I just have to begin this blogpost with a text that I received from a friend this week :

“If everyone who commented on your giveaway is serious about giving money to who they wanted to and did it on their own, which I think you’ve inadvertently done, that’s a potential of nearly $30,000 going to those with a need. Even if everyone decided to skip lunch and use that money ($10), that’s $3000 without even making a dent in one’s budget… I pray this will be the hearts of people and even that the winner would double their gift. Blessings Nancy!”

Thank you Tommy for such encouraging words!  To say that I have been blessed in return doesn’t even begin to cover it. My heart is so heavy, and so grateful, as I type these words. I cried as I read several of your entries. I had no idea what this giveaway would turn into, and we have been blown away by each of your responses! Will and I were so incredibly blessed as we prayerfully read through every single comment. You guys are incredible. If you haven’t read some of the other comments, please do so. You won’t regret it.

Just to give you an idea of how difficult this was, Will and I had to narrow down 42 PAGES of your stories and comments! Once we narrowed it down to 14 pages, we had to go through them again. And again. And again. And… again. Finally, we had to resolve that we could never choose the “best” comment, because each comment carries so much. There are different dynamics to each family, each friendship, each individual… and every story is just as important as the next. So we prayed, and asked the Lord to give us a winner. Because we just couldn’t do it.

So…. WE HAVE A WINNER!

CONGRATULATIONS to Corley May for winning an iPad 2, and $100 to giveaway!  Here is her comment, where the $100 will be given :

“I had to think about this for a few days…and I keep coming back around to the same answer. If I had an extra $100 to do with as I pleased, I would head to Goodwill.

I would keep an eye out for a mom or dad who seemed to be loading up on secondhand toys.

And I would hand them the money in an envelope – “Merry Christmas” written on the outside, and say “You dropped this. Merry Christmas.”

And then I would walk away.

My favorite holiday stories are always about the good Samaritans in their communities who have the means to do this on their own – and I can think of little that would feel better than knowing that somewhere in my town, a family is having a Christmas they wouldn’t have had otherwise. Thanks to some strange elf lady in the Goodwill.

I love this contest, Nancy! Thank you for YOUR generosity this year. And congrats again on the new Nancy Ray Photography!”

Congratulations again, Corley! I can’t wait to get your secret photo or video of you being the strange elf lady at Goodwill. We have prayed that the money will be placed in the right hands at the right time!

NOW – I have even MORE exciting news! In the spirit of giving, a sweet friend of mine (who shall remain anonymous) approached me, letting me know she wanted to give ANOTHER $100 towards this giveaway! Giving truly is contagious, and I’m convinced it’s the most fun you’ll ever have. Since there were so many amazing comments, we decided to choose another cash winner. Although you will not receive the iPad, you will receive $100 cash to giveaway!

CONGRATULATIONS to our 2nd Cash giveaway winner, Sheila! Here is Sheila’s comment, where her $100 will be given :

“The first thought that pops into my head is in the eastern part of the country where we live, there was a devastating earthquake last month and the people are still recovering. It’s a poor area to begin with… My husband was out there last week building shelters for families and in some of the pictures he took, there are kids without coats on, and it’s snowing! So I would buy as many coats as I could with $100 and send them to a friend out there to give to the cold kids. “

• • •

Now that the toughest decision EVER is complete, I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed weekend!  I pray that this giveaway spurred your heart towards giving this Christmas season.  And I do challenge you to give something. Remember how much of a blessing you can be!

Come back on Monday for the FINAL Christmas Giveaway!