The Giving Challenge - Stephanie L. Jones

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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 your house was on fire and you could grab one t

If your house was on fire and you could grab one thing, what would you choose? Hands down, I'd snag a basket and pile in as many pictures as possible.

Pictures are the gateway to our past. They bubble up cherished memories we've long forgotten.

In December 2014, our beloved K-9 Boss, received a cancer diagnosis, riddling our world with devastation.

January 2015 was a rough month for Boss. His prize possession, a tennis ball, laid in front of him, with no movement. He'd curl up on his pillow barely getting up to eat or go out to potty. The effects of cancer were heartbreaking. All his life he'd been a worker. He'd served the Indiana State Police as a K-9 officer and loved his job. To see him mope around with no energy was agonizing.

Days before we were to put him down, our photographer friend Julianne offered a living family photo session.

The day before the photo session we considered canceling because Boss was so lethargic, but on January 19, 2015, it was as if God gave him a final gift, zestfulness. It was just a day, but the old Bossy was back. He was playful, energetic, and ran around the house like a wild man.

Julianne came to our home, and instead of the standard posed pictures, she captured how we lived life with Boss. She snapped a multitude of heartfelt photos. Some pictures were humorous, like me sitting on the toilet (lid closed) because he'd often come in the bathroom if the door weren't close. Why these types of photos? I wanted to remember the little things that use to drive me nuts, but in his last days, I cherished.

Boss passed away four days later on January 23, 2015. Days, weeks, months and now years after his death, the portraits of Boss remain one of the most meaningful gifts I've received. Julianne used her talents, to bring joy one last time to our dearest Boss, and gave us a lifetime of memories.

As you go through 2022, think about ways you can use your talent to make a difference in someone's life. Something you take for granted may be what someone else needs to navigate through a difficult time.

Giving Challenge: Use your talent to brighten someone's day.

Here's to Giving and Living Intentionally in 2022!

Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I take ti

Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I take time to listen to one of his sermons. They are always inspiring and powerful. Listening takes me beyond just posting a quote on social media but taking the time to learn from the words spoken by MLK Jr.

But from our learnings, we must then move to action.

This year I listened to The Drum Major Instinct. Here is a bit of what he said that is actionable,
"I want you to be first in love. I want you to be first in moral excellence. I want you to be first in generosity."
"Everyone can be great because everyone can serve."

He goes on to share what he would like to be said about him in his eulogy.

Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others, loving somebody, fed the hungry, clothed those who were naked, visited those who were in prison, and loved and served humanity.

So, why is the sermon titled, "The Drum Major Instinct?" He wanted his eulogy to say he was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness.

As you go about your week, what will you be a drum major for in your life?

Blessings,
Stephanie
#mlkday #martinlutherkingjr #love #drummajor #justice #peace #podcast

Standing in the driveway, all but cussing, my husb

Standing in the driveway, all but cussing, my husband pulls the four-wheeler next to me and asks, “Why are you mad?”

I yelled, “I’m not mad, I’m frustrated. I can’t get my snowshoes tightened.”

Hopping off the four-wheeler, he bent down, and with a few clicks, the straps were snug around my boots.

“Oh thanks!”

Um, I was doing it all wrong.

Go figure.

If he hadn’t pulled up I’d would have quit before I started.

Sometimes we just need someone to come along, encourage, and help us.

Maybe you need to be that person to a friend, family member, or stranger.

I’m so grateful for my hubby noticing I was struggling and then took action to assist, as I had a serene time trekking through the woods and the yard, taking in fresh air and enjoying God’s beautiful scenery.

#tbt #marriage #givingchallenge #encouragement #love #snowshoeing #gift #kindness #loveoneanother #marriagegoals

We live back a long lane and have to haul our tras

We live back a long lane and have to haul our trashcan out to the road.

The road is busy with lots of traffic and the first week we were here our recycling bin got hit.

Our neighbor, whose home is located at the road, started bringing our can up to his house after our garbage is picked up.

I’m so grateful for his thoughtfulness. I think this how we put “love your neighbor” in action.

#lovethyneighbor #neighbors #gift #giving #givingchallenge #payitforward #kindness

On this day, in 2011, I set out on my giving journ

On this day, in 2011, I set out on my giving journey. Me one person looking for a way to make a difference in one other person’s life every day.

522 days later my first mission ended.

I took a short break but realized giving changed me. It wasn’t just a habit and no longer a daily goal but a lifestyle.

With the exception of a couple of days, I’ve given a gift every day since that break.

If you accomplish nothing else this year, love God, and love people, and you’ll accomplish more than you imagine. That mission might just change your life like it did mine.

Did you know if you are texting and driving you ar

Did you know if you are texting and driving you are six times more likely to be in an accident than if you were drunk driving?

Every day we make a million decisions that shape the course of our day, week, month, year and life.

In an instant, one decision can change everything and affect thousands of people.

On December 30th, 2011, Emily Huntington, a beautiful 18-year-old girl made a decision that ended her life in an instant.

Emily, a senior at Jac-Cen-Del High School in Southeastern Indiana, was captain and leading scorer of her basketball team, on the honor roll, volunteered in her community and was accepted to Indiana University.

