Memories of Zach's arrival - May 13, 1999

I suppose a parent never forgets the day and occasion of their first child's birth. I certainly haven't forgotten!

But, to understand the events of that Thursday morning on May 13, 1999, I need to go further back in time - about a year.

In the Spring of 1998, Kim's mom was diagnosed with cancer. This was after an extensive search for what her physical problem was. It began as a pain in her shoulder that the doctors thought was possibly arthritis. Then, after a couple more incorrect assessments, it was discovered that she had multiple myeloma - cancer. I remember sitting with Kim and her mom in the doctor's office when that diagnosis was given.

Initially, it was met with much tears and anxiety. But, Kim's mom was a fighter and insisted she was going to beat it. She came to stay with Kim and me in our apartment so that she could have someone who was able to watch and care for her. Unfortunately, her health deteriorated quickly. Soon, she was in the hospital ER with a shoulder and hip bone that had disintegrated. Those breaks were never able to be fixed as more problems developed.

About 3-4 months into her mom's illness, Kim came to realize that her mom may not survive it. She told me that she really wanted to have a child so that her mom could hold him or her before she walked through death's door. Shortly, Kim was pregnant.

As Zach grew in Kim's body, I watched her spend hours upon hours taking care of her mom. She had a full-time job at the Lexington/Fayette County Health Department. But, as soon as her workday was over, she would drive to Georgetown, Kentucky or to a nursing home in Lexington where her mom was being kept. She would typically spend the rest of the evening with her. She enjoyed talking to her mom, checking up on those who were providing her care, and serving her in any way that she could.

Then, came the day for Zach's first ultrasound. We discovered that we were going to have a son and we were so excited! Kim took the ultrasound picture to her mom to share the moment. However, at that time, her mom had not yet reconciled with the fact that she was ok with dying and she was momentarily experiencing anger and bitterness. If you knew Jo Ann, you would know that this was absolutely not her. She was always focusing on serving others. She would naturally put herself aside to make someone else feel valued. Fortunately, she soon came back around and found delight in looking at Zach's ultrasound and hearing of Kim's excitement at being a Mom.

But, it wasn't nearly as special as Kim's original desire - to have her Mom hold Zach in her arms before she passed away. Unfortunately, it never happened. When Kim was 5 months pregnant with Zach, we attended her mother's funeral.

While Kim experienced gut-wrenching grief at the passing of her Mom, she remained incredibly strong during those days and in the following months. She was so afraid that if she allowed herself to experience the full weight of grief over her Mom's death, it might harm Zach who was still inside of her. So, she kept her chin up and just kept going.

On the morning of Thursday, May 10, 1999 at around 2:30am, we were racing to Saint Joseph East Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. It was going to be Zach's birthday!

When we arrived, Kim was taken into a room in the labor wing of the hospital. She was hooked up to monitors as we waited for Zach to come.

But, we noticed that the fetal heart rate monitor kept going down into the 30-40 beats per minute range. That is dangerous! A baby's heart rate as it approaches birth is typically around 120 - 160 beats per minute.

Kim was moved around by the nurses. They tried laying her on her side ... and then the other side. One thing after the other was attempted and yet Zach's heart rate kept dipping down too low.

Then, things happened so quickly that it seemed like a blur. Zach's heart rate went down and stayed down. Nothing would bring it up!

The nurse ran out of the room and then ran back in. She sent our family out of the room and tossed some scrubs at me. She told me to get them on quickly and I complied.

In what seemed like only a few minutes, Kim was being quickly wheeled down the hospital hallway to surgery. She was crying and asking, "Is my baby ok?" No one answered because they didn't know. I knew that Kim had lost her mom only 4 months earlier and it was hitting her that she may experience another death soon. She was so afraid.

We entered the room where Kim's C-section would be performed. The doctor (Dr. Dalton) soon entered. His presence was an incredible source of comfort to Kim. Dr. Dalton was Kim's OBGYN and he had already delivered a few Thornberry (Kim's maiden name) children. He had also cared deeply for Kim and her family as they went through the loss of her Mom. There was a connection with him that made his presence in the room comforting.

After what seemed like only a few minutes, the procedure began. I sat helplessly near Kim's head as she lay on the table. When Zach was pulled out, his whole body was blue ... dark blue. I was terrified at the sight! Was he dead? If he was alive, what was wrong?

