Kristene's Story
Long before Jubilee Seasons became a reality, God was shaping its story. Later in life, after years of ministry, Kristene earned a degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis on Evangelism. Much of her academic work focused on studying the great revival and healing movements throughout church history. Her fascination with the healing ministry of Jesus wasn't simply theological–it was deeply personal.
As a young adult, before the connections between unprocessed trauma, neurodivergence, chronic stress, and physical illness were widely understood, Kristene was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She pursued healing through a variety of holistic approaches and is grateful for the role they played in her recovery. Yet one of the most profound parts of her journey came as she invited Jesus into the hidden places of grief, fear, and emotional pain she carried for years.
Today, Kristene writes from that journey with honesty and hope. Not as someone with all the answers, but as a fellow traveler who has witnessed the faithfulness of God through every season. Through her writing, botanical products, and creative resources, she gently invites others to care for their bodies, renew their minds, and discover the deep sense of shalom found in abiding with Christ.
About Our Family
Hello! We are Mike and Kristene O’Dell. We’ve been married for over 33 years and have six adult children (with the oldest 2 married as well). We also have 4 talented grandchildren, so far…
Our youngest 3 sons, Pierce, Judah, and Gregory help with Jubilee Seasons in various ways… with each one bringing a creative element to the table.
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We love to vacation together, and our favorite vacation spot is the Alabama Coastline.
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We enjoy playing card games and the winner gets bragging rights to the “Grand Poobah” hat until the next game night commences.
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We are all animal lovers except for our youngest, who is allergic to anything with fur.
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Most of us love outdoor activities. Mike, Kristene, and the youngest 2 specifically like hiking at national parks. And on occasion, we can get the grandkids to go hiking as well.
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Our son-in-law is a ping pong shark. He kept that a secret until we all played.
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All the grandkids are athletic. One just got involved in competitive skating, and the other 3 play various sports including basketball, volleyball, and soccer.
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Our oldest is in her 40’s and our youngest is 20. There is a twelve year gap between the oldest 4 and the youngest 2. We have had kids in all stages of life.
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We have dreams of moving near the Buffalo National River in Arkansas, staying active, growing a garden, and maybe even building a stained-glass green house. But ultimately, we would like to create a retreat space that incorporates quiet peacefulness and rejuvenation through the beautiful nature in that part of the world. And, maybe host creativity camps and community events.