Hijacked Blog: An Extraordinary Wife

Hi everyone...it's Matt.  I've hijacked Jenny's blog to add a special post in honor of her birthday.

If you read this blog regularly, you're probably aware that its author is an amazing and incredibly godly woman named Jenny Poladian.

Jenny is one of two significant influences in my life.  The first, of course, is the Lord who guides my paths, provides what I need, and sustains me.
My wife does much of the same.

Anyone who knows Jenny knows that she's strong, kind, encouraging, and beautiful.  She's grown in godliness everyday that I've known her, and she continues to teach me things about myself that make me successful in other areas of life.  Proverbs 31:23 highlights that an excellent wife is one who enables her husband.  That's my wife Jenny.  She's enabled me to do more than I ever knew I could.  And those who know her can probably say the same thing.

Today is Jenny's birthday and I wanted to honor her in being an extraordinary wife, and incredible mother, and an exemplary Christian woman.  Please join me in wishing Jenny a very happy birthday.

-Matt

Fighter Verses

It started about a year ago...and then again at the Women's Conference in May...the conviction to memorize more scripture.  Then the Lord provided opportunities.  So I'm choosing to be obedient.  But I needed major help!  

I actually have a pretty easy time with memorization (thankfully). I have a harder time with long term memory...you know...keeping it! So I needed a system, a plan and accountability.  

Enter :: Fighter Verses 

(and faithful friends for the accountability)

Fighter Verses is an App on my iphone that has been just what I need to stay on track with my memory program.  Here is why I really, really, really like it.

* acts like flash cards but without the ring and 3x5 cards that are never close by when I want to practice

* keeps track of my progress

* allows me to listen to the verse...over and over and over

* quizzes me...good for the overachiever in me

* connects me to commentaries if I wanted more info

There is also a website http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/

Check it out! Let me know if you like it!

A lesson while laying still

Sometimes I find when I am still and give the Lord my thoughts He speaks to me and reminds me of His promises.  

What do I mean? 

Well, it's not that I hear voices in my head or have to put myself in some kind of trance.  I just pray, set my mind on things from God's word and push aside the distractions of my day.  

[Being still has become challenging with a toddler]

A moment with the Lord came unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago.  I arrived at USC for my annual appointment with the imaging center to undergo an ultrasound to make sure my neck is still clear of cancer.  Alan, the imaging tech who is usually talkative, was unusually quiet.  So I was left alone with my thoughts and no one to run after for 30 solid minutes. I am thankful I chose to pray and focus on the Lord instead of making mental lists for all I had going on.  I began to pray for Alan and thank the Lord for 4 healthy years. Then I began to think about things I know to be true about the Lord.  

He is Sovereign.

He is Good.

He is Mighty and Awesome.

He planned every moment of my life from before time began.

He controls cancer.

And then it hit me... the lesson

But I have to give you some back story

If you and I had ever had a conversation about my bout with thyroid cancer, you may have heard me say something like... "I just had 2 surgeries and I didn't have chemotherapy or radiation. They say it's the best cancer to have.  End of story."

Let me share what was going on in my heart when those words came out.  I was really saying

"Please don't think I am anyone special for having survived cancer.  Don't put me in the same category as those who underwent rounds of chemo, lost their hair, were sicker then they could have ever imagined, spent weeks in the hospital...I don't deserve it the 'cancer survivor' label. I didn't earn it"

During this recent quiet time with the Lord, I realized this was wrong thinking.  I do believe those who have battled cancer in the true sense of the word are in a different category than me. But my thinking is wrong because it doesn't accurately reflect what I know about God. My explanation put the focus on me, my doctors, and my simplistic perspective of a dangerous disease.

I believe that God in His wisdom chose for me to get a cancer that is easily treated with surgery and no option of chemotherapy.  That He placed me in the care of a doctor who decided that radiation was not necessary. To keep my hair and spend just 4 days in the hospital.  Just like He could have chosen for this cancer to take my earthly life. He is Sovereign.

I am sorry.

I am sorry I didn't accurately reflect what I believe to be true.

What will I say in the future?

Yes, I had cancer.  I am so thankful that the Lord in His infinite wisdom chose a path for me that was easily treated...even when it appeared a second time. But even if He chose a different path for me, I would still be praising Him. I want what He wants for me.

How about you? Do you believe that God plans all things for our good and His glory?

0-12 :: It happened so fast

Cooper John :: A Year in Pictures

and some of my favorites from the year...

Some Photos for Ya!

Hey!  I'm not gone! Just trying to get settled and transition back to life in Woodland Hills.  

I wanted to send out this link with pictures from the Coopster's birthday.  It was such a wonderful day and we were so excited to have Donny and Laura of Yours and Mine Studio take photos for us.  Check it out..and give them a call! They were wonderful!

http://laurapedrinoblog.com/coopers-first-birthday/

more soon!

Cooper John - O N E

I never had to be cautious of being peed on

I never played the same game over and over without getting bored

I never sat and watched someone else play with total amazement

I never gave up my middle of the night sleep so willingly

I never considered bottling up a smell so I could keep it forever

I never cheered on a brand new crawler

I never danced around the living room singing just to hear a giggle

I never felt so inadequate

I never fell in love so quickly

I never kept track so closely of the progress of a tooth

I never pureed so many vegetables

I never coached someone to learn how to walk

 I never experienced tremendous pain (labor) followed by sheer joy

I never wanted so badly to see someone come to know the Lord

I never read the same book every day like I had never read it before

I never was so aware of nap time

I never took notice of so many "firsts"....

...until you came along

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y   C O O P E R! 

The past year has been more than I could have ever imagined it would be.  You are a blessing.  A treasure this side of eternity. I thank the Lord daily for allowing me to be your Mama and have the privilege of raising you.  You melt my heart Cooper John.

On Monday, his actual birthday, we went to the Splash Pad in Oak Park with some friends to celebrate and have fun in the water.  The guy loved it!  He kept clapping and didn't want to move away from the water.

He sat here for about 45 minutes...no joke!

Enjoying a muffin made by Auntie Miss for the birthday celebration!

His new trick for the month...starting young on the phone

We had Grammie, Gramps and Mimi for a BBQ dinner followed by
the famous donut cake on the "You are Special Today" plate.

this picture makes me smile...look at his face and skip over mine :)

he demolished it... good boy

enjoying some of his gifts!

Lord, thank you for 12 full. long. spectacular. amazing. trying. wonderful. months with the guy.

This is one joy and tear filled Mama.

This and That

Here is what we have been up to...

I had my last day of work for the year and said good-bye to my OC families!  I'm looking forward to a new year in the fall with all new families.

We enjoyed celebrating with Caleb and Chantal on their wedding day!  Melissa did hair and make-up for the wedding party and I got to hang with her and help out.  It was so much fun!  Here Melissa is working her magic on the beautiful bride.

Mr. and Mrs.

We enjoyed the long weekend and spent Monday out in Oak Park with my family.  Here are Matt and Cooper enjoying some boy time and soaking up the sun.

We ended the weekend with a BBQ at the Matthews.  Cooper found a seat he was comfortable in.

I snuck away for an evening with the girls from Thrive.  Boy do I miss those ladies!  It was a great time of fellowship and rides at California Adventure.

We got the key back to our house!!  Home Sweet Home. We'll move in on Monday! 

Come by and say hello!

My first time posting a video..did it work?  Cooper enjoyed the empty space to crawl around.

The guy tasted In 'n Out.  Definitely his mother's son.he LOVED it.

So I'll be signing off for a little while until we get settled in. 

The next post will be from Woodland Hills! Wahooo!