Kyle's Story

 

Well, you are not alone! When Carl and Kathy received the news that their son, Kyle, was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, they too wondered what God was up to. This story is all about God being there during their deepest pain, and showing them that HOPE sustains us through it all.

When I die, please don’t speak of me at my funeral in terms of things I “loved” to do. You see, I’ll still be doing them, just somewhere else where I do them much better with the Creator who gives all good things.

Joel Munyon, Kyle’s Friend

For the Christian, death is not the end of adventure but a doorway from a world where dreams and adventures shrink, to a world where dreams and adventures forever expand.

Randy Alcorn, Heaven Author

Jesus’ miracles provide us with a sample of the meaning of redemption: a freeing of creation from the shackles of sin and evil and a reinstatement of creaturely living as intended by God.

Randy Alcorn, Heaven Author

Of Sojourners on the Narrow Road

This is primarily a story of hope. Hope in the midst of suffering. Hope in the thick of pain. Hope… as a young man spends years of his life coming to terms with the crushing truth that things will not turn out the way he imagined (Muscular Dystrophy is an ardent foe). His life will not play out the way he had hoped; it will be much worse. And yet, he will be sustained in the many difficult days by the hope that God is in the process of making all things new, of restoring all things that have been damaged.

Kyle Wagner carried in his soul this hope, the hope that Jesus is the Great Restorer. This hope never left him as he spent years confined to this bed. And it was strongest yet when he breathed his final breath of earth’s air on November 27th, 2008, Thanksgiving Day.

MAYBE YOU NEED HOPE TODAY. It’s only to be found on the narrow road. If Kyle could, I think he’d ask: “What road are you on?”

About The Author

Knowing something about the author has helped me connect with his or her story. Likewise, you may be curious about me.

I’m married to Carl who has been pastoring at the same church where we met 36 years ago. Back then people would light-heartedly joke you were qualified to be a pastor’s wife if you could type and play the piano. And yes, I could do both. We were a homeschooling family to our five children. I could hardly wait for the beginning of the new school year as I anticipated the fun activities we would be doing. Performing and directing drama, and planning Christmas programs and puppet shows would invigorate me.

And like most people, I had dreams of what I wanted to do like becoming a midwife, full of expectations of how my future would unfold. But more frequently than not, we are faced with detours, and our aspirations and the good things we anticipated become disappointing sighs.

Life did not suddenly fall apart for us when Kyle was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. The changes and adjustments were slow, but a one degree variance on the compass will lead you to a destination far from where you were intending to go. That was our experience.

I hope my story will connect with you as you sojourn through this world filled with unexpected twists and turns. May you be encouraged to trust God and grow in your love and devotion to Him!

Book Reviews

Sep 24, 2013 by Barb

Dear Kathy,

God has surely used your talent in the writing of your book. I finished last night and would have finished sooner if not for the fact that I had to put it down numerous times because I was bawling like a baby. There were parts, I must say that gave me a chuckle or two but you told Kyles’ story beautifully. While I was reading the book I felt a closeness to you and your family that I never felt before, almost a kinship if you will. There were also parts that reminded me of some of the trials Lexi went through. I’m sure any parent who has lost a child will also see some of themselves in your book

As Kyle would say, “To the King and to the Restoration!“

Love to you and your family, Barb

Jun 04, 2014 by Adam Mutsch

It was a pleasure to read this book. I was a friend of Kyle’s and to relive and remember some great memories, time spent at the Wagner residence and the friendship that was shared, brought back lots of emotion, sadness and joy. The joy outweighed the sadness though; Kyle’s in a better place not because I want to believe it, but because I know it to be true. His faith was stronger than his body could ever be. He believed in a very real God and a very real Heaven. Read this book to see how a man with a short life lived to the fullest extent and had no regrets; he simply had a goal to witness to others and represent Christ’s love. Kathy Wagner conveys all of her experiences and narrative into a book that needed to be shared. This is the true story of Kyle Wagner and it is indeed “primarily a story of hope“.

Eyes Wide Open

Nov 09, 2013 by Lori

I did not know what to expect when I began reading Kathy’s book, but soon was swept into the story; not just a story but a part of eternity. This story of faith and hope had a profound impact on me. It was as if Heaven itself opened up and spoke into my heart. My eyesight was made new. God had been speaking to me about learning to live fully in the moment, but when I read about the faith of Kyle it truly came alive. Kathy and family, thank you for allowing your readers to step into the most precious and private moments of your journey. I plan on sharing Kyle’s story with others, because we all need to see Heaven through his eyes. To the King and to the Restoration!

Sep 25, 2013 by Linda

I started reading a book that was written by Kathy Wagner which happens to be our Pastors wife this past Sunday about being a Mother/ caretaker for their son with MD and want to thank her for every page in the book, which I could not put down until i finished it. If you have never been a caretaker for someone with a long illness it is hard to understand sometimes. I myself took care of my Mother for 16 years with Alzheimer’s and can relate to a lot of her feelings. It took me a long time to realize that it is only by God`s grace that you get through things like this . I wish I would of know Kyle long before we did and I wish I had Kathy`s book back then so many years ago. Kathy your book did make me recall things, cry, laugh, and remember being blessed also by talking with Kyle. It will touch a lot of people and just want to say I know it was a lot of work but you have a lot of blessings coming back to your family because of this book and the life of Kyle. This is a best seller book Kathy ! Thanks for sharing your family, story, and life with all of us in the First Church Of God. Amen

Sep 25, 2013 by doreen atwood

THIS IS BOOK IS SO AWESOME. I GO TO KATHY’S CHURCH AND SHE IS AN AWESOME WRITER . KYLE DEFINENTLY TOUCHED A LOT OF PEOPLE’S LIVES. THE ONLY THING I WISH IS I COULD OF KNOWN HIM LONGER. HOWEVER I KNOW KATHY WELL AND SHE GREW IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS WHILE GROWING WITH KYLE THROUGH THIS. REALLY GOT YOU THINKING AS TO WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL WALK OR WHERE YOU SHOULD BE. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED OF HOPE AND WHY WE HAVE ADVERSITY IN OUR LIFE

Sep 22, 2013 by Derwin Beushausen

I’ll make this review very brief, although I could probably go on and on for several pages with my thoughts about this book. First, I want to say to anybody thinking of buying this book to just BUY IT…. you will certainly not regret it for a moment. I never met Kyle, who this book is about, but I feel like I have grown to really know this person in a real and profound way. It may sound strange, but I feel that as a result of reading this book, Kyle has actually put HOPE in my heart. His story, along with all of the struggles surrounding his story, has sparked a new drive within me to achieve… a new awareness of how precious life really is. Kyle was living proof of this saying: “In God’s Garden of Grace, even the broken tree bears fruit.” Praise The Lord for His wonderful grace, because no matter how “broken” we may think we are, or how broken we may actually be spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or even physically, God gives us His Grace to actually bear fruit for His kingdom. This book is a MUST BUY if you need inspiration and hope.

We’d Love to Hear from You, Get In Touch With Us!

If you have any questions about the book, or if you would like to order this book in bulk for distribution to your church or for a local event, please let us know and we’ll be happy to accommodate you. Also, if Kyle’s story has affected you or someone you know in a real way and you would like to share it with us, please feel free to tell us all about it, we would LOVE to hear from you!

To Obtain a Copy

Contact Carl Wagner at carlw0851@aol.com.  A single copy is $12.95 (includes shipping) or $10.00 when purchased and picked up.

Personal checks or money orders are acceptable.  Please provide a mailing address as well.

The book is a 236 page paperback, and with each order you will receive a copy of Randy Alcorn’s “Heaven” booklet.