M&M: School Fundraising

 

Mysia and Malachi were looking at a paper showing prizes for selling school cards for fundraising. Malachi had brought it home earlier in the week. Now if you have kids, or young enough to remember, you know that these fundraisers give an option once a certain number has been reached. It's a pretty good incentive, and there are some really neat gifts!

Both were excited about all the offers abailable. One that grabbed their attention is that If they can sell 15, they'll get choice of a megaphone or mini-locker. Mysia pointed it out and told Malachi, "if we get that high, we'll definitely have to pick the mini-locker, there's no way Mom and Dad will let us bring the other thing in the house.... Ever."

Malachi responded with nodding head, "yup..."

LOL! They know!

~Matt

Malachi’s Salvation

What a special Christmas surprise we had on Sunday, December 23rd. Malachi accepted Christ as his Savior during the evening services at Hillside!

For months and weeks, Malachi has been asking us questions on salvation. They were more confirmation questions. He already knew, but he wanted to make sure. We weren’t going to push anything though. Since he is five, we were afraid of him making a ‘false profession’. Not really meaning it, etc.

However, it is something we’ve been praying about. It’s actually been a heavy burden for Mysia. She believed that he was old enough to understand, and couldn’t grasp that he wasn’t ready. She had asked, and asked him about salvation, running him through everything. She’s been a great encouragement, but was very concerned. She often shared that she was afraid something would happen, and “what if he’s at that age where it’s too late?” We’d then have to assure her (and ourselves) that it was all in God’s time and we can pray and wait.

Mysia sure did her part! Malachi was on her “prayer list”, along with several of her friends from school. Lydia and I also discussed his occurring questioning of salvation. We had often asked him if he wanted to pray for forgiveness and ask Jesus into his life. He would pause with thought, and reply with “not yet”.

Since it’s Christmas-time, there is a lot of talk about Jesus’ birth. We made it a point to explain that the ‘birth’ was only the first part of the story, and the reason for His coming was become the ultimate ‘sacrifice’ for us because of our sin. It would lead to great conversations with both Mysia and Malachi. Especially the thought that Jesus’ life was His gift to us.

Well, on Sunday morning, Lydia and I found out one of Malachi’s friends from church (his age) had gotten saved over the past week. What a blessing, and our Sunday School class rejoiced with the news. It also encouraged us to pray for those, like Malachi, who have shown interest, but haven’t made that move just yet. We talked about the subject matter, and prayed.

We didn’t mention anything to Malachi that afternoon. Of course, we spent a time of Christmas celebration with Lydia’s family. Talk about Christmas always centers around Christ.

Soon, we were back at church for evening services. We sat as a family in the pew, listening to Pastor’s sermon. Malachi was being pretty well-behaved. After the sermon, during the invitation, he grabbed my hand a pulled. I bent down, and he asked to go forward and pray by including, “I want to get saved...”

I then lead him to the the front, we knelt down at the altar, and I ran through salvation with him several times. He prayed, with full knowledge of what he was saying, and I then asked him a few more times what had just happened and what he had just done. You see, I wanted to be sure that he just didn’t go forward without meaning it. He was positive, and toward the end of my questioning, a little annoyed that I’d was going over it again and again. “Yes, dad... I know...”

As you might guess, there was a lot of jubilation over the news, and we are very happy. We tried to call and text every family member. If you hadn’t heard until this post, I’m sorry, but now you know!

As for Mysia, I asked her how excited she must be, her prayer for Malachi finally answered. She looked back to me, with a concerned voice... “that’s just one, I still have several friends!” What a daughter!

~Matt

7 Days of Thankfulness: DAY 5 - "Being A Parent"

This is a continuation of my "7 Days of Thankfulness"!

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DAY 5 - "Being A Parent"

Is it apparent that I'm a parent? Sometimes, it's tough for me to sit and imagine that I'm a Dad to two kids. I know that several that knew me as a teenage would have a difficult time imagining me be a responsible parent. The key word being "responsible"... lol!

