Mathews Family Blog

This one's for my Toyota Sienna peeps!

2010-02-21T23:36:00.000-05:00

Tuesday!

2010-02-20T09:00:00.003-05:00

This morning I went in to Hayden's bedroom. He usually calls Justin or I in the morning when he wakes up. Even though he is quite capable of crawling out of bed, he likes us to come get him.

Well, this morning it was "Mommy!" So I headed in to him. The first thing he says to me is, "Will you change me?"

He had a poopy diaper! I asked him as I was changing him when he was going to be done using diapers. He replied, "Tuesday."

I smiled and laughed a little. Then he says, "What?" He waits a second then adds, "Monday?"

I told him Monday would be better for me!

Happy Saturday everyone!!

Jodi

Hayden's "Quiet Time"

2010-02-16T22:16:00.003-05:00

Greetings all!

Well, our little Hayden is transitioning out of his afternoon nap time. It is always challenging for Mom to lose those fabulously quiet moments of the afternoon. Like all the boys, I still put him to bed every afternoon for "quiet time." Elias used to lay in bed as a toddler for two hours and look at books. Hayden does love books but he has also found his "quiet time" to be a good opportunity for exploration.

Last week's Quiet time breakdown:

Monday: This was his big debut! Because he usually announces, "I'm awake!" when he is finished with QT, I make sure to get upstairs and get him on the potty right away. Nothing seemed amiss at first glance, but when I went into the bathroom off his bedroom I noticed the toilet brush sticking out of the toilet. There was a sopping wet diaper in the trash and little pieces of wet toilet paper all over the floor. Bless his heart, he had tried to clean up the watery mess with toilet paper. Well, I began the clean up of that bathroom and then I went to put the toilet brush away in the main bathroom. Floating in that toilet was my measuring tape ... I washed it and went to put it back in my desk drawer and found that he had raided my desk as well. All over the floor were miniscule pieces of paper he had cut up with my very sharp craft scissors. He had also opened a package of glue sticks and glued every toy in sight together. Whew! No toilets overflowed and he still had all his fingers!

Tuesday: You think I would have been more alert considering what Monday's QT had been like, but alas ... He comes down the stairs announcing that he is "Awake!" Elias and Asher come running into the kitchen to tell me that Hayden had gotten into a black permanent marker ... What? Wait, this is sticky. What's that smell? Is that perfume? I think this is mascara ... Yep! He had given himself war paint and tried to "comb" his hair with the mascara brush! I took him up to the bathroom to assess the damage. He had, in fact, used my nice Lancome mascara as face paint, and toilet paint and tub paint. The smell of perfume was overwhelming! And then I noticed the nail polish bottles on the ground ... They were all capped. Hmmm? Then as I was finishing up the scan I noticed the nail polish damage. Sure enough there were some glittery streaks on his blue potty chair that were not there before.

By the next day I had learned my lesson! Now, I make sure he has some books and some quiet toys at hand. I also make sure I am on alert for the sound of his door opening.

Love to you all!

Jodi

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS!

2010-02-03T22:40:00.004-05:00

Today we had two extra little guys over for the afternoon. Elias' cub scout leader's wife just gave birth to her 5th kiddo last week and I thought it might be helpful to take their two big boys for a play date. It was pure noise and activity! Boys are just LOUD. Everything about them is loud. They flop loudly on furniture, they slam doors, they yell through the house for one another. I was wondering this afternoon how different my life would be if there were a few females thrown into the mix ... just wondering.

~Jodi

Life with boys:

Pretend or Lies ...

2010-02-03T00:02:00.002-05:00

I know that Justin and I are not the only ones who "pretend" along with our kids. We have been known to make up some pretty fantastic stories to wow our kiddos. Sometimes they are more practical tales to allure them into better behavior or to produce a desired response.

Here are a few tidbits from tonight's conversation in the van on the way to the gym:

"Guys what if Mom makes Chinese food for dinner tonight?" -me

"Yeah!!"

"Mom will you make the noodles I like?" -Asher

"You mean the Lo Mein noodles?" -me

"Yeah! And will you put polar bear meat in them like they do at the Chinese restaurant?"

... me stalling...

"Asher, Chinese food doesn't have polar bear meat in it!" -Elias

"Yes, it does, Daddy said so." -Asher

"Asher, there aren't any polar bears in China. They have no way of getting polar bear meat." -Elias

"Mom is that true?" -Asher

... me stalling some more ...

"Mom, tell him the truth. Dad just told him the Lo Mein had polar bear meat in it so he would eat it, right? It was really just chicken." -Elias

After a few minutes back and forth between Asher and Elias, Asher finally says, "Mom, just tell me ... Elias says its chicken. Daddy says its polar bear meat. I am so confused. I don't know who is telling the truth."

This is when I have to tell the truth that Daddy said it was polar bear meat because he thought it would be fun to pretend that it was! I also remind Elias that we pretend many things that aren't true because it is fun and does he really want to be the guy that goes around ruining everyone's pretend fun. He'll have to think about that one because sometimes it is fun to be "that guy."

~Jodi

What a Year!

2010-01-23T23:15:00.003-05:00

For those of you who check every now and then, hoping there will be something new on the blog---SURPRISE! I actually am taking a few minutes to write ... Have you been wondering why in the world it has taken me over a year to update our family blog ... This has been a particularly challenging year!

Since I last wrote, we have lost a baby, our home, a job, our little nephew and we have moved. I have had major surgery, Asher has developed chronic hives and other medical ailments have reared their ugly heads in our family. We are living with my in-laws in Kansas City and have a house we can't sell in TN. So things seem pretty bleak, huh?

The bright side of things is that we now live closer to family ;-)! My husband has a job he loves. We are part of an active and growing church, St. Mary of Egypt. Our boys are growing up strong and smart and happy! I have also gained a new sister-in-law, Kaori, and have another one joining the family this June, Kelly! And we have two nieces on the way!

I know it has been ages since I wrote and I really am not going to talk about the past! I want to make a real effort to keep our family blog updated with our happenings, with pictures of our boys, with stories about how we are striving to thrive, not just survive!

Blessings!

~Jodi

He's a growing boy!

2008-09-21T20:53:00.002-04:00

Our little Hayden is in that curiosity stage. You know the one, where a kid will try any food you put before them, where they will try and repeat any word or action he sees, where he will climb to the heights without any regard for the impending depths.

Nowadays Hayden keeps me constantly on my toes. I have few moments throughout the day where I don't have to be on alert for what he might be climbing, where he might be hiding, what he might be eating, what buttons he might be pushing. Whew! He also loves to get on top of the table and see if there are any leftovers after his big brothers have finished their snacks. Sometimes it is just a lonely cereal box, but then sometimes he gets lucky and Asher has abandoned a plate of French fries and ketchup for dipping. Yummy!

So enjoy this little sampling of our baby boy chowing down. Man he is cute and we can't seem to get enough of him!

The Parachute Tribe ...

2008-09-16T23:11:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I wish I could crawl inside of Asher John's head. He comes up with the most interesting and strange ideas sometimes.

Elias and Asher were talking about Native American tribes. Justin asked Elias if he could name a tribe and he replied, "Cherokee." I told him that the Lakotas lived near Nanny and Poppy. Some time passed and then Asher asked me, "Mom, is there a tribe called the Parachute tribe?" I had to ask him to repeat his question because I wasn't sure I heard him right. Nope, he said exactly what I thought he said, parachute tribe. "I don't think there is a tribe called the parachutes," I informed him. He just smiled and kept on daydreaming.

Asher is one of those kiddos that can make you feel so full of love and happiness one minute and then in the next moment he can send you into orbit with his tenacity. And those dimples, man!

If anyone hears about a lost tribe called the Parachute, please let us know!

Jodi

little cow pokes ...

2008-09-14T22:02:00.003-04:00

OK, so it isn't the best picture, but here are my big guys on their first horse ride! While recently in SD visiting Mom & Dad, we got to visit "Cowboy Church." The boys and I sat in a barn and listened to a preacher donning a cowboy hat and belt buckle, while a dog named Molly ran up and down the "aisle." Oh, and yes there were horses! In fact, the horses kept inching forward into the barn during the sermon and knocked over a box fan at one point. After church the boys mounted their steeds and rode around the pasture. Of course they had to wear Poppy's cowboy hats and bolo ties! You know my guys ... They always have to look the part.

I hope to be better about posting here. But I am always hoping that! Truly I have much to tell you all about how Elias is faring in our little St. Innocent's Homeschool, about how Hayden is changing and all the new words he is saying, and about how Asher keeps us on our toes with his humor and imagination.

I will leave you with my little Asher as he rides off into the sunset (okay, use your imagination about the sunset part!).

"Papa Virgil"

2008-09-12T12:09:00.002-04:00

Well, yesterday marked the one year passing of my Papa. In my busy and relatively noisy life, I rarely slow down long enough to "remember." Sometimes things just hit me--like I've failed to look up and notice the tulip poplar in the front yard before my forehead meets in squarely on its rough, hard trunk. Ouch!

The one year anniversary of my Papa's death did not sneak up on me though. It didn't take me by surprise or bring me to a place of sadness. You see, part of the joy of having little ones running around is that they see things so innocently, so clearly sometimes. The boys and I were having breakfast yesterday and I told them that one year ago Papa died. I asked them if they remembered going to his funeral. They did. Then Asher, who is four, said what he always says when anyone talks about Papa. He said, "But Mommy, Papa is ALIVE in Christ!" That's it folks. My four-year-old gets it.

I read my cousin Tisha's blog a little bit ago and was thinking about what she said about her kids not knowing Papa. It reminded me that my little guys have a very limited memory of their "Papa Virgil" as they called him. They remember the farm, the tractor, the tools, the cats, and they even remember how Papa always had a toothpick in his mouth. But they remember other things too. As we drove to the funeral one year ago, Asher asked all of us if we remember visiting Papa when he was on "that machine." Yes, we visited Papa one day while he was at the dialysis center. Papa told them all about the machine he was hooked up to. He told them how it helped make his body feel better afterwards. They were fascinated and a bit concerned. After we talked a little bit about their memories of that visit Asher said, "But Papa doesn't have to do that anymore now, right?" "Right, Asher!"

