A Visitation... to the Hospital

Now, I know all of you are thinking that I fell of the edge of the earth again after a buss trip. Just a habit aint it? But, this time I do have a good excuse! And when you all hear it, I'm sure you'll agree.

It all started about 20 to 25 hours into the buss trip, when I started feel ing sort of queezy, and I was sure it was dehydration I was dealing with, so I got myself a large thing of orange Gatoraid, rehydrate and electrolites, right? Anyway, the Thursday morning light had already come, and... Well, let's just say I cleaned it up myself. The last bit of the ride was pure, raw testing.

When I got to Denver, Uncle Greg was there waiting on me, and he too me right away to a safe place of rest, where I took a shower and hit the sack. I was up a lot that night, caughing. When I started caughing blood... Don't panick fans! I am alive! I'm here writing to you, right? OK, ok, I'll graciously accept your request for autographs, since they'll be worth a lot more after I die. Anyway, I started caughing up blood, and when David M. talked with me the next morning, then his mom, we mutualy decided to head for the emergency room. He warmed the jeep up, and I got dressed. I would have to try to dress cool to go to the emergency room, you know ;)

WE hit the road, ready for action, at least I think David was. We got there, and they admitted me realy fast, and asked scary questions about AIDS and HIV. They stuck an IV in me, in my arm, and that was like my first time to be stuck by something like that, ever. Then they got to worying about a blood clot in my lungs, etc. And my blood pressure was like way low, and the put a cathiter in my necck. I got stuck with more sharp things between frisay morning and Sunday afternoon then I had evr been stuck with in my whole life!

I was told by one Doc that I was very very sick, and wasn't acting near as sick as I was. Toughness? Well, if it was, it was from God, for sure.

I was put on Oxigen.

David stayed with my for more then 24 hours.

Amazingly (I'm sure it was God) my white blood cell count dropped from over 30,000 to normal in the time I was in the hospital. Praise Him! That is why they decided to release me earlyer than they thought, for which I was greatfull!

But, I just had to get to excited, and Friday, Feb 1st, I overdid it a little bit, not much, and Plouracy could have set in without it I'm sure, but nevertheless, it did set in, hard and heavy by 2:00 AM Saturday morning. It has been a slow process getting over that. I was warned that it could happen.

Anyway, it was an adventure, and God was by my side the whole way, I know. Still is an adventure, and I'm looking forward to being perfectly healthy again, and ready to shake rattle and roll!

Nothing to different in Kansas City MO. I talked with a guy fron Georgia and a girl from South Dacota at the charging station. I should have gotten pics of them, but wold have felt awkward asking. This is the last long stop in my trip! I met a fellow on the same bus as me heading for Colorado Springs. I don't have any pics to post, I figured everybody is getting tired of seeing the inside of bus stations.

Well, since they won't let me take pictures in St. Louis MO, I will just post an old one from the trip out to Ohio. I got several befor they made me stop. It's 6:45 pm, and this is the last leg of my trip. I'll have a 1 hour stop in Kansas City, but no more transfers! It's suposed to only be 16 hours and 40 miniuts until I'm in Denver!

As we pull away, I see the sign that reads "welcome to Indianapolis IN", but I am leaving. I said goodby to Mike, a man who had identified me as a christian by overhearing a converration I had with David over the phone. Next change: St. Louis, MO.

Charleston WV no charging station, so my phone went dead. I am now getting ready to depart from Collumbus OH. That's right, grayhound took me back into OH. I'll have been on this trip for 12 hours by the time I leave Collumbus, and finaly heading west!

Well, I'm on the raod again! I left Dover at about 8:15 tonight, should be hnto Charlston West Virginia by 1:30 am tomarow morning.

I shall return

Well, I'm leaving Ohio today. Going to return to all of you loyal fans in Colorado. It is almost sad, saying by to so many people. I have gotten to know many.

Another point of suprise, and is indeed the shocking news I mention in an earlyer post, is that Consumed will probably never become a band, at least not this consumed. I will continue to post here though, so don't go running off. You see, the name was used by so many other bands already. But! Do not fear! Out of all this hardship, and adversity, Irecieved a call from a friend (the same call that notified my of the Consumed no go) with a great name for our non-band! The Secure. STop and think about the meaning, and we can still so totaly consumed with God, just that won't be our name! There is a link to The Secure website in the favorite links below and to the right, and I'll just go ahead and put one in right here http://www.purevolume.com/thesecure

Thank you all so much for your loyal support of the Consumed Project, and I trust that you all will just as equally and whole heartedly support The Secure... Hello? Anybody listening? Oh yeah, you're not real...

Anyway, I would want you ALL to be wholehearted for God!

