Dear Family and Friends,
It’s Father’s Day and my heart has gone out to my father-in-law Roger who did not get a hug from his only daughter. While I know that he believes just as I do that Danene is completely healed and with our Heavenly Father, there is still pain. In church this morning I gave him a big hug and thanked him for the card he sent me for father’s day, we both feel the lost of our dearest Danene. Tonight while the kids and I enjoyed a dinner that was a favorite of Danene’s and we where enjoying the Christian music in the background, and Zac said, “We need to do more of this”. He was talking about family time. With the schedule we have had there has not been much time together, with kids going here and there to help a single dad out I’m trying to work full time, and do the work of a great wife and perfect planner, some times just not enough time in the day. Anybody out there willing to vote for 28-hour days, so that I can know that 8 hours of sleep a night is like, all in support say I, “NO, bummer L.
With the summer in full swing, we all need to remember to stop and enjoy each other. Life just seams to go by so fast, and then we say where did time go. I’m going to challenge you all to stop and talk to your neighbors when you see them, ask them how they are doing and then stop and listen to what they have to say. Invite the people that you have wanted to have over (for the last two years) and do it. Stretch your self a little, who cares if your house is just a little dirty. DO IT ANYWAYS. I’m in the process of having my roof replaced and things are a mess, and I had the baseball team over for a year-end party and then two days later another family came over and I had a BBQ. Our kids swam, and we the adults talked with no electronics, TV, or anything to distract us. It was a great time. This was the first time I had people over that where not family (I stretched myself and didn’t break) Please don’t wait for that special time to take place because that may never happen, do let life pass you by.
Two weeks ago My Family and I form a Relay for Life team for the Lodi event. It came together in the last minutes on the Friday before the event. Time had run out because of being so busy, God knew my heart to have a team of my own and with the help of some new friends it came to pass. Our Team is “A FAMILY THAT BELIEVES” which I felt is fitting. It was my birthday and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it, and it was fitting because of this years theme “Celebrate More Birthdays” again I think that was a God Thing. We had some one walking for just about all 24-hours of the event, Zac did like 70 laps (and stayed all night), and Meghan did over 40 (about 8-miles). Another Friend Kevin walked for 11:30-4:00 and did 70+ laps. I walked between 4-6am (the time Danene’s had walked the last 3-years). And when the sun came up I just stopped and prayed for all the people I know that are battling cancer, and those that are caring for those people. If you would like to make a donation to “Relay Of Life Lodi” and our team follow the link to this site. http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10CA?team_id=752932&pg=team&fr_id=20443
We will be walking in next year’s event, I have already signed up for it. So talk to me if you would like to be apart of “A FAMILY THAT BELIEVES” as we raise funs for the American Cancer Society.
Lastly our family had the honor of having a story written about us. While it story was about us, I want people to know that it is about our faith in God that helps us endure. Yes it talks about us, I want you all to know that it’s about Christ Jesus Who Strengthens Me and I’m nothing without Him, I’m just a man. Without relationship with my Lord Jesus I would not be who I am, He too can make you complete. If you have a chance please read the article written by my one of my new friends, Jo Ann. She did a great job and I believe she was use by God to give people HOPE when times are tough. Please click on the link or paste it into your address bar and give it a read. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100620/A_LIFE/6200310 . Have the tissues ready, I went through 8-10 of them.
So in closing please take the time to build those relationships that make life flow smoothly. But please do it in this order, God, Your Spouse, Your Kids, Your Family, And Your Friends and Neighbors. If you get things right with God and live in His will and because you have a relationship with Him, He can use you to make a difference in all of the relationships you have. Don’t get caught up in your own little life, let God live life through you, make life about God. Trust me, the blessing God will give you is real!!!
Love you all.
Danene’s Partner In Life, Matt
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