On that beautiful day in December, Emily was driving and picked up her phone to read and respond to a text message.

She lost control of her car; it flipped, and because she wasn't wearing her seatbelt, she was ejected from her vehicle and died instantly.

Emily made a mistake, an irreversible mistake.

She didn't have her seatbelt on that day, which friends say she ALWAYS wore and she was texting.

I must admit, I always wear my seatbelt. When I was younger, my father a retired police officer would say, "I never pulled a dead body from a seatbelt."

But before Emily's crash, I was GUILTY of texting while driving.

Every time I am tempted to text and drive, I think of Emily. I know her tragic mistake, has saved my life. That is why, a decade later, I'm still sharing her story.

For Emily's death to be for nothing we must learn from her mistake. We must advocate and spread the word that Texting While Driving KILLS people.

Emily's friends and family don't want others to experience the tragedy and loss that they are experiencing.

Today's Giving Challenge: Spread Emily’s story and DON'T TEXT...JUST DRIVE. IT CAN WAIT!

#textinganddriving #donttextanddrive #givingchallenge #payitforward

Grab a tissue because this episode of Giving Your

Grab a tissue because this episode of Giving Your Best Life is a bit emotional, but I pull myself together to wrap up with the story of the greatest gift this world has ever received. Thanks for listening.

#podcast #podcastersofinstagram #linkinbio #applepodcast #statetrooper #police #policeofficer #lawenforcement #christmas #jesuschrist #gift #thechristmasstory #christian

December 22, 2003, my friend, Trooper Scott Patric

December 22, 2003, my friend, Trooper Scott Patrick was shot and killed in the line of duty.

I met Scott at the same place I met my husband. We were all part of the Indiana State Police 59th police academy recruit class. He was kind, loyal, could run like the wind, and when I left the academy, he and another recruit, carried my bags to my car and asking me if was making the right decision.

I knew the dangers of the job, but naively, I never thought something tragic would happen to those I knew. Sadly, I was wrong.

The morning Scott was killed is ingrained in my mind forever. I had been a police wife for less than five months. One choice by a coward would change hundreds of lives in an instant.

The security I felt when my husband walked out the door, on duty, no longer existed.

Scott's death made me realize I should never take for granted my loved one would come home, that we aren't promised tomorrow.

Just ask my husband, now I'll drop everything, and scamper down the stairs, to make sure he gets hugs, kisses and I love yous before he leaves home.

Today, in memory of a friend, father, husband, son, and brother, buy a meal or a cup of coffee for a police officer to thank them for their service and sacrifices they make, knowing some days they make the ultimate sacrifice.

RIP Scott. You are never forgotten.

This evening at 10:00 while you're snuggled in you

This evening at 10:00 while you're snuggled in your warm home, a group of police officers, friends, and family of Trooper Scott Patrick will surround his grave, remembering his last 10-41 (on-duty).

December 21st, the day before Scott was killed in the line of duty always gets to me. I guess there is a reason it's the darkest day of the year.

This time in 2003 Scott was still alive.

He was still able to hug and kiss his pregnant wife.

He didn't know this would be his last shift and would never meet his son that would be born six months later.

That he wouldn't get to celebrate Christmas with his family.

He'd leave for work on this evening, go 10-41 at 10:00p.m. and never return home.

Those thoughts haunt me.

So much hope on 12-21-2003, and that hope to be shattered hours later in the early morning of 12-22-2003.

So tonight, as you prepare for bed, say a prayer for the men and women in law enforcement and say a prayer for the families and friends who find themselves surrounding a grave of a hero who never returned home.

#policewife #policeofficer #lawenforcement #eow #police

As I flipped through my mail I was surprised to se

As I flipped through my mail I was surprised to see a Christmas postcard from my mail carrier. How kind.

This is a busy time of year for our mailer carriers and delivery guys and gals.

If your package is late, don’t take it out on them, it’s out of their control.

Find a way to say thank you for the service they provide.

I created treat bags and have them ready to give away.

This isn’t something I just do at Christmas but year round.

They are always so grateful for the kindness.

#givingchallenge #countdowntochristmas #gift #giving #love #mail #mailcarrier #usps #christmas

On Day 23 of my giving journey I did the cheek swa

On Day 23 of my giving journey I did the cheek swab to see if I would be a match for a friend’s husband’s transplant.

Today you have the opportunity to Be the Match for Olivia and Sophia.

Read how you can get involved and donate.

Share and help spread the word. Let’s find these young ladies a match!

#givingchallenge #bethematch #giving #gift #love #bylr

Five boxes of Christmas cards sit on my desk. I fe

Five boxes of Christmas cards sit on my desk. I fear that many won’t make it out the door until after Christmas.

But today, I’ll set a goal to get 10 written and sent.

I know many no longer send cards due to the time and increasing costs of stamps, and if that is you, think of one person that you know that would be delighted to get a card from you.

Take five minutes to write a thoughtful note and send a Christmas card today.

#givingchallenge #countdowntochristmas #christmas #christmascards #love #gift #jesuschristisborn

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