tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85146561989741541102024-03-14T08:34:25.434-07:00Forks in the RoadGinger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-37224659617901421222011-11-20T16:06:00.001-08:002011-11-20T16:24:58.847-08:00Are you a Member?<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Today,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark and I
officially became members of</em></span><a href="http://www.encounterlife.org/"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em> our church</em></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>. We participated in a newcomers’ class
and aligned ourselves with the mission, vision and beliefs of the church. Before
finishing the process, we all shared our story of how we became a Christian.
Here is my story:<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>I was raised in a great home and a wonderful church. We always
went to church. Whether for a revival, choir practice, pot luck, to clean the
inside or to mow the outside, we were there every time the doors were open. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One summer during Vacation Bible School, I
remember going into one of the church offices with a group of kids and being
talked to by the leader. The next thing I know we were all getting baptized.<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>One Sunday morning something happened that I won’t ever forget. It was
the Sunday before I started my senior year in high school. I remember sitting
in the pew listening to Bro. Brillhart (my pastor for 26 years) preach and as
he started the invitation, an overwhelming feeling came over me. I just knew
something wasn’t right in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
stepped out and walk down the aisle and remember telling the man at
the front, “I don’t think I’m saved!” I was ushered out by a dear lady, Mrs.
Francis Sample who resides in heaven now. I was shown the Scriptures that I had
read and even memorized in AWANA. I just knew God was immediately and powerfully drawing me to Him. I wanted to personally place my trust in Him. I
remember saying a prayer and when I walked away, I felt like 1000 pounds had
been lifted off my chest. I knew I had just officially become a member of the
family of God! <o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>So that’s my story. What’s yours?<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-85783596021577299132011-08-23T11:58:00.000-07:002011-08-23T11:58:00.827-07:00What's next?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Chiller; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">Lots of things happened over the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Chiller; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">We got to take some really nice family trips which included 2 water parks (Schlitterbahn & NRH2o), 2 zoos’(Dallas Zoo & Austin Zoo), and two new restaurants(Five Guys & Chipotle). Doesn’t seem like a lot but through the eyes of our 4 kids it was priceless!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Chiller; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">The other thing that happened over the summer is that Mark and I decided it was time to close San Angelo Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set out to create a church that unchurched people would love to attend and we did that! I look back on all the hard work from many people that helped launch this new way of “doing” church and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the most rewarding but challenging thing we have ever been a part of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>San Angelo Church may have only existed for 31 months but it will forever have an impact on the lives it touched! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one person put it, “There is not another church in San Angelo that can take the place of what we experienced at SAC.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Chiller; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">Now onto the question that started this post, what’s next? Right now we don’t know exactly. Hopefully soon we will know where we will begin the next phase of our lives. Lots of possibilities, but as we wait for God’s leading, we continue on as normal. I started back to work, kids started back to school, and Mark can’t wait for football season to start. </span></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-80621836327176179592011-05-26T09:18:00.000-07:002011-05-26T09:18:03.473-07:00What time is it? Summer time!!<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Well, we survived another school year!! Now just counting down the minutes until it is officially over. I actually get out a day earlier than my kids so I am planning on ending my day with a lunch with Mark and Madison. </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Looking forward to summer! Got to get the pool up and start making the "to do" list. I figure the earlier I get started I may actually get everything done that I want to before August gets here! </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Lots of things happening over the next few months and can't wait to share some of those with everyone soon!</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>So here is to our summer vacation full of plans, cook-outs, sleeping in, swimming, trips, projects and memories!!</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>P.S. Stayed tuned for updates!!</strong></em></span>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-55915271242029215582011-05-16T12:17:00.000-07:002011-05-16T12:17:49.986-07:00Part 3<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>After Mark and I said our "I do's", we headed off for a two week honeymoon to the Smoky Mountains and Disney World!! We had a great time just getting to know each other again. Being separated for 11 months makes you appreciate that person so much more!</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Over the next few years, we enjoyed our life together. We both had finished school, had acquired great jobs, built a house, got two dogs, and then one day it was time to start a family! Five years and 3 months after we got married, our lives were forever changed with our first baby, Reagen Rose!! Then 22 months later, Kennedy Raine came along. Then 2 years later, Lincoln James Weldon, and then 2 yrs and 9 months after Lincoln, we were blessed with the fourth and final installment of our family, Madison Hope!</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>That's a lot of kids in a short amount of time! But I wouldn't change that for anything!!!!</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Mark and I have been blessed to have a wonderful family and home life. Over the past years, we have often thought about our future and what we want out of life itself. Obviously, the number one thing we want most is to seek and know God's will for us. That's a hard thing to know sometimes. I guess that is where our faith comes in to help us lean more on God than ourselves. Recently, Mark has read a number of books that basically help you understand what you want out of life. He has come up with a life statement that I am looking forward to seeing it come to pass: Pursue the extraordinary!