If my career detour from special education to singing has done one thing, it has afforded me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

I'm really not that special. Really, I'm not. I was on a big TV show, but it was just a TV show.

I kind of had my life planned out for me. I'd be married at some point, have, you know, 1.5 children, and be a principal possibly one day. But I think that that was kind of my problem. I allowed myself to plan out my life and didn't let provident direction guide my life.

I did get a degree in special education.

I think there is a predisposition among Christians that Hollywood is anti-Jesus or anti-Christianity. I was warned I'd have to fight to maintain the freedom to express my beliefs. It's an unfair stereotype, and so far that's been the farthest from the truth. While everyone I work with may not share my beliefs, I have been surrounded by nothing but support.

I am never going to sound like Johnny Mathis.

UNICEF is working for the survival of children worldwide. What can we do to get more Americans committed to the cause?