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You are a miracle to somebody!
Be The Miracle Contest

- Winners -

My daughter, Kate Dunavant, is my miracle worker. Regardless of her situation, she is always looking out for someone else, even when it means sacrificing her own needs. Here are a few of the many examples.

In February, 2004, Kate's sister became very ill and was hospitalized and unable to work for two months. Without even the slightest complaint, Kate took on the responsibilities of paying all the bills. In September of the same year, her sister underwent major surgery and was, again, out of work for two additional months. Once again, Kate took care of everything.

In November, 2004, having drained all their savings to help us, we could only watch helplessly as Kate's house was consumed by fire. All she said was, "It's just a house. We can rebuild." Her favorite saying at that time was something you have said, "It will come to pass".

Five weeks later, her husband, Rod, fell from a tree he was cutting down that had been damaged by the fire. He was seriously injured. An administrative mistake left them $60,000 short of rebuilding so they knew they would have to do the work themselves rather than hire a contractor. Kate now had the burden of building the house without the help of her husband during the five months that he recovered.

Now, with finances drained and the house at a standstill, you would expect her to be discouraged but, if she is, she never says. Most people in her situation would start putting themselves first. Not Kate. By December of this past year, they had saved enough to continue on the house when something happened to the engine on her car. The cost of replacing it was over $6,000. She took the remainder of their rebuilding fund and brought Christmas to some children who would not have had a Christmas otherwise.

Last month, a person she only knew as a cousin of one of her colleagues died and the family couldn't pay for the funeral. Katie went to the funeral home and made arrangements to pay for everything.

I listen to the song by the Isaacs that speaks of a mother who can't fix the problem but tells her daughter that they will share the hurt together and I think of Kate. I enjoy them living with us but I know she desires to be back in a house of her own. A husband and wife need that... and that is my daily prayer.

Kate just tells us that if it is meant to be, God will open a door. My daughter is my example of a person who is the miracle for others.

Joni Drake
Clarksville, TN

"When a wounded soul needs a little hope, be the miracle!"

I would like to nominate my good friend to the Be The Miracle contest.

My friend, Al Nagel, is pouring out his heart and his resources to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Al doesn't do anything in a small way... last month, when asked if he would go to Mississippi to do volunteer work, Al kicked things into high gear and ended up going with a group of 32 tagging along bearing gifts of blankets, foodstuffs, toys and even an enclosed trailer for the continuing work crews to store tools in.

This week of service impacted Al so much that now he is organizing a month of relief. He will be taking his motorhome down to Mississippi and leaving it there for a month for people to use as a sleeping lodge. He personally will come home after the first week but has arranged for a chartered bus to make a route down there weekly to take new volunteers and bring home any that need to come back to Minnesota.

He has established a Web site for their endeavors: www.mnkatrinarelief.com

Now, nobody can do this all on their own. Al is the engine that is making this project run and he is getting all sorts of good help where he needs it. Currently, Al is spending all of his free time and a lot of his family time recruiting through the area churches and leaders to make sure that the buses are full and the people of Mississippi get the help they so desperately need. The Lord is GOOD!

For the reasons stated, I believe my friend Al Nagel is a great candidate for your Be The Miracle contest!

Thank you,
Kevin Olson
Hutchinson, MN

"When a wounded soul needs a little hope, be the miracle!"

She can't walk on water nor feed the multitude with a few loaves and fishes but she has been a 'miracle' to me for more years than I deserve and I thank the Good Lord for her.

She is always willing to help others and gives of what little she has. She knew a student who needed special clothing for school and this student was financially strapped. Paulie got some clothes so this student wouldn't feel embarrassed at school and quietly put the bag of clothing in the car without saying a word.

Paulie is kind. I can go to her for advice and she will tell me what she thinks but is kind and considerate when doing so - never judgmental, condescending or critical - always with love. She can set my thinking 'straight' so gently that I don't realize she is doing it until it is over. She never offers her opinion unless asked.

Paulie was there for me when my parents died and she just let me talk. She knows the art of silence.

When her Mother was bedridden, Paulie worked with the Pastor to videotape the sermon so she could take the tape to her Mother. She also made the tape available for all the church's shut-ins. She is resourceful and determined.

She is available at a moment's notice for emergencies to help others. One time, she got out of the bathtub to go to someone's house to care for the infant when the Mother had to suddenly leave and stayed there until other family could arrive to care for the baby. And, she didn't really know the Mother. It was a 'adult child of a friend' situation but she was there inside of 20 minutes when, normally, she would be going to bed at that time. Everyone I know trusts Paulie and she inspires that kind of trust in her actions, attitude and presence.