</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>As Mark and I try to pursue the extraordinary, not only for us but for our kids as well, we hope that our story continues to touch and bless people as we continue down this road called life!!</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Stay tuned......</em></span>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-37106237052912341842011-05-05T09:43:00.000-07:002011-05-05T09:43:16.964-07:00My Life Part 2<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I know some believe in "love at first sight" and that is exactly what happened for Mark. That first sight of me was all he needed to know that he was going to marry me someday! How's that for a happy ending! I guess the first time I saw Mark, I thought I had a decent chance on having a date with him but I didn't get to talk with him that first night thanks to my Uncle Mike! If you don't know my Uncle Mike, you have missed out! He has a story for everyone. He had Mark's attention that evening and it wasn't until Sunday that I actually got to speak with Mark. Over the next few months we began to get to know each other through the singles class at church and then he eventually asked me out! I actually was waiting for a LONG time for him to do that and I even was "dating" someone when he finally asked. He picked me up in his car (a red topaz with a nice sunroof), and we went to the movies (my choice- The 3 Musketeers) and finished up at Pizza Hut. He didn't kiss me on the first date but he did on the second. He actually asked if he could kiss me and with my braces and all he did. I guess you could say that was the start of a beautiful thing. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>We had our ups and downs over the next 6 months or so and then one day it finally hit me. He's the one! All the years of praying for the right man and imagining who he was and where he lived came flooding in at that moment. Mark was the one God made specifically for me!! He had everything I had prayed for in a husband and then some! I didn't have to compromise my wish list for anything. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Then after a one year separation, (thanks to the AirForce via Korea) we made it official! On June 22, 1996, I became a Mrs!</em></span><br />
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Part 3 next timeGinger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-33476139147429517602011-04-28T07:56:00.000-07:002011-04-28T07:56:53.059-07:00My life part 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Constantia", "serif";">Since starting this blog, I haven’t really shared a lot about my life and how I got to where I am today.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Constantia", "serif";">It all started back in March 1973.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was born into the Hamilton family which consisted of my mom and dad and a 3 y/o sister named Cinnamon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t remember a whole lot about the very beginning other than some of the stories that have been told and pictures hidden away in photo albums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom and dad still joke about the day I was born and how I had such a full head of black hair that they couldn’t tell me apart from all the other babies in the nursery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still get comments about “that hair”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Constantia", "serif";">I continued growing up in a wonderful family home and then one day someone else joined our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never forget the day when I was finishing up in my second grade class and going to my Aunt Debbie’s house after school and getting the call from my dad that said “it’s a boy!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 8 years old and had a new baby brother named Aaron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the beginning, people have questioned why Aaron wasn’t named after a spice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think he will ever evade that question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was actually named after some of the Hamilton side relatives and he has lived up to their prominent statures (big and tall).</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Constantia", "serif";">Life continued on through junior high, high school, and on to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great friends and memories were created and developed through that 8+ year span. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then things started to take a different turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While attending Angelo State University, I started “dating”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that one of the main reasons to go to college is to date? LOL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually never went out past a first date but looking back I can see why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had a specific guy for me and he moved him to San Angelo without me knowing about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this time I had started nursing school and had a lot of projects to do and tests to study for and really didn’t have time to be in a relationship, I thought!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So on a Wednesday night at church, the night I didn’t go, my mom came back saying there was a “NEW” guy that had visited and he looked nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course anytime “new meat” visited the church it was game on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually had to wait until the next Wednesday night to see this guy but it was worth the wait!</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Constantia", "serif";">To be continued…</span></i></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-62487107059477033822011-04-26T08:36:00.000-07:002011-04-26T08:36:14.567-07:00Works in Progress<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">Last night at our small group, we discussed how raising kids is a great work in progress!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just when you think you got that one parenting skill down with one child, the other child requires you to go in a totally different direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about being a multi-parenting parent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think one of the hardest things to grasp is God’s not only using me as a mom to show my kids how to live and believe but He is also working in my kids lives as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one of us is a finished product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continually works in each of us!