It has been a while since my last post and I hope this summer i will have a little more time to reflect and share as God is doing amazing things all around me these days. I had a vision a few years back but was in a place that I was unable to move forward with this dream. Today I find myself on the footsteps of this dream and Gods calling on me of actually happening. God has put the right people in my life with the same willingness to serve him and those in our community for his glory. Plans are shaping into "Ignite 28075" - A partnership of churches student ministries coming together in our community to be as ONE in the church. With so many churches, so many separate student ministries trying to reach the lost young people and really just holding onto their own students - together I fully believe we can reach further into our community for Christ. I am so blessed to have served under Pastor Tim from Harrisburg Presby the last year in their student ministry and now having the opportunity to serve under Pastor Robbie from High Rock Church - invites are out to local churches and praying for a big turnout next Wed night June 19th to glorify God by making a place for everyone to know Jesus. I sometimes sit and take a breather and wonder, how in the world did I go from this place a few years ago to the place I am standing in today? - It really is remarkable what God can do in your life if you really with all your heart want to be used for Gods purposes. It really is amazing and at times hard to believe.

Please be in prayer for those who will be coming next week. Praying God shows up in such a huge way that we will be blown away by what happens. - Thank you so much!

Summer has officially kicked off and even though I dont have vacation until July - Kyle is fully in down time mode and its nice to be able to sleep in and get to work at a normal time. I am fully enjoying the extra 5 hours of sleep each week!
As I think about the extra down time for so many - I am encouraged to think that this free time is not wasted time. I am really hoping that some will use their free time to grow and experience. I am very encouraged to see a few of my students step up and last Sunday go and serve a meal to the women and children at the Center of Hope. This is their first summer weekend and they are already stepping in and serving. Wed night this week we are hosting a birthday party for a women and childrens shelter in Concord and students have stepped up to help with that. Opportunity House on Thursday - students have stepped up to be a part of that! I am so encouraged by their willingness to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus. I just dont believe people can be encouraged too much and a little bit goes a long way!
I think for some though, who are not plugging in but have done so in the past, find themselves in a place where they may be thinking their efforts are not worth it. Maybe they are feeling, the problem isnt going to go away so why bother. Maybe, they have already experienced serving a meal and think well - I've already done that, what else do you have? - See the problem with that thinking is, that meal you served 4 months ago - those were different people then. Those folks have moved up and out and a new family is waiting for you. A new person or a new child is needing your smile and tender words. We should be that message to others where ever we may go, where ever we may be serving and whoever we may meet. Our efforts are not unseen by God. He knows our intentions, our motives and he sees our hearts.

I am in my Bible reading study - through LifeChurch.TV - reading the Bible in a year and I am in Isaiah and I just love this chapter of Gods word. So many things are shared here that are speaking into the future and what will come to pass. The words then are still true over our lives today.

Isaiah 49:1-6 Listen to me, all you in distant lands. Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth from within the womb he called me by name^. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiv^er.  He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel and you will bring me glory.”

I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.” And now the Lord speaks—the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me and my God has given me strength.  He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

 I love that even though we may feel like God is far from us and we may be feeling like all this we are doing isnt working or producing fruit - God shares with us to keep it up. To put it all in His hands and he will give us strength. He then speaks not to us but into our potential. He speaks into what He sees in us even when we dont see it in us. "You will do more than restore the people of Isreal to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." - I love that God sees more in us than we see in ourselves. He sees greater things and the little things we are doing today, is a light for everyone to see. Gods love and mercy being displayed for the world to see when we serve with a willing heart. Be encouraged today because God has spoken each of our names. Even those names who are far from him today.

Dont let the free time of summer pass you by. True freedom is in the hands of Christ. Take his and let him change your life.

Thanks for "TheWalk" today......... 

Lonnie~

Just got in from lunch with my 5th grade class. It is always such a blessing for me as I go and invest some time into these really incredible young people. Today I met them in the media room before lunch and had a chance to sit with my 2 mentor students along with a few others and I got to lean in and share a little about "Character". I love these precious moments because they are few and far between. Especially the older they get. So as I shared my heart about what makes a person "them" and what they "stand" for and "who" they really are, a few more students inched over to listen in on what I was sharing. The moments flow from one thing to the next and our conversation transitioned so smoothly into their class after lunch "Family" talk which is where they learn about sex. So you can image a room full of 5th graders all excited about it, embarrassed by it, questioning about and laughing about it. Hey laughter makes for good awkward medicine sometimes :) I wonder how its going about right now LOL

Its really hard to believe this year has flown by. A lunch next week with them on my birthday and its one of the students birthdays as well so we will celebrate together :) - I told her today that if she made me a card, I would make her a card and we high fived so its as good as done!

