:Matt's Blog:

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Nov 23

Today is my mom's b-day. Called her this morning. LOVE my mommy! Can't wait to have my parents in for Thanksgiving!!! My dad and I are planning to go hunting the next week (God willing). So stoked!!! Got lots to do for Sunday with the short week. See y'all later.

Nov 16

I did get into the woods this weekend! Didn't see anything while there. Only as I was driving out did I see a really nice buck! I thought for a brief second of putting the pedal to the metal taking home a nice trophy but decided against it. I am now accepting the fact that my wolverines may not become bowl eligible again. After starting 4-0 they are 5-6! We have Ohio State next week. While I want to be hopeful, I don't know if we will beat them the way the defense has been playing. Oh, well. I've got other things to think about!

Nov 9

I am still waiting to get into the woods. I hope this weekend I can do some bow hunting. I did get to do some pheasant hunting on Sat. Man, I can't shoot the broad side of of a barn! I got like 6 or 7 shots off and NOTHING! Oh well. That is life. We'll see what happens when I do some deer hunting!

Nov 2

WOW! Can't believe it's November! I also can't believe my Lions LOST TO THE RAMS!!! I think we're on another long....long winless streak! My kids are down with ear infections, fevers and such. Not too fun at my house these days. However, my friend Will and I put some much needed insulation in my attic! Bring on the winter now!

Oct 27

I'm not sure what to write today. I've got a lot on my mind from family to my wolverines, to hunting to...you get it. My dad is hunting this week in Mich. He's having a blast and sounds very good on the phone. I think that is just what the doctor ordered for him. He knows not to over do it and if he does get a deer someone else is going to drag it out! Hope he does get one. I hope I can get out real soon also! I've got cabin fever. I need to do something.

Oct 19

My dad and mom were here for the weekend! We had a great time. I love spending time with them. We had fun. My dad and I went to an archery shop and took Tyler. It was so cool seeing his face and everything he did in the store. I can't wait to get my little buddy in the woods with me! I hope God blesses me to be able to do that. Also, I would love to hunt some more with my dad. I pray that the cancer stays away for good. We are making plans for next hunting year. God willing he will be completely healed and we will be able to do some hunting next year. It's all in God's hands. My mom and Andrea spent some time shopping. I think my mom likes doing that. She doesn't have a daughter to do that with. I miss them already!

Oct 12

So my Lions lost to the Super bowl champs. They at least made it a game! If they could really tackle guys I think they could be at least 3-2. Oh well, it's the lions. I want so bad to get in the woods and do some archery hunting. I have to make the time. Don't have a whole lot of it right now. I am going to make some time once the rut sets in!!! Well, have a great day all.

Oct 5

Well, yesterday wasn't a real good day for Detroit sports fans! Well, my Wolverines & Lions lost. It looked like the Lions went back to the old ways of doing things...only playing half a football game. My Tigers won ...however, they are in a one game playoff with Minnesota before the playoffs even begin! I want them to win but they don't deserve it. They let a 7 game lead get away from them. This is the time to heat up not cool down. I don't think either one of them will be able to get past the Yankees...that evil empire!!!! Anyway just my rambling. Nothing too spiritual today.

Sept 29

I really dislike being sick! I guess everyone feels the same way. I am thankful that I am feeling a little better. I am back at work looking forward to an awesome God filled week. Don't know all that He is going to do this week but can't wait. I am praying for you all this week. I hope we will make time and spend it in God's word. Let me know if I can pray for you more specifically. Just email: staff at nlsm.net. Use the @ symbol. I don't want spammers to get that email address. Have a great week!

Sep 21

We are three weeks into the college football season and my wolverines are once again nationally ranked and 3-0! That's all we had last year...3 wins! I don't know what will happen the rest of the year but they look SO much better. Now my Lions on the other hand...I think that's all I have to say about that. I am glad that the fall also brings hockey into Detroit. Go Wings! I hope that there is a rematch of last years Stanley Cup...and this time Detroit takes it to them! Just my random thoughts today.

Sep 14

I am totally amazed at all that God is doing here within our church. People are following Jesus, they are getting baptized, they are gathering to study His word! It's so incredible. Please continue to do all that You want to Jesus! It was so good to see so many new faces in Studio 315 yesterday. It was also good to see many back for the 1st time in awhile. God move as you please! We are here to serve YOU!