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">I am glad God doesn’t stop working in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to see God use me in a way I have never imagined before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can already see Him working in my kids and that is the coolest thing ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is an example about my 3<sup>rd</sup> grade daughter at school yesterday:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way to recess today I overheard Reagen having a sweet, spiritual conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another girl was asking her if God and Jesus were the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really neat to her say yes they are the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what started the conversation, but what a blessing she was in sharing about Jesus today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knew it would make your day to know that your sweet girl was sharing about Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">Please God, continue to work in our lives to help others see you in us! Amen!</span></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-41039948516927031392011-04-20T07:56:00.000-07:002011-04-20T07:56:28.516-07:00Take Courage!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">Don’t fret about tomorrow, but seek God’s strength for today!</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">What a statement to think about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how many times I catch myself worrying about tomorrow, next week, next month, or even next year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of my worrying stems from housework to laundry to school projects to what we’re going to do on the next school holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I get “older”, I am starting to realize that I don’t have to have it all together all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when my house will just be in disarray, laundry will be stacked up, and school projects will just have to wait but the important things like spending time with my husband and kids take priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">When I find myself worrying about things I can’t control, that’s when I have to stop and think about these verses in the bible:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">This is hard to do sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to charge at my fears and make them go away but there are times when I just have to stop and take them to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if I don’t, the following statement will happen:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Fear can pop into your thoughts without a moment’s notice and overtake your mind, if you let it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make a conscious effort to give your fear to God and ask for his courage, strength, and power instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will hold you, protect you, and give you everything you need to live in victory.”</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karol Ladd</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">Lincoln Brewster’s song, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Today is the Day’</i> so aptly describes what to do with those fearful moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a feeling I will be singing this all day long!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">I’m casting my cares aside</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">I’m leaving my past behind</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">I’m setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">Today is the day You have made</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">I will rejoice and be glad in it</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">Today is the day You have made</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";">I will rejoice and be glad in it</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="background: aqua; color: black; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; mso-highlight: aqua; mso-themecolor: text1;">And I won’t worry about tomorrow</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="background: aqua; color: black; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; mso-highlight: aqua; mso-themecolor: text1;">I’m trusting in what You say</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="background: aqua; color: black; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; mso-highlight: aqua; mso-themecolor: text1;">Today is the day</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-27943829360672591192011-04-19T09:40:00.000-07:002011-04-19T09:40:26.614-07:00Lessons from Jonah!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">“But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Wow! This verse of scripture is found at the end of the book of Jonah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many are familiar with the story of Jonah and the whale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to deliver a message to the people to turn from their evil ways and Jonah decided not to go and ran away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he did, he ended up in the belly of a whale! He finally realized he needed to listen to what God wanted him to do and after 3 days/3 nights; he re-surfaced on dry land and went to Nineveh!</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">It’s crazy how Nineveh was larger than the population of San Angelo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Did you know that over 70,000 people in San Angelo DON’T go to church on any given Sunday?</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder if Jonah would have come here.</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">When Mark and I felt the call of God on our lives, we became greatly burdened about that number!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growing up in church like we did, we just assumed everybody went to church on Sundays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides what else would you do? </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"> After careful consideration of our options, we chose to start a church right here in this city to try and reach some of those 70,000 people who have left church for some reason, have never gone to church or just don’t like church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through countless hours of prayer and gracious people, God has allowed us to see many friends and families experience church in a whole new way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They aren’t outsiders looking in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are developing relationships with people who are in the same stage of life and seeing God in a whole new light!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are connecting with the music and being challenged by the biblical concepts learned from the bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark has heard a number of stories from people that will tell you that their family member wouldn’t darken the door of their home church but they would enjoy San Angelo Church!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell you, it hasn’t been easy but to be able to witness lives being changed makes all the hard work worth it!</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">So as we learned from Jonah, we will continually try to reach our Nineveh and offer people a simple kind of church that they can hear the life changing message of God.