"Random" acts of kindness...

I would just like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about my wonderful husband. Michael is a true gentlemen, a helper, a talented singer and musician, a lover of people, compassionate and oh-so handsome:) But I would like to highlight one of his main attributes today; Michael is truly selfless. This is one of the characteristics that really made me fall in love with him. It was pouring down rain this morning (and still is now, at 9:30am) and on his way to work, Michael saw a woman on the side of the road, trying to get shelter from the rain under a tree with hardly any leaves. Without hesitation, Michael pulled over and ran over to the woman and gave her his umbrella. This really reminded me of how much we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus to anyone we see in need...and how far it really goes. That woman could have been so touched by that act of kindness that she decided to do the same. Anyone watch the movie "Pay it Forward"? Anyway, I think it takes a lot more than just deciding that you are going to be Jesus to people in need...there is a true love for people that I am longing to have...that I believe can only truly come from God building that inside of us, the closer we get to Him. Anyway, didn't mean to preach, but I wanted to share this awesome story of a not-so-random act of kindness, and hopefully it will inspire you to do the same.

Startling...

Ok, I just read one of my blogging friend's blog today and have to share! Apparently, Autism is RAPIDLY growing, and there has to be a reason for it. Check out her post on this. Scary stuff. The more I read about this, the more I believe in a big connection between processed, non-organic foods and childhood vaccinations with Autism, allergies, and even cancer.

What are your thoughts or experiences with this?

Contacting Kelee

Many of you have asked how to contact Kelee, send a letter, etc. I will give you three different ways to send her your love!

EMAIL: keleeh@gmail.com (she doesn't check it very often, but eventually she will)

CELL PHONE: Yes, she has a cell phone! If you have Skype and really want to contact her, her number is 27799662545.

SNAIL MAIL: and I mean SNAIL! It may not get there for 2 to 4 weeks, but I know she would appreciate it so much! Her address is:

Kelee Hall, PCV
U. S. Peace Corps
PO Box 9536
Pretoria 0001
SOUTH AFRICA

She would absolutely love know that there are people here praying and thinking of her daily. I'm sure she's starting to get a bit lonely! :(

Where in the world is Kelee Crisman Hall???

Ok so for those of you who knew Kelee in college and got to know the awesome, fun, touchy feely, crazy girl she was, I would like to clue you into who she has truly grown to be...an amazing woman still with all her craziness and natural ability to have a good time, but she also has the most compassionate heart for others and a love for Jesus that has made her into an amazing woman of FAITH! If you recognized my "Carmen SanDiego" reference in the title of this blog, you probably figured out that Kelee has left the country! Kelee officially joined the US Peace Corps this summer and is stationed in SOUTH AFRICA for 2 YEARS! She is in The Northern Cape, which is the most desolate province, and her village is called Madibeng and you won't be able to find it on a map. It's 8 hours from Johannesberg, close to the Botswana border, and it's near the Kalahari dessert for those of you who are dorks like me and want to figure out where exactly she is:) She is the farthest west PC volunteer! I will be periodically updating you all on her adventures as a Peace Corps volunteer as I hear from her. PLEASE keep Kelee in your prayers! This will be such a growing and learning experience for her, but she will need to know that we are lifting her up in prayer every time we think of her. That's what I've committed to do. I am just so proud of our Kelee and how she just LEAPED out of her comfort zone to accept her calling. We can all learn from a faith like that!

By the way, this picture is of her and one of her kindergarten students here in Nashville if you were wondering.

More to come on the adventures of Peace Corps Kelee!!

Baby Ethan Update

If you have followed this story at all, you know that this little boy has been through SO much, battling Leukemia, and the Lord has brought him through so much. This story is not only about Ethan's sickness, but it is about all the lives this baby has touched and changed, and he doesn't even know it yet.

As you probably know, Ethan's Leukemia went into remission a few weeks ago. Praise God! The journey is not even close to being over though. This family needs your prayers, desperately at this time. Ethan has had some complications with seizures, and on top of that, they have done some testing and have found some abnormal, probably cancerous cells hiding in his body. This is not good. If they determine that the Leukemia has returned, the doctors have told them that there is nothing more they can do. He has already been through every chemo treatment option his little body can handle. There is a big purpose for this child, and we have to believe that God is going to bring that purpose to fruition. Please join with me in praying for this family and all they've been through. Pray and BELIEVE that God will heal this baby once and for all, and give his parents the supernatural strength to keep going, to keep believing and to keep fighting.

www.ethanpowell.com

Thank you!

The Invasion

We watched this movie last weekend and it was really really good...it's a remake of The Body Snatchers. We were on the edge of our seats the whole time! Props to Nicole Kidman. She is so talented- so naturally beautiful. I used to see her and Keith every single weekday morning at Starbucks when I lived in Green Hills. They are very "real" people. Always in some sort of jogging/lounging attire, never any makeup, always smiling. This brings me to another point, I believe (and have often heard this) that celebrities like to live in Nashville because we are used to seeing famous people so we don't freak out and ask for autographs, and because we are in the south, we are kind and non-intrusive. I like that about us. You should go see this movie if you like a good thriller.