After 6 months...

Nov 17, 2009

 ...my dad is finally back!

Yep, for the last 6 months my dad has been in Saudi Arabia for his job in the Air Force. He is full-time, active duty so every day he goes to work on a military base in Battle Creek and does his job. Just like reservists, full-time USAF employees have to deploy as well and this past May it was my dad's turn to go.

It's been weird being him, having him there, and having my mom at home by herself. Last time he deployed my brother was in Undergrad at Saginaw Valley and I was a junior in high school. It was over the holidays which made it hard, but we were more together then so it wasn't too bad. This year with my parents' excitement over being "empty nesters" growing larger, it was much harder for my dad to be gone over the summer. My mom works for the school system so she had the summer off. I was up here working as the summer RA and my brother was in Lansing in medical school at MSU. It was hard for all of us in different ways so today, I am so glad that my dad is home.

He got back yesterday afternoon so we all met at his base to pick him up and then headed out to eat. After dinner we went our separate ways again but this time content and happy to be reunited as a family.

What am I going to say I am thankful for this Thanksgiving? Yea - a dad whose committed his life to doing what it takes so I can continue being free. Yes, America has it's problems, but the men and women who leave their families for something bigger than themselves still deserve to be honored. 

Welcome home Dad.

(My girlfriend Caitlin, myself, Dad, Mom, future sister-in-law Cassey, and my brother David)

Duty After a Long Day

Nov 15, 2009

Just a random hello after a long day and a night on duty! Livin' my life!

Duty from Matt Haller on Vimeo.

Zambia...yep

Nov 13, 2009

I am going to Zambia

Yea, me - going to Zambia.

I have never been on a missions trip before in my life. Never. I vowed that I would go somewhere during my time here at CU because I don't believe that I will ever have as many possibilities to go as I do now. I put it off for two years and now, on my last year I have to go. There isn't another option.

Due to family things, Spring Break plans, etc, etc, etc, the only GO (Global Opportunities) trip that fits my schedule is the trip to Zambia at the end of June. Do I have a huge burden for Africa like many other people? No. Am I wrapped up in social justice for Third World Nations? No. Does my heart become heavy at the mention of the AIDS mayhem in Africa? No. I want it to though...I want it to so badly. As a Christian I believe that if I am not going than I should be sending. In June I will be out of school and will no longer be able to use that as my reason for not doing one of those two things. I have no idea how my job (Lord willing) will react to me leaving for two weeks to go to Africa, nor do I know how God is planning  on changing me prior to, during, and after the trip. Like I said, all I know is that I have to go.

In case you don't know where Zambia is I have included a map below. Sorry there are no "real life" pics in this post but I promise a video later today or tomorrow! Oh, and we will be teaming with World Vision primarily while we are there so I have a link to their website. 

http://www.worldvision.org/

(The * = Zambia)

Open Mic

Nov 5, 2009

Okay - so I had to come to a decision. The "On ....." theme just isn't cutting it for me anymore so needless to say, this is the first post without it. Now, unless I here some crazy feedback about how I need to keep it I am going to go without. I know, I know...

Anyway, below is a video of a Cook resident performing at the "1st Annual VO/Cook Open Mic! It was an event thought up by the team of VO RAs I work with. Basically, we transformed the 1st Floor Lounge of VO into a coffee house. We had students playing guitar, piano, and signing. Some covered great songs and some even shared with us some of their own work. It was an awesome night with a great turn out! Check out the video!

Cook/VO Open Mic from Matt Haller on Vimeo.

On Halloween Weekend

Nov 2, 2009

It has been a great weekend - a great weekend.

I am not a huge, HUGE fan of Halloween but I do love it.

However, it is a great weekend for different reasons than Halloween, and the party, and all of that typical nonsense. Let me just give you a rundown.

First of all - the weather has been absolutely fantastic lately. I mean yea, we have had a lot of way but when the sun came out this past weekend it really came out. It has been incredible enjoying the breeze and the crispness of the air. I love trouncing through the piles of leaves on the sidewalk and going without a jacket. It has been a wonderful farewell from the warm weather as we transition into cold of November.

Another reason the weekend has been so great is because my brother got ENGAGED! Yep, my brother and his girlfriend Cassey (one of my really great friends) are getting engaged! He did it Friday night and I am so excited for them! Plus, I get to be a bet man for the second time. It's pretty cool - I feel very honored!

Lastly - I had such a random conversation with my suite mates and great friends and it was hilarious. Seriously, we talked for about 1/2 an hour about which of the major holidays were the best...meanwhile we all had homework to do. 

So yea, I had a fantastic weekend. I hope you all enjoyed yours as well!