Pay it Forward WINNERS!

Before I begin, let me say in my Paula Abdul voice that

"EVERYONE is a winner!"

But not everyone is going to get a prize. They were not chosen randomly. I took lots of time agonizing over who should win what.. I am going to give a quick list of the winners.. if they are linked to a private blog or not linked at all, I have permission to post the stories later. Be excited!

#1- Prize: $30 Gift Certificate to Olive Garden
Winner: Lissa Studdard
Lissa, a recently divorced mother of four, gets a Friday night invitation to the movies from a neighbor. This neighbor becomes a friend whose influence changes her life for the better.

#2- Prize: The Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook
Winner: Rebecca McFadden
A young married couple in finds themselves in a financial crunch during a semester at college. Reluctantly, the young mother decides to sell her wedding dress in order pay for rent. She receives $400 for the dress... and so much more.

#3- Prize: two Cinemark movie passes
Winner: Shannon Ipson
The parents of two young children enter a grocery store with enough money to pay for the necessities: formula and diapers. Inside the store, a stranger approaches and offers to buy all their groceries for a month.. diapers, formula and even Hagen Daas ice cream.

#4- Prize: Family Fun magazine, one year subscription
Winner: Amy Clawson
Amy recently had baby #4 (my handsome little nephew Samuel!) She was feeling down, missing her mom who is serving a mission in New Zealand, when her mom's best friend came over to visit. When you can't have MOM, the next best thing is just as good!

#5- A How are you feeling today? poster
Winner: Emilee Carruth
Feeling down after an emotional move, Emilee gets a package in the mail from her sister-in-law with a note that says, "I'm thinking about you... I'm worried about you." I love this act of service... because it shows we don't have to live close by or spend a lot of money. Sending a little love 'just because' can go a long way.

Honorable mentions: The Mann Sisters.. Danalin, Adrianne & Bethany. All three of these sisters posted links and stories right away on their blogs. I would love to do posters for you guys, too. Email me because I have an idea!

#6- Prize: A FREE photography session!

Vegas Photography session with Kashina
Winner: Heather Humes
Heather enters the DMV with three kids in tow, ages 4 and under. After waiting a long time, everyone was about to loose it. A kind man offers to go out to her car, remove her plates for her and bring them back in so she can register her car. After all is said and done, he walks out with her, helps her put on the new plates and sends her on her way. There's nothing like a stranger, let alone a MAN, saying "I'd be happy to do that for you."

Salt Lake City photography session with LouLou
Winner: Jen Sorenson
Thirty years ago, Jen was given up for adoption. Her birth mother gave one of the most selfless acts of service humanly possible. Jen eloquently states that "whether it was because she truly didn't want me and was eager to be done with the situation she had gotten herself into, or because she really did want what was best for me and knew it wasn't something she could provide, I'm eternally grateful either way."

**Newly announced** photography session with madelinejames photography in Spokane, WA.
Winner: Sam Carter
Sam sent me several touching acts of service. My favorite (if I had to pick just one) was her friends/co-workers driving for hours to make it to her father's funeral.. friends who had never even met her dad. It's amazing the kind of people who show up in your greatest times of need. They don't need to do anything except to BE THERE.

#7- Prize: A Free 5X7 print of one of Sabrina's watercolor paintings
Winner: Jane Harris
After some harsh criticism of the way she parents her children, Jane receives the BEST compliment of all, "You are such a good mom." This motherhood business isn't easy... and sometimes all we need is an uplifting word to get us through the day. Jane said it best by titling her service post "Small and Simple Things." *and just because Jane is the friend who swept my kitchen floor doesn't mean I gave her any extra credit*

#8- Prize: A bottle of Triple Greens
Winner: Arah Kunz
At the funeral of her beautiful baby girl, a friend gives her a letter. It was from a woman who had never experienced the death of a child, but somehow understood (and helped Arah understand too.) A letter can be more than just words because it can be read over and over. Arah has been able to turn it it often on her hard days. The letter is so touching and inspirational, you will have to read it yourself! Stay tuned!

#9- Prize: A FREE birth announcement design by Precious Designs.
Winner: Sonia
Living far away in Torino, Italy, Sonia found two Christ-like women, sister missionaries of the LDS church who befriended her. They always seemed to say the right thing, whenever she needed it. Through her service post, she was able to express how much they meant to her and thank them for being such great friends. I am sure they needed Sonia too! *I don't know Sonia personally, but she has been such a faithful reader/commenter on my blog! Love her!*

#10- Prize: homemade COOKIES! (I can pick as many winners as I want :)
Winner: Melanie
As Melanie's brother suffered from cancer, a family in the community offered financial support to his wife and 4 children, the youngest a newborn. This family had five children at home, missionaries and kids in college. After her brother's death, this family did not stop their generosity... and helped with meals and funeral arrangements and any other way possible.

Winner: RaeLynn
Struggling financially, living with her parents and hitting rock bottom, RaeLynn and her husband received an anonymous package on their doorstep. Inside was gift cards, a note stating they booked a fancy hotel room so they can "forget about their troubles for an evening" and $500 cash. Not everyone can give such financially-generous service, but wouldn't it be great if we could?

Winner: Samye
After the death of her brother, someone "broke" into her parents house and cleaned EVERYTHING.. The family arrived home from the funeral to a spotless house--rows in the carpet, toilet bowls shining, fridge cleaned out, all clothing in the home ironed...it was immaculate. That was an act of service that could never be repaid, nor thanked since we still have no idea who did it.

Winner: Emily
As young mother of two, expecting number #3, Emily brakes her foot and has to wear a big cast. She was unable to walk, drive or take care of herself... and then her family gets the flu! (As if pregnancy isn't hard enough!) Throughout her struggles, Emily focuses on all the service that has been rendered on her behalf.. listing those who brought over dinner, gave her rides to the doctor and even mentions the guy at Taco Bell who upgraded her medium drink to a large! If that's not looking for the good in any situation, I don't know what is! *Emily is my neighbor.. I lived in walking distance from her house when she was pregnant and wearing a cast. Guess what I did for her during her time of need.. Nothing. A plate of cookies now won't make up for being a lousy neighbor when she was crippled, but we can all live and learn.*

WINNERS-- Please email me with your address. I will match you up with those who have donated their services.. and if you live near me, I will deliver in person :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH for participating. I've had the most uplifting, wonderful experience reading these stories. They have opened my eyes and changed me for the better. I have wept over the computer screen and have been so touched by the many self-less acts of service.. I hope to post the full versions on my blog soon... because I want them documented in my blog book (and you NEED to read the long versions.) For those of you who didn't make the entry deadline, PLEASE keep the stories coming. If you don't have a blog, email me and I will post them on mine.. Mr. Linky is going to stay open, so please keep sharing!

Lots of Love,
Janet