I know that I have a lot of people that I don't get to see anymore...I guess I should use this to communicate again. Maybe, I don't quite know yet...

Matt

June!?!?!...I haven't posted to this site since June! Wow, sorry for those who keep tabs on me through this means of communication only. I don't mean to get lost it just happens sometimes.

Well, lets see, where to start. I have accepted the call and returned to CIU. I am currently working on a Masters of Divinity in seminary taking Greek, Theology, Counseling and Preaching class. I'm really enjoying my classes but it does keep me busy. I have moved in with 3 of my friends: Damien Morand, Stu Cone and Peter Mulholland. Its going pretty well when we see each other (we are all here and awake for the first time in I don't know how long).

I came to the realization over the summer that my relationship with God was unhealthy because I thought that I had to do/say/act/respond in certain ways to gain His approval. I learned that God just wants us to abide in Him and allow Him to work in and through us. That has helped focus my mind as I entered CIU again with a purpose and a goal to see God's will proclaimed through my life as I head towards my goal of becoming a professor of Biblical Studies in some institution that will allow me to affect the lives of the next generation of young Christians that come to place their lives before God as His servants.

I'm still working at Sam's Club and through that I have seen what an open heart and a willing spirit can do in the workplace. I cannot say that I always go to work with the love of God on my heart but He is gracious and allows me opportunities to talk to people about who I am and what I stand for. Finding the Christians among the staff as well as the reactions of the customers (members as we call them at Sam's) to the traits that God has given me. It doesn't matter if they are Christian or not, I have gotten more complements on my patience and levelheadedness since I have started working at Sam's then I had ever gotten before. It can lead to a wonderful time to just witness about the reasoning for the patience I have even if I am only with them for a short time. I'm learning that when you give Jesus the glory for the peace that you've found in a world of chaos, no matter the reaction, God is pleased.

Last but not at all least . I have been seeing someone for a few months now and we just recently made it official. Her name is Erika and she's one of the most amazing people I've met in a really long time. I see the hand of God leading and directing us in really interesting ways and I am excited to see where He takes us from here.

Well, that's about it...much more and you probably wouldn't read it anyway. Well, I'm gonna go to bed pretty soon and get up tomorrow to write a Theology paper. God bless.

Matthew

Ohhh...you guys want to see what she looks like?

(be glad I cropped myself out...you guys have seen to many of me anyway Edit: She has requested that I post the full picture...so I shall )