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MY MISSION

Empowering women to give their best life through giving to themselves and others, practicing gratitude, and pursuing one good goal, with a foundation of faith.

© 2021 Stephanie L. Jones, Giving Gal

If you are a new or less than stellar father, take

If you are a new or less than stellar father, take some tips from my dad.

1. Spend time with your kids, lots of time. Take them hiking, play in the backyard, read with them and play games. My sister and I now have a love for simple, inexpensive adventures and love the outdoors.

2. Attend their sporting events and be their biggest cheerleader. In the four years of my high school athletic career my father never missed a basketball game or track/cross country meet. He expected two things, (1) Hustle and (2) 100% effort.

3. Make your kids work, and work hard. From a young age we were picking up sticks in the yard, doing chores, stacking wood, and I had my first job at 13. Guess what? It didn't kill me and my sister and I have never been unemployed. At times I've had two or three jobs to pay the bills but it didn't matter because my dad taught me hard work is how you become a productive member of society and get the things you want in life in life, even though "things" have never been important to him. He taught us we are not entitled to anything.

4. Show love and affection. My dad has never shied away from hugs, a kiss on the cheek or an I love you.

5. Find a common interest. My dad and I have always loved to be in nature together, talk investigations, and politics and there was a time we did a biathlon of shooting and running.

6. Get involved in your community and set a good example for your children. My dad was a fire fighter and police officer. He'd help anyone in need. Heck one day he stopped for a broken down motorcyclist. The guy was an outlaw with a pistol on his side. Dad offered him water and pointed across the street to his house and said, "If you need anything I'm right over there." I thought he was crazy but he simple responded, "I'd expect someone to do the same for me."

7. Vote, respect the flag and honor and be grateful to those who have or are serving in the military. If you ever drive by his house, Old Glory is proudly displayed on a huge flag pole in the front yard.

If you haven't gotten the point my dad is pretty amazing! Happy Father's Day dad!

Do you have an extra Bible? Do you need one? In

Do you have an extra Bible? Do you need one?

In this week's episode of my Giving Your Best Life podcast, I share about a new giving challenge I'm embarking on, why I'm doing it, and how you can get involved to take The Bible Giving Challenge as well!

LISTEN at the link in my bio!

#givingchallenge #bible #biblestudy #generosity #gifting #givingyourbestlife

Sometimes it’s difficult to love our neighbors.

Sometimes it’s difficult to love our neighbors.

While out working on my trails, I discovered the neighbors that butt up to my woods, had been using our property as their personal dumping grounds.

I'm not just talking about grass clippings, I'm talking about old Christmas trees, bushes and shrubs they'd pulled out of the dirt, landscaping concrete, and the list goes on and on.

We put up no trespassing signs. We talked with them about illegal dumping and trespassing. And when all else failed we called the police.

The property was ours that we intended to use, and they were destroying it.

Do you think any of that stopped them?

Nope!

Every time I walked back there to continue work on the trail, I must route the trail around the damage they've caused. I get steaming mad!

At one point, I considered dragging all the crap they've put onto my property, back onto their property. But then I realized, I'd be no better than they were.

“Stephanie, is this how you love your neighbor when you are mad? Seeking revenge?"

Nope, so I left the piles of mess.

But friends, it gets better.

Not only do they dump their waste on our property, but they also hit golf balls; not one or two, but tens of balls on our property. And you might think, "Stephanie, what's the big deal with golf balls on your property?"

Nothing if I'm leisurely walking through the woods. But as I'm running on the trails, I risk turning an ankle, or worse, falling and crashing into down trees or branches sticking out of the ground.

It's dangerous!

Over time I've amassed quite the pile of golf balls. One day, I thought, "I'm going to throw these golf balls in his yard. Hopefully, they tear up his riding lawnmower."

Sad but true, my friend. These are the thoughts that ran through my mind.

No joke, as I picked up the balls to start throwing them back, I turned around to see a heart in the tree.

I smiled, nodded my head, and whispered, "Message received God."

I dropped the golf balls and left the pile of on the side of the trail. I add to them every time I go out and work. They are a reminder to love my neighbor, even when it is difficult.

Throughout the Bible we read how God will supply a

Throughout the Bible we read how God will supply all we need.

My first question is how?

If we read the second part to 2 Peter 1:3, we learn we receive what we need by coming to know Him.

Verse 5 goes on to say, “supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”

Do you know what happens to us when we grow in these ways? Verse 8 tells us, “we become more productive and useful in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Not sure how to live your life? Go back and read verse five.

What strikes me is the last way we supplement our faith…”brotherly affection with love for ALL.”

Maybe in today’s world we should start there. What do you think?

Being an author is hard! Owning my own publishing

Being an author is hard!

Owning my own publishing company is harder.

I mean, last night, I had to walk around Barnes and Noble looking at book covers to get an idea of what I wanted for an upcoming project.

Besides walking, I had to snap pictures and text them to my designer. My fingers are so sore today.

And then, because I didn’t want to be a freeloader, I bought two books. I just hate buying books!

All joking aside, this is the fun part of the process. There is a considerable amount of effort and so many details the reader doesn’t see. In the end, when I’m holding a book I’ve written, all the work, time, tears, and frustration is 100% worth it.

If you were writing a book, what would your cover look like?

P.S. I’m not writing a cookbook. My roommate in college had to teach me how to boil water. True story.

