Hey favorite people!
Today I turned 34 years old and I am actually REALLY excited about it! 34 happens to be my favorite number, so I am believing this is going to be a good year. 🙂
Today is also the celebration of the 1 year anniversary of my very first book release! You can read all about my book, The Kindness Antennae, HERE and also see the cutest promo video EVER (I am not biased at ALL – ha!).
This last year, I have had ALL THE EMOTIONS over my book, y’all. It’s been an incredible/crazy journey that has taught me more lessons than I could ever count.
One of them is this – if you have a dream to write a book, give it to God and go for it! I wanted to write a book so badly, but was always so convinced I had nothing to say because everyone else in the mommy-blogger world was saying all the things – and saying all the things way more eloquently than I ever could. If you’re having those thoughts, girl, SHUT THEM DOWN. Your voice matters and it is precious to God. Sharing our stories of what the Lord has done with one another is a privilege. Plus, you have absolutely NO IDEA who needs to hear what you have to say with the words God gives you!
So go get ’em girl. I am cheering you on!
But hear this one other thing I learned from writing a book… Don’t let sales and numbers make you forget that GOD CALLED YOU TO WRITE YOUR BOOK. Don’t let sales and numbers make you discouraged and forget to be proud of all that you accomplished! It’s not about sales and numbers – or even people’s praises. It is about being obedient to God and glorifying Him ALONE with the gift He has given you. Didn’t go viral? So what! YOU WROTE A BOOK AND GOD HELPED YOU DO IT. Stand up and be proud. You’re awesome.
For those of you still reading this randomness, because it’s my birthday AND the anniversary of The Kindness Antennae debut, I am giving away THREE COPIES OF MY BOOK!
And because the book is all about creative ideas and stories about serving one another through acts of kindness, here is how to enter this giveaway…
**Leave a comment below telling me a way YOU have shown and/or received kindness.**
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (apologies to my sweet international readers)! The giveaway will end at 12:00 am on Wednesday, February 1 (EST). Winners will be selected shortly after and notified by e-mail. If winners do not respond within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen! Thank you for entering!
Ready? GO!
I can’t wait to hear your stories!
Joyfully,
Julie 🙂
The ultimate kindness shown to me is by my Loving Saviour who saved me from my son’s so I can live in eternity with Him. I am also thankful for my husband’s kindness in helping me with the daily duties of being parents of four children under 6. He is so thoughtful. He washes dishes!
(I already have a copy, so if I happen to win please pick another winner.)
I just wanted to say how delightful the book is. I love the heart attitude of generosity with a good dose of whimsy. Bless you, Julie.
Every summer my two boys and I do a Summer of Service. We pick one day each week to go into the community and serve others. My prayer is to create a servant’s heart in both of my boys. It’s so easy in the summer to get sidetracked in “fun” activities and not focus on what’s really important. It’s really a joy for both the boys and myself to serve others! We’ve treated our garbage men(actually we continue to do this weekly), make hygeine kits for the homeless, take doughnuts to the police station, shopped and delivered food to the food pantry, passed out water bottles at the YMCA and much more. Every summer we try to come up with new ideas. I’m thinking your book is a perfect fit for our family! We love the verse “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 That’s our prayer is that others will see His love shine through us!
SOmetimes it’s the small things. When you and your kids are sick and a great friend brings you dinner! Thankful for my village!
When I had a miscarriage a few months ago, the mothers at preschool rallied around my family. They brought food, babysat my kids, and provided endless emotional support even when I pretended I didnt need it. I was so inspired by their kindness that it really helped me from giving in to anger and sadness. I will be forever grateful for these wonderful women.
Many of my friends have shown our family kindness through hard times by bringing meals!
My daughter, baby boy, and I made “police survival kits” and hand-delivered them to the local police station. The bags were filled with all different types of candy and a sweet message for the officers who work so hard to keep our community safe.
I surprise cashiers by buying a candy bar or gum then giving it to them.
After the birth of our second baby, so many people brought us meals. It was a huge help and such a blessing!
