Matthew & Vikki
Marriage Length
11 Years
Home State
California
Denomination
Catholic
Pets
0
Children
Christian
7 yr
About Us
We are a loving, stable, and joyful family of 3, who whose prayer has been to be able to share these gifts with more children. Genuine, hopeful, friendly, and fun are a few words to describe us. We're that family that likes to play guitar (we practiced during the pandemic) and sing praise songs around a bonfire, carry a picnic blanket and kickball in our trunk just in case, read aloud to eachother on car long and short car rides, and have Christmas lights up in our patio all year round because they're pretty. I'd like to say we are serious when it comes to our faith, morals and work ethic, but live these out in joy and flexibility. For example, Matthew bikes to work listening to Catholic podcasts, and I have a "Cleaning with God" playlist to help me stay motivated. We love our God, Church, family time, and friends.
We are looking forward to growing our family through any of the following adoption opportunities:
Type
Open , Semi-open , ClosedGender
Any genderRace
Any RaceCircumstances
- Older children up to age Age: 4
- Twins
- Multiples
- Sibling groups up to 2
Matthew's TESTIMONY
I grew up in a family that valued faith. My mother is a cradle Catholic and my father is a convert from Buddhism/atheism. My grandparents, aunts, and uncles on my mother's side were all practicing Christians who also supported a faith-filled upbringing. As I grew older, we regularly spent time volunteering at church and participating in various ministries. After I graduated from college and and moved out on my own, I started to own my faith more personally, continuing to volunteer in many different ministries, as well as learning more about the faith at conferences and retreats. After meeting my wife and getting married, I now try to lead my household in following where the Lord calls and setting an example for my son and the other children in my life.
Vikki's TESTIMONY
As a child, faith was the joyful awareness of God's love through Sunday school, kids songs, prayer meetings, and parents who lived their Christianity boldly. I enjoyed participating in my church youth and young adult groups, surrounding myself with others who wanted to serve God and others. But during this time, I gradually started leading a double life. I was able to preach the gospel at retreats and talks, but was not living it in my personal life. The enemy is really good at tempting us into sin and then being the first one to accuse us afterwards. But God in His mercy met me where I was with forgiveness, healing, and restoration. I began to seek the Lord with all my heart in His Word, in the quiet of my room. The Lord transformed my flawed thinking and wounded heart so that I could truly know His deep love for me. And as a loving God, He knows what will truly bring us happiness--Himself. Now God is the center of my life and the center of our family. Sharing the love and goodness of God to the next generation is the mission and desire of my heart.
Letter to you
Read MoreOur Christian Commitment
Christianity offers an amazing vision of the future, a practical roadmap for life and reason for joy and hope. I once heard a speaker say that if you were looking for a faithful Christian spouse, you should start running toward God and see who was running beside you. Matthew and I were both running toward God when we met each other. We were both daily communicants, which means we participated in mass every day and we spent lots of time adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I believe that if my life was not so centered on our Lord, I wouldn't have recognized my future spouse when I met him. We were both independently serving in young adult ministry when we heard the lifechanging truths of Pope John Paul II"s Theology of the Body. I had never heard about it before, and had somehow gotten the message that God and sex belonged in two different conversations. How wrong I was. God actually shows us the love of God through the sign of marital love making. And whose idea was it anyway to create a soul this way? This new reality paved the way for super romantic courtship, complete with long distance letters, our first kiss at the altar, and a 7-part honeymoom that included an evening on the Sea of Galilee, complete with a saxophone player and light show that just happened to be there.
We continue to pursue God in our marriage and family. Today, Matthew is the Captain of the Troops of Saint George, Catholic fathers and sons scouting group, which teaches the faith while enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, camping, and biking. Vikki leads the Little Flowers Girls Club, which encourages moms and girls 4-10 to learn about and practice virtue while building a positive culture and community. She also regularly volunteers at the parish school, teaching the younger children to read, watching the kids for yard duty, and generally assisting wherever needed. It is a blessing be surrounded by our loving family and church family as we support one another to know, love, and serve the Lord.
We love our church and are deeply grateful to the priests who devote themselves to prayer, solid teaching, and pastoral care for their flock. We have a close group of married friends in our church community. Now that we all have children, we are able to share conversation and resources to help us raise our children in the light of God's love and truth. Through the years, we have met together in Friday night prayer and praise meetings at my parents' home, worked along side eachother in youth and young adult ministry, and now work together as support for the parish school.
Vision For Raising A Child
Reading the bible every day, Friday night prayer nights, frequent reception of the sacraments, being in Christian friendships, pilgrimages to the Holy Land where Jesus walked, healed and preached, died and rose again! This child will know the love and mercy of God,--that we all makes mistakes and that's why we need Jesus. This child will know the forgiveness, redemption and joy in this Christian life. That there is suffering and pain, but that God always has a plan, no matter what. This child will know that life is beautiful but we are destined for even greater glory with God in heaven. Though the sorrow may last for a night, Joy comes in the morning!
ABOUT Matthew
I am a faith-filled, Catholic, husband of Vikki and father of CJ. I am an identical twin, third-child of eight, and son of loving parents who immigrated to the United States from Singapore. I am a Mechanical Engineer by trade, and have always been very analytical and methodical. I try to manage my time and resources efficiently, and enjoy working and playing in many different fields.
Vikki Describes Matthew and How They Met:
My friend called him, “Matt with a hat.” So, I was able to remember his name—something that made him wonder who I was, where we had met, and how I knew him. A month later, out of the blue, he showed up at my church, pleasantly surprised to see me again. Getting to know eachother, we learned we both liked to hike and swing dance. We both loved the Lord and our families. When I told him “it’s leaning toward friendship,” his calm acceptance made me even more interested. He’d drive 30 minutes to meet me for 6 am daily mass. He’d be standing there in the pouring rain with an umbrella, never complaining if I accidentally slept in. He proved to be a man of integrity, patience, and joy. So, when he proposed on one knee in front of my childhood home, I jumped up and down like a beauty contestant winner and said “Yes!”
