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Here are a few of the stories folks have shared on how they sparked joy for someone else. If you have a Spark Joy story you want to share, please let us know. Send an email HERE.

Inspiring Stories of Sparking Joy:

We had some major work done on the outside of our house so for the last two weeks, the workers from Mongolia and South Korea where hear six days a week from 8am to 5:30pm putting up Hardy Board siding over our existing cedar siding that has been homes for wood peckers, flickers and all types of other birds including raccoons and squirrels.  I got the chance to talk to the few who knew some English and I appreciated their sharing of their home country and that living in the US was a gift compared to where they came from.  We were getting close to having  the work finished and I wanted to do something special so Pam and I catered a lunch for them.  What I was surprised was how happy they were; one young man who I got to know pretty well gave me a hug and said we were the first family that provided them lunch.  The joy that they had on their faces was nothing compared to the joy that I received in treating them for all their hard work.  - Tom

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I was checking out at Target during a busy Sunday afternoon and the checkout employee apologized stating it was her first day. Even though she was doing a great job, she must not have thought she needed to do better. We finished and I handed her a gift card. She looked at me and replied, "Are you sure?" I said, "Yes, you deserve it."  Hopefully, the rest of her first day got better. - Renee

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When the Evangelism Committee made the decision to purchase gift cards from local coffee shops and restaurants and give them to those standing in line behind you;  one being Culver's, I knew I wanted my two older grandkids ages 9 and 7 to have the opportunity to spread some Joy to people that they didn't know at Culver's so I asked for two gift cards.  A few days later, I was over  at my son's house and asked the two if they wanted to go to Culver's for lunch and told them I had gift cards for them.  They love going to Culver's so off we went and when we got there, we sat in the car with them holding the gift cards and that's when I explained that the gift cards were meant to give to someone they didn't know and that it would bring joy in their lives and also in ours.  Eli, the oldest, understood the lesson right away but Lydia gave me a funny look like, "Huh???"  After I explained the "why" behind the lesson they had to choose who to give the gift card to.  I told them that they needed to find an adult and say, "This is a gift card for you" and I was there to support them and fill in "the rest of the story".  When our food was delivered, we talked about the lesson of giving, the look on the stranger's faces when they received the card and how they felt when they gave the gift to them.  All in all, it was neat to see them go to someone they didn't know, offer the gift card to them and see the expression on the face of the receiver. - Tom

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The Giving Plate - 

When I was volunteering at the hospital today I noticed this plate and thought what a great idea! - Sharon
    
                              
"The Food that's placed upon this Plate  was made with Love and Care. It comes to you with Blessings Full for Everyone to Share. So please Enjoy what's on this Plate, then Fill it up again and pass along the Love it holds to Family and Friends."

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While at Kings Sooper a few days ago there were just a couple registers open. In front of me was an elderly woman in one of the riding carts and she had a ton of groceries. She started to unload the groceries and the line was getting longer. So I asked if I could help and in no time we had her groceries on the check out counter. She was very appreciative and thanked me a number of times. Just a simple act but it meant a lot to the  woman who just needed a couple extra hands. - Sharon

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Sara took her dad to the Waffle House for Father's Day and gave her Spark card to the server because servers hustle so much especially on a holiday.

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One member gave her Spark card to the dishwasher at the restaurant she was visiting because she figured that was the least desirable job at any restaurant. 

Another member gave her Spark card to the FedEx driver because it was hot and he looked like he could use a cold treat. 

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I was in line getting coffee and paid for the person behind me. They were so surprised that they didn't know what to do.         - Submitted by Michaela

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I gave the FIKA gift card to a checker at a local grocery store. She took the card and said, "My life isn't bad, but this is the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a long time. I'm going to cry. Thanks so much." - Submitted by Lois
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I was in Safeway, in a hurry of course. All I wanted was a fruit platter! Of course they were all gone, it was Fathers Day! I had a substitute in my hand. I also had my cane and my oxygen “machine”. I probably looked distressed. I walked past a “grumpy looking” woman at the end of a line and continued on down the line to find a quick check out. Would you believe, even the self check had a long line! 
So I said, “alright just stand here and be patient”.  
I looked towards “the grumpy “ and she motioned for me to get in line before her. I was so pleased, thanked her, and a SPARK happened. I asked,”Do you go to Fika coffee?”, she said she did, I honestly felt Joy, I said, “ I have something for you”, and gave her the Fika gift card!  She was happy, I was happy, and I said, “ this is how it should be”. 
We both felt LOVE - Submitted by Maureen
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A Reverse Spark! I was at Lowe's buying some flowers. When I went to pay, I realized I left my credit card and ID at home. I asked if I could pay by check and the cashier said yes, but then when I handed them the check, they needed my ID too. I was ready to throw in the towel, when a good Samaritan behind me in line, put her credit card in the reader and said she would take care of it. I was so shocked because it was $40 worth of flowers. I tried to stop her, but she insisted. I did repay her, but I was so grateful to her for her generosity and kindness. - Submitted by Gwen

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During COVID it was especially hard for a few freinds who had lost their pets. Being a pet lover myself, I know how much our pets mean to us, so it was important to be there for my freinds even if I could not be with them in person. I made sure to contact them often and let them know I was thinking of them. While I probably didn't spark any joy during their difficult time, I know I showed them God's love.  - Submitted by Kerry

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I belong to a special group through one of the scrapbooking companies I use. They send out a message to all the members that someone is in need of a card and why. The members of my group then send the homemade cards for this person back to the company and they mail them all to the person in need.
I do an appropriate message and sign my first name and the state I live in. It feels good knowing I can help someone feel better knowing someone cares.
I get this message 1 to 6 times a month.
- submitted by Sharon W.

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It’s been an interesting week and opportunities to Spark Joy. Here is one example I would like to share:
I wrote a book in 2015 titled, “The 90 Day Journey to your Sales Success” specific to Real Estate, Mortgage Sales Professionals.  I sold a lot of copies which I was proud of but decided to just give the book away to those who really need a boost in their business.  That would mean, I’m giving the mortgage edition to my competition.  I believe if we are witnesses, we need to inform those about the love of our Savior but also when we have knowledge, we need to be open and generous in providing the relevant and necessary information to help others succeed.
 
So, one of my competitors reached out to me and shared the struggles he has been having so I knew I had to give him a copy of the book and also, spend time coaching him on what  actions, tasks and disciplines needed to have a successful business.  He asked why am I doing this for him, and I shared that it’s what I’m all about and that is sharing without strings attached.  He was obviously grateful and I was blessed that I could “Spark Joy” into his life.  - submitted by Tom

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A woman dining at the table next to ours was visibly having a bad evening, so I paid her check when she got up to use the restroom and talked with her when she returned. - submitted by Dan

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We had some workmen come to our house to do maintenance and gave them snacks and beverages to show our appreciation. - submitted by Brenda 

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A friend was going through some medical issues and in a lot of pain. I suggested that he pray and ask God to take his pain away. My friend responded with a laugh that God was too busy for those kinds of prayers. Later he came back to me and thanked me for the suggestion because he was starting to feel much better. -  submitted by Tom