Cocoa Beach

Drove 40 minutes to Cocoa Beach on Saturday to meet up with Janie's cuz'n Lauren (they're both from Kentucky so I picture them growing up saying stuff like "cuz'n" and "reckin'). Then I learned Lauren works for NASA, is crazy smart and my stereotype was shattered.

Lauren and her boyfriend showed us around Port Canaveral including some "only the locals know" spots where we can go to watch rockets launch. Bummed we didn't take advantage of Lauren's knowledge when the space shuttle program was still active.

Even though it was a cool and overcast day, the boys had their hearts set on going to the beach.

Growing up in Indiana, I've never been a beach guy. I enjoy it for about an hour and then I'm ready to go.

Chase and Jackson spent the first few years in Miami and have already been to South Beach, Hollywood Beach, Ft. Lauderdale Beach, Isla Morada, Marco Island, Sanibel Island and Ft. Myers Beach.

Thus, Chase and Jackson l-o-v-e the beach.

One thing I observed while watching them play was how Chase is becoming more and more persistent. In the past, he would give up when something wasn't working out the way he planned. On this day, he tried to get his toy dinosaur to stand up in the sand but every time the water came on shore it would fall over.

He finally stuck his toy deep enough in the sand so it stood up for several minutes. Each time the waves came in and his dinosaur still stood Chase and Jackson cheered as if to say, "Ocean, do your worst."

Prime Time - Lonely Can

It wasn't a New Year's Resolution. My decision had nothing to do with Lent. 

I used to down 3 to 4 cans of Diet Coke every day not to mention my attraction to McDonald's crack-laced formula (not literally, c'mon now). 

As evidenced by the full case of 24 cans in the garage and the one lonely can in the back of our fridge, on January 18 I said, "I'm done." Now I carry my 24oz Camelbak filled with H20 all the time. 

Don't worry coffee, you're safe...for now.

Camera: Nikon D7000

Lens: Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G prime lens

* Prime Time is a new series of posts on DaddyMatt.com where I get up close and personal with my DSLR equipped with a prime lens.

I'm Going To Iraq

I've been itching to lead my first World Orphans trip and now I have the date and destination. In June I will be taking a group to Northern Iraq to help care for those who were widowed and orphaned during the reign of Saddam Hussein. This particular area is known as the Freedom Martyr's Village. 

Very few Western aid organizations have been able to help, but in March 2009, the local Iraqi government gave World Orphans an acre of land in the center of the village. With this land we were able to build a community center called The Refuge. It is a place that enables the local believers (and overseas short-term teams) to display the good news of Jesus by caring for the widows and orphans in the surrounding community.  

In addition to the center, the property also has a playground and beautiful soccer field for the children. Check out this blog post for more about how God is using the soccer field.

Interested in coming with me? There are a few spots left for this trip. You can fill out an application for the Iraq trip [or any of the other J117 trips] on World Orphans' Journey 117 site. 

Check out this short video for more about this awesome project.

Who Said Chores had to be boring?

There are things we expect our boys to do around the house just because they are part of the family (pick up after themselves, etc.). But about a month ago we introduced Chase [3] to a few daily chores that he alone is responsible for to earn--in the immortal words of Randy Moss--"Straight cash, homie."

I think Jackson [2] was feeling left out so for the past few weeks he has made feeding our dog, Jeter a team effort. I love that our boys can make a mundane task into a circus. Watch the video below and be prepared for a laugh.  

Meet the World Orphans Team

Last week I flew out to Colorado for the World Orphans staff retreat.

I brought my DSLR along for the ride so you could meet the team...in black & white.

This is Scott Vair, "O Captain, My Captain" of World Orphans. He's better known as Debbie's husband.

Kate is our Sr. Project Director, a new mom and rides a motorcycle. Don't mess with Kate.

Alan is the VP of Advocacy. His stuff lives in Texas but his heart is in Colorado. His stuff might catch up soon.

Ron is our Haiti Director. This was his first time in the States. While he was here he picked up a tuxedo for his wedding in Haiti this summer.

Joe [West Coast Advocacy Dir] is a surfer dude from So Cal. He uses the word "gnarly" and isn't joking. Janis lives in Texas and listens to Joe use the word "gnarly."

Jesse Blaine might sound like the name of an action movie star but in real life this guy is ONLY moving his wife and new born daughter to Cambodia to rescue orphans. Slacker.

If World Orphans were a body, Kathy [Holistic Care] would be the heart and Marcello [Graphic Design] would be the left brain. 

Lori is Director of Journey 117 and is married to Derek Zoolander.

Jeremy "Blue Steel" Resmer is our new Project Manager. 

Emily helps coordinate our Journey 117 trips. That baby is not hers. 

Phyllis and her husband Rick are from New England and moving to Ethiopia to run a World Orphans guesthouse.

This is Rick. He goes with Phyllis. They are also adoptive parents so they are OK in my book.

World Orphans web presence looks phenomenal because David stares at his MacBook intensely (and he is insanely talented).  

Nicole [office manager] is a "jill-of-all-trades" and master of them all. My wife would call her a "talent hog."

Mike [Midwest Advocacy Dir] likes long walks on the beach and helping Churches step up their "orphan rescue" game. Lance [CFO] is the King of Excel. I genuflect to him cause I hate Excel.