Their actual experience with Papa may have been few, but they are strong memories for them. And I get to add to their memories those I have. About a month ago when all the watermelon started appearing at our local farmer's market, the boys just had to have one. We were enjoying the sweet fruit later that night and I couldn't help but make some watermelon rind teeth. That's right, I carved some green teeth right there at the dinner table. The boys always appreciate a chance to be silly at the table, so they joined in and we all sported our watermelon rind teeth! I have such a vivid picture in my mind of Papa and his watermelon rind teeth. No, my boys never saw him carve out teeth from a watermelon, but now when they think of this in the future it will be tied to their Papa Virgil, who lived on a farm and had so many tools to play with. ("Put that tool back where you found it Elias!" "But mom this is where I found it," he says as he tosses it into the tall grass growing around a tree that has become a collecting spot for various items covered in rust.)

I guess as long as I can remember and relay my stories to the kiddos, they will begin to see the Papa they knew through my eyes as well. The Papa that took me fishing in farm ponds, the Papa that let me play with the baby chicks, the papa that bought me a $300 chevette when I arrived at college without transportation, the Papa that then taught me how to drive that chevette since it was a stick, the Papa that said about dancing at my wedding, "Now why would I want to go out there and tire myself out like that?" And he really enjoyed seeing his great-grandsons! He would watch them wrestle and tumble, run around the yard, sneak up on the cats. And when I would try and settle them down or reign them in he would say, "Now, you just let them be. They aren't hurting anything."

So the thing is, Tisha (and the rest of you all without little ones yet), your kiddos will know their Papa Virgil through your stories, your memories and your love of him. And for kids, that is everything!

I know my post is a day late, but I like to think that Papa would tell you all, "Now leave her alone, she's got three little boys to run after. She does what she can!"

Love to you all!

Jodi

a Marine rings the Peace Bell

2008-06-21T10:07:00.001-04:00

a Marine rings the Peace Bell, originally uploaded by jmorthodox.

Jake is now doing well in Japan. We always enjoy hearing from him on skype.

JM+

Ps 117:24

2008-06-21T09:46:00.001-04:00

MVI_2728, originally uploaded by jmorthodox.

Asher and Elias are doing so well with memory verses and we thought we would share!

JM+

Ps. 117:24

2008-06-21T09:44:00.001-04:00

MVI_2725, originally uploaded by jmorthodox.

Crawdads...

2008-06-18T22:04:00.001-04:00

IMG_2716.JPG, originally uploaded by jmorthodox.

We had a great hike the other day with the boys. We hiked in about half a mile to a small waterfall and rocky creek. Along with many crawdads, we saw two water snakes. One swam right between Hayden's legs! When we returned to the van, I spotted a large Copperhead snake right where Elias was admiring a slug. We avoided danger and had much to talk about on our ride home!

Check out the other pictures in this series at our Flickr site!

We love and miss you all!

Jodi

Bugs in KY!

2008-06-09T14:36:00.001-04:00

Bugs in KY!
Originally uploaded by jmorthodox

on the way home from Indiana. More on flickr. Jm

Hayden blows on the hot bean

2008-05-30T19:12:00.001-04:00

Hayden blows on the hot bean
Originally uploaded by jmorthodox

dinner at our house tonight...
JM+

Peace ...

2008-05-28T21:47:00.002-04:00

As some of you may already know, Oak Ridge has a rather notorious history. It was established by the government as the seat of the Manhattan Project and was the site where much of the uranium was extracted to create the atomic bombs dropped in Japan during WWII. Now in the Civic Center Park in the heart of town is a memorial to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is called the International Friendship PEACE Bell. It was actually given to the City of Oak Ridge by the Japanese Government. Ironic!

Anyway, with my littlest (he would prefer I say "youngest") brother visiting for less than 24 hours before shipping out to Okinawa, it seemed like a fitting place to take him. And yes, he rang the bell. He is now a Marine. The little boy who used to sit for abnormal amounts of time twirling his pencil, Lincoln log, or any common twig, will now be serving his time in the military. I would be lying if I said I wouldn't prefer him to be heading out on a mission trip or Peace Corps assignment, but that is not the case for him. My prayer is only that he find a way of serving God in this journey and that it will hold for him PEACE, always PEACE.

Peace,

Jodi

Our Beautiful Home ...

2008-05-21T19:02:00.003-04:00

I know it has been ages since I wrote. All I can say is life is busy! The boys are active, I am regularly waking in the middle of the night to attend births, our Church calendar is full, and the grass grows about a foot a week! ;-)

We have discovered a beautiful part of the Smokies National Park. It is called Cade's Cove. We love taking a picnic and spending the day in the park. The boys get to explore old cabins, cemeteries, and creeks, and I get to gaze at the Smoky Mountains rising all around the cove!

Sometimes we wonder if this stout little guy might be able to pull us all along. Then to our surprise we actually found a yoke that fits him!

Our little daredevils! Last time we were at this creek we saw a water snake. The forrest is thick with rhododendrons in this area!

We love you all and so wish we could afford the gas money and the time for a visit! Our doors are always open. Y'all come see us, y'hear!

Christ is Risen!

Jodi

HAY BABY!

2008-01-31T19:36:00.000-05:00

just sittin' here in the colander while Mom gets dinner going ...

... hey, there's that dog ...

... what's the trick for getting out of this thing? ...

... he doesn't mind when I squeal and shake his crate, but sometimes he does lick my fingers and face if they come too close ...

long time no news ...

2008-01-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

Well, I realize it has been a while since I have posted new comments or pix. I hope to make up for lost time! Much has been happening in the Mathews household since my last post. We have seen quite a bit of calamity as far as plumbing, water damage, and multiple-appliance failure. We are still putting things back in order after all of that. We will have a remodeled bathroom when it is all said and done, and may even end up with a new oven (ours has been broken since just after Thanksgiving!). On top of all the house issues, I have been quite afflicted with one inconvenient and painful ailment after another. From Christmas until now, I have been through losing my voice, mastitis, extreme tooth pain, acute gastritis (due to the ibuprofen I was taking for the pain of the previous two ailments), and the removal of all four (three of which were impacted) wisdom teeth! My jaw is still a bit sore and swollen, but I am seeing the light at the end of this tunnel. Actually, I think I am seeing a big, juicy hamburger at the end of this tunnel. With the gastritis, I lost about 12-14 pounds because I couldn't eat anything without experiencing very sharp pain and burning. The upside to all of this is that I am starting the year out under my pre-pregnancy weight, and I am feeling very anxious to get back into the swing of things. I am hoping I can ride the wave of this energy spurt for the next six months! ;-)

Anyway, here are few fun pix of all of us from the past couple of months:

"I can't move my arms!" This is how we bundle Hay Baby up to go out into the East Tn cold.

Asher playing with his new "hunter" set from Nanny and Poppy. Notice the bright orange hat he must wear so no other hunters will mistake him for a deer!

Sometimes we get so tired around here that we collapse in some interesting positions. Here is Elias with a sticker name-tag over his eye. I found him like this after checking in on him. He rarely "naps" now and his "quiet time" is never very quiet, with him singing or talking to himself the entire time. But on this day he was suspiciously quiet!

Here is Justin in the throes of bathroom demolition. Remember the "funny" incident with our toilet I wrote about. Turns out it leaked down in more places than I originally thought and we had to pull up carpet and remove carpet padding. As a result of the water damage we also had to remove the bathroom linoleum. We figured if we are ripping into the lovely pink and striped bathroom we might as well get to remodeling it. Out with the pink and in with the deep soak tub, new vanity, toilet and flooring!

This is the Sun Sphere in Knoxville. It is a leftover from the old World's Fair days. We spent a lovely Fall afternoon at World's Fair park and Justin snapped this picture of me with the world at my fingertips.

Love to you all. I will put up some Christmas pix of the kiddos up this week. Keep checking back. I am back in the saddle and plan on getting a more regular posting schedule together!

Blessings!

Jodi

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

2007-12-06T20:22:00.000-05:00

Well, in spite of what we are calling our week of seven plagues (3 broken appliances, two car break downs, a broken toilet and a substantial flood in the newly-carpeted basement!), we managed to really enjoy our time with Grandmama and Grandpapa this weekend.

We went and cut our tree down together on Sunday, It was a lovely outing, complete with hot chocolate! We had to adapt our tree to actually fit in our house. The trees at this farm were particularly large. The tree fits and it is huge. And, we all agreed, quite possibly the most perfect tree there ever was.

The boys had fun helping saw the tree down. Elias even wore his hard hat and goggles. That one's always a stickler for safety! Asher carried around a pitiful little branch while we hunted for the perfect tree. He called it his little Christmas tree. It was reminiscent of Charlie Brown! Hayden just loved being outside as always.

standing on the stump...

This morning the boys woke up to find that St. Nicholas had left them some gold (chocolate) coins, a chocolate Santa and a new puzzle. They really enjoy the story of the "real" santa! Check out this website if you want to learn more about the man behind the stories: www.StNicholasCenter.org

Hayden thought his first St. Nicholas Day was fun. Everyone was in his room when he discovered his slippers and a new book behind his curtains. He didn't care a lick about what was in the window, but he just loved that everyone was paying attention to him!

We love you all and miss you so much!

Jodi

Not sure what to call this...