I think a lot of the connection that I have with the kids is always that place where I really want to hear what they have to say. Sometimes I dont fully follow or they are using some trendy new word I have to later go find out what it means but I do lean in and really listen. As a parent, I am probably guilty more than I want to admit that when I am home a lot of times I am distracted. Does Kyle have my full attention when he is talking to me or trying to get an answer to his important question? Does Carol?
I try really hard to keep my phone away when talking with someone. I honestly do. I want the person I am speaking with to really know I am all there. I have shared a few times that if you want to make an impression, speak to a crowd but if you want to make a difference, speak to a person. In order to do that we have to look at them. We have to focus. When I am talking to a student, either at school or at youth/church - If I want to really make my point hit home, I lean down, I put my hands on my knees or a drop a leg and get on a knee - so that I am on their level eye to eye. So often people speak down to people and when you are above like that, people honestly feel like what they say doesn't matter.
For me, I think this is my biggest connection. Its odd thinking about it like this because in my younger days we didnt have all these distractions. If you wanted to get permission to go to a friends house, you had to speak directly to mom or dad. If you wanted to use the phone you had to use the one in the kitchen, you know tied to the wall and with about 5 foot of cord! Yes no privacy. No texting. Talking!! Yes it worked sometimes!

I do know this from seeing it first hand. Kids listen better when they know they can talk to you and you are truly there and they have your attention. If you want them to listen to you, listen to them. I think all kids are good, some make poor choices but God has made us each good. They dont want to feel as though they are bothering you. I had a student text me yesterday and was asking for prayer and she opened the text, sorry to bother you Mr. Lonnie. I addressed that first, they are never bothering me. I want to hear about the prayer request and then I am going to pray about it. Right then. See how that moves forward with confidence? Trust. Value.

Listening leads to wisdom. We can all need more of that.
I will close today with scripture from my Bible reading plan as I am stepping through Proverbs. Proverbs 8:32-35
And so, my children listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Dont ignore it. Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting fro me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.

May our ears never get tired of hearing the hearts of others, especially our heavenly Fathers.
Lonnie~

Wow - Tonight.... I am Gods Masterpiece!!

It was awesome leading tonight at WoW. I really had a lot of fun tonight speaking on family and how often times when our family is not working right, we often want the other members of our family to change. It was said last week in a discussion on prayers - "Our prayers sometimes dont change the person we are praying for or change the difficulty but they sure do change us". A few years ago I led a Bible study with some close friends on parenthood. It was one of my favorite bible studies and from that time, years ago, I captured some entries from Moms, Dads, Sons and daughters. I bet you will relate to a few of these posts. I know I do. Family is Gods idea and Jesus gives us a great example in serving others before ourselves. As I landed tonight message, I spoke from Ephesians 2: We are Gods masterpiece. I asked each person tonight - Who are you? Repeating "I am Gods masterpiece." Wow students, watch this video again, grab mom and dad and have a conversation. Family is Gods idea. Proud of you all and thank you for an amazing year leading you with Kathleen. It has been fun and it has been great growing closer to God with ya'll.

Just wanted to take a few moments and share something from a long time Pastor that has been in my life now for many years even though I have only seen him live 2 times. He has spoken volumes into me over the years. I have read, I think everything he has wrote - hey he even sent me a FaceBook message back to me once. So that means we are on talking level. LOL - no seriously, I truly respect and honor Pastor Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch.tv. I love the fact that my Pastor at Elevation Church, Pastor Steven Furtick is like a brother and is a pastor to him as well.

I am reading through his Altar Ego book which I am reading slow because I just cant grab it all at once. It has so much good stuff in there that I cant possibly soak it all in so this is slowing me down.
I wanted to share a part that I read this morning and continues to weigh on me. My heart is in his words on the page and gosh, it hit me like a ton of bricks this morning as I read over the words again and again. I just have to share them because it is so what my heart is dying to say, to share, to reach out and touch someone with.

Thank you Pastor Craig for sharing your heart through these amazing words.

When was the last time someone was amazed by your boldness? When was the last time you stopped someone in their tracks because they were undone by your bold speech and actions? Now, keep in mind, Im not talking about wacky, odd, cheesy, 33 bumper stickers on your SUV kind of Christian drive-by witness. I am not talking about being bold in a bad-Christian-television way to make people dislike you or ridicule you. I'm talking about being bold with integrity. The kind of boldness where you're living in a way that reflects Christ's compassion and selflessness, where others look at you and say, "There's something different about this person." The kind of boldness where you're so generous with your money and your heart and your time, where you've served your way into people's lives, and therefore you've earned the right to say, "I really do love you; may I tell you about my God?"