Perspective and passports

It was awsome... It started with a guitarist and her menonite friend to accompany with the vocals... The praise was real. It was simple, and inspiring.

The Perspectives class was on a Tuesday night, the 15th. It was on Cat and Dog Theology. SOme of you maty have heard of the cat and dog theology, but for those of you who aren't, let me say that it waas really good, and that we need to have a God focused life, in everything we do, to ask the question What Does God Want. Not what do I get, but what does God get.

I am praying that this attitude sinks deep down in my heart, it will change me, revolutionize my music, my relationships. What does God Get? Worshiop and adoration, in everythin, even in a flower, we can direct praise His way for creating something so bueatiful. He created the flower, us, children, animals, the earth, mariage... All for His glory!

Let's think about this. A lot. And if you get the chance, I would take the class. Teach our children to adore God! How to follow Him like puppies follow there master. And as we enjoy the wonderfull things of this life, like music, food, friends, loved ones... anything, let us give glory to God for these things. Thanks and worship are two different things. He is so worthy of avery ounce of glory we can direct His way!

Bless the Lord all my sould, and all that is within me, bless His holy name...

When I get the chance, I want to post some of the ideas and thoughts that have sprung out of this way of thinking.

Passport
My passport came in yesterday, exactly two weeks after sending off to apply for it. WOW! Awsome God we serve, eh? Just spectacular!

Africa, Mexico, Canada, Spain, France, Irland... World get ready, here I come!

Special Sunday

I had a very special sunday on the 13th. Not very often that somebody goes
to three church services on one sunday, and all three of them were
incredibly good, but that wasn't all, I was at the house where my sister
works (you see, she is sort of the reason I am even in Ohio), and some of
the family of the household were over. A very special new friend of mine
played the guitar for us. It was really awsome! I can't tell all the
reasons for why this guitar playing was so very special, but let me say I
was touched, encouraged, and blessed. Praise God for this man and the work
that I am sure God wants to do through him.

Now, to the church services.

The first was at a church called New Point. And the pastor taught on
giving, tithing, and the such. Ok, roll your eyes, another pastor talking
about tithing and giving. But wait! Don't roll your eyes! Think about it,
every blessing we have, every single one, the food we eat, the cloths we
wear, EVERYTHING, is from God! This was a great message for me, as I am
stugling right now with something that I feel like God gave me, and now
seams to be slipping away. It was never really mine, It was Gods all along,
and I tried to hold onto and controll it, I still do, yet I was able to say
on sunday, hey God, it's yours. Now, like I said I still strugle. But this
"letting go", it does not mean I cease to ask for it, cease to want it, just
again that I let God "build the house". Sure, I hope He does, I want Him
to, but I have to be able to say that it is truly His, and if He chooses
not, then that is it. Do I do nothing? No. DO I ask wisdom from Him?
You bet! Am I perfect? Well... someday, but I'll be dead by then.

Then ythe second churche service was at a Menonite Church called Sharron.
Ok, here is wheere I have to be very cairfull. I am NOT menonite. I do not
adhear to many the menonite rules or some of their doctrine on salvation
doctrines. I believe salvation is a gift and calling of God, without
repentance. No way to lose it! Ok, enough of that. The pastor was visting
from another church, and the main theme of his message was forgiveness. He
told the story of the bitter, angry man who tried to kill the pope John
Paul. And he told of hown John Paul later went to that convicted man in
prisson, sat down beside him and told him that he forgave him, and wished
that he could get him out of the prisson. Forgiveness heals. Never hold
ought against any man (ok, ok, I'm not perfect). God has forgiven us all
sort of awfull crimes! The greatest of which is killing Him! Yes, all of
our sins played a part in the death of Jesus. Yet He has forgiven us them,
that is why He died. So can we forgive, and forget, and lay asside our
minor sqaubles...

Which brings me to the third service. This one came later in the evening
(we didn't get home untill arround 10:30pm. It came after the special
guitar playing. It was at a place called new grounds Cafe. This place is
really neat. A coffee shop, but a church all at the same time. Here, the
fellow (a new aquantance of mine) preached to us an awsome message to WAKE
UP! He talked about petty church splits, and the church in places where
christians are persecuted. We are asleep here in the USA. He himself is!
WHat will we do when we get to heaven, and introducing ourselves we say that
we are John Smith from earth and went through such hardship! The Liberals
called us a mean word, they cqalled us, gasp, INTOLERANT! and the person we
just met says, how awfull, can't even imagine what it was like. ANd little
known to us, they were a christian from China, or Germany in WWII. ALso, we
are strong in Christ. We can talk streight to the maker of heaven and
earth! We have His word in the Bible! WE ARE THE VICTORIOUS CHURCH! Lets
live it! WOOHOO!