Matthew is . . .Thoughtful, Generous, Smart, Industrious, Level- Headed, Playful, and Faithful and Fun!
His ideas are sometimes over the top. Like the Christmas we made 70 homemade ties to give family and friends or the time we made 3 different types of homemade sausage, but his ideas and hard work are always at the service of others. I cherish him as my husband, admire him as a man, and appreciate him as the amazing father he is.
EXTENDED FAMILY
I was blessed to grow up in a loving Christian home where my mother stayed at home to take care of us while my father worked hard to provide. My parents modeled sacrificial and unconditional love and the beauty of a committed loving marriage. I also grew up with 5 brothers and 2 sisters, all of whom are close and most of whom now have growing families with many nephews and nieces. With so many relatives, we have regular gatherings for birthdays, holidays, or just get togethers with whomever is available.
On my mother's side, her parents and 6 siblings all followed her in immigrating to the US and live nearby, forming a strong and supportive network. Their children and grandchildren (my cousins), have further expanded our family network with loving and interesting relatives who all maintain some of the same core values of unconditionally loving and supporting our family.
On my father's side, my maternal grandmother and aunts have at different times come to live with our familiy and helped raise and watch over the kids. Today, my paternal aunts are still loving influences in my life, although both live much farther away.
WORK & EDUCATION
I graduated from the California Institute of Technology with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. I work at a small company which designs miniaturized cameras and actuators. I enjoy my current occupation because I work with a good boss and close colleagues who I trust and who have been working together for many years. I enjoy the work; there are challenges which keep things interesting, but not insurmountable challenges which give a sense of accomplishment. I appreciate that I have a flexible work schedule with the option to work from home as well as the office. Since the office is nearby, I often ride my bike when going into the office.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
- Biking
- Hiking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Playing board games and card games (lots of different types)
- Cooking
- Baking
- Spending time with family
- Singing
- Playing instruments (Guitar, Ukelele, Harmonica)
- Prayer
- Praise & Worship
- Reading
- Traveling
- Volunteering
ABOUT Vikki
I have always enjoyed sharing my faith with others, especially children, youth, and the elderly. Because of this, I have found myself teaching, leading and spending time serving others in church-related capacities and at my son's school. I would consider myself friendly and proactive.
Matthew Describes Vikki:
Fun, Patient, Devout, Considerate, Forgiving, Thoughtful, Self-giving, Loyal, Adventurous, Nurturing, Sincere, Compassionate, Noble, Cute, Responsible, & True
Vikki brings fun and genuine care to everyone she meets. She images the love of our Father & the Love of His son Jesus to others through self-giving love. She welcomes & brightens everyone she meets.
From the first time we met, I admired how Vikki went out of her way to invite and include everyone. She is willing to go out of her way to sit with & talk to people who are alone, spends time with elderly relatives & strangers, and patiently teaches & plays with kids of all ages. She is also a great teacher, both in the classroom and outside. She especially shines in teaching our son CJ, and all the foster children who have been in our care.
EXTENDED FAMILY
My parents are one of my greatest treasures--two people whose love for God and eachother shines brightly in all they do. The have thrived serving in ministry together in everything from bible studies in their home, to leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land, to youth, young adult and parent retreats, to being extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. I have one younger sister and one younger brother, whom I am very close to and am blessed to be the godmother to some of their children. I am one of 23 cousins on my dad's side, so Christmas and Easter where joyous and exciting holidays for us all. I am blessed to be able to continue to celebrate some of my own cousins' children, and see our children play together.
WORK & EDUCATION
These days I enjoy being a stay at home mom, housewife and homemaker. Before my son was born, I was a high school English teacher at a local public school, teaching both the Advanced Placement and remedial reading classes to mainly freshmen and seniors. Today, I am able to use that experience at my son's school as a substitute teacher and volunteer. I received a B.A. and M.A. in English Literature.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
I have enjoyed ballroom and swing dancing since my college days. I enjoy learning and playing the guitar and my favorite genre is praise music. Bike riding, hiking, camping, and going places such as animal parks and the beach with family and friends are all fun activities for me. At home, I like to relax by reading and playing board games with my son and husband.
Vikki’s Favorites:
Foods—BBQ ribs, Matthew's cinnimon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, Greek salad
Books—the Bible, Jesus Calling, Theology of the Body for Begiiners, The Hiding Place, Men of Iron
Songs— "Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle, "Blessings" by Laura Story, "The Summons", "My Story, Your Glory" by Matthew West
Things—changing leaves, a good book, peach tea, puffy white clouds, wind, making memories
Christian
We have been so blessed to be able to love CJ, care for him, read and sing to him, play with him, and enjoy life with him. We love our son and he loves us.
He was such a good big brother to all the babies we had fostered. Now, he is so looking forward to welcoming new little brothers or sisterd into our family.
Some of his favorite things:
Foods: Pizza, Tacos, Cuties, In-N-Out, Cheerios
Books: Elephant & Piggie, The Boxcar Children, The Hardy Boys, Brain Quest
Freetime: card & boardgames, kickball, tag, playing with dinosaurs, traveling, spending time with cousins
Subjects: math, reading, phonics, singing, Troops
Words to describe Chrisitian:
playful, smart, joyful, creative, friendly
ABOUT OUR HOME
Comfortabe. Peaceful. Full of Books and Games.
Art to inspire and point us to heaven.
Homecooked meals. Music. Laughter.
Roses in full bloom.