</span></i></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-82539379293744302872011-04-13T12:29:00.000-07:002011-04-13T12:29:25.235-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">This coming Monday, April 18, my husband will turn 40 years old!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doesn’t seem possible that we are aging as fast as we are! He always gets complimented that he looks more like 30! I just wanted to share some thoughts about Mark and the 40 years he has spent here on earth. Hope you enjoy!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">40.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty Athletic (likes to play a variety of sports)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">39.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Positive attitude </span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">38.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>intelligent</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">37.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has exhibited leadership even at a young age</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">36.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not afraid to pursue dreams</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">35.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>great dad to our 4 kids</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">34.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>could argue with a fence post and win</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">33.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can make up a game out of anything (knee football, shooting games, etc…)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">32.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> hates to be surprised about anything (killed him not knowing the gender of our 4<sup>th</sup> child)</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">31.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can throw a nice spiral</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>doesn’t like to be grossed out <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(surprised he made it through childbirth)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">29.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can’t spin around in circles without getting dizzy</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">28.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has turned the color green while riding in a small boat in Cancun</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">27.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was called “twinkle toes” in school (sorry babe)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">26.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has an indented scar on his right leg (I think) from running into a boat trailer</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was a Para-legal in the United States Air force</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">24.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is color blind</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">23.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has a great singing voice</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>came from a family of preachers</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is a great preacher/pastor</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>went to 13 different schools by the time he was a senior in high school</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>graduated with a masters degree from Liberty University</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was at Liberty when Jerry Falwell died, got to see his body in the rotunda of the school</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>loves diet coke</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">16.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>always had a desire to go to law school (back to #34)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has met Randy White (former Cowboys player)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was in the crowd at the ballpark for the filming of The Rookie</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>knew he was going to marry me the first time he laid eyes on me</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>consistently seeking God’s will for his life</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has made some incredible friends and acquaintances over the last few years</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">10. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the love of my life</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>surrendered to preach at age 12</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has a deep desire to know God more</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wants to do God’s will</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has started San Angelo Church</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>committed to me and our family</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has grown into a wonderful husband over the last 15 years</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inspires me to be a better wife </span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>desires to be totally committed to God and raise our kids to be bold in their faith</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> wants to be holding each other’s hand when God calls us home! (hopefully not for a long time)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Happy Birthday, Mark!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">LUM!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-25716548306457173562011-03-31T10:03:00.000-07:002011-03-31T10:03:30.917-07:00Happy or Sad?<span style="color: #f1c232;">Lately, my daughter Madison will ask, "Are you happy or sad?". I am not for sure where she learned that phrase at but sometimes it is easy for me to respond to and then it's not! Like last night, I was on my second round of telling the kids to get ready for bed and I guess Madison could "hear" that my voice level had changed and she just blurts out, "Mama, are you happy or sad?". My response to that was, "I am fast approaching MAD if you kids don't get ready for bed!" It's amazing that my 3 year old can tell the difference in my mood. So what makes you happy or sad?</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Here is my list:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Happy</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* when my kids talk and play well together</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* that electric feeling when Mark spontaneously holds my hand </span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* a great cup of flavored coffee</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* walking 4 miles </span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* a clean/organized house</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* a great meal from The Grill</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* surprisingly enough setting up portable SAC as a family</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* family get togethers</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* smell of a brand new car</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* a baby puppy</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* a nice hot bath</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* clean sheets on the bed</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* getting my hair washed and cut at the salon</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">the list could go on and on....