2007-11-30T14:39:00.000-05:00

Well, I wasn't sure what to title this post. It could read: "Why the boys played emergency plumber all day" or "The one sound you never want to hear while sitting with a babe on the breast" or "How to have fun with water inside on a cold Fall day" or maybe "Why the boys need to drink more water"

So here's what happened:

My dear boy did his business like a champ, mom helped him get finished up, then we washed our hands, flushed and left the bathroom. Mom moved on to go nurse Hayden in his room, the boys went to couch to look at library books and await their mom's arrival for some reading time. So, I am sitting in the rocker, enjoying a quiet moment with the baby, when I hear the toilet running. Strange, I thought, since we hadn't heard it doing that in a while. Then I think I hear the faint sound of water trickling. Could that be what it sounds like? Faster than than you can imagine, and while nursing Hayden, I bolted from the rocker and into the hallway, where I was met with the slosh and splash of water around my feet.

In about a split second, I put Hay Baby on the ground in the living room, call Elias to come keep him from crawling into the water, and enlist Asher to go back to the other bathroom for the plunger. While they are carrying out their tasks, I am taking every towel within arms reach, whether it be hanging on a hook or folded neatly in the cupboard, and tossing them all over the ground, making sure that the first place they land is at the top of the stairs which lead down to our newly carpeted stairs and basement. Then I go to the water shut-off, which doesn't seem to be working!! As I fling the last piece of cloth I had grabbed, Asher comes back from the other bathroom. "Where's the plunger?" I ask. "Here," he says as he hands me the TWEEZERS! That's what I get for asking my three-year-old to fetch something he probably has never seen. SO, blinking back the tears of laughter, I make my way through the growing river to get the plunger. With just a few plunges, I begin to see the waters recede!

The upside to all of this drama ... the water was CLEAN!! And, it provided great inspiration for play for the boys. While I put Hayden in the saucer and began the job of mopping up the overflow, the bigger boys raced around the house pretending to call the plumber and re-enacting the flood drama they had just experienced. It really was laughable!

Moral of the story: Make sure the boys are getting enough water so their bodies are working more efficiently (AKA: avoid bodily back-ups, so as to avoid toilet back-ups.)

All in a day's work here at the Mathews' house.

What did you all do today?

Jodi

Look What I Can Do!

2007-11-29T09:12:00.000-05:00

Yep! Hayden is officially pulling himself up ... in his crib, on the coffee table, on his brothers (if they are still long enough for him to use them as leverage), on the couch ... you get the idea.

At 7 months this little guys is keeping us on our toes!

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO! (and I think it is FUN too)

Love to all,

Jodi

A River Runs Through It ....

2007-11-27T22:19:00.000-05:00

Here is my handsome man on his first fly-fishing outing with Adam. They left early on Saturday, the 24th. This is just 15 minutes from our house. They went fishing on the Clinch River. We really do live in a beautiful part of the country. It was about 30 degrees when they hit the river at 7am. No, they didn't catch anything but they really enjoyed the "guy time" on this amazingly beautiful East Tn morning.

Love to all!

Jodi

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-25T16:19:00.000-05:00

Give Thanks!

We have so much to be thankful for! We were blessed to have Kalyn and Adam here for the weekend. We have been missing family and it was nice to be with them. We had a fabulous feast, good times talking, a nice Fall hike, and nice birthday celebration.

Here are some pictures of our hike and our Thanksgiving feast. After our hike we ate turkey sandwiches and drank warm apple cider. We found a lovely kid and dog-friendly hike just 10 minutes from our house. We are discovering more and more about this area that we enjoy. Being so close to the mountains and so many rivers has been great! Justin and Adam got up early Saturday morning and went fly-fishing. I will post some pictures of that tomorrow!

The feast!

This is the centerpiece made from the things the boys and I collected on our nature walk last weekend. All these things either came from our yard, or from the woods behind us.

Making pumpkin pie with Aunt Kalie!

We miss you all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Love to you all!

Jodi

FullnessoftheFaith.com Launches!

2007-11-15T21:13:00.000-05:00

Fr. Justin's newest project! Check it out, embed it in your site, make a purchase (10% of all sales are donated to Orthodox Christian charities!) Enjoy and check out the full site...

FullnessoftheFaith.com

Uncle Josh ... underway

2007-11-06T21:19:00.000-05:00

Well, now I have one little brother at boot camp and one headed to sea for the next six months!

Jacob has joined the Marines and has been in basic training for the past few weeks. He will graduate January 4th and I am sure that cannot come soon enough for him!

Yesterday, Joshua, who is a lieutenant and the operations officer on the USS Germantown, got underway for a six-month ship tour. You can guess where he is headed! There was a great post on Josh and Tina's (and Otto's) blog about his departure (see our links for their blog!!). Justin read the blog post to the boys and me over breakfast this morning.

The boys are pretty interested in what their "soldier" uncles (sorry Jeremiah, Quinton, Adam, Jordan and John!) are up to. They regularly ask us if Uncle Josh has ever had to kill a bad guy. Sunday night we called him to say good-bye and they got to ask him for themselves. Uncle Josh told them that he had never had to kill anyone.

This morning, after hearing about Uncle Josh's ship setting off, the boys retreated to the basement and into the land of make-believe. Justin and I heard them talking and playing. Turns out Elias was pretending to be Uncle Josh and Asher was pretending to be Aunt Tina! Asher had this green fisherman-type hat on. ??

I told Asher that he could pretend to be Uncle Jacob, because he was a soldier too. He asked me if Uncle Jake was on a ship, to which Justin (seeing that being on the ship was part of the highlight of this play) replied, "Marines frequently have to be on ships. Uncle Josh's ship carries marines."

At this time we hear Elias yell from the basement, "I tried to tell him that but he wouldn't listen. He still wants to be Aunt Tina!"

Then Asher says with his special little smile--you know the one, "No, I am going to be Aunt Tina." And then he was off again!

God bless you Uncle Josh, wherever you are this night. Our prayers are with you!

Jodi

Go VOLS!

2007-11-05T21:02:00.000-05:00

That is the UT Volunteers for those of you who didn't know. And let me tell you that if you aren't a UT fan around these parts, you aren't anybody!

A man at our church, Cardy, called Justin Friday night and asked him if he and the boys wanted to go to a UT scrimmage basketball game. Well, I was on my way out the door to meet with a doula client and Justin had all three boys. He decided to "carpe diem", packed the kids in the van and headed for Knoxville. He wore Hayden in the backpack and the big guys had their own seats! They loved the game. It just happened to be the largest crowd for a scrimmage game in TN history, with a whopping 19 thousand people. Kudos to Justin for single-parenting his way through a massive crowd of people and a noise and energy-filled stadium!

Justin said Hayden did well except he lookied a bit worried when things got really loud. Asher said his favorite part of the game were the "pom poms." "Sometimes they spin," he said. "And sometimes they don't." I think this experience has definitely started them on their way to becoming die-hard UT fans. Thanks Cardy!

Sprite and popcorn at the game! "I love sports!" Elias tells us.

Go BIG ORANGE!

Love to all,

Jodi

Sticker Tree!

2007-11-03T13:40:00.000-04:00

OK, we know it is "trick or treat," but try telling that to Asher. He thought for sure he was supposed to say, "Sticker tree!" Who knew that this simple, seemingly strange pairing of words would open the floodgates of sweets and treats!

The boys went trick-or-treating for the first time (really). OK, we went around to friends' apartments at SVS the past couple years, but this was their first adventure into the "neighborhood" with other miniature super heroes, military children, talking animals, high-society royalty, cartoon characters, and the like. When I told them earlier in the day that we would go trick-or-treating after Vespers Elias hugged me tightly and said, "You are the best Mom ever!" As if I wasn't sure he felt that way!

Grandaddy bought the boys these costumes, Batman and a "soldier" as Elias likes to say. We limited our jaunt to one smallish neighborhood without traffic, where the houses are close together and where there were many other little ones with which we could roam the streets. After we hit every house with an inviting porch light aglow, we headed to the Skate Church down the street from our house for some free hot cocoa and some running around the indoor skate park. The boys had a blast slipping and sliding on the ramps!

Enjoy these snapshots from our much-needed night of fun with the kiddos:

Ready to go...

The trick-or-treaters! You wouldn't believe how many comments Fr. Justin got on his "cool, awesome, interesting, original" costume!

Oatmeal Pie ... Sweet!

"Mom, look what I got!"

That's one tired super hero!

Love to you all!

Jodi

Making Apple Butter

2007-10-26T20:56:00.000-04:00

Greetings loved ones!

Today was a fabulously perfect Fall day. The boys and I spent the better part of it "helping" make apple butter at a friend's farmet. That's right apple butter--slow cooked (5 hours to be exact), in Great-granddad's brass kettle, stirred with the wooden paddle grandpa made over an open flame. Apple butter has never tasted so yummy.

SO how did we help? Well, Mom mostly stirred the pot. The boys would wander over to help me stir, when they took a break from chasing chickens, making mud pies, running through the buckwheat, playing in the wood pile, climbing trees, chasing the girls, and all the other fun things boys do when they are turned lose on five acres. I really had a hard time rounding them up and then convincing them they really needed to come back home and live with me. "Yes, the Pyle's are great people, but wouldn't you miss your mother?" "But Mom, I need to say 'good-bye' to the chickens." "Oh, I understand I am sure the chickens will miss you." You get the picture!

This was one of our "homeschool" gatherings. There are several families at St. Anne's who are homeschooling and we thought it would be fun to get together once-a-month (maybe more frequently in the future) and work on a project, go on a field trip, or just enjoy one another's company. Truth be told, once the fun of using the apple coring/peeling contraption was over, the Mom's took over stirring. It was great for me and it gave us grown-ups a chance to fellowship. Here a few pix of the day.

Love to you all. Come see us soon!

Jodi

puppies and their boys...

2007-10-22T21:27:00.000-04:00

Greetings loved ones!

Some of you have been asking me about the dogs. Well, there are a couple pix here of them right after we got them, a few months ago. They are much bigger now, but these pix should give you an idea about their coloring, etc.

