New read.....

and with a new read comes new learning... that I am excited about. Everyone has to have seasons of growth. It is especially true in our understanding of God. There has to be time in between big things to grow into what we are learning. I think I am in that season right now. Honestly the last week or so - I have not even opened my bible but have been praying extra hard for direction and peace. At church leaving the leadership role in a vital and important ministry has left me a feeling a little disconnected even though I am needing the down time. I am needing the rest and a new challenge into something new. I just have not put the steps down to rest and also put the steps down to move onto the next thing God has called me to move onto. I know it will happen in time and some things need to pass and some things need to line up in order for these things to happen.

The other day while looking for a new read ... I remembered that my buddy Mike got me Tony Dungy's book for my birthday last year. Wow, a few days into this book and it is really good. It has me thirsty for football season but also in awe of his commitment to Jesus and following Him. One of the parts in it was his bible study when he moved to Minnisota to be head coach there was the study time in Nehemiah. I have not read much in the Old Testament ... but after some prayer and asking the Lord to just make this book clear to me - give me something Lord in english and that is easy for a guy like me to understand. So far...... well lets just start from here.

Nehemiah: 3 They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'
10 "They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." I was cupbearer to the king.

This is just so clear to me that if God is part of the solution - there is nothing that cannot be fixed. No matter where you have been or how far you are from God - letting Him into your life will bring things together. If you have a marriage that is struggling and maybe some bad things have built walls between it - God can knock down those walls. Husband and wife can again begin fresh and work on things like they were new. If you have a son or daughter that is lost and you are at the end of the rope - God can bring that child back. He can fix that relationship.

I know some dear loved one in my life right now that the ground is shaking and solid footing is hard to find in their relationships - their futures .... and I know with all my heart that if God became the focus of their hearts...... there would be a new direction. There would be new purpose for them. There would be healing and a new comfort. There is always 1 though that wants it more than the other. 1 always wants out of the marriage - there is always 1 that doesn't want a relationship with the parent or son/daughter ..... someone is always left holding everything while the other is doing their thing. This passage tells me there is hope for that other person.......

I look forward to more study time in Nehemiah as well as time in Tony Dungy's book. I can feel a change in the air ..... with new directions, new purpose and I am praying its CONTAGIOUS. There is no place You can't reach Lord. I have always loved roller coasters .... and its that feeling of going over the edge as the excitement builds as you climb to the top - expecting the rush ..... and then you look around and see what the view has in store.

Lonnie~

Busy Bee.,...

B U S Y - Busy Bee.... Carol, Kyle and my sunday school kids will know I am saying that with my best Elvis I have.... It was part of a sunday school lesson a few weeks back and it has stuck with me and the kids enjoyed it. I am excited that our VBS program next week has an Elvis part in it ...so I am all over it. My mom loved Elvis and my brother Craig and I listened to the oldies channel on the radio for years listening to mom sing as she cleaned, cleaned and cleaned some more. She just loved his music and his voice .... I guess that is where I get that from.
It has been a busy day today. Busier than normal for summer. Today at lunch I was invited to Chick-Fil-A to join Carol, Kyle, Barbara and Madison. I did not have lunch and I had printed a bunch of VBS manuals and wanted to give that to Carol - she and Barbara were headed shopping for supplies and such for next week. Planning is getting exciting as the week draws near. Anyways - it was ladies lunch at church. For months now all I have heard was that nobody comes to ladies lunch. It is sometimes just Carol and Kristen and sometimes just Carol. Today had to be different right? I walk in and there are ladies everywhere. How my heart sank .... excited the ladies are having lunch! Funny thing was last night while Carol was telling me its cool and all - I added in my prayers for the Lord to send some ladies to this lunch. It is good for them to get together and share part of their day together. Community is important!! So today they showed up.
Answered prayer........ should have waited till now huh?
Its all good...... BUSY BEE...
Lon

time...