On screen is Jacques and Amanda. They are World Orphans missionaries in Nicaragua and couldn't be fully present at the staff retreat. Thanks to Skype for allowing them to be there virtually.

Kevin [a fellow Advocacy Director] and his family are planning on moving to Orlando via West Virginia later this year. I can't wait to work with him locally so we can ride the Rockin Roller Coaster over and over again.

This picture sums up the week. The team gathering to pray for the Blaines and the LaBrances as they prepare to unleash the good news of Jesus to the orphans in Cambodia and Ethiopia. 

Oh and just to show you how fearless our fearless leader is...here is Scott Vair preparing the grill for steaks and chicken while the temperature rested at a frosty 5ºF. 

HUGE FINAL NOTE: This is not the entire team. Several people (especially those who are on the front lines overseas couldn't make it to the retreat). The Barlows in Haiti. The Rays in Iraq.

I also missed getting shots of Lisa Robinson and Debbie Vair. Epic Fail on my part. 

Growing Bamboo and Boys

My Valentine's Day gift from Chase and Jack Jack (and our dog Jeter) is a powerful reminder for us dads. 

Answer the Call Conference - Indy - May 19, 2012

It is happening. 

The U.S. Church is slowly waking up to the fact that WE have failed to speak up for the orphan. On our watch, millions of children...

...go hungry.

...are trafficked for sex and slavery.

...continue to die of illnesses for which we have the cure. 

...cry for a home where they will receive love.

BUT, what can only be described as a movement of God is happening in megachurches, medium-size churches, church plants, house churches and everything in between. Every day, more and more Christ-focused communities are coming to grips with the fact that God is the Father to the fatherless and we are called to reflect His image. 

Here's one of the coolest parts. This movement is not only being led by paid pastors. As a matter of fact, it usually starts with...

...one family who God has called to adopt.

...a single man or woman whose heart is broken for the orphan.

...a small group Bible study who dared to pray, "God do something great through us."

What some might see as small or insignificant, God is using to cause a major ripple effect through the Church and it just keeps going. 

One church in Indianapolis, Traders Point Christian Church, over the last few months has gone from hosting their first Orphan Sunday event to now forming and hosting the Answer the Call Conference on May 19th, 2012 and they are inviting people and churches from all over the area to learn how they can be a part of this movement of God. On a sidenote, I am thrilled that Kevin Squires and I will be there representing World Orphans and leading one of the workshops. 

It is no accident that while at the Orphan Summit VII Conference less than a year ago, I ran into a group of friends from Traders Point. None of them were on staff, but all had a heart for the orphan and were at the conference to learn and strategize how they could help their church engage the orphan crisis with excellence. 

Jump start to the present.

Registration starts for Answer the Call in 3 days. If you are in the Indianapolis area, I hope you will make every effort to be there. Even if you are the only person from your church going. Who knows? Maybe this one day conference is your first step toward making a world of difference to at least one vulnerable child.

Take a moment and "LIKE" the Answer the Call Facebook page and help keep the movement going. 

Why I Will Be Buying Two Knicks Jerseys Soon.

Tebowing is so 2011. LINsanity has taken over the Mehaffey house.

As a Pacers fan, I grew up hating the Knicks. Patrick Ewing, Charlie Ward, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason ... John Starks. Just typing their names makes my blood boil.

And yet now I am Google-ing "Jeremy Lin Knicks kid jersey."

In case your TV clicker never finds its way to ESPN and you are wondering what I am talking about, earlier this week, Mike D'Antoni (the head coach of the under-performing New York Knicks who at the time were in the middle of losing 11 of their past 13 games) looked down the bench and said to himself, "Well, this season is over. Might as well give that Asian kid down there a chance to play."

Since then Jeremy Lin has done the following:

Feb. 2 vs. NJ Nets: 25 pts 7 ast WIN

Feb. 6 vs. Utah Jazz: 28 pts 8 ast WIN

Feb. 8 vs. Wash Wizards: 23 pts. 10 ast WIN

Feb. 10 vs. LA Lakers: 38 pts. 7 ast WIN

You can't write a better story than this.

Here's my rationale for why I am going "All In" with Lin. 

1. My boys are from Taiwan and Jeremy Lin's parents are Taiwanese immigrants. Do you know how many Taiwanese players have ever played in the NBA? Answer: The same number of championship rings Patrick Ewing won in his illustrious career as a Knick. ZERO. (Told you I hated the Knicks).

2. Chase and Jackson's surname in Mandarin is ... wait for it ... Lin! Of course in the States that's like being excited that you share the same last name as Will Smith.

3. He's a Harvard grad. Dude didn't just go to college to leave early and jump to the NBA like so many do.

4. He's fun to watch. He reminds me of a young Steve Nash.

5. He is humble. In every post-game interview I have seen Lin is constantly giving the credit to his teammates. Maybe Kobe will start paying closer attention to what Lin is doing now. 

Then you add to the mix the fact that Jeremy Lin is a follower of Christ who "views his athleticism as a way of bringing glory to God." 

Yeah, my boys will look good in blue and orange. 

Minivan, Say Hello to my Little Friend

After four days in a row of walking out to a dead battery, numerous trips to the mechanic, and a hefty $1,000+ bill ... I decided to take matters in my own hand. 

Thanks to the free Action Movie FX app on my iPhone for making me feel better.