Archive for Pray It Forward

The Prayer Box makes it onto Jaeson Ma’s 365 days of Love

June 15, 2010 Pray It Forward, Videos 8 comments


This Sunday I had the most amazing hike to my prayer box with my dear bro Jaeson Ma. He’s doing this awesome project called 365 days of Love where he does just that– discovers a new way to do an act of love every day. Well, I was so blessed to be a part of his project when he wanted to come hike with me to my Prayer Box! Here’s Jaeson’s take on our hike from his blog, www.JaesonMa.com:


How significant is prayer?

For this episode of 365 Days of LOVE, I hiked up Runyon Canyon with my good friend, Jeannie Mai, who is the beautiful and fashion-saavy host from The Style Network make-over show “How Do I Look?“. Jeanne was instrumental in setting up a prayer box on top of Runyon Canyon over a year ago. She first starting hiking to take out the frustrations of working in the entertainment industry and would just vent in prayer during the hike, but through those times, she began to see the value of prayer, of taking time every day to pray, as well as the importance of praying for others. I remember going up to the top of Runyon to install the box with her!

The Prayer Box advocates “taking a prayer” and “leaving a prayer” on a piece of paper and the response was amazing! The box filled up with prayers to a point that Jeannie had to hike up daily to bring more paper and empty out the box!

Its been a crazy journey for the box since that day and it was recently upgraded to Prayer Box 2.0 and also covered as a local special on FOX News– so we decided to hike back up there and pray for some prayer requests as an act of love.

Little did we know we would meet this amazing family that had gotten up at 7AM to drive over an hour to Runyon to drop off prayers and lift up others at the prayer box. Jeannie and I had an opportunity to listen to their compelling story and pray with them. I had an opportunity to give them an encouraging word and they seemed encouraged and even little Jordan gave 365 Days of LOVE/LOVE LIFE a shoutout!

Later, the family ended up posting this message on Jeannie’s site:

Thank you to you and Jaeson. You have no idea how you two “Lifted” the spirits of my family and myself. We just met this morning at the Prayer Box and… we all held hands and prayed together and cried. You two are a true gift from GOD!!! The words spoken by you and Jaeson have been with us all day long and will be there forever! You two were sent just in time for my little nephew Jordan. The impact you have on him and us is phenomenal!!! When I dropped Janet off, Jordan said to her,”Pray everyday!” We were all simply amazed! God makes no mistakes and bringing us to the canyon at that exact moment to meet and pray with you both was in his divine plan. We LOVE you both and pray that you continue to be blessed!”

I started out the morning ridiculously tired, but after a good hike and especially after seeing how an entire household was so positively affected by the power of prayer, I was ready for the day. Pray it forward!

Jaeson, thank you for Praying it Forward on your 365 adventures. And if you’re reading this I’d love to pray it fwd for you! Do send me a prayer here or at jmail@iheartjeanniemai.com so I can take you to the top. Heart ya!

Special shout out to No Man Left Behind and Constancia, a hiking team that takes one another up Runyon Canyon together!

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PrayerBox on Fox 11 News

May 26, 2010 A-freakn-men!!, Mai News, Pray It Forward 8 comments

Thank you producer David Fleming, for announcing the video link so all that missed the feature about my PrayerBox can watch. And thank you to everyone who’s been sending forward so much love after seeing the piece. For all the prayers that have been sent, I’ll be taking it to the top of Runyon personally so keep em coming! Also,

for those of you with the great suggestions about a website for the box, I’m actually in the process of creating something even better. My own website is being worked on now, and besides fun fashion news and blog, it will house a specific section where prayers taken up to the box will be posted along with an area for those who can’t make it to the box to post your prayers on my wall.  So stay in touch by replying here so that I have your email for updates and keep sending me specific prayers. Until then, see you at the top as we Pray it Forward together.

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What is my PrayerBox- on Fox 11 News TONIGHT

May 25, 2010 A-freakn-men!!, Pray It Forward 23 comments

Wow oh wow. Before I get into the exciting news for the box, let me explain what it is.

For those of you who have followed my blog, you also know about my beloved Prayer Box I’ve placed at the steepest tip top of Runyon Canyon, a beautiful hillside hike here in Hollywood, California. I first had the vision for this box 2 years ago after an overwhelming sense of gratitude for each day that I’ve taken to hike to the top to pray and “reset” for the day ahead. I wondered if every other person who takes the time to hike these two tall mountains felt the same way after reaching the top… knowing that no matter how hard it feels, how badly you don’t feel like doing it, if you believe and put your best foot forward, you WILL.

Finally, my wonderful hubz made the first box and although it had some mysterious encounters, it had been there for almost a year as it filled up each day with prayers stuffed inside. There were so many prayers that I had to assign friends (thank you Grace and Eliot!) to come every other day if I was away to fill it with more paper and bring some prayers down to friends who can’t make it to the top. Anyone is always invited to send me prayers that I’ll take to the top, with a promise to have one from the box sent back from me. My dear friend Jaeson Mah also created an incredible movie that features the box in his documentary 1040, that features the prayer box. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to receive regular prayers from all over the world, my first from Ghana last week, different languages like Korean, Spanish, and even Hebrew- I even received a prayer from a 6 year old girl named Janie from Ohio who just started writing cursive!