Koda

Comfy (and clean I am sure!) kitchen floor:

The Lego doghouse:

Hayden (our real puppy) is creeping and "crawling now!

Kenai

Things seem busy here even when things are normal. Today, Daddy's day off, as the boys call it, was rainy and grey--a great day for a visit to the American Museum of Science and Energy here in Oak Ridge. They have a fun exhibit up about animation and we had a blast animating ourselves and playing with the camera displays. We also tried the Van de Graaff. It sends static electricity through your body and makes your hair stand up. Asher is particularly brave about trying new things. He wanted to be the first volunteer to go up and stick his hand on the machine. No fear, that one. Dad and Mom tried it to. Elias watched with enjoyment from the comfort of his seat. What a way to spend a rainy day!

Love to all (Hayden is awake now and crying in the next room--duty calls)!

Jodi

LoveYourLabor.com

2007-10-19T17:10:00.000-04:00

My new doula site just went live! Thanks for checking it out and linking to it if you have a site...

www.LoveYourLabor.com

~ Jodi

Papa...

2007-10-18T15:47:00.000-04:00

I came accross some pix of my Papa and thought I would share them with you all.

With his great-grandsons..

A meeting of the minds...

Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy...

2007-10-17T20:59:00.000-04:00

Does this turtleneck make my neck look fat?

My Guys!

2007-10-17T15:19:00.000-04:00

So this may only account for 50% of the men in my life, but ... Here there are, Asher and Elias. Asher has been asking lately about "his" glasses. Being that everything his big brother does, has, wants, likes, dislikes, must be the way things go for him as well, he was wanting some glasses too. I happened to find these and the fact that they have no lenses makes them harmless for his perfectly great eyesight. I think they fit his personality, don't you?

My website is up and running! Know any pregnant women in East Tennessee? Send them to LoveYourLabor.com

Love to all,

Jodi

Much Ado...

2007-10-13T21:19:00.000-04:00

So, when you post as infrequently as I do there tends to be quite a pile-up of events and happenings.

My dear Papa has gone to heaven, only a couple weeks before his 85th birthday. He died on September 11th and I miss him. I know we live far away from "the farm", but knowing he's not there changes things. We all gathered for the funeral. It truly was the first time we had all been together like that since my wedding in January 1999. All, except Papa. Here are a few pictures of the family and one of Papa the week before he died. The kind folks at his dialysis center had a bit of a party for those celebrating their birthday's in September.

Blessings!

Jodi

The Boys!

2007-08-27T21:09:00.000-04:00

Life is always interesting with three boys and two dogs. Yes, you read correctly, two dogs. We now have puppies, Kenai and Koda, brother and sister. I will post some pix soon. They are cute and have added quite a bit of work to Mom's day! Try having two more babies to take care of. They have been on a trial period and are slowly gaining my approval. Frankly, the more time I spend with them and work on their training, the better they get.

This is just a quick post to get some new pix up of the boys.

This is where Hayden slept on our trip to Ottawa, and YES, that IS a SUITCASE. WOW! What a great trip! It was so nice to be amongst friends and new acquaintances for the purpose of spiritual growth and edification! Justin gave a great concert and had some fabulous sessions with the youth. Hayden and I got to sit in on several of the adult sessions.

Asher and Elias sporting their new South Dakota T-shirts from Nanny and Poppy and playing T-Ball with the set Elias got for his birthday.

And here is Daddy doing dishes with a little stow-away! Isn't Justin quite the domestic male, carrying the baby around while doing chores. Shortly after I took this photo Hayden fell asleep! He regularly falls asleep in the backpack when I wear him. Yesterday I vaccuumed the entire house while wearing him on my back. He was sound asleep by the time I finished. It is an easy way to amuse him while I get things done, but not so easy on my back!

I pray you all are well! I will not promise to post more tomorrow, but it is always my goal to keep our blog fresh with news of the family and photos of the boys as they are changing so quickly these days!

Blessings!

Jodi

Ancient Faith Radio

2007-07-21T17:33:00.001-04:00

Please Visit:

www.AncientFaithRadio.com

Blessings,

Fr. Justin

2007-07-03T19:32:00.000-04:00

Asher does actually know how to use his chopsticks the "right" way. He makes a pretty cute bug too, though!

Here is "little" Hayden. He is getting chubby! He really is a happy baby and generally low-maintenance.

The boys are standing by their "digging hole." This is where Justin and I tore out ivy that was overtaking the side of the house and the back door into the kitchen. The boys didn't make it out of their PJs today, as you can see. They threw on socks and shoes to run outside to their hole. Nice fashion statement don't you think (especially on Asher's part ... very European!).

One not-so-great pic of the house. I will snap a few recent ones in the next couple of days! I finished priming the kitchen today! Whew! Next is painting the kitchen, then priming and painting Hayden's room ... If I have the energy!

Cheers to you all!

Jodi

2007-06-24T15:00:00.000-04:00

This is how we left SVS, our HOME for three years--in the presence of some of our dear friends. This picture reminds me of the lovely. godly people we are blessed to know because of our time at seminary. These friendshps were worth the hard times spent at SVS. We love and miss you all!

Three "men" in a bed? Hayden likes to get in Elias' bed with the starry sky canopy. It is an even bigger treat when his two big brothers are enjoying the view with him.

Our first TN hike. We went to Frozen Head State Park and hiked in a mile to a waterfall. I know it doesn't sound like much, but when you are only 3 and almost 5 it seemed like quite a feat. Justin found a crawdad in the pond below the waterfall and the boys got a kick out of touching and holding it. They are becoming quite the adventurers.

We are enjoying our new "home." Justin and I regularly end the day by sitting on the porch swing after the kids go to bed and watching the dear graze in the backyard! The birds are plentiful. So far we have seen Robins, cardinals, house finches, blue jays, goldfinches, house sparrows, crows, and black-capped chickadees in the yard and frequenting the bird feeders outside the kitchen window. The boys are having fun chasing the groundhogs, rabbits and squirrels. We have also discovered the small farmer's market in town and we can even walk to it from the house. This will be a treat since starting our own garden this summer has taken a backrow seat to actually unpacking the house! I will have to snap some photos of our progress soon.

Blessings to all!

Jodi

New Hayden photos

2007-04-29T14:21:00.000-04:00

Click here for more Hayden photos from the last couple days!

There is a good picture of Fr. Steven Beloncik and the family after the 8th day Naming Prayers from this afternoon.

Blessings,
FJM

Hayden photos

2007-04-24T22:15:00.000-04:00

For all of you who have been asking... Click here.

Hayden Innocent Mathews is born!

2007-04-21T20:58:00.000-04:00

Hayden was born on April 21st, 2007 at 12:53am at home. He is 8 lbs 15 oz. and 21 inches long! We are thanking God for a perfect little baby boy and a healthy mommy! More to come...

With love,
FJM

The Velo SoleX in Action!

2007-04-18T12:51:00.001-04:00

Restoring the Velo SoleX!

2007-04-14T22:09:00.000-04:00

As some of you may know I am working on restoring a Velo Solex like the one pictured above (yes that is a french priest riding his velo solex in a cassock!). I have uploaded some photos of the restoration progress starting with a few pictures from today when, with the help of a Solex expert named Brian, I finally got it up and running. It was perfect!!

The photos can be found on www.flickr.com/photos/jmorthodox/sets

Last week I ordered and replaced the unique 1.75 X 19" Solex tires and tubes. After trying for 2 hours to get the new tires on the rims I decided to make a trip to the bike shop in Yonkers for some other tools and a special tire wrench to help pry the new tires onto the rims - very hard!

Today we cleaned out the old corroded carbon and oil from the gas tank and the fuel lines (this required carberator cleaner and rubbing alcohol with a lot of time and a long paperclip), replaced the fuel filter in the bottom of the gas tank and at the air intake before the gas return line, and replced a gasket and diaphram from the guts of the fuel pump. Next we tightened some brake lines, fixed some springs (on the light switch and on the choke/frontbrake mechanism). Once all of this was done it ran beautifully and I got to ride it around for the first time! It was much quiter than I expected.

Anyone interested in more info on the velo SoleX start here:
http://solexin.free.fr/us/index.html
or here:
http://solexin.free.fr/us/history/histo/index.html

The solex is not only a more ecomomical way to travel to and from my parish and around town but since it gets over 100 miles per gallon I can do my small part to reduce our family's environmental impact. (not much but its a start...)

A friend at the seminary gave me a wonderful wicker 2 bottle wine basket with a wicker hinged top for the rear rack and I plan to get some other accessories as I can afford them over the years (leather vintage Solex saddle bags, Solexine spare gas can for longer rides, a Solex tool kit and bike pump that mount under the rear carrier rack, original 3800 Solex rear light lens, etc.)

Its not 500 lbs Triumph like Jodi's brother's got but hey a priest in a cassock just wouldn't look very cool on that.

Enjoy!
FJM

Jodi tries to induce labor

2007-04-13T10:50:00.000-04:00

Hey folks,

Hayden's due date was yetserday. Jodi has been... well waiting... I think she's done waiting. We're off to the natural history museum with the kids for a distraction but this morning I caught thie gem of a video as we were getting ready!

click here or copy and paste this in your browser:
www.justinmathews.com/Blog/Jodi.mov

Blessings,
FJM

O Life Immortal!

2007-04-07T13:49:00.001-04:00

Troparion - Tone 2

When Thou didst descend to death, O Life Immortal,
Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead,
and when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,
all the Powers of Heaven cried out,
O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!

Feast of the Annunciation celebrates a Proud Mary

2007-03-28T08:08:00.000-04:00

My friend Fr. Alixis Vinogradov sent me this link to a great NPR commentator speaking on the feast of the Annunciation and Mary.

Click here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9145469

Happy Birthday ASHER!!

