Great quote from Audrey

I was just thinking of Bailey when I ran across this quote from one of her favorites. We're talking about kindness tonight at Kingdom Kids Club and I was looking for quotes to share. Discovered a whole website dedicated to Random Acts of Kindness.


For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

Audrey Hepburn, when asked about her beauty secret

WEEKEND RETREAT

I have never seen a group react with more enthusiasm and participation than this group no matter what Tod asked them to do.

This precious woman was in the youth group when we lived in Brazil. She remembered Tod as a little boy. Her dad worked closely with Dad and was one of his best friends. She (and her wonderful husband) are the only members of her family still faithful. She has a 2 PHD's, 3 Masters degrees and speaks 5 languages, but is as down to earth and sweet as she can be. She was blown away by the weekend and they left determined to make a difference in their little congregation.

These two make a great team!!!

As you can imagine, Tod had the entire audience in the palm of his hand for 3 days. You can tell he was having fun.

We couldn't be prouder of this son of ours.

I JUST HAVE TO BRAG...

We just finished 4 days of an incredible Leadership Retreat near Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tod was the leader of the retreat and words cannot describe what an incredible job he did. There were about 60 participants, mostly Brazilians, from all over Brazil—leaders in the church. They ranged from a cardiologist, PHD’s and successful businessmen to simple but very capable men and women. They came with no idea of what to expect. Most came as battle-weary, wounded warriors. Tod was able to apply soothing balm to their wounds and fill their hearts with love and encouragement for their journey. We laughed ( a lot), we cried (a lot), we loved on each other, and we left with a vision of what the body of Christ could really be. We experienced rather than just heard about the love of Christ. The potential impact of what God did through Tod this weekend boggles the mind as these leaders go back to churches all over Brazil with a different idea of “church.” It would be hard to imagine a group of people more impacted to a person than this group of beautiful people.

I think I have a new vision of how God is using Tod. I have to confess that I secretly thought that Satan may have been rejoicing and even laughing at the GCR decision concerning Tod in recent months. Now I am thinking he may have been crying if he knew that Tod’s impact on the Kingdom was going to be so much broader and deeper through what he is doing now than through any role he might have had at GCR. I also see that God may have been preparing him for a role in Brazil that we could not have imagined when he left Brazil at the age of six.

We were so proud of him. People couldn’t stop talking about our wonderful son. But the important thing is that God was glorified and lifted up, and He worked in ways none of us could have imagined.

I also have to brag on Tod’s Portuguese. He used a translator for the public presentations, but spoke much of the time in Portuguese and understood the comments and participated in conversations amazingly well. He and the translator had so much fun and kept all of us laughing as Tod would slip into Portuguese and the translator would slip into English.

Today Dad and Tod change hats and begin three days of business contacts. We are all fairly exhausted but so happy and full (in every way—the food was great. J) I know that they are going to have fun with Cary (who arrives today) and enjoy lots of churrasco while Leila and I (and her sister) do “girly” things.

Can’t wait to see you all and tell you more. Grandma

Reagan's Braces

My always lovely birthday girl

'Birthday' was a little difficult to define for Rita this year. On what was Sunday, Feb 1st in New Zealand, we were with folks we did not know and it did not seem appropriate to make a big deal of birthday with them. When it was the 1st in Midland (and the rest of the US) we were traveling and not able to contact anyone, though we did have a kind of celebration just the two of us. Anyway, Rita did get a present, but it was a bit early for her to wear on the lasts formal night on the ship. I love her very much and am so very proud of her as an incredible companion. Thank you God for Rita. Dale

50's Night at Cotillion

Hayden, Reagan and Chandler (notice the Lee Letter jacket?)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the best Mom in the world! (according to me she is) You have taught me so much. I have learned how to be a good mom by the example you have set before me. I appreciate everything that you do and how you put your whole heart into everything. I thank God everyday that He chose you to be my mom. I love you so much!

HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!!

We are in New Zealand. Allison, I think you really are going to have your own birthday this year without having to share with Grandma. My birthday is just coming to an end in New Zealand. I can't decided whether I am having 2 birthdays or no birthday. :) We spent the day with some New Zealander missionaries including a church picnic. It was a delightful day with "fish and chips" on the wharf tonight, but no one even knew it was my birthday.

You are a very, very special girl with many gifts and such a sweet and delightful personality. I love your smile and your laugh. I love your gifts in the kitchen. I love your keen mind. You have been a blessing in our lives since the day in California on my 49th birthday when they placed you in our arms. I will be thinking about you and praying for you--thanking God for you--all day today. I hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday. You will always have a special place in my heart because we share (or usually share) this special day.

I will keep your picture with me to make me smile all day today as we fly and drive through New Zealand.

Happy Birthday and much Love, Grandma