It has been a few days since my last post. With the official start of summer now since school is out, I think my posts will slow down a bit. That doesn't mean that things are slow by any means. Last Friday, I got the chance to hang out with some of "MyKids" at work. Kyle, Marissa and Madison spent a good part of the day with me at work, giving me a hand on a few things, out for lunch and then bbq at the house that evening. Time well spent investing in those relationships ... Madison and Marissa also enjoyed some girl time with Carol - after the thunderstorm rolled through Friday late afternoon ... they got a chance to dance in the rain. It's good to get back to simple things in life and just enjoy the moment that God has blessed us with. No Ipods, cell phone, video games --- just some rain, puddles, music playing in our heads and just a few moments being a kid. Saturday - Kyle and I finally got out to get Carols mothers day present ...yea we operate on our own time frame LOL - but we got Carol this gazebo thing to go on the deck hoping to enjoy outside more during the summer months. We all know how hot those summers can be here in the south. Sunday, church and then down to south Charlotte to visit Rich, Chris and Peyton. They are our longest Charlotte friends - ever since we moved here almost 14 years ago. Dang its been that long? Wow.....
I fully enjoyed Sunday school this week serving with the gals in there - lead by a dear friend Leigh. Leigh you did a great job with the kids.... we wont be running 20 kids each week for long. There for awhile we were running over 50 - so it will return.... lots of families already on vacation and taking some down time. Carol, Kyle and I will be headed to the cabin this coming weekend with our good friends. I think we are ALL looking forward to this time away together as friends. Should be full of smiles and surely things to laugh at :)
This is our last week of planning for next week - our VBS. We are heading into this year's VBS program in high gear and full of excitement. We have lots of volunteers and activities planned ... praying hard for God to send us those kids! I can't wait to plug in some fun time for them as we learn about God together.
Yesterday's message at church really hit home for me. Pastor Jimmy spoke about our calling in life - What is God calling you to do? - It was clear that God doesn't ask us to do anything - He tells us. There is no asking at all ... - Its up to us to follow through and answer the call or not answer the call. Once we get motivated and moving forward we are then on Satans radar. He will use the things that have dragged us down in our past. If we struggle with drugs or alcohol - he will use those things to keep us out of focus. He will use those things to keep us from taking that next step. Whatever it is that we struggle with, he will use against us. Many fall into this trap. It especially hurt hearing the news about a pastor in GA who made some really bad decisions and it ended up costing him the leadership of the church he pastors. God gets the black eye on that as many folks will fry him for his actions. Many will point fingers at him and drag him through the mud. We all deserve grace and second chances.... a Mulligan. God can make the wrong things right again.
What are you doing today to make God famous? His name above all other names? Our Sunday school lesson yesterday as filling a cup full of sand. Sand representing the things in our lives - our homes, family, cars, Wii, video games, cell phones, Ipods etc... and then we try to fit God in there someplace. No room ----- when we arrange God first and then put those things into our lives there is room for everything. There is room for the right things .... Priorities.
Time to get busy again .....
Lonnie~

New Pastures ....

WoW - I am not sure how I am feeling right now. Been running since last nite. Kyle and I went to Rocky River Elem graduation last night for some of our kids who are graduating 5th grade. Great enjoying that with those families and also being invited back next year on Tuesdays by one of the teachers there! That is pretty awesome ... it was also a closing of a chapter for one of "MyKids". I have been having lunch with her for a few years now. Have moved on from one school to the next and have supplied countless hours of invested time in her and her family. I have crossed this finish line for now. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve them as well as the other families/kids there.
Today was Kyles graduation and SO many kids I have got to know over the last 6 years at Harrisburg Elem. The staff, teachers and admins there and especially the families - I am just a little overwhelmed. I am glad I did not stay the entire day today - I only had one child crying as she gave me a hug... she had me crying as she asked me for our phone # and address. She told me that she had never had anyone invest so much into her than this year with me, miss Carol, and her teacher. She just loves Kyle as there is no pressure other than being friends - as it should be in 5th grade. I got some good pictures - some with me and kids, some with just the kids, a good couple class pictures - I also got to visit in some of the other classes to say goodbye and see ya next year in middle school. Teachers got to say thanks --- it was all sweet. A chapter coming to close but a chapter that leads to new things and new successes. I am excited for the road ahead and with sweet memories in the rear view .... hey life is good.
I think the Batemans are going to detox for a few days. Get into the new routine - focus back on work for a bit.... take time to relax, enjoy friends and family - hit the cabin and the lake for the summer. Enjoy too much sun, Kenny playing in the background, quiet mornings with God and all the wonderful things He has created, and just take a few deep breaths........
I can remember back when I was this age - a time in life where I was out - from the time I got up until it got dark. Playing in the yard, sports with the neighborhood kids, in the pool - it was totally not organized like it is today with parents being the chauffeur for their kids taking them to the next organized baseball game or supervised play time - when I was a kid it was about being OUTSIDE - riding our bikes 5 miles one way to get a pepsi - in a glass bottle - summer nights catching fireflys, learning to ride skateboards and jumping our bikes over what couldn't be jumped and also vacations with the family. Sun block was not on the shelves yet and getting a tan took all summer and with many trips to the beach! Our back yards where for pioneers, when we were 11 we were dreamers and 12 year old adventurers.... no computer games, no WII, no XBox..... just outside fun.
Summer's shape a childs life ... I know they did for me. Oh I know I will land on my feet next year in the schools and serving the kids ... but by then I will be rested and ready for another year!
New pastures ahead...
So proud of all my kids.... and especially proud of you Kyle.
With all my heart........