Today, I'm thankful God has given me the responsibility of being a parent. I admit that after Lydia and I got married, the thought of being a dad scared me. I liked kids, but was uncertain that I could really take on the responsibility of dealing them full-time as my own. It's different when watching others children. As a parent, anything that happens falls under you as the 'owner of the kid'.

However, now I wouldn't trade what I have for anything! My kids are awesome! Yes, they have their faults, and can be some trouble at times... but I'll proudly claim them as mine anytime!  

I try very hard to do what is right as a responsible dad. I'm a kid at heart, so I have to remember that I'm the grown-up. It's never fun to have to correct and serve punishment, but it is something that is needed. I want Mysia and Malachi to grow up with respect and have good behavior. It's not an easy job. Lydia and have expectations on our children, and their learning.

I'm happy to report that both kids have told to me from time to time that I'm the coolest dad. I guess I'm doing something right! I just want to be a good example and make sure that Mysia and Malachi love and respect me as their dad. It is a serious responsibility, and I'm up for the challenge. I pray that I'll never give up... it is worth every moment!

I'm thankful to be a parent!

~Matt

Obeying... Sort of.

Last week, we were heading out to church and I told Malachi to climb into the car and unlock the other doors. 

He took me literally... He went to the drivers door of the car, climbed through the open window (instead of opening up the door), then climbed to the backseat to unlock the other doors! My son, what a character...

It looks like I need to be more specific! However, if you notice, he obeyed. I guess I'm doing something right. ;)

~Matt

Popped Springs

We have an awesome couch/sectional in the living room. It was something we bought over a year ago. Besides having something nice for us to sit on, it works great when we have company over. Five (or more) people can sit on it. With recliners on each end, it makes for a comfortable place to sit each evening.

Unfortunately, We discovered that the springs popped off under the cushions on one part of it... the part that is right underneath the window. We imagine, rightfully so, that Malachi was the culprit who caused the damage. He loves to run, jump onto, and then stand on the sectional, bouncing as he looks out the window. He’s a monkey... that’s for sure!

So, I had to take the sectional back to the furniture store and get it repaired. I’m thankful that we had the insight to go with the insurance/warranty! It didn’t cost us anything... whew!

The hope is that the warranty will last us until Malachi gets old enough to know not to jump onto the furniture... hmmmm.....

~Matt

Beating the heat

Ahhh.... as you can imagine, with summer starting, life has been busy. Although, it's not too hectic! We've been focusing on making sure that this summer is more relaxed after having such a busy school year. We're determined to do more 'fun' things as a family, and just enjoy the summer. So far... it's been pretty good!

If you read my weekly posts on what goes on, hopefully you'll see that we're not too busy to enjoy each day. lol. However, I've been spending more time doing other things than sitting down and putting any thoughts together for this blog... oops!

Lately, with the heat, we just don't want to venture out too much. Plus, it just doesn't want to motivate a person to do anything. But we did get a chance to beat the heat by swimming occasionally at my parents' house. That water just feels too good!

I'm also thankful for air-conditioning! I guess we're spoiled, but it's awesome not to sweat.

I hope everyone is staying cool!!!

Imitation

I like to chronicle some of the things my kids say and do. They give me a lot of material. And yes, I don't always remember to write them down. Unfortunately, some can't be shared, due to the nature of the topic... (and to keep us all from embarrassment)

The other day, I decided to write one of the funny moments as a comic strip (I do this from time to time). Well, that got the kids excited, and they decided to be creative too. Yup... it sure makes me a proud daddy to watch them try to imitate me!

~Matt

Lil' Mr. Paasch

 

 

We were talking about 'titles', and I told Malachi that when he grows up, he'll be called 'Mr. Paasch'. He looked at me, folders his arms, narrowed his eyebrows, and replied, "Humph! I'm already called that!"

Come to find out, at daycare, he's referred to as Mr. Paasch when he is called on, or in trouble! No wonder he was so serious about it. Lol!

 

~Matt