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Sad</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* the end of a vacation</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* unpacking from a vacation</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* when my kids argue and don't like each other</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* I don't get a good nights sleep</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* people who stop at a yield sign</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* being sick </span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* people who let you down</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* impact of world disasters</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* the way the world seems to be going down hill</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* all the budget problems</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">* allergies</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">again, the list could go on and on....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">For me, I would rather focus on the happy list but when I don't, I know I will have Madison asking, "Are you happy or sad?"</span>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-53460251319421313262011-03-29T12:26:00.001-07:002011-03-29T12:26:03.692-07:00ASK Principle<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">I know not by what methods rare,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">But this I know:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God answers prayer.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">I know not if the blessing sought</span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">Will come in just the guise I thought.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">I leave my prayer to Him alone</span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">Whose will is wiser than my own.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">--Eliza M. Hickok</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #92d050; font-family: "Cambria", "serif";">Do you ever catch yourself to shy or embarrassed to ask someone for something?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes Mark and I “argue” over asking someone a question or directions and you know that feeling you get when you start the conversation of “I’m not going to do that! Well, neither I am!” and then you just leap out of the car and just do it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it is the “fight or flight” syndrome that kicks in and saves the day!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #92d050; font-family: "Cambria", "serif";">Why is it that sometimes we don’t like to ask for things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am programmed to usually just do things without asking for help whether it’s house work, re-arranging furniture, cooking, etc…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like when I ask for help it takes away a little of my control and then I don’t feel like I have done the task all by myself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds pretty selfish.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #92d050; font-family: "Cambria", "serif";">As I am trying to make myself a more positive person, I have had some great ideas in the books I have been reading lately! The latest one is the ASK principle:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knock and the door will be opened to you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard this principle all my life but rarely do I ever follow it completely!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the society we live in today, we expect things to be done quickly and to be done right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God doesn’t always work that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I have prayed for things and some have come to pass and others have not and I am thankful for that. Asking things from the Lord is an act of faith that he encourages us to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the stage of life I am in now I am asking God to move in my life to help me become a better follower of Him and to totally turn every area of my life over to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a hard thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember my control story above?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord help me in this area!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #92d050; font-family: "Cambria", "serif";">Seeking is all together different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can ask/pray to God all day long and if you don’t seek him, what’s the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeking is where I am at also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word seek has to do with desiring, endeavoring, or inquiring about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order for me to become a better wife and mother, I have to be actively inquiring or seeking things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I have been reading the positive books and devotionals and blogging about them so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s worth the find!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #92d050; font-family: "Cambria", "serif";">Finally, knocking on God’s door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knocking is an action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you go to someone’s house and stand in front of the door and never knock (or ring the doorbell) how will they know you are there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think God feels that way sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ask and seek but never fulfill the final step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking action!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One man put it this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“if you want to get to the other side of the lake, you need to get in the boat and start paddling.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not good enough just to stand on the bank and admire the scenery and wish you could be on the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve got to do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I want to become a better wife and mom, I can read every book known to man, but if I never make a change or put things into action, I will never succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #92d050; font-family: "Cambria", "serif";">God just wants us to ASK—and then we have to trust him for the answer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-75257926739000392582011-03-25T07:50:00.000-07:002011-03-25T07:50:19.533-07:00Happy Birthday!