Matthew was a learner from the beginning. I loved answering all his questions, and watching the intense interest in his big beautiful brown eyes! This precious little son was a loving, loyal and honest person. When he was wrong, he would solemnly confess to me, and apologize. How I admired that, and rejoiced in his personal conscience! He became a born-again Christian at seven years old, one glorious day at home with me. I was thrilled, to hear him asking Jesus to come into his heart, forgive his sins, help him to be good, and to take him to Heaven some day. Each time a child of mine was saved, it was a highlight of my entire life. It is a blessing beyond description. And he was indeed, eager to obey and please God.

   He was ready to read at a young age, and it was very exciting for me to teach him to read. Home schooling Matthew was a complete joy for me. He was eager to learn, and we worked together like a hand in a glove.

   Matthew was more of an intellectual child, than an physical one, though he did enjoy jumping on our 14 foot trampoline, sunk into the ground so no one could fall off. He enjoyed making up games for his siblings to join into. And when he grew up, he confessed to me that he also had led his three younger siblings into a mischief I knew nothing about! They used to tiptoe to the pantry after having been put to bed, and he would climb up the shelves and fetch down raisins, Tums, and other interesting tidbits to take back to bed and munch on. All this while I was two rooms away, peacefully watching TV, thinking that my day's work was done! What a little rascal! As much giggling as the four of these did, I am amazed that he got them to be that silent!