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

Yesterday wrapped up National Police Week. A wee

Yesterday wrapped up National Police Week.

A week where we honor those serving, and remember the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities.

When I became a police wife, I didn’t know such week existed. But less than a year later, I’d travel with my husband and thousands of other police officers and families to attend the memorial services honoring officers killed in 2003.

Just before that year’s end, on the early morning of December 21, 2003, Trooper Scott Patrick stopped to help a motorist with a disable vehicle. That thought always gets me. Scott was there to help, but the coward he tried to help was a felon and didn’t want to go back to jail. That felon shot and killed a husband, son, brother, friend and soon to be father.

A few months later, we entered the police memorial in Washington D.C. and searched for our friend’s name etched in the stone.

The picture below, with my husband at the wall, is one that crushes my soul. I’m overwhelmed with wondering what it must be like to lose someone that you worked so closely with, doing the same job you do.

Years later, we’d return to DC to honor two more friends killed in the line of duty, Lt. Gary Dudley and Deputy Bruce Sutton.

If you are ever in DC, take time to visit the police memorial and pay your respects to those that serve and protect the communities you live.

For as the wall reads, “It is not how these officer’s died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.”

Today and every day, keep police officers and their families in your prayers and thank them for their sevice.

Years ago I read a book that discussed how childre

Years ago I read a book that discussed how children will rise and fall to the expectations we set for them.

But today, when I stumbled across this quote, it reminded me that it’s not just children who we need to set high expectations for, but also adults that cross our path.

I don’t know about you, but I’m where I am today because many people saw a quality in me that I couldn’t see in myself.

They saw the potential.

On days when my confidence wavered, they gave me a nudge and saw me as what I could be.

Over the years, as a coach, I’ve found myself telling clients, “I’ll be your confidence until you get some.”

Why?

Because I could see what they couldn’t. I treated them not based on where they were now, but where I thought they could go.

Fear, doubt, and low self-esteem, often get in the way of the place God is leading you. Maybe you need to see yourself in a different light, how God sees you.

Or maybe you need to be that coach. Who in your life has great potential but doesn’t know it?

Encourage them. Cheer them on. And be their confidence until they build it up on their own. Treat them as they could be.

A year ago my hubby watched a couple of videos and

A year ago my hubby watched a couple of videos and then attempted to make a wavy flag.

His first flag looked like he had been making them for years.

His attention to detail and craftsmanship is beyond any other work I’ve seen.

He has donated three of these flags to raise funds for law enforcement charities.

We all have different skills and they can be used for good and giving back to others.

How will you use your talent to giveback?

I often get asked for book recommendations. With a

I often get asked for book recommendations. With a goal to read 100 books this year, I decided to do a virtual book club/reviews/recommendations on my “Giving Your Best Life” podcast.

Episode 76 I dive into the first 12 books I read this year, and the latest, episode 81, I chat about books 13-24.

It’s been fun to get messages from listeners on what they are reading and what the recommend.

What are you reading?

#podcast #podcastersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #bookclub #bookclubofinstagram #bookreview #book #bookworm

I saved this little guy today. I love rabbits. I’m so grateful my hubby spotted him down in the window well. Within a few minutes, he was back to nibbling on leaves and hopping around. Today is a good day!

With the house remodel still dragging on and then

With the house remodel still dragging on and then having to speak 12 times in three days, I had slacked on my morning routine.

The routine centers on me each day of reading the Bible, writing out my prayer, and practicing gratitude.

To help get me back to center, I started reading Praying God’s Will for Your Life by Stormie Omartian. Stormie’s life is one of turmoil, addiction, and heartbreak, and her encounter with Jesus, led her to an incredible life as an author, impacting millions of lives, including mine.

If you need to refocus or wonder what God has for your life, check out Praying God’s Will for Your Life.

#bookstagram #book #bookrecommendations #prayer #morningroutine #authorsofinstagram #christian

I love how God works. I didn’t know what the lad

I love how God works. I didn’t know what the lady I met needed, but God did. And if we listen to the tug on our heart, God will use us to see people in their time of need.

This giving challenge from four years ago popped u

This giving challenge from four years ago popped up and with Duke’s run in the tournament I thought it fitting for today.

🏀 Buy a Gift for No Occasion 🏀

Strolling the aisles of Menards this basketball hoop wastebasket caught my attention. I immediately thought of my nephew. I knew he’d love it.

I picked the cool hoops wastebasket up and bought it. I really wanted one for myself but my husband reminded me I didn’t need it. Boo!

