24 Random Acts of Kindness for turning 24!

SO, I have pretty great roommates. Saturday was my 24th birthday and it is one that I will remember for the rest of my life. Rachel and Phoebe planned an entire day of surprises. It started at 9am when I woke up. I came downstairs and found two presents under the christmas tree. The first was a journal, that had a note describing what the surprises were. We would be embarking on a day full of serving, doing 24 RAKS (random acts of kindness). The following pages had ideas that they and other friends had thought of. The next present was a large, heavy bag that had 50 granola bars, 6 boxes of candy canes, 5 cans of food, and two additional surprise appointments.

But before we started our adventures, we, of course, had to host our weekly Saturday Morning Pancakes. We made gingerbread christmas pancakes AND s'more pancakes topped with the most delicious syrup around: Currey Farms Pure Maple Syrup. Our friends were all in on the surprise and helped by writing notes of encouragement and signs that we would use later in the day :) 

Phoebe and Rachel had already made the cookie dough for cookies that we baked and packaged before  the pancaked eaters came. This was SUCH a special day. I couldn't wait to get started! So below you will find our list as well as some pictures, I loved this birthday and these people and this community. From the bigger tasks to the small, this was an amazing opportunity to spend a day with friends, making other people smile and spreading Christmas cheer!! 

#1 We handed out 60 candy canes throughout the day, with a smile and warm Christmas greetings!

#2  Holding the door open for a woman in a wheelchair
#3 Our friends helped us write about 30 notes of encouragement that we left on peoples cars.
#4 We picked up trash downtown and everywhere we went
#5 Bought coffee for the next person who would come in line

#6 Gave away 10 bus passes to patrons as they were getting ready to pay for their fares

#7 We did some caroling in the bus station before we left "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!" 

#8 Delivered flowers to two patients at St. Mary's hospital in the emergency and critical care units

#9 Sticky notes in random places to make people smile

#10 Saw a friend from church and gave her a BIG hug

#11 We handed out about 50 granola bars as we went, mostly to those in line for dinner at Degage Ministries

#12 Made breakfast for our friends

#13 Wrote thank you notes

#14 Delivered anonymous presents to kids

#15 Returned carts in the Duhtler grocery store parking lot

#16 We made and delivered cookies to our neighbors, meeting some that we had never met! 

#17 Donated 5 cans of food 

#18 Since it was raining we bought an umbrella and gave it to someone who was getting soaked! 

#19 Donated a huge box of clothes! 

#20 Took pictures with a man that we met downtown, his name was Shawn

#21 We held big, neon signs that had encouraging notes up for people to see as they were driving 

#22 Having intentional conversations more then just a "Hey, how are you?"

#23 We made cookies with neighborhood kids and then dropped them off to families in their neighborhoods, while caroling of course! 

#24 Gave a frozen turkey dinner to our neighbor!!

This is our new friend Shawn, he told us that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to read this book. 

Huge THANK YOU to these beautiful women! I am blown away by your ability to love others and especially me. You are selfless and thoughtful and made this a birthday that I will never forget. You not only made my day but a ton of others as well. I am so thankful for you!!!!