Good news!

While we were all sitting at home trying to get over some nasty bug that has had us ALL down for over a week now... (ARGH!) watching the movie "The Gameplan" (I laughed, I cried, it moved me...) The doorbell rang and there was a pounding at the back door. Caleb sprung up and flew to the door, opening it. Normally that isn't a good thing, however, it was the FedEx guy. Caleb retrieved the package and handed it to me. It was from, "Meredith Corporation" (I think magazines... Better Homes and Gardens, Renovation Style, etc..) I knew exactly what it was!

We had entered an online contest that Meredith Corporation sponsors. Chrysler Jimmy (Neutron) Adventures. To enter we took a cutout of Jimmy Neutron standing next to a Chrysler Van and had Joel hold the picture out as we took a picture of he and Caleb. The picture had to be about a memorable time and we decided that we'd visit our good friends Tim and Amy Newman at the City of Tonawanda Fire Department Headquarters for a tour and picture adventure. The last picture we took of Caleb and Joel, they were wearing their "Fire Chief" hats and standing by a fire truck... Joel held out the Jimmy picture and Caleb held a fire hose. PERFECT!

We went online and submitted it along with our description of why it was memorable and... now we are one of 20 finalists (at least that's the number they were picking from all the entries). From the final 20 there are 6 grand prize winners. Each of the prizes is worth an estimated $6,500.00. They range from a trip to Orlando, FL to the Nick theme hotel (with spending money, car rental, etc) to a $5,000.00 Best Buy Card and a $1,000 Nick Store card.

OK... so we have signed and had our papers notarized and they are being sent back even now.
The next step of choosing the 6 Grand Prize winners comes March 18th to April 22nd. (unless they change something.) YOUR votes will help determine the winner of the contest! So when we know something more we will post it here.

We are sooooooo excited here about this. God is good!

Lonnie

When you wonder...

Every day it seems I hear about someone with cancer for the first time, or coming out of remission like my friend Jeffery in Indianapolis whose wife has brain cancer (PLEASE PRAYER FOR MELISSA). Other times it is the most unbelievable things that happen to someone. Like my wife's co-worker that had been attacked and beaten in the head left for dead. Amy tells me a few months ago that he was in the hospital and she didn't think he'd make it. Probably be a 'vegetable'. A few months later Amy tells me that he was up and visited their floor at the hospital. But he was acting like a little child. I started to pray for Him that God would restore all that was taken from him, health wise. It was so unjust what had happened to him. There is more to his story, but suffice it to say, he definitely got the wrong end of the stick this past year.
Time passes and I wonder if anything has happened and if God was listening and going to act on his behalf... this past week I picked up a piece of paper with his name and phone number on it. I asked Amy, "Hey, what's this?!" She proceeds to tell me that amazingly enough one day he woke up and had unbelievable pain in his head. The doctors didn't just medicate him for the pain, but let him continue to heal up. Long story short... it's as if he's never missed a beat mentally. He tested out to come back to work as a nurse and it's almost like he's completely back to normal.

New story... some missionary friends were headed back to the mission field after some time off. They made a stop in the Phillippines to adopt another little boy (#2). They had two big issues. 1. to get back to their home having only 3 confirmed seats and needing a 4th. 2. Their work visa's would expire at the end of the month.
They sent an e-mail to ask for prayer. The flight they needed was only weekly and no stand by passengers were able to go in the past few weeks... besides the flights were booked through February. One option which the airlines allowed, was for them to buy a stand by ticket and allow the mom and two boys to have the confirmed seats. The dad would have to wait to see if a seat would open.
Long story short, again, as he waited they called his name and he was allowed to board and sit WITH HIS FAMILY!

I post this because at times in our lives we wonder "God with all this junk going on are you still there? Do you still answer prayer?"
I have two requests that were answered here. My mom told me of another lady who had cancer and the treatments were not working... when she visited the Doctor he was able to tell her that the cancer was gone. She's going for a second opinion. I like the first one! But I'm believing that God will give her the same results.
I'm reminded that God, "never slumbers or sleeps." He's never off duty and even when I see something it's not all that is going on in this world.
If you are going through "it", what every "it" may be, know that God is actively looking to work in the lives of people who will seek Him.
Oh, and if I can help pray and see God's hand moved on your behalf then let me know. I guarantee that God will be glorified, not me. This isn't about me. It's about God who is still working in our world healing people and changing lives.