Kim and I had never heard a more beautiful sound than when he let out a big cry and kept it up. It might as well have been a heavenly choir singing! Kim had tears of joy coming from her eyes as she lay on the table as the doctor worked to put her back together.

We found out later what the problem had been. The umbilical cord was too short and was wrapped tightly around Zach's neck. Every time Kim would contract, it would strangle Zach.

Well, our first son was born ... but was he ok? Had the lack of oxygen done any damage. The doctor suspected that things were going to be ok but only time would tell.

Well, it didn't take us long to see that Zach was special. God gave him a big heart that loves to encourage others. He gave him a love for God that has evidenced itself in a lot of ways that have made his parents proud. Folks in Kentucky haven't seen it but he's also an incredible baseball player! (I loved watching my three sons play baseball when we lived in Brooksville, Florida.). As far as his intellect - well, he's currently got a 4.0 gpa as of the end of his sophomore year in high school, he's taking advanced classes and is on the academic team.

Kim and I are so honored to be Zach's parents! I believe that he's got a bright future ahead of him as he follows Jesus. I'm just glad that I get to play a small part in what God is doing and will do in him!

Sermon (video): God's Design for Children and Parents

One of the greatest privileges that anyone can have is to raise the next generation of Christ-followers. Parents have that opportunity as they develop their children into the ones that God is free to use in the years to come.


This sermon digs into Ephesians 6:1-4 and points out two key commands given to children and parents if this relationship is to work.


To view the sermon, click here.

God's Design for the Family (Ephesians 5:22-6:4)

On Sunday mornings, I've enjoyed

preaching through the book of Ephesians. Most recently, I have spent time in Ephesians 5:22-33 sharing biblical truths about how husbands and wives are to relate to each other in their marriage.

To view the sermon videos, simply click on the titles given below:


God's Design for Wives (Ephesians 5:22-24, 33)

God's Design for Husbands (Ephesians 5:25-27)

God's Design for Husbands - Part 2 (Ephesians 5:28-33)

God's Design for Children (Ephesians 5:1-3) (will preach on October 26)

God's Design for Parents (Ephesians 5:4) (will preach on November 2)

Matt & Kim's 17th Wedding Anniversary

I can't believe that Kim and I have been married for 17 years! I found a video of our wedding on May 10, 1997 and watched a portion of it. As I looked at those 20-somethings, I couldn't help but shake my head and say, "Wow, if only they knew what was ahead of them!"

Much of what lie ahead of us has been incredible! In a couple of years, God would bless us with our first son, Zach. Then, two years later, God sent our son, Sean. Finally, four years later, God gave us Joseph. As those three boys have grown older, Kim and I continue to realize just how God wonderfully blessed us when He gave each of them to us. They make us, as parents, look better than we really are. 

God has also blessed Kim and I with Himself. As we look back to our earlier years of marriage, we often realize just how spiritually immature we were. Yet, through our marriage, God has blessed us with some really bad times. Yes, you heard that right. I used the word "blessed" and "bad times" in the same sentence because God used them to draw us to Himself. Our relationship with the Lord is so much stronger and sweeter now than it was when we married. Yes, we've still got so far to go, so much more to enjoy but we've come so far in the last 17 years.

I am also overwhelmed by God's grace by giving Kim to me. I could not have imagined back in 1997 just how much I would be positively impacted by the special lady He was giving to me. I am not being cliche when I say that I am a much better man for having married Kim. I have gone much farther than I would have if God had not used her to help shape me into a vessel that is much more usable to the Lord.

God has also blessed us immensely as He has brought some incredible people into our lives. In truth, every single person we've met has been a personal masterpiece by our great Creator. Yet, some folks have stepped in and left their fingerprints all over our lives. Many of those extra special people were sent just as the right time.

If friendships make someone rich, then we are unimaginably wealthy. After our wedding, God continues to bless us with relationships. We have developed some incredibly deep and rich relationships in the churches that I have served in. It has always been a very hard thing to leave for the next assignment because we had developed such a family kind of love for the folks we served. We cannot adequately express how wonderful it is to continue to enjoy friendships in Lexington, Georgetown, Princeton, Brooksville, Murray and many other places along the way.

Life with Kim has absolutely been an adventure! And, if I had it to do all over again, I'd do it all over again ... as long as I'm with Kim!

But, hey, it's not over. The adventure continues. Who knows what God has yet in store for us as we walk into the future together! I'm just so excited that I get to walk that journey with my best friend, my Sweetheart, Kim!