This past Christmas I came across a girl on FB that used to work the nursery for my now 5 year old son when he was a baby. Since then she has had a baby that is now 18 mo. He child has medical issues and each day has it ups and downs. God placed it on my heart as well as my husband’s to give her money. (Side note, my husband had been thinking about how he was going to tithe from his bonus check.) I had prayed that God would unite us in spirit and place the same amount on our hearts…well, HE did! The young mother was grateful. On the way home from dropping the money off, my stepmother text me to tell me she was sending us the SAME amount we just gave away for our Christmas, we live 600 miles away from family. Talk about WOW! We were a blessing and we were blessed right back!!
Happy Birthday! 😊 I have to say that my family and I were so blessed by the six women from our church who were present with our family when my mom went home to Jesus 3 weeks ago. They sang hymns, shared scriptures and prayed, holding us up during those painful moments. I would love a copy of your book…and February 1st is my birthday! 😊
I had surgery on my foot in November and the women from my small group at church brought our family dinners. It was so thoughtful and kind!
Happy Birthday Julie! I’m a mom of two young boys and will be turning 34 myself this summer. I’m always looking for ways to help lead my children to the Lord and to show them how to have a serving heart. A few things I’ve done with them is make homemade bread for a teacher, give an appreciation gift to our pastor, and visit a nursing home during the holidays. I’d love to have your book for more ideas on how our family can serve the Lord together! Thank you for all you do to share the love of Jesus!
Act of kindness that touch my life forever was three years ago when my oldest son went to an open heart surgery and my group of momma’s brought me a meal everyday for a month. I didn’t cook for two months. That it will be in my heart always.😍
One of my favorite ways of showing kindness is blessing others with s meal after surgery, baby, etc. We also bake cookies at Christmas time and by bring them to our local Publix as well as hand out Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards. The employees are always very appreciative a SN surprised!!!!!
I have received kindness and one of favorite that I’ve received and I have gave is at our chuch after you’ve had a baby, we deliever food to the family for a week so they can focus on sleeping and their new baby. We also do this after someone has had surgery, etc.
A sweet friend surprised us with a gift certificate to get family pictures taken. So thoughtful. <3
Several times I’ve taken the opportunity to buy lunch for a law enforcement officer. When there is one ordering before or behind me, I can let them order and then pay. They always seem so pleased and shocked, but I know their jobs put them at risk for our safety, and I want them to know I support them.
Happy Birthday, I lover your emails. I think one way I have show kindness is by being the parent of a rescue animal. I got her 3 years ago and she is the best dog. Ever since I rescued her, I have tried to educate people on rescue and I also donate to animal shelters in my area and across the states. I try to help people understand the need for rescue so all animals can have a home.
Our family was housed on vacation by friends to help us save money on our first trip to Orlando Florida. Took our 3 kids to a a Disney Park for the very first time! So blessed!
Being there for your friends has been the best way we have been able to share kindness.
My family loves to show kindness by paying for others’ food and giving treats to our neighbors. I’m shown kindness in so many ways with sweet kisses from my husband and boys and encouraging words from friends.
Happy 34th birthday, Julie and happy 1st anniversary on your book release.
This past week I received an unexpected pay raise. It was small, but it touched my heart to have the work I do in the church preschool validated. Well, I wrote a thank you to our Pastor and the Stewardship Committee to show my gratitude. I was blown away to hear from one of the committee members how that letter challenged him to be more thankful. Never expected that. But isn’t that just like our God. He always blesses us when we bless others. It ” pays” to have a grateful heart. Sorry, that was cheesy❤ Couldn’t help myself❤️
My husband and i are in full time ministry. We never are able to take real vacations because we usually end up working at our destinations. Theres a couple from a church my husband interned at in college who have opened their home to us whenever we need to relax. We have been able to take up the offer a few times and always leave refreshed.
My small group just finished up a week of meals for my family – totally blessed us. Last Christmas we had saved up a bunch of $5/$10 gift Cards to our grocery store throughout the year. When the kids and I would be standing in line to pay for our groceries we would pick out a person who was also in line to take a gift card over to and say “merry Christmas” to bless them.
Happy Birthday!
My husband’s parents live on Ohio and have both been battling cancer. They are both home bound and require lots of care. The family does have some outside help but the majority of the care is provided by the family.
