Valentine's Impact Looking Back

On Saturday, February 13, Kaleo hosted a community impact at our local retirement center, the Trevecca Towers. It was a sort of Valentine Eve event and typical of any successful gathering, food brought us together despite what some might consider a generational gap. We shared cookies, candy, conversation and fruit punch which made for delightful introductions. Then after everyone was adequately sweetened up with sugar and spice and everything nice we continued with the afternoon’s festivities. First, we crafted valentines to share with those shut-in neighbors who may not have been able to attend. Then, hosted by an M.C. and appropriate to the day, we focused our celebration on stories and topics of love: past, present and future. We reflected on fond memories come but not yet gone. We were told tales of trials now overcome. We heard inspirational sagas of marriage and lifelong love. We even compared favorite love songs and movies and heard secret crushes confessed. And by the time the last story was told, it was obvious that we were, in fact, bridging the generation gap. But more importantly, we were able to embrace an opportunity to cultivate new friendships, and, God willing, we will continue to see those relationships strengthened and sustained into the future.
At Kaleo we have recognized the fact that ours is a movement of a younger generation. And in our youth we have been given a new vision – a vision of what it might look like to be missional within our community and to actually see the kingdom of God break into our world. However, we also realize that without the dreams of an older and wiser generation we might easily fall short of what we know Christ expects from his church. Just as the body is made up of many parts working together, so it is with the church. And so it is our hope for Kaleo. We wish for a partnership. We intend to share our youth and our vision, and we seek for others’ dreams and guidance.
We understand that the body of Christ is intended to be made up of many gifts. Our goal was to form relationships with those residing in the Towers, as they are very much a part of the community in which we live. The party was a success as people enjoyed making their own Valentine cards, eating home- made Valentine’s Day treats, and sharing special Valentine’s Day moments with us.
Especially touching moments were shared when two Hurricane Katrina transplants from New Orleans shared their stories about being rescued from the hurricane and coming to the Trevecca Towers. Sticking within the theme of Valentine’s Day, they expressed their gratitude for those who have shown them acceptance and love since coming to reside at the Towers. The residents were eager to share stories about their weddings, significant others, and favorite love songs and movies.
- Dierdre Arnett

To read more about what's happening with Kaleo Nashville email kaleonashville@gmail.com and ask to recieve our bi-monthly newsletter!

Valentine's Day Party!

A day that often can be seen as a lonely day for many who have no-one else to celebrate with, we as Kaleo want to be a means of blessing, comfort, and fun for the perhaps, heavy hearted. So..

- This Saturday, February 13th, Kaleo will be hosting a Valentine's Day Party at the Trevecca Towers! It will be a fun time of making and exchanging valentine's, eating some snacks, sharing stories, and making friends!

All are welcome to join us!

Contact kaleonashville@gmail.com or 931-698-6605 for more info!

Good Hearts Glow - Reflections from Holiday

Embrace Christ, He wants to embrace you, and when He does, He changes you, your heart is good, it’s so good that it glows. But don’t we too often stifle the glow, we douse the light, and grieve the Holy Spirit when all we can see in the mirror is what we used to be. We are Moses coming down from the mountain where we just met with God, our faces are shining with His glory! And then we put on a veil.

The first marriage we walked down the aisle to our Lord, our Groom, with our faces veiled, we cried tears of oppression, and our God heard them. We met our God at the altar of Mt. Sinai and we married our God, we entered a covenant with our God.
But all too soon the marriage began.. well.. failing. We failed at loving Him, our Groom, our God, we failed at keeping His word, and we cheated on our God. We had an affair with other gods. Time and time again. So even when the ceremony ended we continued to wear our veil, because it was a veil of shame.

But then God said there will be a second marriage. I will take you in my hands and you will reenter the womb and you will come out with new life. You will be good. You will walk down the aisle to Me and I will pull your veil back and touch your tears and I will make you clean, make you new. Forever.
You shall never again put on the veil for I, the Lord, have taken it off! You are good. Your heart and your life will glow. You will be like a city on a hill. Everyone who sees you will see truth and life. Because of your good heart, through My good grace.

In Christ, your heart is good, and good hearts glow.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 3