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Here is a video clip from our wedding on May 10, 1997. I surprised Kim by adding a song to the wedding. I picked out a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that talks about my commitment to stay with and love her throughout the good and bad times. So, here's me singing a love song to Kim. After listening to me sing, you'll understand why she kept crying. lol

Ellis Family Pictures 2013

We had some family pictures taken recently. I thought I'd share them. God has blessed me in so many ways!!!

Reflections on my 5K Run for Life Choice Care Center

Zach and Sean at the conclusion of their race

This was a SUPER fun and rewarding race! Here's how the morning played out...

I got up at 5:00 and enjoyed some time in my Bible and prayer. I posted my 'race verse' for the day on my dailymile.com account. It is from Isaiah 40:31 and it says: "But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." That wasn't a verse in my daily Bible reading today. It simply popped into my head during my Bible reading time. I enjoyed reflecting on the thought that those who wait/depend upon the Lord will 'run and not grow weary.'

At 6am (2 hours before the race started), I enjoyed a banana and some black coffee. I woke Zach and Sean and we headed out the door around 6:45. We picked up Alex Fredericks and headed to Floral Park.

On arriving, we got our race packs, running tags and ankle monitors. As 7:30 approached, I went out for a relaxing run with Alex to elevate my heart rate and begin warming up my legs. I also did some leg stretches. The group began moving to the 'Start Line' about 7:50. Alex and I prayed before the race started (this was his first 5K) and then I prayed with Zach and Sean. We prayed for safety and for each of us to honor the Lord by giving Him our best in this race.

The race started a couple of minutes after 8:00. It had an unusual start because there was no horn or gun. The lady with the stopwatch just said, "10 seconds ... 5 seconds ... GO!" We took off and, as usual, began to look for our own personal running space (after having been a little cramped at the start line). I had my GPS watch set on 'Average Pace' so I quickly realized that I had gone out fast. But, I was feeling fine and knew that I had developed endurance and mental toughness so I kept the pace.

photo compliments of Lauren Lemieux

Almost a quarter mile into the race, we were to make our first turn onto a side street. Unfortunately for the front runners, there was no one at that intersection. They only went a few steps past the street before they realized their mistake. I yelled out "TURN! TURN!" They retreated and the race went smooth from then on.

The first mile is a steady incline. I finished mile 1 in 6:52. That was the fastest I've ever logged a
mile. But, I didn't panic like I did on a previous race because I still felt OK. Mile 2 is where the rolling hills began and I had not trained on hills for a few months. Yet, I focused on proper breathing and tried to keep my mind from playing games with me as it periodically called upon me to "STOP THIS MADNESS!"

photo compliments of Lauren Lemieux

I finished the second mile in 7:39 and then primarily had a downhill trek (with a few uphills) to the
finish line. I finished the third mile in 7:54. As the grade evened out at the finish line, I picked up the pace a bit and finished in 22:50 (for an average of 7:21/mile). This was 1 minute and 31 seconds faster than the time I had on this same course last year (a time I have never been able to beat at other 5Ks).

I crossed the finish line with my finger aimed to Heaven because I knew that I had set a new PR (personal record) and it was because of God's goodness. He had given me the ability to run and the opportunities to improve. I only took advantage of those abilities and opportunities. The glory was due to Him!

I was grateful that I finished in 12th place overall (click here for race results) and took 1st place for my gender/age group. However, that was because the overall fastest runner and the fastest master runner were in my age group. Since they received rewards for those achievements, the rest of us were invited to move up two places in our standings. I would have been 3rd but am grateful to take home the blue ribbon.

After finishing, I walked around a bit to lower my heart rate (it averaged 189bpm in this race peaking at 193bpm as I crossed the finish line) and then waited for Zach and Sean. My heart welled with pride as Sean and then Zach came into view. They both set PRs as well! Sean finished in 30:43 and Zach finished in 30:57.

Video: Go Carting on Spring Break

I took a vacation day today and went with my family to Tampa to ride go-carts. We made quite a few great memories! Click the play button below or watch on Youtube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jPdzspOGsc.

Brooksville Raid 2013

Here are some pictures I took at today's Brooksville Raid. There was no Civil War battle fought in Brooksville but our "battle" draws the largest crowd of any other reenactments in Florida and has more than 1,500 reenactors.