We made the decision to relocate our family from Texas. It has been a mighty adventure to sell our home, pack our lives and move our eleven year old English Bulldog and two little ones across county.
We have been able to give blessings to his parents through care and meals. We have also received many blessings. My husbands company agreed to the move and he now works remotely for the same company.
Our parents give so much to us. We are so thankful to be in Ohio and have an opportunity to give back.
In Christ,
Michelle
I had my second child in July and we moved in to our first house in July too! Even though they are both amazing blessings it was extremely overwhelming! I was diagnosed with PPD & anxiety on Halloween but with God on my side he sent encouraging words through my family, devotionals, church sermons and friends. Not only did my relationships with others and myself improve through this process but so did my relationship with God. I have been shown show much kindness and patience through this trial in my life and it has now turned from a seemingly impossible obstacle to a soon to be won victory! I hope that i can one day show others the same kindness and patience that both God and my family have shown me!
I met a young lady 5 years ago who now comes and stays with me after I have a baby to help around the house, take care of the other children, and cook & freeze meals. She is such a blessing to our family!
Happy Birthday! A guy I went to high school with (whom I actually don’t remember) always comments on everyone’s Facebook posts and is so encouraging. We’ve all dubbed him “our little sunshine” and he has inspired me to make a point of doing the same whenever I can, just to spread the kindness around! This has cheered both me and others up!
My husband had cancer, and we received all these wonderful gift cards to local restaurants. We struggled with all the new expenses, but one of those gift cards enabled me to buy lunch for a woman whose husband was just diagnosed, and really needed a lift and an ear and a shoulder to cry on. It was such a blessing to me to be able to offer that to her, and I wouldn’t have been able to do so without the kindness from someone else that started the chain!
Happy Birthday Julie! I always love to see your smiling face in facebook posts, you seem like such a happy person:)
My story is helping to make Donuts for Dads a reality at our school. The school opened 2 1/2 years ago so the PTO is still evolving. Parents had asked about Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom. I helped co-chair the event and the dads and kids loved the special time just for them.
Thank you for helping share creative ideas about incorporating God into daily life!
Happy Birthday!
Last year was a challenging year for us as my husband had two serious medical issues one requiring surgery and being off of work, with no income. We have 2 kids under 4 in daycare. I work full time and for some reason felt the spirit urging me back to school last fall. It was totally crazy! Our church family exceeded our expectations with their generosity, of prayer, financial gifts, and meals. It really inspired us too be generous, and pass on the kindness.
aa kind man gave my daughter a stroller for her babydoll, just out of the blue. She was so happy!!! God bless him!!
Happy Birthday! We are trying to teach our daughters (3.5 and 2.5 yo) manners, kindness, etc. So, once a month we are leaving Oreo’s or Donuts for our mail carrier and our trash collectors. The girls really enjoy it.
My kiddos are learning to serve their community through our AHG troop. It’s wonderful!
We are in a couples gourmet group. One of the husbands died of cancer in May of one year. The following Valentine’s Day, I thought (God’s prompting, I’m sure!) it might be a hard day for my friend so I bought 5 helium balloons, one for each couple, attached a Valentine and tied it to her front door. She called every couple that night to say how much it meant. It turned out that her husband had proposed to her on Valentine’s Day so my gesture had really made her day a lot less sad.
I got up the other morning and found a cute note on the bathroom mirror: “Have a nice day!” My daughter (8) told me she put it there because one of her books suggested she do something nice for someone, so she did something for us.
I had a sweet friend sneak supper into my fridge one day while I was at work. Also, friends who say “let me watch your kids so you can go on a date”.
When I first started journaling, I was gifted a red fountain pen. Little did I know the rabbit hole I would fall down! But I love them so muCh, I have shared the love and have given away several pens to those who admire mine. Such a fun way to “bond” with others! And all because of another’s kindness!
Christmas eve my husband and I received a letter from our church with a monetary gift. Christmas day we walked into our home to discover our propane had leaked and filled our home. It was costly to get a new tank and refill, but we were amazed at the kindness given to us and the provision of the Lord before we were even aware of our need. Not to mention that we were not home during the leak and our lives were spared!!! That was God’s loving kindness!
