Inspiring Students and Families

I purchased your “Becoming the Best Version of Yourself” CD a couple years ago after attending one of your seminars and meeting you. I loaded the recording into iTunes and it has been in my playlist ever since, but I hadn’t listened to it in a long while. Last month, I was on vacation with my two sons (a 14 and an 11 year old). While I was lying on the beach, I went to listen some iTunes I saw your name. I remembered what a connection I felt when I saw you live. Well, I listened to you, twice. The next day, my boys and I drove up the coast and again, I listened to your words. I had them share my earphones and asked them to listen to your story about the boy named Michael who wanted a red Porsche for his birthday. Afterwards, we talked about Michael and his sad choice. We talked about choices and consequences. This lead to a discussion about why we are here on earth. For the entire drive back we talked about our lives. I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for your words so full of passion and devotion. Thank you for the study you've done to develop a message that connects the beauty of our faith to our daily lives in a way that is easy for my boys to grasp. Your words are a gift that continue to give. They have helped me on a daily basis over the past 2-1/2 years. I will be on the lookout for an opportunity to bring my boys to hear you live.

May God bless you with more energy! Denise L.

PS - I just put my boys to bed and I have a lump in my throat from fighting back the tears. Actually, they are now flowing! They were both so excited with their Mathew Kelly book. As soon as they got in the car after school, they started reading the daily quotes to me. Then, when they went to bed tonight, we read today’s quote again and each one of us talked about what it meant to us. It was so beautiful! You are the reason we shared such a moving experience tonight and the reason that we will have many that are yet to come as we talk about the Mustard Seed. Words can’t express my gratitude.

College Students

When you spoke at my fraternity's leadership school almost three years ago, I had no idea the impact it would have on my life. I have read the book I was given, "The Rhythm of Life" twice since I heard you speak and each time it changed my life. What I find interesting is that both times I read the book I happened to be in a transition period in my life and it helped me to understand what I wanted and where I wanted to go. For that, I want to thank you.

Dayne B.

Families and Dreams

Hello Matthew! I wanted to share this email I received this morning from my son. He is 32, single, and the eldest of my three sons. I gave them each one of your books for an Easter gift. With appreciation, Dolly

Hey mom!

I just wanted to thank you for the GREAT read that you gave me for Easter. The Dream Manager.

What a great book that was. I picked it up last night when I got home and read the entire thing. There was such a positive message through the entire book and I really believe that more people should read it and follow the suggestive path that Mathew talks about in the book. I'm going to pass it on to a few of my friends here at work. It's really amazing how that idea of just managing your dreams and creating goals can make such a difference in someone's life, no matter how simple. Today I am going to start my list of things I dream about and want to accomplish and I will be sure to keep you informed in how I am progressing. Even today, after reading that last night, I seem to have a more positive outlook on things and already am looking forward to start reaching my goals.

It's true, when we are children all we have are dreams, enormous dreams. Dreams about our future job, lifestyle, family, things you want to accomplish for yourself and others...but as we get older I feel it seems we do tend to lose sight of the simple things. I know that I have lost sight of a lot of things I have wanted to accomplish and have become complacent in my everyday lifestyle. I have a good life but I do believe it could be better and I am going to take some necessary steps in changing certain things that are holding back my dreams. I'd like to get back to dreaming things that are attainable like when we were kids but attaining them with an adult attitude and reality.

Mom, you have been a great Dream Manger throughout my life and I just wanted to thank you for all that you and Dad have shown me and given me. There so many things that I would not have accomplished without you pushing me and telling to just finish what I have started. Especially with my schooling and dreams of becoming a artist/designer. Thanks SOOOO MUCH!!! I wouldn't be where I am today without you.

I would like to let you know that if this book were to cross your hands say 33 years ago, and someone asked you.."What are your Dreams? And you wrote down on your list... to have an accomplished and respected, healthy family.

You have accomplished that dream ten-fold....and I am thankful to have been part of your dreams. Let me know what your dreams are too...maybe I can help you in some way...

I love you,

One of Your Dreams

Life Changing Retreats

Dear Matthew and Fr. Ron,

It is with great pleasure and enormous pride that Amy and I are enjoying the one year anniversary of God saving our marriage at Milford. It is an understatement to say that the two of you have changed our lives forever. We were weeks, maybe days away from divorce when Father Ron tricked me into believing we could have a happy marriage again. Reconciliation was the last thing on my mind when I registered for the retreat. I was there for “other reasons”.

We cannot thank you enough for doing all the things you did throughout your entire lives to put you at exactly the right place, at exactly the right time. Our children thank you as well (13, 11, and 9 years old). This may be just another thank-you-email for you two, but this is real love, real change, real salvation for us five.

Blessings to the both of you. You remain in our prayers.
Tim & Amy O.

Courage for Cancer...

I want to express my profound gratitude for the gift your Foundation recently sent to me, The Book of Courage. I happened upon The Matthew Kelly Foundation through a book at the library, and before I knew it I was on the phone with a Foundation staff person. I wanted to learn more. You see, I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Although I am a faith-filled person and have no doubt in my mind that God has more for me to do on this earth, I would be lying if I said that I have not been shaken with fear. Knowing that there is such a vicious disease inside of me is terrifying at times. Looking into the eyes of my son, or parents for that matter, brings determination and sadness. I feel as if my emotions are amplified at all times! I don’t know how it happened, but during that fifteen minute conversation with your staff person, I revealed my cancer diagnosis. She was kind to listen. Then, not even a week later, a small box arrived on my door step. This little yellow book has been a source of inspiration, to say the least, Matthew! I am constantly touched when I open the book and find something that makes me think…some quote that allows me to move beyond my focus on any current fatigue or pain. I am grateful to have this book as a conversational piece as people visit me too, because half the time they don’t know what to say to me…so we find a great quote to share! Truly, this book is a priceless gift. Thank you for your ministry to me, and to so many people battling cancer…and other struggles in life.

Hope for Prisoners

Mr. Kelly,

Our prison was recently the recipient of several copies of The Rhythm of Life and A Call to Joy from your Foundation. We serve over 100 men at our facility and although we strive to provide a variety of books and media in our library, it is a constant struggle to expand this resource for the inmates. I think you would be surprised at the impact this deliver has made on our population. The simple reality of such a large delivery of new items created great interest. What has happened since the books have been read though…truly amazing! I have witnessed a level of peace in a few men who have been anything but during their time here. It may not be the level of peace you or I experience at the end of a day, but it is significant! Others seem to have a different level of expectation on themselves and their peers.

Thank you very much for your generosity and concern for our population. We consider your gift a true blessing.

Sincerely,

Chaplain McHenry