Some good advice from a good friend.

Aloha, and sorry all for being delayed in writing a blog. I haven't had much time lately and I just haven't been able to put the words together. But today it hit me so here I am, sharing some old stuff and some new.

Back in 1977 my parents brought our family to Hawaii, it was their first time back to the Islands since they lived there in 1955(my father was stationed here for 2 1/2 years while serving in the Marine Corps) he has always said it was their honeymoon. During the trip they keep saying how different everything was, and as a kid I didn't give it much thought. On one of the last days of that 1977 trip my mom found the Aloha Tower, and bam the trip was complete for them. They could go home happy.

I am standing in the same shoes, but with a few differences. This time it was me that has been saying so many things have changed about the Kona Coastline since Danene and I honeymooned here 23 years ago. The biggest thing is She is not here to share this trip with me (in body), although She is here in spirit and in my heart. Today I went through the lobby of the hotel we stayed in. Most of the hotel and it's grounds had not changed. The view from the lobby, the same, and the beach where we had rooms-service deliver our dinner so we could watch the sunset while eating was the same as well. Great memories for me, but it is a bitter-sweet. God Is Good All The Time, and my story is not done being written. God is going to be involved with writing it, as I serve His will for my life, He will complete the ending for His Glory. Please join me as I make His will my will, and choose to serve not be served. If you know Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, don't keep him to yourself, freely share Him with others. Let God write your story as He has written Danene's life story and in the process of writing mine. While I will not have a bam moment, I will go home happy because of what God has done for me.

A very good friend told me just before going on vacation "Matt...I know that you been having a hard time writing lately, you just need to share some of the stuff you have written in the past". Thanks Tim, I think you are right. I wrote this about a year and 4 days ago and I feel it appropriate to share again. Take it from someone that is allowing God to fill the void of a lost spouse. Love the one that God gives you...They are a gift from God. Build memories everyday by loving them like Christ love the Church. Trust me Jesus is a hard act to follow but He is the perfect example to follow and if you allow Him to guide you through that process. I love all of you that have been holding my family up in prayer, and I'm asking God to blessings to be apon you. Danene's Partner In Life, Matt

Hey all,

Over the past couple of days I have been just overwhelmed with something I need to share. As most of you know, a year ago Danene had what we know as life saving surgery to remove her left kidney. During the recovery process in the hospital something happened to our relationship. There were three nights in a row that I stayed the night to get her through the painful recovery from the surgery. There were a lot of sleepless moments. But in the morning about 4:00-4:30 the great nursing staff would start to make their rounds to get ready for the doctors 6 am rounds. This proved to be some of the best times that we have ever had together.

As we would wake, we would start to talk, sharing life together and just talking about everything, and we would pray together. During this time in the hospital there was more healing taking place than just in Danene’s body. God was working on our relationship with each other as well as our relationship with him. “Husbands love your wife as Christ loves the church” Ephesians 5:25. I was not doing my job very well, and it’s something I have to work at everyday. God helps me with this process daily but only when I ask Him and allow Him to have control over my life. God has given us the second greatest gift He could give us: our wife; the greatest gift is His Son, Jesus. Guys, if you keep the relationship right with Jesus, He will help you keep your relationship right with your wife. You all just need to be thankful for the gift that God the Father has given us. Love the wife that completes you, cares for you, feeds you, cares for your kids, and loves you in spite of all of your shortcomings. Providing for her needs is just not going to work and bringing home the bacon.

Each morning when I wake it brings me joy to see my wife breathing, sleeping, and recovering from yet another day of meds. I just have to stop and give thinks for this gift that God has given. I will get on my knees before God and give Him the praise and thanks that He deserves. This past year has brought us through a lot of ups and downs as Danene battles with this wretched disease. We continue to serve God and we stand on the promise that “Everything is possible for him who believes in Christ Jesus” Mark 9:23. Some of you ask us “what can we do for you guys?” I would say to you to love your wife/husband so that you can be a good witness to your kids, family, and the world around you. Share the love Jesus showed us when he died on the cross to those around you and fulfill the great commission.

Danene and I will not question why it has come to pass that she got cancer. We will only hope that God will be glorified with our walk with Him through this process. Please continue to pray for us and for Danene’s healing, but only after you have prayed for your spouse.

In God’s Love, we are thankful for you all,
Matt (Danene’s husband and partner in life).