The Start.

This blog is now becoming a photo/life blog. Before it was used to talk of my summer project. Well if you look back and you see the postings from last summer, you can see that it didn't really hold to. So this one has no expectations of weekly or daily updates and I'll tell you that upfront. But I will be posting photos along with just a general summary of what's going on in my life. Thanks for reading and I hope that I can at least give you some of what i think are some pretty great pictures.

The main reason tat this post is beginning to come up is that my photography professor has encouraged me to speak of the many aspects of being behind the camera. A photographer (not that I think myself to be professional or anything close) has so many stories, one can look at any picture in their portfolio and remember the day, time, place, and possibly the music that they were listening to.

For this particular photograph I have a new good friend to thank or taking me out to an amazing place that is a little ways outside of El Paso, TX, Hueco Tanks State Park. This place is said to be one of the best places for bouldering in the world. Now at this point of my life last semester I had never in my entire climbing life had been outdoor climbing. A good friend of mine and the girlfriend of one of my roommates introduced me to a guy who is in LOVE with climbing and he only lives 2 hours away. So once I had talked to him, he invited me to this incredible place. Now of course i meet him and he is ALL about climbing and I have only been climbing for about a year and bouldering for a few months, a little intimidation was present to say the least. We arrive in Hueco about 11 pm and set camp, which consists of a 2 1/2 person tent in which we cram 3 people with our bouldering pads as the mats. Elliott found out that he forgot his sleeping bag, while he explicitly reminded me to bring mine. Tight but it was a funny night. The next night we realize that the person with the tent, Elliott (not having a sleeping bag) slept outside the car in mine on top of the bouldering mats. While I slept in the back of his Subaru Forester. In referring to the picture above and the time i took it, if anyone who has been camping will probably be able to relate, you wake up with the sun. This morning in particular I had the wonderful chance of waking up as it was getting bright while the sun was still hidden behind the mountains. I grabbed the tripod (borrowed from Isaac) and my Bible and stepped outside. While I was reading Romans, i would occasionally snap a shot every 2-3 minutes. The shots are an incredible sight and i'll post them sometime in order, but you can just watch the sun rays streak and "windmill" across the sky.

Photography has been a blessing to me and is a real passion, I hope that through this blog I am able to show that a little bit.

Thanks for reading!

Matt.

The Wedding of Brian and Sarah Langhoff

This past weekend was one of the bigger weekends that I have ever been involved in and witnessed. It was the day that my family not only watched my brother become the head of a household but also gained a sister (Sarah Langhoff) that I have always wanted to have. The series of the wedding will be documented from my point of view from here on.

Wednesday: This is the day that I had to leave the Santa Cruz Summer Project and fly into Texas for the biggest weekend of my brothers life!! I had flown into Dallas Texas to be picked up by my Aunt Susan, and I thought and know that I missed out on some amazing Bar-B-Q that our friend Vincent had cooked for us Wednesday night. But my Aunt Allie had made up for this without knowing for smoking some ribs and brisket that were delicious to say the least. Then a wonderful nights sleep in a much more comfortable bed than the ones at project waited for me that night.

Thursday: The parents and I were able to drive down to Waco this day and see my brother and grab some last minute wedding things like the tux’s and some other gifts. Next it was time to start the drive to Austin for guess what, the Bachelor Party!! Blaine (Sarah’s brother) waited at the airport to be picked up and once that was accomplished we met another groomsman, Kyle, at the hotel. Then as men should always do when hitting the town, we suited up and went for a lovely and very manly dinner at Fogo de Chao. I am going to pause now and enlighten some of you on what the glorious Fogo de Chao is. It is a Brazilian restaurant that you pay a base fee and throughout the night you have a card and if you have it turned to green then the waiters will stop with a huge cut of different kinds of meat that you can have. It is basically a sit-down meat buffet; between the four of us guys I’d say that we out down about 3-4 steaks each. Back to the night we go as we leave we walk from the hotel and move our evening to the well-known 6^th street area. Most of the places that we went to wouldn’t allow me to come in but some with a little bit of sweet-talking and possible lying we were all able to get in. I of course was the DD for the night and was totally still having fun with my brother and all of the other guys with us. Overall night rates at about a 20 out of 10 in my book.

