Friday, May 29, 2009

Dear Matt,

Thank you!! for...

Driving 1,600 miles to pick me up from my first year of college...



Letting me live in your house...




Being willing to go on a million crazy adventures (many of them involving driving long distances with hyper teenagers late at night)...



Giving twelve years of your life (so far) to doing whatever it takes to help teenagers feel safe and know God's love...


Providing, along with your amazing wife, a wonderful example of loving and Christ-centered marriage and parenting...


And also...
thank you for baptizing me.
I don't have a picture of that, which I wish I did.
But I asked you to do it and it was so meaningful to me that you did...
because you have encouraged me to grow in my relationship with God and in life more than I could ever say.
And because I'd be so happy if I grow to be someone who loves God and others with half as much passion, service, honesty and depth as you do.



I have learned so much from and am unspeakably grateful for you.

Happy Birthday!!!!!

3 comments:

amy@flexibledreams said...

Wow. That's an amazing tribute. I didn't even write on his wall.

I love you Em.

mpm said...

This is really amazing! Thanks1

Mary said...

All very good and true things:).love ya matty and Em.

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.