mattgwin.me

So proud to watch @bon811 except her award for being selected as part of the 40 Under 40 Class of 2015 in Oklahoma City. Her integral work on the team to design and launch the counseling center at Deaconess Pregnancy and Adoption services was one of the many civic accomplishments she was recognized for. Always proud of her, but excited to celebrate tonight in front of such an accomplished audience. Love you sweetheart!

What are you reading tonight?

She wanted orange juice instead...who am I to argue? #nationalcoffeeday

Current Reading // The whole Brain Child, Siegel and Bryson // Prayer as a Place, Charles Bello // One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp // The Bible //Preemptive Love, Jeremy Courtney // Groups-process and practice, Marianne;Gerald;and Cindy Corey // Travels with Charley in Search of America, John Steinbeck // Short attention span = 7 books at a time

Angel Fire, Valley of the Sun: told using @stellerstories, an amazing new app and community. https://steller.co/s/4kZhX4p2bks #goexplore #seewhatisee #stellar #adventureisforfamilytoo

Happy 4th Fam!

“We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom.” -E.O Wilson via Nicholas Kristof // NY Times http://hvrd.me/LIcxX

Breakfast in our room, a morning swim, Once Upon a Fairy Tale at the public library, the girls first train ride, dinner at Ed Debevics, a donut ice cream sandwich at FireCakes, and then a little stroll around a bridge in downtown Chicago. In my estimation...days don't come much better than this.

Disillusionment and despair can be counterfeit companions when walking through disappointment...

Across the street, across the ocean, to the edge of hell and back...no matter where we've been, no matter where we go...your grace and love continue to amaze me. Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our 9th anniversary than our 1st Thunder game. I Love You sweetheart!

A little beard work at @weldonjack before the daddy daughter ball tonight (can't wait!). And @jerrodcreates implied that my beard game was strong...I'd say that's a good day. Have a great weekend my friends!

Tonight's @guthrieamerica Shipwreck talk was outstanding, with an incredibly diverse group filling the room. @ashimself of @adamandkizzie was authentic with his story, and I left thinking...challenged...and encouraged. Thanks for the invite @helloheady and for all your hard work connecting others. The link below is a brief snapshot from tonight's talk, notes in 140 characters or less... http://bit.ly/1zmlJGV

4 years gone today...from my earliest memories our house was filled with music. Mom taught hundreds of students over the years, piano, voice, with a few accordions sprinkled in for good measure. I never remember seeing this picture before, but it transported me to a world of memories...one of my only regrets with my mom is that I do not have more recordings of her talking and singing...when I sing hymns I can still hear her voice in my head as if it was only yesterday when we were standing together. She once traveled to Mexico for an experimental treatment when the Lupus and RA were so overwhelming...one night when she was in extreme pain, her mom who was there with her began to sing "It is Well with my soul", and gradually they began to sing together, finding comfort in the presence of Jesus...a few moments after they stopped, the phone in her room rang. A patient a couple rooms down had heard the singing, and turned off his tv to listen and to cry..."I haven't heard that song in years, and haven't prayed in nearly as many either...but I did tonight. It is well with my soul...Thank You". // Miss You Mom and Love you always. Grace and Peace

Humbled to sit at the table with these gentlemen yesterday. They come from different worlds, but are united in their desire to help others. Creating giving circles that awaken generosity @mikejzserdin (@newanthropy). Building amazing apps @drew_ramsey (@madewithfaded), designing beautiful things @koonvega (creativevega.com), revolutionizing mobility for the physically impaired @ethanvm (levatelift.com), connecting people and encouraging them to Go Win @helloheady (GuthrieAmerica.org). Whatever you are working on, don't give up. You are not alone...keep making...good days are ahead

Long sentimental remembrance post warning :) Happy Birthday Mom! ...While thinking of my mom today there was no better way to celebrate her life than spending time making memories with our sweet girls and our family. While at the discovery center today, there was a mom who had different physical problems than my mom, but her resolve was strikingly similar. She made sure that her kids made it to every activity station and didn't miss anything due to her discomfort. It took her awhile to get there, but she would send them ahead with a smile on her face saying "don't worry about me...you go ahead...I'll be right there". There were other awesome parents there, but I teared up a couple times watching her, especially as she slowly made her way to their car at the end of the day, struggling to carry coats and sacks, grimacing yet beaming as her kids jumped and laughed and smiled, not yet old enough to realize the great sacrifice that had been made that day on their behalf...This was my mom on so many occasions and I had no idea. From pta president to youth group parties...from Oklahoma lakes to Florida beaches, and even to the cobbled streets of Europe: We had so many Adventures. (She and my dad were invited to give an orientation to parents of foreign exchange students who were coming to the US from Europe, and provided some of the trip cost in return.) She fell a week before we were to leave but said everything was fine...it was only after we returned home from the trip (several weeks later) that she asked to go to the Dr. X-rays confirmed that her hip was broken...when chastised for this she simply smiled and said "it's going to take a lot more than that to keep me home" :) She was not perfect, but she lived each day with an authentic awareness that our time is short and that each moment is an opportunity to love deeply and to share a new story together. This pic is of her last earthly birthday party (63) just a couple weeks before her passing. Fittingly enough, her favorite moment of the day was giving 14 month old Zoey her first piano keyboard...will never forget it. Some things never change...Happy Birthday Mom, We Love You

My Grandmother Hazel Jackson Elliott was born on Dec. 23, 1911 and remains one of my favorite people and great Heroes of the faith. She had incredible compassion for people that the world had long ago written off, and she would do her best to speak hope into their lives and gave generously and sacrificially. Her long suffering in prayer still challenges me today. How cool to hear her son give his testimony this past weekend and to hear the lasting impact she had on his journey, even after she was gone from this life. Now he is carrying on that legacy in helping others through Celebrate Recovery...what an amazing picture of legacy.,,I don't remember seeing this picture before, but was so excited to find this in an unopened box in our garage tonight. Happy Birthday Gran...we love you and miss you!