She is quiet and unassuming and easy for others to take advantage of. Yet, she never gets offended. She is just always there ready to help others - even those who have 'difficult' personalities that others avoid. I have never known her to refuse to help anyone.

She treats others - friends, acquaintances and strangers - with courtesy, love and respect. The running joke is that she knows enough about me to have me committed but likes me anyway. She accepts others as they are.

Now, she is helping care for her widowed Father, doing what is needed for him. And, throughout all the years I have been blessed with her friendship, she never complains.

No, Paulie isn't splashy - she is easily embarrassed when complimented. She is constant, stable, strong in her beliefs, manages her family (husband and three sons) and job and is generous. She has a servant's heart and she personifies God's love quietly in quiet ways.

Paulie is a 'one-on-one' miracle.

Thanks, Mark, for letting me share.

Pat Kennelley
Marshalltown, IA

"When a wounded soul needs a little hope, be the miracle!"

Reverend Bill Holeman of Beattyville, KY, has been a special part of my life for the past 35 years. He is called 'Preacher Bill' by everyone who knows him. Preacher Bill came to Kentucky with his wife to work for Kentucky Mountain Mission (KMM). He lived in Manchester for almost 50 years, pastoring churches and working with school programs where the Gospel was presented to children in many counties. He also took thousands of children to the Youth Haven Bible Camp that is a part of KMM.

When I was ten years old, he took me to Bible camp and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior that weekend. I went to camp every time I had the opportunity until I was 12 years old. He called me one night and asked me to be a part of a singing group that he directed, made up of several teenage boys and himself. I could not and still cannot sing well but that didn't matter to him. He was more concerned about me as a person. We sang in different churches and camps, sharing the Gospel and each of us gave our testimony between songs. Lots of people were saved and rededicated to the Lord through that work.

During my teenage years, he led an effort to raise funds and build a Christian Youth Center for the kids, teenagers and even adults to have a place to play ball, table games, roller skate and other activities. There were organized basketball leagues and everyone who was on a team had to attend church at least once each week to be eligible to play the game that week. We had devotions and prayers before
every game. The Youth Center is still going strong in that community.

Preacher Bill is still working and doing what he can to further the ministries he has been involved in. He will turn 77 in June of this year. He has had four heart attacks, several surgeries, a pacemaker and a hip replacement in the last few years, yet he will not retire because he says the Lord didn't tell him to retire and he'll be there until the Lord calls him Home.

Preacher Bill is my miracle worker because he has been a very big part of my life for 35 years, has always been an inspiration and a role model for me and thousands of other people. He is like a second father to me. Even now, he keeps in touch and tries to encourage me in all areas of my life. I don't think I could tell you how many people will be in Heaven because of the faithfulness of Preacher Bill Holeman and his wife, Joyce. Leading someone to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and following up through the years is the greatest miracle you can be a part of.

Thanks,
Richard Dezarn
Lexington, KY

"When a wounded soul needs a little hope, be the miracle!"

My Miracle Maker is my long time friend Lynn Criner.

Lynn and I have known each other since we were eight years old. As years have gone by, we may not have always lived in the same state but we have always been close in heart. When we were teens, Lynn would go on vacation with me and my family. We always went to Tennessee to see my Grandparents and we still talk about the fun we had.

As we got older, we were there for each other when we had our kids. I remember when I gave birth to my youngest: It was about 12:30 a.m. when a visitor came into my room at the hospital. It was Lynn. She was in town and had snuck in to see me. Of course, after about 15 minutes, she got kicked out but it was worth it.

A couple of years ago, my eldest son went up north to the Special Olympics. I was unable to go. Lynn lives about an hour away so she went in my place. Justin loved seeing his 'Auntie Lynn' and told me all about it when he got back. Lynn has done a lot of work with people with special needs, young and old. She sure is good at it.

In September, 2001, her ex-husband died. She did all she could to make sure he got a proper burial.

When my husband died of a sudden heart attack in September, 2003, Lynn was there to help me through it.

Whenever I need someone to talk to, to laugh with or if I need to share a good cry, I can always call on her.

After Hurricane Katrina hit last year, Lynn did something wonderful (with God's help, of course). She was on her way home and felt she had to do something for those poor victims. She made some phone calls and, with the help of family and friends, sent
down a semi filled with supplies. Within a week after the word got out what she was doing, not one but five trucks were sent down to deliver to areas in need.

Lynn doesn't do things to get a gold star on her forehead, she does it just because.

When I found out about your Senior Trip, I called her up and said, "Lynn, we have to go! This may be our only chance to go on a Senior Trip since we missed our first one in High School." She finally agreed, so come April, we'll be Nashville-bound.
Yeah, me and my buddy Lynn.

Pat Johnson
Redford, MI

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