This week on the Giving Your Best Life podcast, I

This week on the Giving Your Best Life podcast, I chat about my love for reading and giving books.

Did you know? 2 out of 3 children living in poverty have no books to call their own.

This week I share about the importance of giving books and how you can easily donate books through Little Free Libraries.

LISTEN at the link in my bio!

To find a Little Free Library near you, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org. For extra resources and information, visit GivingGal.com!

#givingchallenge #bookstagram #book #books #booklover #donate #nonprofit #bylr #littlefreelibrary #giving #community #reading #Podcast #inspirationalpodcast

Growing up, one of my favorite times of the year w

Growing up, one of my favorite times of the year would be the start of school.

Why?

I love school supplies!

There is something about sharpening a pencil for the first time or a new notebook just waiting to be used.

I know, I know…I’m a nerd. That’s okay, I embrace the title😂

All kidding aside, there are many children in our communities who don’t get to go shopping for schools supplies.

Children show up with no supplies and the burden often falls upon teachers to meet their need.

Giving Challenge: As summer begins, each time you are at the store, pick up a school supply or two.

By the time school begins, you’ll have a nice collection to donate to either a school, family in need, or nonprofit.

Staples, who has fabulous prices, already has their school supplies on sale. I just couldn’t wait to stock up!

Happy Giving!

Do you have books collecting dust on a shelf?

I’m slowly letting go of my book collection.

If I’ve read the book, or not going to read it, I’m giving the book away to friends in my Giving Your Best Life group, or donating them to a Little Free Library, one of my favorite nonprofits!

Giving Challenge for today! Go through your bookshelf, pull out books that are no longer of use to you, and give them away.

To find a Little Free Library in your community, check out littlefreelibrary.org.

A Giving Challenge for a Hero David Dorn, after

A Giving Challenge for a Hero

David Dorn, after 38 years of service, retired from the St. Louis Police Department.

But he didn’t stay retired for long and took the helm as Chief of Police for Moline Acres Police Department.

For over four decades, he selflessly served his community.

As I read through various news articles, his friends, coworkers, and family members described him as having a personality larger than life, put people on the right path, kind of leader young officers looked up to, and a family man that love his wife, children, and grandchildren.

At the age of 77, he still had a heart for protecting his community. On June 2, 2020, as looters ravaged his friend’s pawn shop, he responded to check on the shop, when cowards shot him.

Oh, what has become of the darken hearts of so many, they are willing to take another’s life, for meaningless material possessions.

In gratitude for his service to his community, noting that he often spent time volunteering with disadvantaged youth, I’m asking you to join me in a Giving Challenge to honor the life of Retired Capt./Chief David Dorn.

Do an act of kindness for someone you know, a stranger, or even a police officer.

Share why you are giving, to honor a hero. Challenge the recipient to keep spreading the love, one gift at a time.

We don’t change the world by hate, rioting, and divisiveness, we change the world by one intentional gift of kindness and love, to another human, at a time.

It’s been a year since Retired Captain/Chief Dorn was killed. I want his family to know he is not forgotten.

Blessings,
Stephanie

P.S. Episode 5 of the Giving Your Best Life podcast was dedicated to this giving challenge. Check it out!

This is the face my husband makes when he gets up

This is the face my husband makes when he gets up at 3am to walk me to the bus for a race.

This is also the face he makes when I forget his birthday.

Yes! The Giving Gal forgot her husband’s birthday.

It hit me at noon and I couldn’t believe I actually forgot his birthday.

Poor guy left for work and got the usual hugs, kisses, love you, and be safe.

I share this because sometime I fail. And I fail big time.

This is from the gal that has given a gift almost every day for 10 years. Yes, a decade, and I forgot my husband’s birthday!

He could ask for a boat right now and I’d probably say yes…lol! Just kidding if he happens to read this.

I wrote a blog last year about giving up guilt. Well friends, she’s come back with a vengeance.

I write this half to be funny and half to say, no one is perfect. That even in areas of life where we are our best, we will still stumble and fall.

That okay.

That’s life.

Get up. Wipe the tears. Say I’m sorry, if it’s necessary, and move forward.

As the crowd gathered, hugs were given and pleasan

As the crowd gathered, hugs were given and pleasantries were exchanged.

Moments later, veterans, who volunteer with the American Legion, fell into place with flags, rifles, and bugles.

Words were read remembering and honoring the fallen.

A prayer was said for their families and our country.

A three volley blasted from rifles.

A tear rolled down my cheek as echoing taps filled the cemetery air.

Yesterday I attended a Memorial service. I challenge you to find one today in your community and attend, something every American should do.

Today we honor and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.

May we always fight for those freedoms and let no person take away what so many died fighting for.

Always remember the words etched on the Korean War Memorial, “Freedom is not free.”

When was the last time that you did something that

When was the last time that you did something that scares you?

In this episode 15 of Giving Your Best Life, I come to your speakers from a tree house far away from my home. I shares what scares me about being there alone, why I tend to put myself through challenging experiences, personal stories, and tips on how to overcome fear with faith.

Listen at the link in my bio!

In each episode of the podcast, I share intentional ways to give to yourself and others, how giving and gratitude changes your life and ways to go after living your big dreams and accomplishing goals. For those of you who have been tuning in, let me know what you would like to hear me talk about next!

#podcast #gratitude #giving #goals #faithoverfear #dothingsthatscareyou #givingyourbestlife #treehouse #boltfarmstreehouse

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