family that received a gift card). She comes running up with her daughter... and excitingly expressed just how thankful she was. She wanted our address for the kids to send a thank you. We told her this was thanks enough. Conversation ensued about how we did not have a sermon, that we were suppose to "be the church" today. She said she almost went to church but did not. We told her where we went and how great a church we have, with wonderful children programs, etc. Young girl had tears in her eyes. It made our day. Possible future Northgaters? Maybe. Made a difference? Definitely.
- Bill and JoAnn

On Saturday evening my crew and I gave out candy and donuts. I felt as close to God as the rest of you did. On Sunday Northgate came to my place of work--twice. Someone brought donuts in the morning which made me smile because I knew the behind the scenes secret. I watched people just enjoy the donuts, some felt the blessing, some mocked the card. Either way I stayed quiet, prayed and let God work. Later! Someone gave m&m's to my associate at the paint desk. Sticking to her diet she passed them, with the card, to me. Since I knew the scheme and felt the spirit, I passed them to a friend who'd be having a grumpy day. He threw them back at me and jokingly said, "God wants you to eat these." I laughed and searched for someone else to pass them to as I punched out. Blank, I started thinking...maybe these are mine.... I took them home and shared them with my little sisters. I didn't hand them a card, but the conversation naturally opened up with an opportunity to share with them (for the first time) how much God means to me, and how He makes life so much easier. I don't know if they took anything from it yet, but like Andy said today, maybe this was just my "3 seconds." I am consciously committed to be the best big sister I can be for the rest of their lives, instead of just an older girl they live with. Every little girl deserves a strong woman in their life. If you can't find a strong woman in your life, God is calling YOU to be her.
- Anonynmous

We brought flowers to 3 people. One veteran at the main building ..a guy..his eyed lit up when he saw me and my sisters..he said thankyou over and over and extended his hand slowly to my dad to shake it. The 1st lady was at the nursing home building . her name was Edith it was her b-day and she was all alone ..she smiled. The last lady was named Virginia. She looked at me and told me how nice what we were doing was. It was amazing for me to see how one little act of kindness could make someone's day
- Samantha

My friend Mary and I had picked up a few cards and the card had 2 quarters attached to give to two people for a cart. Mary spotted someone, handed them the quarter and the card, and they smiled and said "thank you." For some reason NO one wanted a quarter from me! I kept trying and trying and laughed about it a little bit, and wondered why it was what seemed to be IMPOSSIBLE for me to give this quarter away. I must have had 8 people decline this quarter, saying "No thank you" or "I already have one" or they simply belonged to our church and said pass it on to someone else. So finally, Mary said well lets go across the street to the laundromat and give a whole bunch of quarters to someone. I had high hopes that someone there would at least take my quarters! So we gathered up enough quarters for a load of laundry, I walked inside with the quarters and card in hand and saw one girl sitting alone in the whole laundromat. I simply handed her the quarters and the card, and walked away with a smile. She smiled back at me and said "thank you." I don't know what her story is, but it felt like she was the one I was supposed to give them to. After everyone turned down my $0.25 for a cart, this girl, sitting all by herself in the laundromat, took my handful of quarters with a smile.
- Arlana

To the woman with the "Make a Wish" sticker on her car, from the woman with a cow on her license plate - - Thank you so much for buying breakfast this morning for me and my son. We then paid for the woman behind us and she was confused but delighted!
- Anonymous