I read that honestly, its hard to hold back the tears. To me this is beautiful. This passage from his book is so in-line with the things I am learning, the last series on learning Gods will for our lives at church and really knowing Christ. I have been sharing some of those things with the students I lead on Wednesday nights and in this past year, you can really see some major growth taking place. Over the past few weeks, taking some of them to an amazing concert, taking 2 last night to the evening service at church - there is nothing more amazing than seeing these young people with hands raised, singing, praising and loving God. During the message taking notes and hanging on almost every word. God is growing them and in doing so, He is growing me. I am excited about that. I am excited to know God more today than I did yesterday. I am excited for opportunity to serve others in some small way because that means I am walking closer to God than before. I love where God has me today. It may not always be easy or convenient but pushing through with hands open means I am willing and God will work with a heart like that. Last night Pastor closed the service out after a Q&A session where people just asked questions and he sat on stage with his Bible open and spoke from the heart. I loved hearing his heart, his compassion for people and his love for Christ as he just opened up and shared. He said, "God will make giant leaps to those who are taking small steps toward him."

Seeing fruit in all the hard work, the struggles, the load that we carry is always special. A little fruit goes a long way on the long journey. For sure its more fun going with others, in the same direction, same intensity and the same heart full of love.

As my church closed out 5 weeks of learning Gods will is Whatever - I will close with our focus scripture that I am sure will continue to speak volumes into me for months to come, if not longer.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Always in Him,
Lonnie~  

 

This has been a busy week but a week that has been most amazing. On Tuesday, me and a few of my students from Wed night youth group went to see the Passion Tour in uptown Charlotte. The Passion Tour is a group of musicians and bands that come together and tour the world to share, worship and praise our God and to send a message into the world to end world slavery. This movement is really gaining steam and laws are being passed each day to help the victims in the sex slave markets around our world. 27 million are forced in slavery, more than any other time in the history of the world and this all started because of one heart that broke and God ignited a fire in Christine Cain and she boldly took it to the world. So as these bands and musicians tour, they are spreading the love of Jesus and I want to tell you, what a concert - well not a concert really but a worship experience it was. Nothing like singing and praising our God with a few hundred folks in this small beautiful 150 year old church. Seeing Anna, Morgan, Maddison singing and raising their hands and smiling for 2 hours is well worth the $20 ticket. For them, their first Christian artist concert and one they will always remember. See these gals are leaders in their generation. They are in key club, they lead at church and in their youth group, they study hard and are wonderful young women. I love making and putting together opportunities for them to grow, to experience and have a chance to be involved in these kinds of things because it stretches us, it grows us, it gets us out of our comfort zones sometimes and that is exactly where God can use us. 

Meeting Kristian after the worship experience was awesome. Such a humbled and gentle spirit he has. He welcomed us in gave us a hug and a handshake and I thanked him for the workout session. He laughed and I said PassionP90X and it was awesome! Maddison said ever so quietly before we were next, - "I wonder if he knows he will be my husband?" - it was really funny and we all shared a good laugh.

When we can imprint amazing moments like this into our lives and into the lives of others, it has a lasting affect. Its like a fingerprint - it leaves a mark. These gals went home and shared their experience with their families. They shared with their classmates. They became contagious as they shared with others. The cost of this - Priceless. I just cant put a value on something with this much meaning. 

All I want, is by the end of the day, that my heart looks like His heart. I want to have the same things breaking me that are breaking Gods heart. I want to be able to honestly stand with my hands open and beg God to use me - WHATEVER - way he has willed me to do. 

Wednesday I put together a movie night to see the movie Home Run. I invited just about everyone I have contact info for as everyone was invited. Had a good turn out and the theater was pretty much ours and enjoyed a great movie with a powerful message to it. Pastor Tim, who has become such a great friend and brother in Christ this past year was very excited and happy that so many in his church came to see the movie and to hear the message of 2nd chances, that God loves us too much to leave us where we are and forgiveness.

As I wrap up this post, I just walked in from having lunch with my 5th graders. I got to share lunch with 3 different classes today as many sat with Lauren, Taylon and myself. Its such an amazing time being in their environment. All year the friendships grow and smiles and laughs and sharing comes more easily. Today, I found out one of my kids moved. Gone. Just like that. I was really making some leaps with him as he often pulled me aside and opened up. Sharing something about home or something funny. If a child is bold enough to ask me "Why do I come in and have lunch every week when i am not Taylons or Laurens dad?" - He is really thinking about things. Its awesome when they ask and I am not just telling them why I am there. They really seem to get the WHY then. As he finishes up 5th grade in the next few weeks, he will have a fresh start in middle school. I know he will rise to the occasion and flourish.