A mark on a family

Today is a day that has left a mark on our family for 11 years ... but this year the mark is a little darker - 11 years ago today after a long struggle with cancer, Carols mom left for her heavenly home. Today is also a day that is marked because of our sister-n-law Denise who suffered a stroke that eventually took her life a year ago today. This day is hard for our family, harder for those who don't know Jesus but still hard for those who do. See as a follower of Jesus, we are not immuned to the struggles, we go through hardship and tough things, we have people pass away that we love dearly but the difference is- HOPE. See with our hope fixed on Jesus - the destination is different. The end of the story is different.
Both Mary Lou and Denise spent a lifetime building a foundation in their families. They were the rock that held the family unit together. They were there for the children, the runny noses, the coughs and the days home from school. They were there to fix supper and do the shopping. They were not much on cleaning but I am sure they put forth the effort as much as they could. There families loved them very much and are missed today because of them having to leave. They left a mark for us to remember because not what they looked like but for what they did. Mary Lou was a public health nurse and gave so much to the poor families, especially the children over her life. She cared for teenagers in ways their parents couldn't - she cared for animals that needed a home. She fed everything that could walk up, fly up, or swim up to her. Carol has this disease now and no scraps go to waste no matter where we are. Denise, loved everyone and her giving heart was so much bigger than anyone I know. She always sent cards for birthdays, valentines day and happy hotdog day ... in NY I think that is an actual holiday! - But Denise gave even in the last chapter of her life story. She gave her eyes, kidneys, skin, hair to name a few - I am hopeful that her daughter Katie and her husband Bob will execute the ability to be able to contact those receiving doners. After a year - the families can get together and share this wonderful gift of life. I think it would be an amazing experience knowing that someone got to see for the first time because someone we loved gave something of herself.
I can honestly say - that a mothers love will always be watching over her family. I do believe it applies to all families. Too many dads are missing these days from the families - our society is showing the signs of that fact.
To Carol and Bob - I know your momma is proud of you today. Katie - I know your momma is watching over you and wanting to cheer you on. Its a hard day for all of us but remember - its the foundation that your moms built in your families for all those years ...
I am reminded of Proverbs 24:3-4
3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. 4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.

Mary Lou and Denise placed many valuables and riches into their homes and in their families. I continue to pray that you make them proud. Somethings in this life are just hard to believe... sometimes they just don't seem real. This time last year was the beginning of a very hard week while Carol, Kyle and I were in NJ and Penn. Having to say goodbye - make funeral arrangements, get Bob and Katies home in order and cleaned up, bills in order, console a 14 year old teenager, - they say what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I know that God has a plan and for sure - there in all of this is His plan. I trust Him in that ... there is HOPE in that ... and there is LOVE in that.
There is the other side of the storm but while in it ...we just can't see it. What treasures are in your home today? If you place material items as those treasures - you are surely missing it. I have a tough time sometimes thinking - "Time is so short".
Miss you "Momma-son and Denise" ~
Love always to you both,
Lonnie~