2007-03-20T20:29:00.001-04:00

Well, our little Asher John is now 3!! It is hard for me to believe that he is moving from being our baby to being our little boy. The big day was actually on the 9th, but I am just now getting around to posting some pix. We were headed out of town the weekend of his birthday so we decided to keep the partying simple. It actually ended up being a blast to have our little family celebration. We got up that Friday morning and Justin ran out to Dunkin Donuts and got some yummy chocolate frosted donuts. He occupied the boys while I arranged them into a lovely donut pyramid with THREE very tall candles atop. We sang "Happy Birthday" and he was delighted to blow out the candles on his tower of donuts. We ate our fill of donuts and milk (and D&D coffee for Mom and Dad) and then we opened presents. It was stress-free and we got to stay in our pajamas. Could this be a new tradition in kids' birthdays? I sure hope so. Here are a couple snapshots of Asher on his big day.

SAY CHEESE!

Here you can see the remnants of his chocolate donut feast!

AARRRGH! A pirate's life for me!

Love to all,

Jodi

TENNESSEE!!

2007-03-06T19:50:00.000-05:00

Well, the good news is we have a contract on a house ... The bad news is that we can't move tomorrow. Honestly, I will be doing my best to make the most of what little time we have left here at St. Vlads. Our friendships and deep spiritual and familial growth have been worth these past three years. Our house is great, or at least Justin keeps telling me. No really, it looks fabulous from the photos I have seen. You see, he spent most of last week visiting in person many of the places we had been viewing in cyberspace. And with the help of our delightful "Southern" real estate agent, he accomplished the great feat of scouting out and buying a house for his family without his wife ever stepping foot on the property. My greatest assurance in all this is first, that God is in control of this move. It also helps to know that Justin is actually probably more picky about his environment than I am. However, the nesting bug has a death grip on me right now and I am looking forward to my own space!

Speaking of nesting, I am five weeks out from my due date and am getting anxious to meet this next little guy! We are still praying about a name for him. We honestly are having a hard time coming up with it. Perhaps we will just have to see him to know what to call him!

Also, this week my "baby" Asher is turning three!! He keeps reminding me that he isn't a "little guy" anymore. Here are my little men with the Tennessee shirts Justin brought them and here is their Mom with a very large belly!

Love to you all!

Jodi

SNOW, SNOW, GO AWAY!!

2007-02-28T20:27:00.000-05:00

Just when I had decided I hated winter and wanted nothing to do with it anymore, it SNOWED. Yes, a few days ago we got our first real snow that you can actually play in and I hope it is our last. We did make a snow Mom and her baby with the help of some of the neighbor kiddos! Here's a pick of her and my guys with fresh haircuts!

Today, on the other hand, was beautiful! it was in the mid 40s and sunny! We even rode bkes on the patio. Bring on the SUN and the SPRING!!

2007-02-24T13:24:00.001-05:00

Big Rig!

2007-02-02T13:29:00.000-05:00

Well thank God that Phil didn't see his shadow today. We are sick of what I call "ugly winter." You know what I'm talking about--freezing temperatures, grey skies, high winds, but no SNOW. Nothing white and fluffy to soften the landscape of leafless trees and brown foliage, nothing to play in or build with, nothing to make it worth your while to venture out into the cold. We have yet to see snow that doesn't rise above the dead blades of grass. So, bring on the Spring! Snow has had its chance with us and we have given up on seeing it this winter.

Here are the boys taking turns driving Aidan's remote-controlled semi truck. They had a blast managing this "big rig."

Blessings to all!

Jodi

Here's a Recap...

2007-01-16T21:51:00.000-05:00

Well, we had an eventful holiday break! We flew with the boys to KC on the 13th of December, 2006. Then Justin and I left the next morning for TN to visit a parish in Knoxville. We had a blessed time and are waiting on the Lord to see if that is where we will end up. Right now it looks promising!

Then we had a great time with family and friends when we returned after our long weekend without the kiddos. It was almost like a vacation ... Almost!

We visited Justin's family while we stayed in KC, traveled up to Iowa to visit our good friends the Fjellmans, and even got to see my grandparents and parents. My parents made the long journey from CA after Christmas to stay in Laredo over New Year's! After we arrived home in NY on Jan. 3rd, we turned around the next day and left for NC to visit our friends the Foleys in Greensboro. We spent a lovely Theophany weekend with them and got to see their mission church in action. They are doing a fabulous job!

It is a strange thought to imagine that next year our Christmas will be celebrated in our own house, in our own town, and in our own way. Okay, so we don't really know how we will celebrate Christmas if we are in our own place. You see, in our eight years of marriage, Justin and I have never had Christmas in our own house! Now that he is a priest, our Christmases are taken from here until retirement. We so enjoyed our "last" Christmas in KC with family, but are hopeful that many of our loved ones will make the trek to see us over the holidays from time to time in the future.

So here are some pix from our journey. One is of Justin's Dad and the boys at breakfast. The others are from our road trip to NC. The boys are actually pretty great travelers. And, as you can see, we try and make it nice and comfy for them. And here we are: the Foleys and the Mathews (Evon wasn't home from school yet!).

Blessings to all!

Jodi

Back in NY ... Is it time to leave yet? ...

2007-01-14T15:57:00.000-05:00

Well we have landed back on the HILL here at St. Vlads, and I must admit that we are anxious to see this term come to a close. Our sights are set on what is coming in the next few months: the birth of a thesis, the birth of our third son, and the birth of a life-long-living-out of this new clergy family.

We spent Christmas in KC with family. The theme for the year was knights and castles, and they received various accessories for both.

We got to hang out on the farm with Nana Hazel and Papa Virgil (and Nanny and Poppy were there too!), and it was unseasonably warm. The boys played outside without coats. Asher had fun tying his rope to the petrified wood in the front yard until that pesky cat wandered past (note the kitty creeping into the right side of the first "cat shot"). Then he just HAD to chase after it! He also had fun chasing the geese. Turns out he is quite "brave" according to his older brother. You see, the large gander took off after Elias and Eli bolted. Well, Asher wouldn't stand for his brother being threatened by the big bird so he decided to charge the old fellow. He chased after the gander yelling, "I'll save you Elias." To which Elias replied, "My brother Asher is very brave."

There will be more to come about our holiday adventures (I PROMISE!).

RIght now we are settling in after traveling to Kansas, North Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee and North Carolina ... WHEW!

Blessings!

Jodi

LOOK OUT KC, WE'RE COMING!!!

2006-12-06T21:01:00.000-05:00

Pictures from Justin's ordination to the priesthood by +BENJAMIN Oct. 22nd, 2006

2006-11-08T00:05:00.000-05:00

Friends, sorry for the delay but thank you for your patience. Click here to see photos from my priestly ordination.

FrJM

(Thanks Emily, Sophia, Gary, Jonathan, Roman, and Dave for the INCREDIBLE photos!)

OCF Winter Retreat - "Be Still and Know that I am God"

2006-10-27T13:51:00.000-04:00

In years past I was honored to participate in this wonderful event. This year I am not speaking or giving a concert but I may be able to attend. The line up of speakers looks incredible!

Download this flyer (http://www.ocf.net/collegeconf/cc06_poster.pdf) and spread the word.
I hope you can come!

Fr. Justin

PS- Yup, I wrote my name correctly believe it or not... I was ordained last weekend! More on that awesome event to come - with some photos of course. Thank you all who have been praying for my family! Blessings!

daily vitamins

2006-10-16T11:19:00.000-04:00

"For him who is perfect in love and has reached the summit of dispassion there is
no difference between his own or another’s, or between Christians and unbelievers,
or between slave and free, or between male and female. But because he has risen above
the tyranny of the passions and has fixed his attention on the single nature of man,
he looks on all in the same way and shows the same disposition to all. For in him there
is neither Greek nor Jew, male nor female, bond not free, but Christ who 'is all, and
in all' (Col. 3:11; cf. Gal. 3:28)."

St. Maximos the Confessor
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to
us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness
and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is
Where our love for each other must start.

Mother Teresa

Sermon on Luke 6:24-30

2006-10-04T20:41:00.000-04:00

Luke 6:24-30

+
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Jesus came down from the mountain to the level plain, and sat in the midst of the large crowd that had gathered from all of Judea and Jerusalem, (jews) and from Tyre and Sidon, pagan costal towns – jews and gentiles gathered together. This crowd, including his disciples, was pressing into Jesus, gathered to HEAR him and to be healed of their diseases and cleansed of unclean spirits. And they were healed.

As the miracles multiplied the crowd pressed in with even greater determination in order to touch Jesus, get as close as they could, for the power of God was coming from Him. And the scripture tells us that ALL of those who had gathered to hear Him were healed that day. Jesus then looks up from his place seated on the earth, the earth which He made with His own hands as a footstool, but upon which he now sits in order that His disciples might hear Him if they have ears to HEAR.

This morning we also gathered like the disciples, standing, pressing in with each other around choir stands with the word in song, in front of icons with the word in paint, in order to strain OUR ears to try to HEAR Jesus speak - that we might be healed of our dis-eases (whatever they may be this morning) and be given a new and right spirit.

For in each of us there is a war raging - A war between the faithful disciple and the woeful sinner – which will win is our lifelong concern. For the Lord said woe to the rich, the full, the laughing, and the well spoken of.

As Christ’s disciples, I imagine that we can all recognize the woeful sinner…

For in as much as we are faithful disciples we are poor in this world, preferring the consolation of the treasure that is the Kingdom and not parish assignment stipends, nice apartment or worldly possessions.

In as much as we are disciples we are hungry in this world, preferring to be filled by God with Good things, the strong food of righteousness, and not sugar coated eye candy from the Internet or other manmade temptations that are nothing but empty calories.

In as much as we are disciples we weep actual tears for our sins and are not carefree and content with our successes.

In as much as we are disciples we rejoice when are hated, excluded, and reviled, for so were our fathers and mothers in the faith, those who took seriously the Christian’s prophetic calling to ‘go therefore to all nations’… only to be cast out for Christ’s sake.

