this ones for the REV.

so this one goes to the matteo, whose ordination last night only legitimized on paper what has been brewing up and overflowing from within him for years now... and has been constantly affirmed by so many... i definitely throw all of my two-cents (nickel worths for ktb, aka "ki.ki") into that bucket.

mr. (now the reverend) matthew david dean is one whom i value greatly to call my dear friend. one in whom i honestly don't know if i would be doing what i am if had not been for him. one whose life has been a joyous celebration of the Lord's forever faithfulness... even through all of the toughest of times in his life. the Lord's hand has always been upon him. it was through his painful journey that the Lord used to reveal truth into my blessed situation and guided me to the best of things. it was in my phone call to him one january night from the C-zone parking lot in Auburn, while he was in birmingham (cool place switch there), that i was led to tell Meredith my true feelings way back when. [[a call that i am forever grateful happened... i won't want to be in this thing without the woman thats now my bride]]

and speaking of brides... let me just state was is so well known by anyone around them (and stated by himself last night)... Matt would not be the man he is now, if he had not married the amazing April. the joy that it is to see them together - in life and in ministry. i remember praying in our original small group over April (after her date with a depute sheriff - ask her about that one) for the dynamic man who could lead her like she deserves to be led... then the Lord answered in Matt. the combination of hearts within those two could not be meshed any better. it has been exciting to see how God has blessed so many - myself included - and how their beautiful family will bless so many for the generations to come.

but it was a true honor to be there as a tiny part of the formal proclaiming of the calling on Matt's life in ministry. i would not have missed it for anything.. just to see matt in that sharp new blazer was worth my drive. but what a blessing it was to join in that beloved community in celebration of who God is and what He is doing. I thank Him for it, and for my brother the Rev. Matthew Dean.

(( insert picture from 10th grade with curly haired Matt, Stanley Raye Lawson, and myself sporting our new 'foakleys' - those are fake oakleys - at the washington monument for DC/LA 97... representing the 4 mosegrooves and a wigwam... oh yes, oh yes.))