Collin County Living Well Magazine May/June 2019 | Page 17

Noni also met Maurice Hart, who in a sense fathered her.
She described, “He became “Uncle Reese” to me, and he
would spend hours talking to me about what I could do
with my life, and how to get an education, a job, a car.
He taught me how to save money to buy a car, what a
work ethic is, and the importance of that. He taught me that
the most important thing beyond our relationship with God
is people and treating them with respect and honor. He
taught me that an attitude of service is more valuable than
any possession. Dr. Hart stayed in contact for the remain-
der of his life, providing me with counsel, help applying to
school and first jobs, and most of all, his absolute love and
acceptance. Before his influence, it had never occurred to
me that I would one day have a college education, own
a home, or even own a piece of furniture, but God put
these extraordinary people in my life to give me a dream.
From that dream God has allowed me
to build a life.”
the Olympics, and he holds to that promise without waver-
ing. One news anchor in a recent interview with Stephen
said, “I’ve never seen such integrity and faith.”
I have. I’ve seen it in the life of his mother, Naomi Lambdin.
A woman from a horrific childhood, statistically predicted to
fail, has lived a prosperous life as a wife, mother, and busi-
ness woman, and is an inspiration to so many. While she is
currently fighting the battle of a lifetime struggling to win the
war against stage 3 carcinoid cancer, she maintains her faith
in God, knowing He is good, in spite of her circumstances.
As you witness the pictures and videos of her son, Stephen
the Olympian, don’t just imagine the glory of such prestige;
think of her, what she’s overcome, and where she still needs
a victory. Thank God for sparing her life and turning ashes
Noni acquired her first job at 15 and
climbed the corporate ladder, becom-
ing a successful business woman. Until
recently, she was a high-ranking exec-
utive at a huge corporation. She trav-
elled extensively, staying in the finest
hotels, dining in the nicest restaurants,
and enjoying the scenery of some of the
most beautiful places in the world. She
married a successful architect; they’ve
been married for over thirty years and
have shared an incredible life together.
Noni and Wayne parented two sons
together—one an Olympian, and the
other a success in his own field.
Noni attributes her amazing life to
the grace and goodness of God. She
states, “I see the incredible kindness of
God that I have been blessed to do just
about everything I had daydreamed
of during those [childhood] years. Joel
2:25 says, ‘And I will restore to you
the years that the locust hath eaten, the
cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and
the palmerworm, my great army which
I sent among you.’ I live this scripture
every day.”
Though her son, Stephen Lambdin did not win the Olympics
in 2016, he plans to return in 2020 to bring home the
gold. A strong Christian, Stephen knew as a child he’d win
to beauty, and celebrate her healing and future testimony.
And please remember, things aren’t always as they seem.
You never know the impact your smile, your kindness, your
genuine concern will have on someone you encounter. She
might just be the mother of a future Olympian.
To connect with Lisa or follow her blog, visit LisaJenkinsMoore.com
or Facebook.com/ljenkinsmoore/ or Instagram @ljmooreauthor
COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MAY/JUNE 2019
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