In as much as we HEAR Christ Jesus we are his faithful disciples and we know the woeful sinner and the judgment that awaits him– the one who hates, curses, and spitefully uses the body of Christ for his own good pleasure.

However, in as much as we are NOT faithful disciples perhaps we recognize the woeful sinner all to well.

And the world would say to us in that moment: you are not poor; look at your vast wealth and school loans. You are not hungry; you eat every day after morning prayers. You have never once wept for your sins; and we have seen you sin so often. And even all speak well of you and your seminary.

So how could you count yourself as one of the faithful disciples?

Often this voice of the enemy is from those we know best. But perhaps this voice of the enemy comes just as often from within some of us…

Either way, Jesus replies, “But I say to you…” Love, do good, bless and pray for the ones who hate, curse and spitefully use you… Your enemies: whether from without or within.

We all try our hand at murder in our moments of doubt, when were not sure the pain of our faith is worth the plunder.

God will Judge us all in the day we are resurrected to life in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection or death if that is what we have chosen. But we are never allowed to sit as judge in this life, neither over others nor over ourselves. We are to love our enemies and to withhold nothing, to be utterly transparent in the world.

In as much as we listen to our Lord we are His faithful disciples, like the Theotokos who is our most blessed example of one who heard the word of the Lord and said amen. We even take her words as our own. In fact the Theotokos’ Magnificat that we just sang upholds the same teaching as the Gospel we have heard:

“He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree, He has filled the hungry with Good things and the rich he has sent empty away…”

So how then can we count ourselves as faithful disciples when we stand accused as woeful sinners? For Christ made us alive, even though we were dead in trespasses and sin, walking according to the course of this world, conducting ourselves in the in the lust of the flesh and the mind.

For what is a Christian but one who gets up after he has fallen? Knowing that he has already been given his second chance, the Christian does not judge his efforts or that of others, but tries once again to press in closer this time to Jesus, from whom the power of God is made manifest, and who alone can heal us - if only we can remain the ones who have ears to Hear His word.

AMEN

We have the toughest kids on the block!

2006-09-29T08:48:00.000-04:00

Don't make us come over there and open up a can of wup on you... Just ask our mom and dad...

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!

2006-09-11T20:05:00.000-04:00

The boys had their first day of preschool today! It was a shortened schedule and Mom and Dad were invited to stay. Elias took right to building and even got the other boys in on his project. Asher had fun playing with the animals and Mrs. Ball, one of his teachers. Asher has been memorizing his teachers' names. His other teacher is Mrs. Walpole, although when he says it it sounds like "Mrs. Waffle." Elias has Mrs. Lioi and he warmed right up to her. I think they are really going to enjoy this little school. Elias goes from 12:15-2:45 on M, W, F and Asher goes from 12:30-2:30 M, W. We will keep you posted on how Wednesday goes. That is when they go in by themselves ... They will be fine (I hope I will!).

Hope you all are doing well. We miss you so!

Jodi

Back in NY!

2006-09-05T20:58:00.000-04:00

Well, we are back in NY! It is good to be "home," but hard to believe this is "home." Living in New York, so close to Manhattan, has been a challenging and interesting experience. We will only be here until June, so we down to counting the months! We still haven't seen a Broadway show, visited the Empire State Building, or traveled out along Long Island. We have many things we want to do before we leave!

We are also expecting our THIRD baby April 12th! It is crazy, but we are overjoyed! We had a great summer in sunny California. Since we have been back in NY, we haven't yet seen the sun.

I will post some more pictures of some of our summer outings over the next few posts. This summer was packed with fun! The boys went on the first campout, hugged giant redwood trees, swam in the Pacific Ocean, played at the lake, went bouldering, saw fireworks over the San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, visit a dairy, ate fish and chips at the Wharf, joined the library's summer reading program, saw a rad reptile show, and even went to their first magic show! Whew!

The above pix are of the boys at the dairy and feeding some animals at a local gouda cheese producer. The cheese store had a few animals for the kids to feed. The boys loved going here and getting some fresh baked bread, fresh gouda cheese, and feeding the critters. This little place is in Oakdale just 20 minutes out in the country from where my parents live!

I will put up some more photos from our summer soon. You can expect us to post more regularly now that we are back in our routine!

Love to all!

Jodi

Swooping Down in KC

2006-06-14T12:12:00.000-04:00

SOOOO ... We are living the high life in the beautiful central valley of California for the summer. On our way to paradise we stopped in good old KC for five days. In that short time we got to visit with our family and friends there, Asher got his first haircut, we rode Thomas the Train, and Justin and I helped Karen with her real estate business.

Here are several pix from our visit...

Here is Papa Virgil giving Asher John his very first haircut. Asher was a good sport and Papa gave him a nice "bowl cut." The kids enjoyed eating Nana Hazel's great cooking and hiking through the pasture after the Mama cow and her calf. And we made it through without any ticks on the kids!

We also had the good fortune to coordinate our trip to KC with Thomas the Trains' stop nearby in Baldwin, KS. We took the kids along with Granddad and Grandma Deb and Wyatt to see and ride Thomas for ourselves. The kids had a blast and they got to taste their first sno-cone!

And with Karen's real estate business booming, Justin and I had an opportunity to lend a hand with a new venture she has started. Here they are the first photos of "Karen Calvin's Community Commode." It is a simple concept really. A truly "Open House" for all to use and it is right there in beautiful Mission Hills. This could be great for the neighborhood!

Honestly, we had a great visit!

Love to all! Jodi (&Justin)

Daddy's takin' us to the zoo tomorrow...

2006-05-27T14:32:00.004-04:00

A little video journal of our trip to the Bronx zoo a few days ago.
Wishing you all the best!

click to download:
Zoo May 23.2006.mp4

Love,
the Mathews

Preschool Party Video!

2006-05-22T16:25:00.000-04:00

Hey friends!
Sorry it has been so long... We have had class, kids, finals, papers, 80 hospital hours, women's group, etc... the list goes on. One of the most joyful things in the bliss that has followed since things were completed on Saturday was a party for our kids. The mommies got together to celebrate the great year of learning and fun the kiddos had. I thought I would share a little video with you... Click below for the link. (if anyone knows how to make these things bigger let me know. Thanks!)

Preschool Party! (Big)

Preschool Party! (small)

With Love,

Dn. Justin

Justin's Ordination to the Holy Deaconate!

2006-04-12T11:01:00.000-04:00

Our deepest gratitude is due His Grace Bishop BENJAMIN, my wonderful parents, the Huddleston family and the Johnson family who all traveled so far, faculty, staff and friends at St. Vladimir's Seminary and everyone who attended the ordination, sent cards and gifts, helped with the reception and prayed for us on this big day!

We are so grateful for your love and friendship...
Click here for photos!

In Christ,
Dn. Justin and Jodi Mathews

Download the Mathews Family Newsletter!!

2006-03-22T08:40:00.000-05:00

+
Dear Family and Friends,

Please find here a digital copy of our family newsletter.

Please take a few minutes to read it, print it out and share it with others. Its easy to forward an email on to friends who might also be interested in what our preparation for ministry at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

There are pictures of the kids, reflections from Jodi and I and much more in the newsletter! Check it out!

God bless!
Justin Mathews

PS - Please allow a minute for download and forward this post on with the email link at the bottom of this post to all your friends, your church and anyone you think might be interested! Thank you!

Asher's Birthday Party

2006-03-14T10:34:00.000-05:00

It does seem as if I measure my own days in my children's growth and experiences. "It was a good day. Asher, ate a great breakfast and had a long nap."OR "Today was crazy. Elias and Asher wouldn't obey and they picked on each other all afternoon."

I guess when you become a Mother those lines between "mine" and everyone else's blur. No, they don't blur; they erode. And now, my little monkey, Asher, is two years old! What have I been doing the past two years? Hard to say. But I can tell you in detail the happenings of this little love of mine. He speaks in full sentences now. The first person he asks about when he crawls in bed with Justin and I around 5:45am is his big brother,Elias. Elias is his best friend. When he sees Elias for the first time in the morning or meets him coming in the door, he yells, "Hey, Lilee!" and hugs him fiercly. He loves to dip his food in anything, ketchup, butter, dressing, salsa. We call him the "dipper." He loves Bob the Builder and monkeys. In fact, I have caught him dropping food on the floor at dinner time and when I ask him why he is doing that he replies, "Monkey will eat it!" Some mornings when he is laying in bed with Justin and I he will play a game with himself where he hides under the blankets to get away from the "monkeys." He and Elias are the only monkeys in this house though! And the boys are now in swimming lessons. Asher loves the water and especially gets a thrill from jumping from the side of the pool into his Daddy's arms.

As you can see, our little two-year-old truly enriches our lives. I will go on measuring my own days in light of the joys and trials presented to me by the "men" in my life.

I hope you enjoy some snapshots of Asher's birthday party last Saturday. It was the first warm, sunny day in months so about the whole seminary showed up to eat some cake and fellowship under the sun! We had a blast and the kids enjoyed the party. I made a monkey cake and the kiddos wore Curious George birthday hats. The playground was full of monkeys that day. What a joyous day!!

We love you all!

Jodi

Thoughts after reading a NY Times book review > "Young Adult Fiction: Wild Things"

2006-03-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

"These books look cute. They come in matched paperback sets with catchy titles, and stay for weeks on the children's books best-seller list. They carry no rating or recommended age range on the cover, but their intended audience teenage girls can't be in doubt. They feature sleek, conventionally beautiful girls lounging, getting in or out of limos, laughing and striking poses. Any parent including me might put them in the Barnes & Noble basket without a second glance. Yet if that parent opened one, he or she might be in for a surprise." ... "The "Clique" novels are all about status. But sex saturates the "Gossip Girl" books, by Cecily von Ziegesar, which are about 17- and 18-year-old private school girls in Manhattan. This is not the frank sexual exploration found in a Judy Blume novel, but teenage sexuality via Juicy Couture, blas and entirely commodified...."