If you are out and about and an item catches your eye, that’s in your budget, and you think, “X would love this,” buy it and give a gift for no occasion.

🏀Go Duke🏀

#givingchallenge #giftideas #gift #makingadifference #ncaa #duke #dukebasketball #ncaatournament #basketball

Days before my wedding my husband’s grandmother

Days before my wedding my husband’s grandmother announced she was going to speak at the ceremony. She wasn’t asking, just giving us a heads up.

As a control freak, terror-filled my mind of all the things she might say in front of hundreds of guests.

Grandma Jones was one of my favorite people, but you never knew what she was going to say or how long she was going to talk.

Fastforward to our wedding ceremony and as she shuffled up the aisle and climbed the stairs, I said a little prayer.

And then the most beautiful words of the entire ceremony were spoken — an Irish Blessing for our marriage. I wish I had a copy of the blessing, as her words were the perfect touch to our day.

Every St. Patty’s day my mind twirls back to our wedding and the joy Grandma Jones words brought to our special day.

In memory of my Grandma Jones, send an Irish Blessing to a friend or post one on social media.

If you can’t find one, here’s one I enjoy:

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Blessings,
Stephanie

P.S. She’s also the inspiration for Grandma Green in my children’s book, Giving Gal.

#stpatricksday #childrensbooks #kidlit #author #authorsofinstagram

I take being a nerd to whole new level, but this i

I take being a nerd to whole new level, but this is how my mind works.

I love @andyandrewsauthor books but decided this morning I wanted to read them in the order they were written.

Instead of cluttering my brain with all this info or continuing to look each time I want to start a new book I just made a list.

This is a way you can accomplish a goal.

Get everything out of your head and write out the steps.

Once you do that, all you have to do it focus on number one. When that’s done, move to two and so on.

If I look at the entire list it’s seems a bit daunting, but if I just focus on the first on the list, now it’s manageable.

I’m 6 books behind on my “read 100 books in 2022” goal. Andy’s books are quick reads and I’m confident, if I stay focused, I’ll be back on track by the end of March.

What goal are you working on?

Do you have a plan? If not, take a couple of minutes to write it and then get to work!

#goals #givingyourbestlife #bookstagram #book #bookrecommendations #authorsofinstagram #author #authorlife #bylr #buildyourliferesume #elite365

It’s that time of year when college students are

It’s that time of year when college students are on the countdown to graduation or wrapping up another year of school.

Now is the perfect time to make and ship a care package of encouragement.

Here’s what I include in my gift.

Giving Challenge: Make and send a care package to a college student.

#college #gifts #giving #givingchallenge #kindness #love #carepackage #carepackageideas #makingadifference #gratitude

Not all Valentine's Days are rosy. As I sat at C

Not all Valentine's Days are rosy.

As I sat at Cracker Barrel, working on my first fiction book, I couldn't help but notice how attentive and kind my waitress had been.

I dug into my wallet and glanced at the $20 and $50 bill in the pocket. My bill total was only $9 so my first inclination was to leave a $20 tip. That was more than enough. But I got the tug. It's the little nudge that tells me to reach out, connect, and give a little more.

I usually leave these gifts anonymously, but when my waitress checked in on me, I again, got the nudge that I should personally give her this gift. I said, "Happy Valentine's Day" and handed her the $50.

Immediately, tears streamed down her face.
"You don't know how much I need this. Thank you so much."

I stood and asked, "May I give you a hug?"

And there in the middle of the Cracker Barrel, with the fire crackling in the background, we embraced.

"My daughter is on drugs and I'm taking care of her ten-year-old son. Please pray for her."

"What's her name?"

She gave it to me.

As she continued to cry, she shared how she didn't want to get out of bed today and come to work, but she knew she needed to put food on the table for her grandson.

We chatted a bit more as she continued to wipe the tears from her eyes.

She had to get back to her other tables and all I could think about is how grateful I was to have followed the tug on my heartstrings.

A series of events led me to be at this Cracker Barrel at just the right moment.

I whole heartly believe God orchestrated me being there. He knows our needs and sends angels on earth to respond.

This is the giving challenge in action.

It is my prayer, that you pray for this family and the next time you get the tug on your heart to give…step out in faith. You may just be an angel God has sent to bring hope to someone in need.

P.S. I rarely share the amount of my gifts. But today I felt it was important because this gift stretched me. I'm 100% confident if I'd only given her the $20 she would not have reacted the way she did and share her struggles. The next time you feel you need to stretch your gift, go for it. I've never regretted, or missed, the money/time I've given.

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