Tuesday, January 5, 2016

YELLOW BIRD BOUTIQUE

When is the last time you thought about the ripple of your actions?


Grace and her husband Ashley both have full time jobs,
and 8 year old and a 10 month old....
she is also in charge of Bountiful Baskets in our community

when they decided to have a store front on Main Street for their hobby of re-purposing area auction finds...

I must admit I was left a little baffled of them taking on another thing
and by the way did I mention they are in the midst of a full scale renovation of their home?

nice to be young and full of vigor right?

They worked all summer to prepare to open YBB and the very first thing they did...before they had even really made any money at all...was set up a $1000 give away...you can read the story at the bottom of this post

If there is one thing our community does and does well...it is to take care of our needy
they wanted the give-away to be different...perhaps to take care of someone who diligently takes care of the needy...a servant

so she launched her campaign on her Facebook page, taking nominations from the public, throughout the month of December.

the appeal and response was incredible
it was touching, surprising, wonderful and heartfelt..and created a ripple in our pond that was so great
her single action of one idea caused 
others to name and compliment and praise and lift up others
most of the nominations brought tears
it was a gift to be nominated


and in the end, they chose one

what a wonderful example to one of her most important souls on this earth
Betty watches as her mother tells the story from the beginning


of course little Henry is part of it too...I always wonder where his socks are going to end up

gathering to honor the winner

if these folks alone were the ripple this kind deed caused...it would be good enough..
but in fact...this was a tiny portion of who became involved



the winner...a true servant...she would never dream of asking for more than what she has
but don't we all need a little bit of love and faith and uplifting 
to continue to be the good things we are?




what a great way to begin a business!!!
a kiss for luck
kisses cause ripples in ponds too!



First and foremost, this give away has been the biggest gift we could have received this Christmas. The genuine love and compassion in our community’s core has been presented to us in a magnitude beyond our imagination. We are still baffled by the selflessness showcased by each and every nomination we received. In a world blasted with bad news and negativity, this community always finds a way to shine a light, to place their needs behind others and to lift one another up with... generosity and gratitude.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says. This is what each of you have done through nominating your friends and peers. As we read all of your emails and letters, our hearts have been transformed and Christmas has found a new meaning within us. Such positivity. Such kindness. Such examples of love.

When we set out to give a Christmas Wish away, we weren’t exactly sure what that meant. We just knew we wanted to give someone special a little extra something at Christmas. Our first thought was finding a family in need. If we have learned anything through this experience, it is how much our community surrounds those in need. There is a sense of nurturing here like none other and people RALLY around those searching for a helping hand. The more we thought about who the most deserving candidate might be, the more we realized we were looking for a servant. And that’s exactly what we found.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

The winner of our Christmas Wish Give Away this year constantly puts her own needs on the back burner. She serves her family, her church, her friends, her community and her God. She always has a smile on her face and a skip in her step and repeatedly gives her time and her heart to anyone in need. She is kind and humble and genuine and works very hard at everything she does. She never slows down long enough to complain or question or pity. She is a teacher and a blessing and certainly an example of what we believe Christ is all about. Giving without ever asking for anything in return. Serving with a joyful heart and having a kind and gentle spirit.

The winner of this year’s Christmas Wish Give Away nominated by Rosi Martinez is Esther Lozano.
Please use this gift to do something for yourself as you are always doing for others.

Thank You and Merry Christmas,
Yellow Bird Boutique



12 comments:

StagerLinda said...

Such an amazing and inspiring story. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. God bless them and the lucky, deserving winners!

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

Bravo, bravo! The generations of giving continues....well done. Loved the photo of Betty watching Grace. What a true blessing to the community. Thanks for sharing this happy news with us...and long live The Yellow Bird Boutique!
xoxo, T.

Karena said...

Gina it is so wonderful to read of others giving, paying it forward and yes what a ripple effect it is!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Love the Yellow Bird Boutique!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Life Lessons: So Honored

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh I missed so many of your posts, you aren't coming up on my reader for some reason!!
the ripple effect,, wow!

Algodão Tão Doce said...

O que nos faz amigos é essa capacidade de sermos muitos, mesmo quando somos dois.
Pe. Fábio de Melo
Obrigada querida por compartilhar comigo 3 anos do Algodão Tão Doce!!!
Um doce abraço, Marie.

bj said...

I believe THE RIPPLE EFFECT was why we were all put on this Earth (aside from being grandparents...:)
xoxo

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

I hope it is a success. xoox Su

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Gina thank you for sharing this heart warming ripple effect story. The sign is amazing and truly inspirational. I see they have a website that I will explore.
xoxo,
Vera

White Lace and Promises said...

Wow! What a beautiful post! I'm sure it is a beautiful shop with an atmosphere that is even more precious.

handmade by amalia said...

What a lovely, inspirational post.
Amalia
xo

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

What a great idea to give to the person that always is the giver. Your community sounds like a great place to live and grow a family.

Burlap Luxe said...

I love the giving and how paying it forward always has blessings within.
Love that last photo, inspires me to blow up and frame a writing that sweetly inspired my days.

Thank you Gina for this much needed share and giving.

Thank you beautiful for all your loyal visits, always a blessing to see your comments.

Xx
Dore