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This is an exerpt from a review by Naomi Wolf in the NY Times today on a new and very popular trend in young adult fictional works on the best seller lists. Check out the semi-critical, but not fully aware (in my opinion), review in full HERE. I was so shocked by what is passing for literature and culture these days in our "great" society that I thought I would share the link and a few thoughts.

These books are selling literally millions of copies and passed off as "young-adult fiction" for girls. Complete with oral sex and other very explicit scenes featuring young teens, this is the "literature" that is shaping millions in the next generation of American women.

What are your thoughts? Are your children or your friends children reading these books? What role does this sort of "literature" play in influencing the values of the next generation? What happened to the venerated "classics" - are they no longer relevant to our kids.

Should a classic book be discarded if it becomes "irrelevant" to us or should we endeavor to become relevant to virtuous works - such as those by Homer, the Fathers of the Church, Jane Austen, Fyodor Dostoevsky; who could discount modern writers like Madeline L'Engle or CS Lewis?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things." -- Philippians 4:8

Is the notion of calling our children, ourselves, to the heights of Truth, culture and virtue no longer a priority? Are we simply to be "tolerant" of the mass consumerization of such base humanity targeting our children in the name of freedom, or worse, art?

Or will we dare to judge and be prejudice when required, scrutinize and criticize, teach discernment and even shelter our children if need be?

I pray we will, so that in forming their minds by what is higher and most noble, their souls too may be shaped into the likeness of the image of the One who created us all.

Justin

You are all invited!

2006-03-10T09:31:00.001-05:00

Thank you for yor prayers and support!
(Click on the ivitation below to inlarge it.)

Blessings,
Justin and Jodi

Forgive me a sinner. God Forgives us both.

2006-03-06T07:43:00.000-05:00

Last night's forgiveness vespers is one of the most beautiful and important of the whole year.

There is something so very vulnerable and jarringly innocent about going around the entire church one person at a time giving the kiss of peace and saying "Forgive me a sinner" and responding "God forgives," while the choir sings paschal (Easter) hymns in anticipation of the feast.

There is something so whole and utterly real about the way the church prompts us to live and lift up our lives to God in thanksgiving. There is not one moment of our existence left without meaning. I truly believe if this medicine were applied more liberally its soothing balm would heal many wounds in our world. God forgive us all.

The kids were so cute... Elias turned to me and said "dad, why are you kissing so many people? Stop it!" and I smiled. What a lesson, from the earliest age - reconciliation, forgiveness and love. Lived out liturgically right before their eyes - no simple mental ascent but real action and modeling.

I wish you were all there... Have a Joyful Lent.

Forgive me a sinner. God Forgives us both.

Justin

the Great Fast begins

2006-03-05T08:25:00.002-05:00

Commemorated on:
March 5
(source: www.OCA.org for more info)
Troparion & Kontakion

As we begin the Great Fast, the Church reminds us of Adam's expulsion from Paradise. God commanded Adam to fast (Gen. 2:16), but he did not obey. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendents became heirs of death and corruption.

Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obedience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ.

At Forgiveness Vespers we sing: "Let us begin the time of fasting in light, preparing ourselves for spiritual efforts. Let us purify our soul, let us purify our body. As we abstain from food, let us abstain from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit…."

Asher and I...

2006-03-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

Asher and I wanted to say hello...

Hope you are all well!

A quote for the day...

2006-03-01T13:26:00.000-05:00

Abba Antonios, pondering the ways of God, once asked: “Lord, how does it
happen that many live very few years and yet others reach a ripe old age? And how
is it that some live in poverty while others are rich? And how is it that the unjust
continue to grow richer and the just are poor?” Then he heard a voice say to him:
“Antonios, watch yourself, for those things which you ask about belong to the
inscrutable ways of God’s wisdom and it is not to your benefit to learn of them.”

"Man’s conscience is like a spring,” the Fathers say, “which, the deeper you hollow
it out, the more greatly you cleanse it. If, however, you cover it with soil, in little
time it will be lost.”

Sayings of the Desert Fathers

"Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate..." -- Chaucer

2006-02-14T08:11:00.000-05:00

"... on 14 February, i.e. half way through the second month of the year, the birds began to pair. Thus in Chaucer's Parliament of Foules we read:

For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne's day
Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.

For this reason the day was looked upon as specially consecrated to lovers and as a proper occasion for writing love letters and sending lovers' tokens. Both the French and English literatures of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries contain allusions to the practice." [taken from the Catholic Dictionary online]

Yes... I woke my wife with coffee, a valentines day gift and a homemade card from the kids. Like most of you, I too find something nastalgic and gushy on these "holidays". But inspite of our (commercially programmed?) sentimentality about Valentines Day there is some real significance to remembering this 14th day of February... Some evidence of real love - a love measured in lives martyred.

Saint Valentine's Day

At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under date of 14 February. One is described as a priest at Rome, another as bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and these two seem both to have suffered in the second half of the third century and to have been buried on the Flaminian Way, but at different distances from the city. In William of Malmesbury's time what was known to the ancients as the Flaminian Gate of Rome and is now the Porta del Popolo, was called the Gate of St. Valentine. The name seems to have been taken from a small church dedicated to the saint which was in the immediate neighborhood. Of both these St. Valentines some sort of Acta are preserved but they are of relatively late date and of no historical value. Of the third Saint Valentine, who suffered in Africa with a number of companions, nothing further is known.

But before we get too serious, the Mathews want to wish YOU a Happy Valentines Day!

Justin & Jodi

February Snow Day and MOVIE

2006-02-12T13:36:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings on this blessed Lord's Day! It is a wonderful and awe inspiring day. Today we began our journey through the Lenten Triodion (the book containing the Lenten Hymns) on our way to the beginning of Lent. This holy pilgrimage leads us straight through the valley of the shadow of death to the foot of the cross and our Lord's life-giving passion. It is a perilous journey of the soul, much will have to be cast aside in order to continue on the long road ahead. But the Triodion is a faithful guide and teacher as we set out on our pilgrimage of the heart.

Today we prayed from it: "Open unto me, O Giver of LIFE, the gates of repentance: for early in the morning my spirit seeks Thy holy Temple, bearing a temple of the body all defiled. But in Thy compassion cleanse it by Thy loving-kindness and Thy mercy." (Matins troparian)

Indeed, the Lord has given us this hymn of joyful sorrow with which to begin. And fitting it was that the cold snow bit harshly at our noses as we walked to church early in the morning light with the children. And fitting it was that in the snow, pure and white, we rejoiced after Church as only a family can - playing in the drifts and sinking deep into the mystery, remembering the One thing needful, and content having been given all we have ever asked for.

The hot chocolate, silly faces and funny nickname games we played after coming inside gave way to these few moments of quiet in which I am now writing to you. Soon enough will come study and dinner, bath and evening prayers. And then night will descend upon us as we lay warm under electric blankets and listen to the echoes of children's laughter in our hearts from a day full of prayer and play. Could there be anything that speaks more clearly of God's "Loving-kindness and great Mercy"?

Here is a new movie... enjoy.

Justin

Christmas Pics...

2006-02-11T20:53:00.000-05:00

Since you all have been asking ... Here are some snapshots from our time in KC over Christmas. There is quite a variety here, Grandmother Mathews and Quinton dancing, Justin on the piano imparting his music genius to his boys, Elias as a conductor, Asher as a reindeer, the boys in a tunnel, Adam driving a spaceship, etc. ENJOY!

Mathews Word Cloud

2006-02-10T13:47:00.000-05:00

Word Cloud to ponder, generated by our posts on the site...

More SOON!

2006-02-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

No we have not forgotten about this blog... we have just been out of town for 4 1/2 weeks. There is much to post and we will in the coming week. Until then enjoy this little gem of Elias and I in chapel at SVS and stay tuned for more to come from Christmas break!

PS - Justin's new music website has just launched! Make sure to check it out and buy a few recordings from the store at JustinMathews.com

NEW MOVIE!!!

2005-12-17T13:37:00.000-05:00

Check out this fly new music video! starring - of course - the Mathews boys!

Merry Christmas all! (especially Joel Kraft!)

Click here

(allow a minute or so, pretty big file. Its worth it!)

Photo update -FINALS ARE OVER!

2005-12-15T09:25:00.001-05:00

St. Nicholas came to visit the kids!

Glory be to Jesus Christ~ Merry Christmas friends and family~

Sermon on "the Unjust Steward" Lk 16:1-9

2005-11-23T13:46:00.000-05:00

Some have requested to see a copy of the sermon I gave in Chapel last week. I believe that sermons and such liturgical expressions are only in context at the given moment - a word spoken once, for a specific time. Therefore, I ask you to keep this in mind when reading it. None-the-less, I have copied it below in hopes that it would be helpful or inspirational in some way beyond the chapel. May it be a blessing.

Luke 16:1-9 (New King James Version)
The Parable of the Unjust Steward

1 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’
3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’
5 “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures[a] of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures[b] of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail,[c] they may receive you into an everlasting home.

Sermon:
"Doing the unexpected thing…"

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

You’re going to get what you deserve. If you’re wasteful you won’t be rewarded. And if you don’t measure up by now, you likely never will. So says the world, even today.

Then comes Jesus, our Lord, who shows that this worldly justice is really no justice at all. Even unto His unjust death on a cross for our sake, He spoke to a condemned criminal on the cross next to Him – and this one entered paradise that day with Christ.

We serve an unexpected God – No one was looking for a messiah like this! He asks us to go to unexpected places – even to the ends of the earth to proclaim His Gospel. He asks us to do unexpected things – and this is why he has commended the unjust steward to us today.