Aug 31

Sydney started 1st grade today! Can't believe my baby girl is in 1st grade. She was still in diapers like last week!!! Time is so flying. Getting ready for a great week. I'm speaking at the Chapel in mercer this Sunday. Should be a great time worshipping with the community out there. My dad is doing better. Minor bumps along the way but he still has a positive attitude. Thank you Jesus!

Aug 24

Just sitting here thinking about our new series we will begin on Sunday, and all that will go into that. Thinking about our small groups that will start up on Sept. 16th. Getting ready for a great school year. Can't believe it's here already. We have a lot of fun stuff going on this Fall. Can't wait.

Aug 17

Well, for a Monday I don't feel that bad. No Monday blues here. So excited to see what God is going to do today. Got lots to do. With God's help I will get it all done. My dad is doing really well. All of you who have been praying for him, THANK YOU! He still needs the prayers. He is home and eating solid foods (about 5 small meals a day). He is getting stronger each day and we are hopeful that God is going to do a miracle and bring healing to him. God is great... no matter what happens!

Aug 12

I came back from vacation this week. Had a great time in good ol' West Virginia! We stayed with Andrea's sister & bro-in-law. All of us went to the Great Wolf Lodge right by King's Island for a couple of days. We had such a blast there. Tyler loved all the watersides! Sierra...not so much. It's great to be back and getting into the swing of things. Can't believe that school starts in like 2 & 1/2 weeks! Bye Bye summer! Hello Fall! This next part is for Bambi's daddy ....I'm coming for you this year! I won't have a dumb radio fall out of my pocket while aiming at you from my tree stand! Oh yes, I will have my revenge! I know i'm stupid and need to get a life. Just getting excited about getting into the woods.

July 30

What a month it's been. Jamaica, Camp, hosting a youth group on their way to a mission trip, my dad's surgery....it just seems like it never ends. This week in particular has been exhausting for me. I've been really thinking about my dad a lot. Seeing him in the hospital and knowing I can't be there all the time it hard. Pastor John was awesome about letting me go see him and take as much time as I needed. God has blessed me with such an awesome pastor/boss. Please continue to pray for my dad. He does have a long road ahead but by God's grace he will make it through and live a long healthy life. His goal is to see all his grand kids graduate college.

July 1

Hey guys, its Brian again.  Matt and I have been preparing the last minute aspects to our trip to Jamaica this week and it is going rather well.  It is just so cool to realize that this trip is right around the corner and God has me returning to minister to the people of Jamaica. I am getting more and more excited by the day to see what God is going to do next week as we are there.  One thing we ask, as Kayli stressed on Sunday, is that you pray for us because prayer is so essential to this trip.  We ask that you would pray for the people of Jamaica so that they would understand God’s love that we will be showing them.  Thanks in advance for your prayers and we will update you when we return about the many things God did down there.  Have a great week everyone.

 

June 23

Hey everyone, its Brian this time. We have once again begun our Summer Spectacular and it has been a pretty sweet ride seeing all these kids come out to have a great time while they learn about God.  This has already been a huge number of kids and it is only the end of the first session both night and morning.  But in the time between Matt and I are preparing for the Jamaica mission trip which we are asking you guys to pray that God will do something huge in the lives of the Jamaicans and our lives as well as we step out and minister to them.  Well, that’s about it for now, we’ll talk to you guys later when we blog again.

 

June 15

My dad is doing good. He was encouraged by the kids being there. He does begin his chemo treatment tomorrow. Please pray for him. Speaking of tomorrow, its Cedar Point! Can't wait to go hang with our students and have an incredibly fun day.

June 8

Well, it has been quiet here so far this week, since Matt is out of town visiting his parents. Which is good for me in light of the humiliating loss to the Wings this weekend. But in my world life has just been interesting as a hung out with my grandma last night and we just talked about all those stories that I've heard all my life...but it was pretty cool. And that is about the extent of how things are going since all I really do is hang out with people and tell stories...ps Go Pens!

June 1

Things are going well for my family so far. We received some decent news about my dad. He has stage 1 lymphoma in his stomach. He has to go through 3 rounds of chemo and 10 of radiation. They believe they will get it all and he will have a full recovery. We are praising God for the good prognosis. It's been a roller coaster of a ride that last few weeks. We are just asking God to give us the strength to do all He has for us this summer.

May 27

Summer is here! At least for me. Time is flying and we are busier then ever. All kinds of stuff going on. My head is spinning. God please be with my dad today and tomorrow. Let the news be GOOD! But your will be done, not mine. I will trust you.