A few days ago I was babysitting for a church and the kids decided to throw a ‘surprise’ party for me, it was so sweet that they put all the thought into it instaed of just wanting to play.
I am disabled & have brain damage yet the staff at our local Kroger look beyond any limitations to see the “real me”. That to me is one of the greatest kindnesses & gifts anyone can be given.
I saw a post on a FB group I’m in about someone’s lost kitten. The next day, someone in a different group I’m in posted a picture of the kitty that had followed them home. Neither of the people were in overlapping groups, but I realized the pictures looked similar, so connected the two and it was indeed the lost kitty! As a cat lover, I was super excited I got to help a family find their beloved pet.
Happy Birthday!! You are magical! Thanks for your encouraging words. I need to start my book…
A way I showed kindness recently was giving up a massage credit I had received as a Christmas gift to give to my childhood babysitter who has lung cancer. We pampered her for a day and it was so much better than receiving it myself. Thanks for all you do to spread kindness into the world!
We all love you!!
My husband shows both me and my coworker kindness by packing my lunch everyday and packing extras for her. She in turn showed me kindness by buying me lunch today.
My boss slipped on the ice and broke his ankle a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been trying to arrange things within reach and think ahead on what he might need here at the office. You are such a blessing – Happy Birthday!
I donate food, other items for children and whenever someone asks me for a dollar or whatever I always give it to them.
WE sent an anonymous card to friends with car problems with the $300 needed to fix their car.
Happy birthday! I enjoy making meals for moms after a baby is born or someone in their family has surgery. Also over Christmas time our mail carrier works extra long hours & we’ve brought out treats & snacks to help out during her long work day.
We’ve been shown kindness by so many people in our neighborhood passing along clothes & toys for our children. We appreciate their generosity towards us.
Meals brought in when we had a baby or surgery returning big the favor when others have babies or surgery.
I love to take baked goods to a local hospice center. I know it is hard for families losing a loved one and I enjoy visiting these families in hope to create a warmth and heartfelt feeling.
Just today at Walmart as I was putting groceries in my car I heard a voice, “Ma’am? Can you help me get this car seat out of my car?” I was a little confused but as I stepped over to help I realized that she was trying to get the infant carrier off of the base, and couldn’t get it unlatched. I reached in and, thankfully saw that it worked similar to one we had and was able to hand her the infant carrier. She looked at me with tears in eyes and said, ” I just feel like crying. I thought I was going to have to go back home and not get anything done today.” As I gave this new mom a hug and got back in my car I realized, we’ve all been there. Unable to do something that should be so simple for our kids, our family. I am glad I was able to help this mom and so grateful for all the moms who have helped me out along the way!
Happy Birthday, Julie!!!
My ministry, Jesus loves you, is all about giving away origami/kirigami butterflies to everyone I can. I give these out to complete strangers, literally, everywhere i go – dr, grocer, Post Office…everywhere. :))) It is such a blessing to do this, and when I can see the way it turns someone’s mood around in a flash of a second, it’s rather breathtaking. It’s a very beautiful moment, and it’s as though I just gave someone their greatest dream-come-true. It’s really awesome, and it’s because our Saviour loves us so much. :))) Both my DH and I have been brought to tears from the reactions of some. You’d think God just gave them every lottery ever offered.
As for being on the receiving end, my DH and I were up to our eyeballs in late bills, getting ready for the power and water to be turned off, along with our mortgage getting ready to go into foreclosure. Mind you, we are both unemployed (last 10 years), and, up until this year, I’ve not started my own business.
My DH came home from helping someone with their PC (another pro bono), and there was a small envelope on our stoop. IT WAS A CARD WITH $1,000 CASH!!! We have absolutely no idea (other than God) who sent us this EXTREME blessing, but it not only paid a month of our mortgage, it also put gas in our vehicle. Of course, it was just one more way God was proving to us how capable He is with every aspect of our lives. He has sustained us for over 10 years, and we know He always will – no matter what.
God bless you and all you do, Julie!!! :))) Congratulations on your birthday and your book!!! Yay!!! :)))
His,
joy
My sweet friend gave us her baby Rock n Play Sleeper chair, many unused jars of baby food, a Target gift card, *and* she brought a meal (including salad, entree, and dessert) when my 2nd son was born