Ok so the past several weeks have been an absolute whirlwind! So much to do, so little time. By the time this article is posted, I may or may not be married (no I don’t say that because I’m not sure whether I’m going to go through with it! Just that I’m not sure what day this article will be posted!) The past week has been unreal. My family and closet friends have come out to Seattle to celebrate with me. And I finally get to marry the woman of my dreams! Yes that’s right I’m making it official, allow me to introduce you (my IPF family) to my new bride (or bride-to-be, again depending on when this gets posted) Angela Susan Daniel (maybe Flores by the time you read this).

Ok if you know me at all on a personal level, heck if you have read even one of my articles, you are probably thinking, “WHAT!? THIS GUY’S GETTING MARRIED!?” Don’t worry, I can’t believe it either. It is pretty surreal, although I keep waiting for that one morning where I wake up in cold sweats wondering what am I getting myself into! MARRIED!? ME?! Don’t get me wrong, I have never been surer about anything in my life, but COME ON!!!!! I still have a hard time thinking of myself as a grown man, let alone a husband! I’m the guy that just a little over a year ago was rooming with two buddies on a college campus. I’m the guy that just about a year ago began his career. I’m that guy that washes and dries his clothes and then instead of folding them up and putting them away in a dresser, he leaves them in the dryer and picks out what he needs as he goes along! I’m that guy that will do a load in the dishwasher only after EVERY cup or plate has been used and it’s either wash the dishes or eat on a napkin and drink out of the carton! Oh and changing bed sheets, FORGETABOUTIT!!!!!

But alas, my time has come. My bachelor days are behind me. As far as I’m concerned come June 20, 2009, my life as I have known it is over! And my real life begins!

I am blessed that I get a an amazing woman and an amazing new family. I really believe God put Angela in my life at the exact perfect moment. Over the past three years we have both come so far. I am excited at where God will lead us in the years to come.

So raise your glasses with me in a toast: “Here’s to my beautiful new bride and all the future holds for us!”   

Peace I'm Out! 

On Sunday May 31, 2009 Aloor K. Matthew, a dedicated father and loving husband, passed from this earth to his final resting place. After a grueling battle with cancer, Uncle passed from this life of suffering to a place of no more pain or sorrow. He leaves behind a large legacy of lives touched and service to others. I knew Uncle since I was a little kid in Chicago. Though from everything I have heard of his life in Malaysia and all that he accomplished there, I can only speak of the man I knew in Chicago. He was a devoted member of the New Testament Church and he loved God.

When I think of Uncle, two things immediately come to my mind. The first is his service to others. He showed his heart for service in many ways. From his faithful service and love to his wife, Annamma through the years, to his longtime ministry to the elderly in nursing homes. Uncle faithfully visited and ministered to nursing home residents week after week for several years until he was physically no longer able to continue. I remember him giving updates on the nursing home ministry during testimony time at NTC. He would constantly encourage the other members of the congregation to join him in ministry to the elderly, even if it was just singing Christmas carols during the holidays.

The second thing that immediately comes to my mind when I think of Uncle is the countless number of times he would greet me with a pat on the face and yell, “Jonathan my boy!” Even though it really stung, I always couldn’t help but smile. Even if I hadn’t seen him in several months, that one Sunday I would visit the church, he would still give me a firm pat on the cheek and make me feel like I had never left.

It seems cliché to say we shouldn’t mourn a person’s death but rather rejoice in the life they lived. But the truth is I, can’t help but feel both emotions. When you live a life and set an example like the life and example set by Uncle, you can’t help but both rejoice for all the amazing things done and accomplished by Uncle AK, while at the same time mourn that a man so dedicated to his family and his ministry no longer is among us.

We all mourn loss in our own way, some very openly, others in a more private subdued way. But the one thing that all who mourn the loss of Uncle share is an emptiness in our hearts at the passing of a kind man of God.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain…” (Rev 21:4)

Rest In Peace Uncle, you will be greatly missed (say hi to mom for me)

Peace I'm Out!