matt bortmess .com

Colin’s d anniversary

matt bortmess — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:35:47 +0000

Today is the one year anniversary of Colin’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis. It caught us by surprise. But it hasn’t slowed us down!

I’ve written more about it over at T1 times 2.

Thanks to all who have supported us over the past few years as we’ve stepped into the diabetes world. Your prayers, concern and love have been a huge encouragement to us.

hiatus

matt bortmess — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:23:51 +0000

I’ve been on a non-scheduled blogging hiatus. Life simply got in the way. Lots of trips to the doctor’s office fighting colds and allergies. Prepping and selling a house only to pack it all up and unload it into a new house. And a dropped laptop that shattered the screen didn’t help.

But it’s been good.

For it’s in the middle of all of this that I had a realization. I resigned my pastoral position last fall to focus on building up Front Porch Creative. In order to have health benefits for our family, Lynda went to work full-time at a local hospital. That left me at home managing our kids and most other home-life things.

I became a stay-at-home dad.

I didn’t have that in mind when I made this switch. I guess I really hadn’t thought about it. But four kids, two with chronic illnesses that require constant attention even when they are at school and two that are twin 5 year olds, demand a lot of my time. Add to that a house that always needs cleaned and laundry for 6 that doesn’t fold itself and my day is full.

And with this comes a brand new appreciation for stay-at-home parents. Because I’m one of them!

But all is good. Our family is well. We’re settling into our new home and loving it. The kids are wrapping up another school year. Lynda enjoys her varied critical care nursing roles at the hospital. And FPC has been able to help a few ministries strengthen their branding along the way.

And now it’s time to return to some routine here on the blog — even as we begin summer. So stay tuned — it’s time to begin again!

making his birthday special

matt bortmess — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:00:09 +0000

three of my four kids have celebrated in the past few months. on that day, we try to make it special.

streamers.

balloons.

a fun dinner.

gifts.

we want them to know that we love them, that they are worth celebrating, that they are special to us.

our Compassion child is celebrating his birthday in a few weeks. and we hope to make his day special as well.

we’ll write him a birthday message.

we’ll send a little extra so he can receive a special gift.

and we’ll let him know that he is special to us.

and special to God.

you can make a difference in the life of a child. If you’re not already, visit the Compassion site and sponsor a child today. You won’t regret it.

LEGO weinermobile

matt bortmess — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:32:25 +0000

love this!

via Bruce Lowell

project: RCC entryway graphics

matt bortmess — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:39:26 +0000

Front Porch Creative recently completed some environmental graphics for Rochester Christian Church’s entryways, communicating their four-part process of Love, Grow, Serve & Go.

click on an image to see a larger version.

Merry Christmas

matt bortmess — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:30:36 +0000

from our family to yours…

O Holy Night

matt bortmess — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:28:53 +0000

In these last days leading up to Christmas, take a moment to watch this powerful modern-day retelling of the Nativity story. Great stuff.

Found via TimShraeder.com

in the Christmas spirit.

matt bortmess — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:00:06 +0000

Ethan hasn’t hidden his joy of the Christmas season. Lights outside. Lights in his room. Listening to the Disney Christmas cd repeatedly.

Last night, he serenaded us with his rendition of Jingle Bells…kinda.

Merry Christmas!

Jingle Bells With Sticks from mbort on Vimeo.

Seth Godin: Assorted tips

matt bortmess — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:14:00 +0000

I read Seth Godin’s blog religiously. He’s a great thinker and always has something good to share. If you’ve not read any of his books, you need to!

The following was his post this morning.

Assorted tips, hope they help

No stranger or unknown company will ever contact you by mail or by phone with an actual method for making money easily or in your spare time. And if the person or company contacting you asserts that they are someone you know, double check before taking action.

Don’t have back surgery. See a physiatrist first, then exhaust all other options before wondering if you should have back surgery.

Borrow money to buy things that go up in value, but never to get something that decays over time.

Placebos are underrated by almost everyone.

It’s almost never necessary to use a semicolon.

Seek out habits that help you overcome fear or inertia. Destroy those that do the opposite.

Cognitive behavorial therapy is generally considered both the quickest and most effective form of addressing many common psychological problems.

Backup your hard drive.

Get a magnetic key hider, put a copy of your house key in it and hide it really well, unlabeled, two blocks from your house.

A rice cooker will save you time and money and improve your diet, particularly if you come to like brown rice.

Consider not eating wheat for an entire week. The results might surprise you.

Taking your dog for a walk is usually better than whatever alternative use of your time you were considering.

Told you they were assorted.

thursday collection

matt bortmess — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:00:51 +0000

enjoying the creative graphics I’m seeing as churches are announcing their Christmas Eve services.

via Eastview Christian, Northview Church, Daybreak, Manchester Christian, Fellowship Church, Park Church, Cross Point, Harbor of Hope Christian, Central Christian