Today’s the day! I feel like a kid that’s been waiting to open a BIG birthday present, but instead I’m getting the sheer joy of giving presents to others. My family and I launched our Finding Home program a just over a week ago on my birthday with the intent of doing more for others. Join with us as we share our triple gift for the wrap up of our program launch.
In case you missed the original post about the Finding Home program, head over to catch up and even nominate someone you think is a fit. This chest of drawers above as originally seen in this post, was one of my favorite hand-painted pieces. It was chosen to be the first of, hopefully, many gifts to those who need a “hug”.
Finding Home is a furniture re-homing program provided by Prodigal Pieces® designed to bless someone who is in need of a special reward for a service they have done or are doing, or are dealing with hardships physically and/or financially by sending them a custom-finished piece of furniture.
BEGINNINGS
With much eager anticipation we began to receive applicants nominated by various people. I knew that choosing a specific person or family would be a extremely hard decision. As the stories of the applicants came through, I would stop and read the submitted story to my family and then we would pray for guidance in our decision.
Part of the agreement in the program is to submit a photo of the person to be honored, however, we chose not to look at the photos until after we would make our decision. Once the deadline for applicants was up, we prayerfully considered each applicant. It just so happened that more than one story moved us in such a way that we felt led to reward a triple gift. Yes, THREE families would be getting a piece of furniture delivered to their door. How fantastic is that?!
To say I was giddy, nervous, and a bit anxious to contact the first recipient is an understatement. Our first honoree would be receiving the blue chest, and that’s when I called up Heather.. She submitted her parent’s story of determination despite numerous life-threatening health battles over the years, how they have sacrificially given up much to help others, even animals. They had taken in her grandmother to care for her in her last days of battle with cancer, and even given Heather the care and support she needed in her younger years when she made decisions that impacted her in more ways than one.
INTRODUCTION
Funny thing was that when I first called her, I got her voicemail (which is to be expected in the middle of the day and my number is a total stranger.) That gave me a minute to leave a message and eagerly await her return phone call. I nearly jumped when the phone rang back. Heather mentioned she was so excited she had to call her husband first to tell him the good news. So fun!
One day of shipping the chest, we all followed JC to his workplace to send it off with a prayer and celebration of great things to come.
We’ve been shipping furniture for nearly 6 years now and I must say this was one of the most fun shipments ever! We are immensely blessed that JC’s employer not only let’s us use their equipment and facilities, but that we also are able to make use of their half-price discount for shipping.
You can see him using the shrink-wrap machine to wrap up this giant present. The turntable spins the pallet and wraps it up nice and tight for shipment.
FAMILY FUN
My whole family was so excited to be able to see this dream of ours coming to fruition, and couldn’t wait to hear of the chest’s delivery to the new family.
Here it is all wrapped up and ready to go. Can you feel the excitement?!
On day of delivery, Heather was kind enough to not only take pictures, but also sent me a beautiful note.
Look at those smiles! Look at what you did! My parents are in love – even the deliveryman is…WOW. Lol!
I wanted to pass on a few things to you, as well. I know that God is all around us and I think where he reaches us the most is in the little things. Those things are the easiest to overlook and take for granted and if we’re taking time to pay attention to Him in our lives, we hear and see His love on the daily in those little things. That brings me to this…First, this is the very first piece that brought me to your blog and page.
EXCITING
How awesome is that?! She also mentioned how the dogwood flowers I had painted on the front were her late maternal grandmother’s favorite flower. Even the style was that of what her paternal grandmother would have loved too. Both memories are seeing revival by this arrival. That there is exactly we are doing this.
PART TWO
The second part of this triple gift was when my son decided to donate his waterfall buffet to a second nominated family. Talk about a proud mama moment.
The chosen honorees are the Bohman military family of four who has a story all their own.
I’ll share more on them when they receive their delivery. It’s shipment began only days ago is arriving as I type. The anticipation is exciting!
Here it is all wrapped, but without the last fun addition of a USA flag wrap to honor their service to our country. Being that my family also serves, we know how much this means to those that give up so very much.
THIRD FUN
Last, but not least, the third gift of this Finding Home program is a donation by my daughter. Miss S chose to offer her recently finished waterfall dresser to an honoree.
This treasured piece’s shipment began a day ago and on its way to Lisa (pictured with her daughter). Her story is one of a woman who has had difficult struggles, but chooses to be a light. More on her story soon too!
Here’s her gift en route to the new home. So very exciting!