 

  

 

 

 

  

To end the Raid, each reenactor stands in a line and fires off their weapons at the same time ... at least that's the way it is supposed to happen. However, this year, the one saying "Ready, Aim, Fire!" wasn't speaking loud enough. Yet, I think it ended up being pretty impressive. To watch the clip of the final emptying of the weapons, click here.

Grandpa Keltie (Oct. 31, 1922 - Jan. 30, 1991)

Everyone should have a Grandpa like I did. The untold memories that are flowing through my mind at this moment are too many to put down in this post. However, there are a few memories that typically rise above the rest and I will mention those:

My Grandpa knew how to make lemonade out of lemons. He never had much money but that never kept my siblings and I from wanting to go to his and grandma’s house. We learned how to tie rocks to handkerchiefs with string, throw them high into the air and imagine that they were paratroopers. We saw how some odd and end boards and some wheels could quickly be cut and attached to make a motorless go-cart. We didn’t need the motor. The hill behind Grandpa’s house worked just fine. These are just a few of the ways that Grandpa showed us how to make the most of what you’ve got to work with: a lesson easily applicable to all of life.

My Grandpa knew how to exude a positive persona that comforted and cheered those who happened to be around him. As an adult, I can look back on some of the situations I saw my grandparents in and know that it must have been horribly stressful. Yet, my Grandpa was never without a song in his heart that often came out in the form of a peppy whistle tune. In fact, my Grandpa was the janitor for Bible Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee for all of my formative years. The building was fairly large, at least to a young child. But when we wanted to find him somewhere in the facilities, all we had to do was get quiet for a few moments … and listen for the whistling. (Being a janitor may seem like a menial job to some. However, as far as I was concerned, my Grandpa elevated the job.)

My Grandpa knew how to make Bible stories come alive! I remember spending many nights in my grandparent's home. After my brother and I slipped into our pajamas and brushed our teeth, Grandpa would tell us a story. If it was about Daniel in the den of lions, I knew Grandpa’s hair was going to get messed up to resemble a lion’s mane and there would at least be one "roar" in the story somewhere. If he told us about David and Goliath, I knew I would have to duck the imaginary stone that David flung at his nemesis. I loved Bible story time with Grandpa!

As I grew older and my love for the Scriptures developed, I also outgrew the bedtime stories. But another of Grandpa’s traits continued to influence me to value God’s Word more and more. Thirty or so years later, I can still see my Grandpa sitting in his recliner in the living room with his Bible open upon his lap as he read and studied it. He did this day after day after day. And now, years later, I enjoy doing the same thing. (The only difference is that he had a physical Bible. I use an electronic Bible with a computer on my lap.)

There are so many memories and lessons I could mention but I’ll close with my final memory of him. It was in January 1991 that I received a call in Lexington, Kentucky saying that Grandpa had just suffered a massive heart attack. I made the necessary arrangements with work and college and then drove the 7 hours to the ICU unit at the hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

I had been blessed to that point never to have suffered the loss of a family member as close as Grandpa. For that reason, it seemed surreal. I loved him dearly and knew that he was not doing well but just couldn’t fathom that it was his time to go.

As his family began to gather, loved ones made their way back to the ICU in twos to spend time with him. I went back with one of my uncles and noticed that he was sedated and seemed to be only mildly coherent. I stood beside his bed and my eyes were bringing me to grips with how serious my Grandpa's condition really was. I thought back on many of the memories I had enjoyed with this man and prayed that he would make it through this.

As I stood there beside his bed, he looked over at me and lifted his right hand toward me. I held it and he gripped my hand tightly as we gazed at each other. He began to move his mouth as if he were tring to tell me something but I couldn’t understand. He had tubes running everywhere and an oxygen mask on and so I couldn’t make out what he was trying to tell me. He let go of my hand and only moments later, held his hand up toward me again. My uncle noted that Grandpa wanted to hold my hand again and so I reached out the second time. We held hands and peered longingly into each other's eyes for the last time. It was only a few hours later, as many of his loved ones were gathered in the ICU waiting room, that he went home to be with his Lord.

I dearly loved my Grandpa and think of him often, celebrating the wonderful memories he left behind. I am comforted in the knowledge that we will be reunited one day in the presence of the Lord for eternity. And I just wonder if when I arrive in Heaven, God will say, “Matt, your Grandpa is here. See if you can find him.” All I will have to do is stop for a moment, get quiet ... and listen for the whistling.