Anyway, it came time that the box needed to be upgraded. In came the answer to my own prayer, Stavros, my dear friend who became the carpenter to bring the PrayerBox 2.0 to life. With prayers of patience and working hours into the night, the box was made, brought to Clairefoster who kicked in the dopest art skillz over the box, and bam. Here’s a pic him and  PB 2.o, once it was brought to the top. 

Instructions are simple: Leave a prayer, take a prayer.

It’s been only a month that the box has been up and already it’s filling up again. Prayers of hope, peace, individual prayers for loved ones who are hurt, broken, or just in need of love. It’s incredible. So just recently, a fan of the box and brilliant writer/reporter/world traveler/foodie David Fleming, contacted me to cover a story about the box on Fox 11 News. I accepted, more than anything to share my faith that prayer is hope in action, and to encourage everyone to Pray it Forward. The PrayerBox story will air TONIGHT 5/25 10PM on Fox 11 News, and TOMORROW 5/26 morning.

I just realized I look like I’m rapping in this picture.

Anyway enjoy the story tonight, please do make it out to the box if you’re here in LA, or email me at jmail@iheartjeanniemai.com to get your prayers to the top. (Include mailing address if you’d like a prayer sent back.)

As a community together, we each can keep each other lifted in faith and love. Heart you guys. So freakin much :)

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I’m going to Vietnam, and here’s how you can join me.

February 18, 2010 A-freakn-men!!, Fun, Mai News, Pray It Forward 17 comments

That’s right friends. I’m dying of excitement to finally be taking the first vacation in three stretched years of non-stop working. And well, I even feel bad saying that because I lovemy jobs, so I don’t even feel like I’m overworked, but this is an entirely different trip where I’m going to be working in the way I most love.

So where am I going?? To…(drumroll please, with chopsticks)…

Saigon, Vietnam!! Not only am I so thrilled to be visiting one of my most favorite countries in the world, but I’m elated to meet the children and families of an organization I’m very passionate about- Heartbeat Vietnam, a program by Vina Capital Fund to hold provincial outreach clinics staffed by  volunteer doctors and surgeons from major hospitals in Vietnam. The first time I was ever made aware of the lack of hospital care in Vietnam was on my last family trip there a few years back. We were traveling away from the city life of Ho Chi Minh and headed more towards the rural countryside to visit distant family and friends. Once there, I recognized instantly the need for medical attention. I remember visiting the villages outside Hanoi and coming across numerous households with children that were sick, some with flus having lasted for weeks, some bedridden from unknown illnesses. When I’d ask why these children haven’t made their way to see a doctor, the answer was unanimous: with none to little finances and the only options for care being hours into town over rough terrain, the only hope was to pray for a miracle. This was so hard for me to fathom, and I realized I’ve never thought twice that I live 6 blocks away from one of the finest hospitals here in LA. This made me determined to bring not just this awareness back to the states, but something back to Vietnam for these hopefilled families.

I began spreading the word about this need.  After many cold calls, my great friend Kathy Uyen, a successful actress living in Vietnam responded about having met a young passionate woman who worked with a charity fund dealing directly with these areas. Long story short, the Director of Development, Mimi Vu and I connected, both with a vision to use our platforms to bring hope to those in need around us.

So I’m off to Vietnam this Tues, 2/23. During my trip, I’m going to be volunteering some time to spend at these clinics funded by donations thru Heartbeat Vietnam. Each outreach clinic provides free care to 200-300 children, including diagnostic testing, treatment, and placement on the cardiac surgery
waiting list if required, and the best part, within the communities of these villages in remote areas . Mimi explained to me that families will travel hours through the night in order to arrive to the clinics early to hold their place in line for medical attention.  I’m determined to bring encouragement and prayer to these families and volunteer doctors, meanwhile extend a way that you each can also be a part of this journey.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Any donation, ANY amount is beyond appreciated!!  And I truly mean this- because ANY amount u donate, Vina Capital MATCHES DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR.  As I head there, I will be blogging updates with pictures and video for you to see where your support is going straight towards. This site also allows me to thank you personally, and to keep you updated. YOU are helping me make this happen. Thank you.

Donatebubble230x90transbgIt is a link where you can safely make your donation, allow me to personally thank you and keep in touch, and also meet and connect with other wonderful people like yourself who are bringing hope to these families.

And of course, thank you for reading and praying me along.

Until then, I had a wonderful hike lifting up so many of your wonderful submissions for prayers.

Thanks for “Praying it Forward” with me this morning. Remember if you’d like me to send a prayer back in return, here’s the info.
Thanks to Lillian who brought her prayers up today.