Friday: the morning began with what seemed to be a long drive back to Waco to get a few things prepared for the rehearsal dinner that night. Once all of those things were done it was just a day to get the last minute preparation for everything that was the next day. The Men all drove out to the rehearsal at the church and unlike what the mothers of both the bride and groom expected, we were there early AND before they were there. After a very nice and easygoing rehearsal we were on our way to the dinner that waited for us at the wonderful Clifton House in Waco. A wonderful slideshow was shown on the lives of both Brian and Sarah throughout all the years including the years that they have had together. And the catering was also amazing with some wonderful chicken parmesan and noodles. My father gave a very well written speech that included a fun story of my brother and I getting caught driving while I was only 14 and I was the one that was driving, then Big John (dad) pulled up next to us. Then the bride and groom gave gifts to both sets of parents that were a picture with a note written from both Brian and Sarah. Then it was out to Cricket’s with the wedding party waiting for their coffee time and that was of course a lovely night out!! After that it was poker night and hanging out with the guys the night before the big day!

Saturday: finally comes the time to speak on the big day and if you feel that last day was a long paragraph, get ready for this one. Okay so here we go, during the morning Brian and I actually had to go and set things up in the reception such as the microphone and some of the things for the music. After that it was relaxation and just making sure everything happens on time. Then before you know it we were getting dressed in our lovely and fine looking tux’s and began the drive to take our picture before the wedding actually happened. There was almost a surreal feeling that was in the room and in the car that almost made it feel as though my one and only brother wasn’t even getting married and because of that neither him or I were able to be nervous, well for most of it. I was able to take the pictures with the bride before the wedding and got to see Sarah in her dress and man, she looked incredible for those who weren’t able to be there. Then I was able to see some of the family between moving Brian into the church and moving Sarah into her room. Then it was time for the guests to come in and our prayer over Brian and Sarah relationship. This is when the nerves actually started to come into play and you could see the true excitement on my brother’s face, and I could definitely feel it in my own stomach. Then it was time for me to take the ring out of the box and onto my pinky finger just like the planner had told me to. Then we walk grandparents and parents down the aisles, sit them down and hide on the side door. We get the cue and walk our way into the church to see a room full of friends and family. I could really feel my heart start to beat even faster at that moment making me wonder what Brian’s heart was like. He was elated at this moment and I could totally see it in his face and body language. Then the doors opened up and the bridesmaids started to walk in, one by one down the way in their wonderful golden dresses. And then was the time when the quartet started to play that song that always happens when the bride walks down the aisle, and the doors opened. The next couple of sentences are only seen from my point, the Best Man, and can only be explained ten times better in my brothers words but here are mine anyway. Again, the doors open and a beam of light comes through the door and I see David (Sarah’s Father) and Sarah on his arm walking through that beam. Everyone stands up and turns to face her. At this moment a reach backwards to Blaine and he hands me some tissues, because this is the moment that the tears start to run down Brian’s face. Of course these are joyful tears and he was smiling from ear to ear. She doesn’t shed a tear but is on the verge the entire walk down. Then they meet, and Brian finally stops crying, and then it gets real for me again. My heart was racing and sweat dripped down my forehead and I thought to myself that this is the moment that they have been waiting for their whole lives, this is what all of the heartbreak and pain from the past boils down to and prepares us for, this is what TRUE LOVE really is. As the Pastor began to speak his words the feeling in the room was joy and love, there were some jokes to bring the mood down and back to reality. During every prayer that was said I would reach up and wipe the sweat off of my forehead. Then it was time for my one thing, my one role the entire wedding, the ring… My hands were sweating so much that I thought the ring was going to fall off, but luckily thanks to the planner and Brian’s death glares when I joked about losing the ring the hand-off to the pastor was successful. Then it was time for the vows, which I transcribed by the way so that the groom would be able to read them through the tears. The groom starts and speaks his wonderfully written words that I could tell when reading them before that were truly from the heart and overflowing with love. And then she start, not a tear shed up until this point and then, as the words begin to come through, they begin, she is so overjoyed that she can barely contain herself to get the words out, but when they are all said and done, both rings are on and now we all know what comes after this!! “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride,” cheers whistles and clapping soon followed and then the bride and groom walk out of the small white church in Riesel, Texas, not two separate people as they began the day, but as one body, made by God for each other, forever and ever.