I will close with Psalm 116:1-2 as I read through my Bible plan in a year through LifeChurch.tv - "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."

Gods peace and favor,
Lonnie~

Carol and I had a very good anniversary yesterday. Thank you to all those who called, emailed, texted and sent messages on FaceBook or Twitter. We truly love you all. Carol, Kyle and I got to go out to eat to what I think is my favorite place to eat even though its a bit fancy. Holding pinky out here :) - Cajun Queen has got to be the cutest little place in Charlotte and the food it amazing. As you can tell by the name, its Cajun which means it has some heat in it. I like that. There in the upper room, a little 3 old man band was playing, a little drums, a little bass guitar and cutest old gentleman I have ever seen playing the piano. He was all crunched over and his arms didnt have to move much to have his hands on the keys and he just played. No notes. No sheet music. Nothing. Pretty awesome stuff as he played and smiled. You could just tell this man was at peace and enjoyed so much what he was doing.
I am sad to say that the tragedy yesterday in Boston played a big part in our day as with any tragedy like this, it really reminds us that life can turn in a moment. Thinking about 24 years of marriage and praying for another 24 years. Its humbling knowing that, especially at my age, that life has its major turns, battles and scars. My heart pours out to the folks in Boston and I just cant fathom why and how there is so much hatred in the world. I am comforted knowing that Christ is already at work in that area in the hearts of his people.

Yesterday during my quiet time as I am going through my YouVersion Bible reading plan in a year - I am in 2 Kings 5 and I came across this as it really came to life for me. I hope it comes to life for you in some way.

2 Kings 5

The Healing of Naaman

5 The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.^[a]

² At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. ³ One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.”
⁴ So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. ⁵ “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold,^[b] and ten sets of clothing. ⁶ The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.”
⁷ When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.”
⁸ But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”
⁹ So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. ¹⁰ But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”
¹¹ But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! ¹² Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.
¹³ But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir,^[c] if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” ¹⁴ So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!
¹⁵ Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”

I know the scripture is a bit long but its important to have the before and after from verse 12 and 13. See Naaman wanted to be cleaned from his leprosy. He was a mighty warrior, many killed in battles, a leader and people looked up to him and followed him but he had a major problem. He was sick. He had leprosy and it was probably hard to lead people in battle, to give commands to people and probably lots of them since he was the commander of the army. So he desperately wanted to be healed. So he went to see the prophet Elisha who would heal him but when he went, Elisha sent him away telling him to go wash in the Jordan. Naaman was furious. He wanted to be healed right then. He didnt want to do his part, follow directions or orders in army terms. He thought the waters of the Jordan were not different than other river waters and he had already tried all that and still he was infected. So after his officers spoke to him, reasoned with him, he went and did what Elisha told him to do. There ya go .... all clean. Skin like a baby. 

How often do we look for the big things in our lives when we should be paying attention and more importantly doing, the little things? We need a cure for something today but we refuse to go to the doctor. We need a miracle in our finances but we keep on spending. We are not happy in our relationship or marriage but refuse to sit down and work at it. We want our kids to make good choices but we dont show them a good example or invest more time with them. So often we need to listen to the people in our lives. We need to seek out our godly friends that God has placed in our lives and seek their advice. We need their counsel because they wont steer us wrong. Maybe we dont because we honestly, want to do things our way. We want to do the things we want to do regardless if it brings healing, hope, restoration. We know what they are going to tell us and that is honestly what we dont want to do. So we dont ask. We buy the house we cant afford. We rent the car that is too expensive and we get stuck even further with monthly bills. We go to the other college because boyfriend or girlfriend goes there.

I bet if we each take a look around at the godly folks in our lives today. You will have some. Maybe today, would be a good idea, to call them, text them or send them an email to thank them first but more importantly to set up some coffee time and share. Open up a little, seek some advice on that thing that you are struggling with. Lighten the yolk up a little and let this godly friend pour some wisdom into you. It may take only 10 seconds of courage to do it. Do it anyway...... 

Like the officers, they spoke to Naaman, reminded him to do the little things and stop looking for the big thing that is going to make a huge difference. Your miracle that you need today may just be a listening ear away. Stay obedient in the small things, the big things will work out to.