May 21

Everyone I want you to meet our super cool, righteous (as in surfer talk) summer intern. His name...Brian DiGia. Oh yeah, he is a Liberty Univ. student. GO LU!!!! He'll give a brief blog about himself right now....

Brian take it away.

Well, I am glad to be back with the student ministry here (GO OSU!). Like Garrison said, I am an LU student and I just finished my junior year. I am studying to become a youth pastor down there and so far I have loved it all three years. I am looking for some Ohio State support in this student ministry, to continue the torture of Garrison and his michigan things. Apart from that I am looking forward to this summer and getting to know some of the new faces and continuing to build relationships with those of you I know. See you guys around!

-DiGia

May 18

God, I need you now! That's all I can say right now. Please be with my family back home. Let your presence be known. You ARE in control! You are in control.

May 11

What a great weekend! Went to Acquire The Fire in Pittsburgh. What a ride GOD! Everything was incredible. The worship time, speakers, bands, students...everything. I was one of the best ATF's we've been to. Can't wait for November's in Cleveland. I know, I don't like the Indians or Ohio State but God has called us to love the unlovable right????

May 4

IT'S MAY!!!! I can't believe it. Time is flying. Even with the brutal winter time just zooms by. I was on "vacation" last week. I say that because I had a huge list to do around the house and that's what I did. I got most of it done. The weather wasn't the greatest to accomplish all of it. Back to work this week. Excited but realizing that ATF is 5 days away.... cedar point is just over a month or so away ...jamaica is 2 months away...camp a little over 2 months.... GOD, I NEED HELP!!!!

April 20

Well, I feel so behind in everything! I've not been lazy or dropping the ball on purpose. I think I've been juggling too many balls at once. God, I need you to help get me through this!!! Does anyone else know how i feel? It's like you get one thing done and 3 more replace it. I know it's life, I'm not complaining. I just want to do my best for God. Thanks for letting me rant. I feel better. Now back to work!

April 13

Happy Easter! I've been really thinking A LOT about the resurrection of Jesus this Easter. That is the most pivotal claim of following Jesus. That He did raise from the dead! Paul, a writer in the New Testament put it this way in 1 Corinthians 15:19, If Jesus didn't raise from the dead, we (followers of Jesus) are the most miserable people in the world! We should be pitied by everyone because we are believing and following a LIE! IF HE DIDN'T RISE FROM THE DEAD. Something happened at the tomb of Jesus that 1st Easter morning. He was not in the tomb! He was seen after His crucifixion by over 500 people. HE IS ALIVE!!!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!

April 6

College for a weekend came and went! Time is flying. God is doing so much here at New Life. So many people are committing their lives to Jesus. It's truly humbling. It's all about a relationship, not a program, not being entertaining, A RELATIONSHIP! A relationship with God ..being in....that's right, being in rhythm with Jesus.

March 30

Can you believe March is just about over? Spring is here even though there is snow on the ground! Soon summer will be here and how what fun it's going to be. I think the puke bug is gone from my house, thank you Jesus! What a weekend ...puking kids is no fun time. Sunday was another incredible day at Studio 315. God continues to blow me away. So many new students. I hope they will come back and continue to hear about God's love for them.

March 23

Well, I'm still trying to recover from our all nighter this weekend. We had a blast. It was fun playing b-ball (the old man still has some skill left) and some old school dodge ball. I was so thankful that everyone had a great time and that no one got hurt. However, some of the old dudes were hobbling around church on Sunday. That was funny to see. My knee is still killing me! Oh well, it was fun hanging out with students. I love my job! On Sunday @ Studio 315 we talked about heaven, what the Bible says about it, and how it impacts our lives today. We had 3 students come to faith in Jesus! Thank you so much God for all YOU are doing!!!

March 19

I HATE contacts!!! I've had them for about 2-3 years and never have worn them. They are the small "gas permeable" lenses...or RIGID. Meaning they irritate the snot out of you ...literally! I know this is more of a rant than a blog. I just want to scratch my eyes out! The whole reason i'm doing this is because my daughter needs to wear something like arch supports. She doesn't like them. I was putting her shoes on this morning and told her "the only way honey, that you will get used to them is that you have to wear them". I thought to myself in that moment..."just like you daddy with your contacts?!" This guilt came over me. I have to live out EVERYTHING I say, to my own kids and the students in our ministry.