Lead Guitarist/Vocalist/Pianist/Bassist/Drummer (etc. etc) eats Sushi

Ok, This may sound realy weird for how much of a down to earth guy I tend to be, but I went to a Sushi grill this Saturday. It was a blast! I loved eating with the chop sticks! I ate Yaki Udon, and Spicy Tuna Rolls and Crunchy California Crab Rolls... We had such a blast. A total of 14 of us. I through things with the chop sticks. WEE were out untill about 10 to 10:30 pm.





For all of you who may think that sushi is gross, don't feel bad, one of the girls (their were only two) with us had to plug her nose to down some of it, but she was eating a particularly fishy variety, I didn't try that kind.





It wasn't just my first time eating sushi, several other newbies tried the stuff as well. Some liked it, and some didn't like it all that well.





There were several tables that were built arround grills, and the chefs would really put on an awsome show, throwing food into people mouths and stuff. I didn't get to sit at a table like that.





At the end of the meal they brought us little panda bears made out of oranges!

I have a return date set, so all of you lowal fans will have the privilage of having me back in Colorado by the 24th of this very month! Please, don't mob me at the bus depot.

Sent from Ohio.

Yes we made it

Ok, I am so sorry that I neglected to post the final leg of our trip to Ohio. As far as you loyal fans know, we are still in the midle of America somwhere on a bus. We arived in Dover on time, Jan 3rd. That was Thursday afternoon. But my bag didnt get in until Saturday. I still wasnt able to pick it up untill Monday because the stop shop closed before I could get there, and wasnt even open on Sunday. We have been having a good time here, and staying busy. I started some tempory work at a realy ndat factory. I am planning on working there untill I come back to Colorado. Atached is a picture of some beautiful Ohim scenery. Note beautiful scenery, not so great a picture. It was taken with a phone camera. Well, so long for now, with a possibly shocking anouncement next time I post.

St Louis

We were suposed to change our bags at this station. So this is where I descovered that my bag is missing. It is very non descript, and there are a bunch around that look a lot like it. Then the Grayhound lady wouldnt let me take pictures inside the building. As you can see from the picture I did get it is a neat old building. Our bus came, and we started boarding. Let me just say that I am glad that there was room for us, this bus is packed! And we even got sdats together! One fellow boarded the bus with to many bags, one of them was to big for under or above his seat, so he tried to just leave it in the isle. But some of the other passengers wouldnt let him get away with it. More later.

Tulsa Oklahoma

We arived in Tulsa on time, but therf was suposed to be a driver change, and the next driver was late. Then it took some time to get all the boarding done. Several people were on the wrong bus, so the driver tried to explain where the bus was going, but got a litle mixed up. Of course this caused some concern among some of the passengers, but the bus driver corected himself after being asked about it, but said he had said it right the first time. Reminds me that after the last post a fellow had boarded our bus without getting his ticket checked. The bus driver fussed at him and then next thing I knew, 3 undercover Oklahoma City police oficers were searching the bus. Just adventurs in traveling.

Oklahoma City

Well, we have been in an extend network aria for the kast 3 updates, and I havent been able to post any of them. We arived here in Oklahoma City at about 9:30. We took a quick jog arround the grayhound building to strech our legs a bit. Now we are just sitting waiting for the bus to get under way. When I get back hn range I will send this post as well as the other 2. I just hope that I send them in the right order. If something looks out of order on the blog, then you know that it is either me or the cell coverage.

Sunrise from Elk City Ok

I wanted to shaire this picture of the sunrise we had along our trip in Elk City, Ok.

Amario Tx

We got into Amario Tx a little bit early, so we had a little bit longer of a layover. I was able to plug the mp3 player in after some other devices plugs were rearanged. We are on the road again, this time heading to St Luis.

Through Lamar

Throughw Lamar. 1. I figured out how to send bigger posts from this phone. 2. We have just left Lamar CO. The driver said it will be about 4 hours untill our next stop, which I am guessing is Amario, Tx. I couldnt get a good picture for this post, so I decided to just use one of my mandolyn. I never did post on how I got my mandolyn did I? Let me just say that God gave it to me. Signing of for now, more trip update when we reach Amario.

Southbound to Ohio. Our trip

Southbound to Ohio. Our trip to Ohio started at about 7:40 pm. Now heading for Amario Tx. Why we go S to head N is a bit perpl

This is a test post

This is a test post from my cell phone. Really slow!

A Very Long Time...

So very sorry, it has been so very long since I have updated this, but as all of you very lowal fans can understand, I am a very busy man. I will post updates and pictures from thanksgiving up through Christmas when I can. Right now, I am getting ready to configure this blog so that I can post fromm my cell phone....

Matt