Love you all,
Lonnie~  

 

You might be thinking this is our wedding photo. You would be wrong. For those in our life right now who have teenagers going to prom, since its prom season, this is our prom picture. Looks like a wedding photo though doesn't it? Carol and I are one of the small % of couples that get married that dated in high school.  To clear a few things up, Carol is still just as pretty and sweet as she was back then. I did have hair back then since most people today know me with no hair. I probably couldn't see the photographer in this picture because I did not have my glasses on, my mom worked for company that barely had vision benefits so I always got the army surplus glasses that made me look like a raccoon or a satellite dish on my face. - But hey we were in love :)

24 years ago today I remember waking up in my apartment, Carol still lived at home with her mom and dad, and my best man and wedding guys slowly came over. It was a day full of excitement, full of dreams and full of rain. I am not talking like showers that pass by but I am talking a rain like Noah would be nervous about. It rained so hard that day that the limo couldnt come pick the guys up and take them to the church. We all piled into my dads white van to take us to the church in the last minutes before things got underway without being late. So many folks there that day and I remember seeing Carol at the other end of the church and thinking, gosh, is this for real? My walk with Christ at this time wasnt more than a walk that my mom had. My faith then was very much through her. I will always remember my moms love for Jesus was always quiet. Her spiritual side was kept very close to her until her last few months on this earth - it was only then that I saw how much my mom lived her life. So as our wedding day washed before our eyes, we danced, we sang, we partied and had so much fun. They say, rain on your wedding day bring the marriage luck. I hope that still is true today. I am so blessed to still be in love with Carol like we were when we were in our 20's and even before. As high school ended, college started, full time work began and Carol and I continued to make some good choices, dream big and work hard on those dreams. The day after our wedding we flew to Ocho Rios Jamaica for a week and fell in love with the island people. Who knew that 22 years later, Carol and my son Kyle and a bunch of close people, like family in our life, would be returning for a mission trip. Everything always comes full circle. Looking back I can see that more and more in my life as I get older. Everything has a season and everything comes back around. Its almost as if its like putting closure to so much. 

24 years of marriage has been wonderful, it has been hard work in some seasons of time, its been beautiful and its been fun. I think the key ingredient for us as I look back is, we were friends before we started dating. We liked each other first before we loved each other. It was a funship of friendship but working together to common goals while trying to always put the other person first. 

With most marriages ending today in a dismal 50% ratio - I think about our parents. Walt and MaryLou. Lonnie Sr and my mom Lois. A lifetime committed to marriage. I am so thankful we had good examples to go by. I am so blessed to see the struggles of our parents and being able to work things out and throwing in the towel was never an option. I can say that Carols mom and dad loved each other all the days of their lives. My dad loved my mom all the days of hers. There is such comfort knowing that your spouse has your back and no matter what happens - throwing in the towel is never an option. Honoring the other before self - that keeps the bad decisions few and far between. 

Carol I am so thankful for you. The way you love your friends, deeply, the way you love Kyle and our family and what that represents. Our family time is so important to you and giving Kyle a great example of how a wife and mom leads in the family. You loved Kate just as deeply and even though those wounds resurface from time to time. I know that love would never be in vain. Even though it didn't end the way we wanted. Even though we didn't listen to others as we took her in and loved her like our own daughter. We stuck to prayer and doing what God had called us to do. I know we wouldn't take that season of time back. It has made us closer. It has created a tighter bonded team. It has shaped us in so many ways. It has shown us to trust each other and God more. I am so thankful to have you as my teammate in life. I thank God for you and how richly blessed I am. 24 years and praying even better 24 more. 

You have always been the love of my life and the last few years since God has moved from someone I barely knew to the heart full that he continues to give me daily - Our love for each other is even stronger because of Him. 

I didn't have to think long about marriage as it is shared with us in Gods word. John 2 is the first miracle that Jesus performed. By turning water into wine, God revealed himself in such a huge way - A wedding celebration. His first sign of his glory. Our marriages today need God in them. Not as an add-on but as a centered piece. I am convinced that after living 47 years of my life, most of which being married, that the secret in marriage and honoring each other is putting Christ at the center of everything you do.

I have to say, with the road we have traveled - its the one true thing that has held us together. Only by his power, his grace and his love have we been able to endure all we have, enjoyed the seasons of such joy, given Kyle a home with a mom and dad, and a loving example of what marriage kindashoulda - look like. Though nothing is ever perfect, nothing is ever worth having without a struggle to keep it. 

I love you with all my heart Carol. Looking forward to the next, whatever God has in store for us. The dreams are endless, the possibilities are awesome and I have someone to smile with along this journey. 

All my heart,

Lonnie~