TO: Brian and Sarah Langhoff

“May your days be blessed by one another’s company, laughter, and love, for the rest of your life.”

I love the both of you with all of my heart and am so happy that you found one another, you mean the world to me and cannot wait to see you at Christmas and Thanksgiving, and all other FAMILY occasions.

Fun News!!

There is so much that I need to say and I am aware from a number of people as to my writing in one big paragraph and how that’s not very fun to read. So I will be trying space things out as most people have asked.

June 28th was a very nice day actually and a lot of things happened today. For example, I was able to go out and play basketball with the staff men. First of all, who ever knew that these guys could play ball!? A couple of guys have three kids and may be a few of the better ones out there! Anyhow, there happened to be an odd number of us that were out there playing so we picked up a guy named Jimmy. Now Jimmy was not some little guy, he was in reference to my best friend “ripped up like Rambo,” and there was some tension during a couple of points during the games. I was able to see though how to handle the situation maturely and calmly. Overall though the games were very fun I was making my threes as though I didn’t take a year off since MCS. After that I went and helped in making dinner and then we had our big meeting called Monday Night Live (MNL). It went very well and the worship was incredible as always, there was an opening skit that I was in called Good Idea Bad Idea, which showed the proper ways to ask girl on the creative dates that the guy rooms do with the girl rooms.

Once the meeting was over I had another meeting that I was to attend for the Servant Team leaders. There are several teams within the project that are in charge of different areas of the project, there is: Prayer, Outreach, Special Projects, Housing/Administration, Monday Meetings, and a Socials Team. I have been asked to co-lead the Monday meetings team and in doing ask all of you to pray for not only me and my team, but also for all of the leaders in other groups and that we may have a calm head and an open heart in our meetings.

I have been to almost all of the touristy spots in this area of California; by far San Francisco was my favorite of them all. The big city mixed with community all around within the city is just so much fun to walk around and see it work in everyday life. We went down to see Alcatraz, we weren’t able to go out onto it but we did see it from Pier 39 and it didn’t seem too far away. Which makes me think that those guys who escaped probably did make it across, or maybe not, I guess we’ll never know. We did a lot of walking through the city though and a lot of shopping as well. I must admit though that I did have a little spree on the discounts in GAP, but the deals were just so good!! A friend of mine got 8 shirts and 5 pants and other things.

Now it is July 7, 2010 and I was looking through my computer as I sit in the airport, waiting going back to Texas and the 100-degree weather. Well this is now truly the midway point and the staff has just left yesterday leaving 58 college students alone in California. Four of us have been placed as the Director and co-Director of the project with an assistant under both of those and then the other jobs of action group (bible study) leaders and the Servant teams as I have mentioned above. This is a very exciting and very scary time for all of us, we are the contacts and responsible for getting the speakers and staying in contact with boss’s and everything else to everyday life. Pray that all of those in a leadership positions and those who aren’t as well. Pray that there will be cool heads and kind words, respect and honesty with all of those on project, and strength and encouragement in the stressful times.

I would also like to ask of you that y’all would pray that I may be open in who I talk to and be able to allow the Holy Spirit to use me when I talk to these people. Continue praying for the project as a whole and for those on the job and that the Lord would put us all in situations that we may share Him with more and more daily.

Thank you very much for the read…..