When you wonder... remember the truth: God is there and He loves you more than you or I can ever imagine.
A friend in Jesus,
Lonnie

Caleb's questions

As a dad I get asked plenty of questions. Yesterday the conversation started when Caleb asked me: "Daddy, do you like girls?" I replied that I did. Then I asked him if he liked girls. He said no. I then asked him, "What about mommy? She's a girl." Caleb says, "Yea, I like mommy, but I'm under control." I still don't know exactly what he means there but it seemed like a funny one.

Tonight I asked Caleb again if he like girls and he said, "not all of them, just a few." And then he named three girls from "school" (day care) that he likes. Speaking of which... on Saturday January 12th we were at a birthday party for Carson, who is in Caleb's class at "school". I asked Caleb about one of the girls. He tells me her name and then says, "Yea, were married, I just don't have a ring on my finger." Thankfully he's 5 years old or I think I would have had a heart attack and fell over dead.

I'll post again when I have another spare moment. Life is really picking up and if you are a person of prayer would you fire a few toward heaven? Thanks!

Visiting Family in Indiana!

We were so pleased to get the chance to drive to Indiana to see my sister and her family as well as "Papa Larry and Grandma Donna". It was the first time my sister was able to meet Joel our 2 year old and our first chance to see their new home (aka, "nice bed and breakfast ya got here" the house was twice our house size...). The boys had a great time and we were all so thankful to be able to be together if even for just a couple days. You'll notice the rare picture of my sister, dad and I. Also you see for the first time in a photo my sister's girls and my boys with Papa Larry and Grandma Donna. We certainly treasure these memories.
Enjoy our pictures!
Lonnie

Caleb's Santa Sighting

Live from our living room Christmas morning Caleb gave us the scoop on his Santa sighting. Enjoy the video!

Merry Christmas! (the holiday that I celebrate...)

I laugh when I hear "Happy Holidays". I know that for the better part of my life the only "holidays" were Christmas and New Year's. It's funny to hear people explain why they say "holidays" instead of "Christmas"... "I didn't want to offend anyone by saying Christmas"... I'm offended that you didn't say Christmas. Which holiday were you celebrating? Kawanza? I'm not that ethnicity. I'm not actually Jewish, but I do serve the Jewish King of kings and Lord of lord's. I celebrate Christmas... Thanks for reading my mini rant... now for what I wanted to say...

Friends and Family,
Merry Christmas! So many of you have sent cards or pictures and encouraged us to do the same. We intend to after the 1st of January... but receive from us a warm and genuine "THANK YOU!". We so appreciate your friendship and for so many, the prayers, that you've lifted for us.
We still need your prayers. I'm at a cross roads of sorts and will need to see what God would have us do. Some interesting things have come to light and more than anything I want to hear God's voice and be obedient to it. I've been reminded that if I seek first His Kingdom that He'll take care of the rest. So I'm seeking the Great One who became flesh and pitched his tent under our skies that we would have hope.

God bless you all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Love,
Lonnie, Amy, Caleb and Joel

Caleb turns 5!

It just seems like yesterday when I, a new dazed and confused dad, followed a little 9 lb 2 oz baby to the nursery. I remember the next morning when they brought him in and we saw him struggling to breathe that it seemed our joy would be dashed upon the rocks of tragedy. Later we learned his lung was punctured and he would need to be in an oxygen tent for a few days while it healed up, as well he would be put on antibiotics for 10 days... Amazingly enough after that speed bump he's been fairly healthy since (other than an occasional cold or flu).
In the picture Caleb's excited about his 3rd remote control car. (Yea it's #3... Joel likes this one because it has wheels that light up, so maybe Caleb can share.) In the other picture Caleb's standing in his new Larryboy PJ's (he likes them, but said "Spiderman is better." Sorry Veggie Tales...) next to the Thomas the Tank cake... not Buzz Lightyear (another favorite), but it did the job, this year... better not make that mistake next year or I may be disowned... Nah!!!! I'm still his favorite . I can't believe it's been 5 years now, but it has and I'm trying to enjoy these moments. Hopefully ya'll are enjoying them with me. God has been so good to us... we didn't even know if we would have any kids...
I pray every night with Caleb and for Caleb (Joel too...) I know that his future is shaped by the faith he sees lived out. I believe God has amazing things planned for this little boy, if you don't believe, as my mom says, "you just hide and watch!".