Maybe you can’t ship furniture across country, but I challenge you to make a difference in any way. Could you offer your services and skills to someone in need? Or maybe just be there to lighten their load financially, physically, or mentally. So many suffer or just deserve to have a smile put on their face.
I hope you have enjoyed this triple gift as the launch to our Finding Home program. Do pin and share to spread the word as we hope to do this on a monthly basis and are taking new applicants for next month’s honoree. I don’t know that we can do another triple gift, but God knows!
Up next, this sweet thrift store find gets a new lease on life. See the new look HERE!
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Also, more projects like this triple gift:
Just amazing how much love came out of this one decision you made to do this wonderful project. ❤️❤️❤️
I’m am beyond floored at how God is working in this. So Exciting!
Warms my heart reading about your family project. I look forward to reading the other stories. Thanks for the uplifting post!
We are delighted to hear it, Rebecca. Thank you!
Oh Larissa, I’m weeping with joy at your beautiful selfless act as as a family, and for the joy these recipients are receiving! I love your heart! How honoring of his presence in your lives!
Dee, you are beyond such an uplifting soul and awesome support in all we do. Thank you for being YOU!
I can imagine how honored each family would be at receiving a beautiful piece of furniture from your family. The things I give are not as lovely, but I am happy to help others and still keep things out of landfills. A few years ago I was introduced to a woman who helps refugees in one section of San Antonio. Since then, I have collected for her whatever happens to be on the “want” list at the time. Most things go right away to a family who needs it, and smaller things are kept in a storage unit until asked for. Some of my parents’ furniture went to them, but I regularly pick up things set out for trash collection, as well as donations from friends who know I do this. I have been lucky enough to meet some of the families who benefit, and have been told their horror stories about how they escaped with their lives from horrible situations. I’ve heard of countries I never knew existed. Many things need only a good cleaning, but some things might need small repairs. I learned much from my parents who used to refinish furniture. This week I rescued a dresser, tables and chairs, as well as a room rug, which I have been told is always asked for. For some reason there were many blankets thrown out, so they came home for a good wash and will be taken to our local animal rescue organization. I wish my items were as beautiful as yours, Larissa, but I do what I can. I wish everyone would think about who could use the things they set outside to go to a landfill.
You are amazing and I know your work is beautiful. Yes, so many have hurting hearts and have endured things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Thank you for taking the time and effort to bless others so immensely.
You and your family are absolutely awesome! It so nice to read something this uplifting. It gives me hope for humanity.
Michele, you’ve made our day! 😀 Thank you for the encouraging words and love. Hugs!
God Bless you and your family as you minister to those who have given to others. It brings such joy to the giver as well as the receiver.
To know you. are able to give joy as well as help someone is. awesome. Prayers for you and your family.
Being able to do this is beyond our dreams, and we feel so blessed to finally be able to take action on something that I’ve been aching to do for a long time. Thank you, Frances.
You are such a blessing to so many, Larissa! I know these families were overjoyed with their beautiful gifts! XOXO
It feels surreal that my idea finally came to fruition, Christy. Thanks so much! 😀
You and your family are such a blessing. You have touched my heart since the first time I read your blog. May God shower many blessings on your family. Y’all reflect Him in your selfless giving!!
What a wonderful and heartwarming thing to do. We should all be more loving and caring for others. God will surely bless you and your family. And If this world had more kids like you and your husband have, what a better place this would be. They have such big and caring hearts. God Bless you and your family!!!!
What touching words to read, Terri. Thank you so much for being an uplifting soul and joining us on our journey. Hugs!
Seeing the happy smile on that family’s faces brought tears to my eyes. Larissa you are an angel and you are teaching your children to follow in God’s footsteps.
I just don’t have words to express what’s going on in my heart other than JOY. Pure joy to see my vision come to life. Thank you so much for always being such a friend, Mary.
Larisaa, You have started an amazing project and I pray that God will provide you with many more opportunities to bless those so deserving of your generosity and kindness. God bless you and your talented and hardworking family.
Thank you, Kaycee. I am already excited for the next Finding Home episode as we have had new applicants. I wish I had enough for everyone! 😀
Beautiful beautiful beautiful, I am weeping!
Sweet hugs to you, Marie, as truly one of my besties here in the online world. I’m so excited to do this!
What a blessing you are Larissa! Paying it forward makes life so much better!
It sure does! My hear it happy and overjoyed that we are able to see this come to fruition. Thank you so much!