And um…let’s all pray for Vy here who…let’s just say we delivered her prayer for her ;P

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Mai Sensational Saturday

February 14, 2010 Fun, LIVE CHAT, Looking Good, Pray It Forward, Videos 5 comments

It all started with the best kinda kickstart- a romp up Runyon Canyon with my homeslice Melissa. Here’s why it was awesome. a) she didn’t flake (www.zipit.com Katie and Sarah. b) she let me know she was afraid of heights when we got here.

c) We made it to my prayer box to shove some luv someone’s way…and look adorable to take this.

After a quick VO session, I jammed across town to enjoy the next part of my super day- a photoshoot set up with my smashin in fashion studmuffin stylist Sam Russel. Not only was he styling me up with his saucy picks, but he was joined with an incredible team of professionals I have to blog about cuz these humble gents won’t pop their own collars. We’ve got Mr. Jeff Jones, an incredible artist who painted my face and rocked my locks like I’ve never seen, an adorable assistant James John Jetel who tended to us with his picture perfecting eye and warm hospitality, and a fabulous Eric Raptosh, a photographer extraordinaire who brought all the elements of my style, my emotions, his vision, to life.

Thank you gentlemen. These pictures barely describe all the wonderful work these boys put into the entire day, so you’ll just have to make it back here to see the fantastic pics. And guess what– I’m not the only one that can get blessed with Eric Raptosh’s wicked talented eye, you too can get a memorable shot of yourself, and for a terrific cause. Eric will be generously donating his time to perform Headshots For Haiti, a perfect opportunity for you talents (or anyone who just wants to have your own clicks for a cause) to get your headshots taken for a donated price. Sign up fast- as the offer is only tomorrow, Monday 2/15.

And finally what better way to top off the night than to gather together with all my fans for the Mai-never-censored, always edu-taining-Live Chat. I just posted the video here below for those of you that missed it, along with links for mai must-haves mentioned.

Best makeup book for ANY ethnic face and features: Asian Faces by Taylor Chang-Babaian. By far the BEST I’ve found to detail and outline every wonderful feature your face was sculpted to have.

Organization I’m set to volunteer with in 2 weeks!: Heartbeat Vietnam (Details coming Wed!)

Colors I used on Jill’s gorgeous face: MAC cream color base in Slick, Klish Klash MAC lipgloss, #224, 242 MAC brushes.

Happy Vday, Chuc mung nam moi (Happy Chinese New Year) and muah! Stay tuned for the giveaways I share in this blog about the above great finds :)

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Just another Wednesday…and update for YOU to “Take” from the Prayer Box

February 11, 2010 Pray It Forward 7 comments


I jumped out of bed today hoping it wasn’t raining. I have so much to do! Plan for my mission trip to Vietnam, (YES! I’m leaving in 3 weeks! More deets to come!), I have to renew my driver’s license (I’m soooo scared I’m gonna hafta take rewritten test. I’m gonna hafta bust a Sarah Palin, and I have all these things to send out in preparation for Chinese New Year. (What happened to the days I used to sit back and collect MY red envelopes of cash??)

Anyway, so of course to get my head on straight I had to hike out my thoughts, and head to my prayer box with specific prayers to pass on (thank you everyone for sending your requests thru!! Keep em comin, I’ll keep you covered. Email to JMail@IheartJeannieMai.com) Watch my video below to share how exciting it is when I make it to the top.

UPDATE: Because the tradition to my Pray it Forward is to “Give a prayer, take a prayer”, I want to enable those of you sending me prayers to be able to take one as well. If you send me your prayer request and a stamped self-addressed envelope to me at the following address, I will get your prayers to the box along with draw one out to have sent back to you.
Address:
Jeannie Mai c/o Steven Grossman
8383 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1050
Bev Hills, CA 90211

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How can I Pray it Forward with you?

February 5, 2010 A-freakn-men!!, Mai News, Pray It Forward 25 comments

Oh my gosh, I had the most amazing weekend I have to share with you guys.

If you live here in LA you know that it was raining like crazy for a hot second. Last week for like 5 days straight- . And everyday I was envisioning my beloved lil surviving prayer box up on that hill by itself getting soaked, possibly even blown off the hill. (I have a very dramatic imagination.) Well, I went up there right when the rain stopped for a second to check on the box, and yes it was safe! So I filled it up with fresh paper and new pens. That was 4 days ago.

Today, I hiked up to the top just to drop off some prayers (Kelly, prayin for your job situation! and my dear friend Rosa, need a miracle for her health.) Again, this is FOUR days later, and watch this video to see what I found!

THANK YOU to friends who make it to Runyon to Pray it Forward! I hope I see you there someday. It’s simple: all u have to do is leave a prayer, then take a prayer. And to those who can’t make it, do send your prayers to jmail@iheartjeanniemai.com and I’ll get it in.

(Also don’t forget to join me THIS SAT, 2/6, for my Live Chat after my show! Here’s how: http://bit.ly/bOp2SX)

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