We don’t really know the heart of this steward. We only know that someone has made an accusation against him – maybe the accuser, the devil, himself, but, nonetheless, his master has called him to account for his stewardship. And if the Steward was wasteful it is likely that he set a little aside for himself, enjoyed the privilege of being 2nd in command of the household. He likely lived a fairly rich, some might say a full, life. But the privilege he enjoyed was not his own. And his being called to account shook him up to the core.

What the steward realized in that moment was that it was not only his job that was at stake, but his future – he awoke that morning and realized that what was at stake had life and death implications! And with this weighing heavily on his heart, maybe even as he thought of his wife and children, he resolved to make provisions for his future.

When we get up in the morning do we think in this way? When we pray Thy will be done, do we really know what that might mean for us by the time the day is out? Or do we to neglect to make provisions for our eternal future also? Have we not become far too comfortable and wasteful in our vast wealth and fullness that we have been given charge over?

But it is worse in fact…In St. Luke’s Gospel time and again we read that it is only the poor, the lame, the maimed, the blind that receive eternal salvation in an everlasting home… So where is the salvation for rich folks like us?

Brothers and sisters our salvation is that today we, like the steward, have been called to account for our stewardship by our master. Called to account but not yet been called to hear the verdict of our accounting. It may be the first time you have been called to do so or the 100th, but friends, what is clear, is that this is quite possibly the last. You have heard the Master’s voice today and there will be no other chances offered than that graced to us in today’s Gospel.

We, like the steward have two choices now:

1. We can be angry with our accusers and our Master, ignore our opportunity, try to justify ourselves by beating the debt from the debtors – they get what they deserve right?
2. Or, we can be more shrewd/ wise, showing greater concern for our future – this could almost be seen as merciful to the debtors in spite of the steward’s obvious selfish ambition.
The steward chose the second way and thus was commended. Jesus does not commend to us the Steward’s unjust actions; this is not condoned. Rather, He praises the steward’s concern for the future and his skillful means to a desired end.

This is the lesson meant for the sons of the light, the Christians. We are to be as shrewd in our desire for the Kingdom as non-believers are about obtaining their desires.

But Christ I believe calls us to go even further… For being called to account we recognize that all we have is God’s – we are utterly poor without Him. We are atrophied, in spirit if not in body, because of our comfortable lives and are unable to dig, like the steward. Unable to dig ourselves out of the hole of our sins. And we are blind. We do not see how comfortable we are enjoying God’s great wealth. This is why the Advent fast is so prudent for us now.

Being called to account and realizing the true state of our souls is the beginning of salvation. Christ teaches us to deal shrewdly in the things of faith and therefore to love in tangible ways, ways that are unjust in the world’s eyes because of the humility required and the forgiveness freely given.

It would be nice to stop here and ponder these things in our hearts but unfortunately the Lord doesn't allow it - he gives us one last verse: Make friends with unrighteous mammon so that when you fail they may be the first to receive you into the Kingdom.

In other words, without the ACTION the steward is no story. We are to give freely of our vast wealth and fullness, starting with our worldly goods. That when out best foot forward falls fathoms short of the mark, our gracious God might receive us into an everlasting home.

The rubber meets the road when our humility and forgiveness is proved by proceeding out of our hearts and into the hands of our neighbor.

We can’t waste or hoard the great wealth our master’s wealth that we have been given charge over and we can’t operate from a scarcity mentality. There is nothing to fear! Our God has cattle on a thousand hills and there will never be a dwindling supply of blessings, vocations, parish assignments, monies, love or other good thing.

There is no reason why we Orthodox Christians should not be known as the MOST generous people - wise sons and daughters of the light who embrace with radical abandon the holy unjustice of a life lived on God’s terms, seen from God’s perspective.

That one day our gracious God will receive us because we confessed and followed an unexpected God, into unexpected places and serve him, and him alone, as a shrewd steward of his wealth by loving all in unexpected ways.

Amen.

The Great Physician of our souls and bodies - an update on Jodi's health

2005-11-23T13:25:00.000-05:00

Friends and Family:

For all of you who did not know, we have been quietly praying about a situation that arose with Jodi's health in the last 2 months. There was the possibility that what appeared at first to be 2 very large cysts on her ovaries could have been malignant or some form of tumor.

She under went a painful surgery 2 weeks ago and has been at home recovering since - hence the silence for the last couple weeks. She is doing quite well now. Our friends, extended seminary family and our moms were so helpful - staying with us, cooking dinners for 2 weeks, praying for us, cleaning, taking the kids while I was in class... God has been so generous to us to be sure! THANK YOU!!!

The great news is that God has answered our prayers and what could have been a very bad situation is not - all is benign and she is healthy!

In preserving Jodi's privacy we did not want to make the situation public widely until we knew what we were dealing with. We thank God for your general prayers for our family and continued support in our preparation for ministry. More to come from Jodi hopefully soon but we did want you all to know that Jodi is well.

To the Glory of God, the Great Physician of our souls and bodies,

J&J

The Gardens, preschool, and daily life

2005-10-30T20:01:00.000-05:00

Life is good! The weather is finally changing and so too the leaves. Our drive to visit a friend's church in CT this morning was beautiful and full of the colors of Fall.

We bundled up the kiddos and went to the New York Botanical Gardens the other day. This is a favorite destination of ours. And what with the rock climbing, tram riding and time with their buddies Ariadne and Luke, the boys can't get enough of it!

Elias is loving preschool. This is a pic of a game they played on Tuesday where they had to guess which friend was standing in front of them by using their hands. We talked about how we use our hands for many different things. Elias is looking on as his buddies demonstrate the game.

And the last photo merely depicts another day in the life of Firemen Elias and his trusty friend Firewoman Ariadne. I guess my boots add to the get-up. You must understand, this is all his doing. Elias needs no instruction or aid from us when it comes to his acting antics! He makes us laugh out loud with all his crazy outfits and personas.

We look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Love, Jodi

Online chat account...

2005-10-24T19:39:00.000-04:00

For those of you who use online chat software like MSN messenger or IChat AV for Mac Jodi and I also have an account that you should feel free to use.

Our online username is "JustinIntone". If you want an online chat account they are free at MSN.com.

Just enter this into your buddy list and it well be easy for us to stay in touch. We have video chat but it is down right now because the Seminary is working on opening a port in the firewall for us. This may take some time.

In the wonderful words of Garrison Keeler:
Be Well, Do Good Work, and Stay in Touch...

J&J

Our Little Artists

2005-10-21T14:46:00.000-04:00

A couple of Saturdays ago some neighbors (the Gillquists) had a pancake party. They pulled out the paints and the kids turned into little artists. Elias was particularly engrossed in painting. Long after the other children had migrated to the playground, he remained to finish his masterpiece.

Asher wore his puppy sweats to the pancake party (remember Elias wearing these?!!). He sat so sweetly on the steps with the "big kids" and listened to a story. The whole day Elias called Asher "his puppy," to which Asher would quickly reply "no, I Asher John."

The masterpieces now hang in our pantry/fort. They turned out quite nice.

Blessings!

J&J

Sick and studying...

2005-10-19T17:54:00.000-04:00

Well, fall is officially here. I am sick with a head cold, the boys have runny noses and we are all feeling low energy. Seems like we live in a big preschool sometimes the way sickness gets passed around here on campus!

Lots of vitamin C, Netti pots, hot steam showers, garlic, and dayquil... Perfect ingredients for studying theology. Well, this too shall pass.

Please pray specifically for Jodi's health as well.

Well, off to preaching Luke tonight from 7:30 - 9:30. Mid-term is upon us in the next two weeks. I have a Patristics paper, a Canon Law exam, an Ecuminism paper as well as 3 sermons to prepare. This along with my regularly slotted schedule should keep me pretty busy!

By God's grace and your prayers we will be just fine! Thanks for all of your positive feedback in the last few days. Keep it coming!

Love,
J&J

Apple Picking Day 2005! New Movie...

2005-10-16T21:52:00.000-04:00

Apple Picking Day 2005!

Enjoy the latest movie... (click here!) The Mathews and friends enjoyed a fabulous afternoon of apple picking and lots of apple tasting.

[You need the FREE Quicktime player (www.quicktime.com) to view this 10-minute clip and all of the movies we post.]

We traveled up to Weed Orchard last October as well, but Asher was too little to pick his own apples. Jodi carried him around the orchard in the Bjorn. Today he got to PICK his own apples and Elias got to try the picking pole. We sampled Jonagolds, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji and Empire apples. Then we snacked on the best apple cider donuts in the world!! We also picked a few pumpkins and even a butternut squash. Anyone in the mood for apple pie? If you smell one baking just stop on in and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Perhaps this video will help you feel like you were right there with us. We sure wish you were!!

Love,

J&J

Home Depot Movie!

2005-10-15T13:34:00.000-04:00

Check out the latest movie by the Mathews - Daddy and the Boys spend one rainy Friday at the "Tool Store". More fun than you can shake a stick at!

Click here: Home Depot Movie!

[or type into your internet browser:
http://justinmathews.com/Blog/BlogPostings.htm]

Love,
J&J

Sat. Am and it finally stopped raining

2005-10-15T08:22:00.000-04:00

Well it has been raining since last Thursday in Crestwood, NY. This morning is the first clear sky we have seen in days! Hopefully we will be able to get out and about today, breath some fresh air, live in the open spaces out there a while.

The kids are excited to play with their "new" fisher-price work bench I found on one of my walks. People in this richy area throw away the nicest stuff! Well, it is a blessing and the kids are totally happy. We spent daddy day yesterday at the Home Depot going up and down the aisles (2 times!) and just looking at all the cool stuff. This is one of the boys favrite things to do. We got hotdogs and sprite for lunch at a vendor out side. Shot some video too and I will try ot figure out if I can post that sort of thing to the site. Hope so.

Well have a blessed day all!

Justin

New Photo Post!

2005-10-11T23:08:00.000-04:00

New Blog!

2005-10-11T23:06:00.000-04:00

The Mathews Family have taken staying in touch to the next level! Let's get going!

J&J Mathews