Looking Forward to the Weekend!

Can you believe the commissioning service for SRC is only a few days away? This is exciting! As Laurie and I prepare for the move to Maryland, we are energized by our thoughts of each of you that we've met so far and the others we have yet to meet. Since I'm a sports guy, I often relate events in my life to sports. Maybe a few of you are the same way. After a summer of training, I feel like this Sunday is the coach's pep talk before we charge out on to the field for the first game of the season. Except we're gonna have three coaches motivating us! That's three times the confidence we'll have going into our first season of ministry! I think it's going to be awesome!

Loving the Crabs

There is nothing better than a crab feast... that is, of course, unless it is a second crab feast. I will be at work once again this Saturday when the crabs are laid out on the table. That Old Bay is calling my name. My only regret is that we won't be the ones hauling in the crabs this time. I have been thinking that I should probably wear a bib as I messed up my polo at the last crab feast. So, if anyone has any ideas on where I can get a nice adult-size bib for a good price, let me know. Preferably, one that says "Kick me when I turn around" or "Competitive eater in training" or even just a crab or a lobster on the front. Or how about this? A blank one and we'll see who can come up with the most creative slogan to have on it. Entries will be accepted until Saturday morning. I'll select my fav and put it on the bib!

See ya Saturday,
Matt and Laurie

The Blogger's Prayer

Now I sit me down to blog,
with a can of coke and a pecan log.
If I should die before I post,
That's one less page they'll have to host.


An Apology is in Order

Alright, alright. I deserve what I've been getting. My unexplained absence from the Blogging Nation has gone on long enough. My apologies to all of my fellow bloggers out there that have been anxious to hear some more from the author of such greats as "Top Ten Things Not to Do When Blogging" and "Fire + Jesus = Good Times!" I think that my prolonged hiatus requires an exceptional effort on the SRC Student Ministries page today. That is why I offer to you my newest Top Ten effort.




Top Ten Reasons I'm Unattractive at the Beach

10. The apparent inability of my wife to EVENLY apply suntan lotion on my back. (No that's not a birthmark underneath each armpit nor is it a red tattoo of Italy down near my waistline.)
9. My inability to walk away from an all-you-can-eat buffett. (Even the guy at Philip's was amazed by the time I was finished -- in his words, "I didn't know if you were ever gonna stop!")
8. The amount of gear that I have strapped to my back as I stumble through the sand. (I don't even have kids yet and already I've turned into the old guy toting the family gear across the beach.)
7. My insatiable desire for chocolate-dipped cones from Dumser's Dairyland. (Can I get an amen??)
6. The only "six-pack" I've got is the Diet Dr. Pepper in my cooler.
5. I don't get tan, I just get more freckles. (My 5-year-old nephew summed it up best, "Uncle Matt, why do you have those brown pimples all over you?")
4. Two words -- Caramel Corn.
3. Three words -- More Caramel Corn.
2. An "innie" belly button combined with an "outie" stomach. (I haven't seen my belly button in years.)
1. Digital Cameras. (If I didn't have any actual physical evidence of me being unattractive at the beach, I think I might be able to convince myself that I still look good!)


A Bit Road-Weary

On July 29, Laurie and I went to Ocean City, MD for a nice little beach getaway with some of her family. We were there from Saturday until Sunday and got back home late Sunday night. After we both worked on Monday, we packed up again and headed down to King's Dominion with the college ministry here at Daybreak. It was awesome! There was hardly any lines and we got to ride my favorite coaster in the known universe, The Volcano, 4 times! But what's the deal with the Outer Limits - Flight of Fear indoor coaster being closed? That's our second favorite ride in the park. (Any other KD enthusiasts out there??) We spent all day Tuesday at the park before we drove home again late Tuesday night.

6am Thursday, I was boarding a flight to Chicago which continued on to Missouri where I spent an extra long weekend with my mom, my sister, her husband, my two nephews, my brother, his wife, and my three nieces. Meanwhile, Laurie was away again for the weekend for her older sister's bridal shower. Last night was the first night in over two weeks that my wife and I actually spent a night together at home. Granted, I'm not complaining, I love the beach and my family, but nothing can beat a night at home with my wife. And you know I'm not just kissing up 'cause I can't get her to read my blog! :)

Our excitement is continuing to grow for the church plant and hope to join you this weekend for the prayer walk. If not, we will definitely be there for the commissioning service the following weekend. Can you believe that we are only a few weeks away from the launch?? Please pray for Laurie and I as we continue to dream for what God wants to do in and through the students at SRC. Also, if you have anything that you've been thinking would be cool to do, this is a great forum for you to bring up your ideas! I'll be looking for your comments.


Closing Thoughts

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart..." Sound familiar? That was Paul writing to the church in Philippi a few thousand years ago. Yet, those words are exactly what enters our hearts when we think of each of you that have chosen to partner with SRC in this new adventure.

Thanks for your partnership in the gospel from the first day that we met you until now. We look forward to the day when we can be with you permanently in Maryland for the work that God is doing at SRC. Until then, we will continue to thank God every time we remember you.

In His Service,
Matt and Laurie