Matthew's Birthday!

Today Matthew is 22 years old! It is hard for me to believe that I could have a son that age. Matthew is in Costa Rica on a mission trip for the summer.

Some of my favorite memories are when Matthew was a toddler. On weekends, we went everywhere together. He enjoyed riding on my shoulders. We played ball together, wrestled, and went to the park. Since Matthew was the first, it was almost like having a new playmate -- that slobbered on you.

Phyllis was in labor for fifteen hours before they were able to pull him out. His shoulders were to wide. The doctor, as a last resort, used forceps and pulled him out. He was purple when he came out and registered a 2 on the apcar scale. My prayers were never so intense. It was as if I was speaking into God's ear, "Dear God, help my baby breath!" Within seconds he was breathing and crying. Holding him for the first time was an incredible feeling. This is MY son, I thought.

Matthew has one more year at Abilene Christian University. He will probably become a missionary in a Spanish speaking country.

He has been a joy to have as a son. Through baseball, band, football, wrecking the truck a few times, I have been very blessed. Matthew means "gift from God," and he is. However, he does need some help in the relationship department. Matthew can be very intense at times, which is probably not a good idea on a first date. If you know of any young women that he could meet, please let me know and I will pass it on. For the right one, there may even be a reward! :)