Busy Busy Bee

This week has been a blur. Sorry for the lack of postings here on "The Walk" but things are rolling right along with our without them. Yesterday was a long day but a day to look back on. Kyles school had their field day, which I volunteered for, which consisted of games and fun for the 3,4,5th grade classes. I was 2 classes short of reaching all 500 kids yesterday. Outside, 90 degrees and a pretty high energy game for 4 hours really did me in. Had to then run to work and finish setting up a retirement party for one of our deans here in the college - didn't feel much like a party for me - Carol called me 10 minutes before it started and told me that the Element was smoking and oil was dripping out of the bottom of the engine. Our dog Payton, the smart one, has been illing the last few days. We dropped $500 or so on her the other day at the vets - seems all her tests came back normal. I slept with her on the couch last night to give Carol some rest. She only got me up 3 times and then slept all the way through after 2am. I would have never thought that the wilderness, below 50 degrees and love it, 1000 mile runs in Alaska would be so WHIMPY! She better not be whining because of the little patch they shaved on her leg to get an iv in ..... Our last dog Meeko did that when the vet came out with the cotton ball to wipe down the area before giving her a shot .... we all just started laughing in the room........
Anyways - I missed seeing Kyle today for lunch. For some of "MyKids" there - I missed our last lunch this year. I will be headed tomorrow to another Elementary school to have lunch with a child who I have been wanting to go have lunch with now for a few months. The family, she and I are very excited about it and should be a great time investing in her. God will surely use this time for His glory ... I can't wait!
The Bateman clan is then headed tomorrow to the cabin overnite - bringing along some of "MyKids" - hope to get some tubing, laughing and just some fun time together. High School graduation for Lauren Beaver Saturday as we celebrate with her and her awesome family. I am so thankful our families have grown closer the last year. Kyle and Madison are just awesome peeps. Looking forward to enjoying that time together with them. Sunday we have our K-5 childens party as we wrap up another series ... Pastor Jimmy opening a brand new series... and we can all celebrate what God is doing through our church. We have baptised over 50 folks the last 2 weeks with a service at the park and last Sunday.... totally awesome days to be part of all this and plugged into such great families who are pumped up and on fire for Jesus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvGx0K4FssA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjimmybritt%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded
This is our latest video we made .... enjoy. It brings tears to my eyes knowing that these folks and many others are now living a new life, with new purpose and meaning and a new destination! God you are awesome ....
Love you all - Peace out~
Lonnie

Getting ready for the late afternoon~

I am thirsting for a cold coffee. Its finally warm here in the south as my niece from Tupper Lake NY left at the end of last week and what seemed like a month or rain and cold weather. We are back to normal temps here now and that just makes me smile - because feeling warm weather was tops on her list while she was with us. It just did not happen ..... tonight Carol and I are going to our middle school orientation. I always thought they would do that before school and not at the tale end of it... but who am I? - It is weird as we enter this next phase of life - ending our Elementary years and verturing into middle school years. Thus, a new set of challenges, struggles and yes - Victories! For many of "MyKids" they are already there and I am gaining experiences through them so that I can learn them and apply them to my other kids who are a few years behind.
Last night we had a great moment as a family. Kyle was very proud of himself as he should be! See, for the last 2 or so years he has been a good friend to one of our neighbors up the street. Z- is a year older than Kyle and already in middle school. Z- has some struggles and not many friends. Kyle really makes sure that he includes Z in a lot of his daily activities and in his circle of friends as well as the last month or so - to church. Yesterday - I was called out of K-5 and to the front of church at the 11:00 service and there in the baptismal tub was Z - up to his neck in water and giving his life to Christ. What a moment it was ... I had to pick my face up cause I couldn't believe what I was seeing. This awkward boy, with not many friends is now part of a huge family - a family at church who will teach him, love him and accept him. Kyle - you did good buddy by standing by your friend - showing him the practical love of Jesus - going to bat for him when others were picking on him and making fun of him ..... God is doing amazing things through you already. He has shown you some tough things in your young life already and those are things you have and will continue to learn from. I am so excited for what God is doing and will do.... for all of us ..... for those we are doing life with ... for your friends and your peeps.
Congrats to all those who professed their lives to Christ yesterday - God has really shown up the last 2 weeks with like 50 people coming forward. They all have a story - they all have had to start somewhere and now they all have a FUTURE ...... and God is in the plans!
God, You are so good......... just pumped about the things that God is doing all around me and also in me.
Lonnie~