So i just met a girl named Maria. Last Saturday I took my very first California road trip to Monterey! I borrowed this girl named Hannah's car...which was an act of God, because at the time I barely knew her name. I went with two of the most amazing girls on project with me: Joni and Jacqueline. We drove painfully slowly on the way there, but had the opportunity to discover some very awesome and cool music and i meant that. but then we went to the aquarium just like my aunt told me too, and i actually loved it!!. it was so beautiful and amazing to see how delicate and precise God can be with his creations. Let's see what else is there that needs to be said. We went to a place called Lover's Point, and the view from there was incredible and there is a possible place where we can jump off and land of course in the water but we really don't know how deep it is so we didn't and i feel like it may not happen (for mom). Everyday life here has kind of gotten into a sort of routine, but i don't mean that in a bad way at all. I'm waking up and working out about 5 times a week, now I am also working more of a full day than before. For those of you that don't know last week at my job I had a total of 4 hours on the job. This week we've got 6 so far!! Keep the prayers coming for more hours and more workers to possibly come in and help us so that we can minister to them as well. There is an incredible Disc golf course that Brandon and i went to and there is a hole that's called "Top of the World" def. with a reason. From this tee box of this whole you can see all of Santa Cruz and into the Bay area some, also you can see the whole backside where all of the mountains are. Gorgeous is how i would describe it, simply gorgeous!! There are some great picture's but the person whom had my camera was out of focus but the next time we go out i'll for sure be keeping it clear. Tonight we are taking pictures on the beach and having dinner out there which is going to of course be B-E-A-UTIFUL!!! (Bruce Almighty) Last night we had a reflection time and instead of actually working on the booklet which we were encouraged to do, I was journaling for 2 hours straight, one of the healthier journal times that i have had when i was able to just let some things out that were all crammed inside. My discipler has taught me a new way in which to have a format almost to quiet time, REAP. Read: the verse or chapter that has been on your heart, Examine: while reading through the beginning you underline the verses that really pop out to you and review them later, Apply: see and think about how that passage old or new testament can apply into your life now and also when you would have needed it, Pray: Pray about it and ask God and give Him everything!! This is my life for the most part so far, there will be more to come and more regularly!!

Thank you all for following

Matt

Well its been a little over a week since my first blog so there is a ton of things that I need to tell. Well let’s see the first thing is that the staff here is amazing! My action group leader is actually a Tech grad. So that gives us something in common as well as a ton of other things. There are also 2 lady staff that I would like to talk about for they are the greatest in the world: Noel, the most awesome training session and fellowship leader ever, and Tiff the most incredible and wonderful committee meeting leader in the world. But really there are a ton of things that have been going on here already and its been a week. There is a great group of people here and a really cool group of guys that I am living with that are very open and willing to share and advise some of the others who have been where the others have before. Yesterday was our first outreach ministry and we went and played tug-of-war on the beach. I was able to talk to a guy named Quinton and I would like for you to all be praying that we are able to have a follow-up with him soon. Also a friend and I talked with a group of 3 guys, one a Christian, one believing in reincarnation, and the other a Buddhist. Also pray that the Christian in this group would be able to speak the Truth into his friends and that they would keep an open mind about it all. I have my first day of work today starting at the Breaker’s and it is going to be a great summer working there. I will either be a: bouncer, bartender, cook, busboy, carpenter, painter, barmaid, and/or maid. Yes I know very fun things in there. I have been placed in charge of the sound for not only the weekly meeting here but also at the church that I attend here, in order to give the sound man there a break. God truly has blessed me with this gift (thanks Brian too) so that I may come here and use it as they were really nervous about someone who was going to be running sound. Well I have`` to go and run some errands but I will be blogging more but the only problem is the internet here is very touchy, thank you all and continue the prayers and packages if you would like to send any my address is on my facebook. Thank you all again.

Twas the night before........Cali!!!!

Well i saw that my Big created a blog for speaking of his adventures in Moscow Russia!!! so i thought it was a great way to not only write things down for my own memory but also so that all of you who supported and are praying can see how everything is going.

Well here we go, i leave in t-minus 12 hours, I'm very excited to be going and cannot wait to be on the beach and see what California is like. I cannot wait to meet all of the other guys and girls that are going to be on the project with me and make these life-long friends. I wish that all of you would pray that we are all bold and open in our faith so that we can grow in Christ but also support each other and also those in the community that we minister to.

Thank you all for of the support and encouragement and prayers, keep them all coming but as for now I should probably get some sleep because it will be a long day tomorrow

Matt