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif";">On March 27, I will have been alive on this earth for 38 years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yikes, that sounds mature! Especially when this summer I will be attending my 20 year High School Reunion! Wow a lot has happened in the last 20 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif";">Since graduating from good ole’ Lake View High School (Go Chiefs), I graduated from college with a nursing degree, got married, had 4 kids, took some really cool vacations across the US and Canada, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bought and sold some cars and houses, took lots of pictures and videos, and made some wonderful relationships that will last a life time! Doesn’t sound like a lot for 20 years but I guess that just shows you how time goes by so fast!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif";">As I am writing this I think back to a line in the movie High School Musical 3 where Gabriella says to Troy, “I wish time would just stop, or at least slow down!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I know many of you may have not watched the HSM movies but with my kids we have seen them at least half a dozen times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when I wish time would just stop and let us enjoy the good times for more than a day! There have been many times that our family has had some great experiences and I wish that I could capture those feelings, smells, emotions and make them last forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One example is when my kids were babies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember holding them, touching their soft skin, smelling their feet, and holding their little hands in mine. Now, they are older and smell like sweat and have dirt in places that I never thought possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif";">Even though it is nice to reminisce, I love the fact that my kids are getting old enough to make new memories and take different trips that we all can enjoy! For me, I feel like I have the potential to be a better person physically, emotionally, and spiritually than I have ever been before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t feel like I am getting “older” but I’m becoming a woman that is ready to blossom into a whole new lifestyle that is waiting to be revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just have to pursue it and be intentional about important decisions that will not only affect me but also my husband and kids!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I am on my way!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait to see how God uses me this next year!!</span></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-88997718059965142542011-03-23T09:50:00.001-07:002011-03-23T09:50:41.194-07:0021st Century Woman<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #76923c; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 191;">Proverbs 31 states: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is more precious than rubies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing for laziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her children stand and bless her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband praises her:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. “</i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #76923c; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 191;">How do you see your role as a wife (or future wife)? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know for me personally, I love being Mark’s wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met at church way back in the Fall of 1993.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 2 ½ years, we officially became Mr. & Mrs. on June 22, 1996.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our honeymoon, it was just like we were spending the same amount of time together accept that we didn’t have to say goodbye at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were married and we could do anything we wanted!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the first couple of years, I never thought about my role as a wife like Proverbs describes it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to make my husband happy and meet all of his needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We struggled, like most newlyweds do, with finances, time, work and school schedules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does take a while to come together as one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember the first few months of marriage. It was hard for me to be able to sleep because I wasn’t use to someone sleeping next to me! I slept in a twin size bed all my life so to upgrade to a Queen sized bed with someone else in it was strange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course with marriage comes the duty of being the housewife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there is something about wanting to make your husband happy and feeling proud by him walking into a clean house that smells good and looks nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have that same desire today, even though it is a little more challenging with 4 kids!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have gotten older and learned from experience, being a wife takes dedication and lots of prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like God has instilled in me the desire to be a good housewife, mother, teacher, counselor, events coordinator, and an overall jack of all trades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to serve my husband and watch over the household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to speak with wise words and give instructions with kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may not like it all the time but down deep that is what I feel like I am suppose to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I guess for the most part, I am a Proverbs 31 woman but in the 21<sup>st</sup> century!</span></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-67492178384502073522011-03-22T08:13:00.001-07:002011-03-22T08:13:31.447-07:00Gatekeepers<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">As I was reading through a devotional this morning, I came across an interesting idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The description of a gatekeeper, as defined in I Chronicles 9: 23-29, has very similar characteristics to being a portable church.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">Here are just a few of those verses:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 1.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">These gatekeepers and their descendants, by their divisions, were responsible for guarding the entrance to the house of the Lord when that house was a tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gatekeepers were stationed on all four sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their relatives in the villages came regularly to share their duties for seven-day periods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The four chief gatekeepers, all Levites, were trusted officials, for they were responsible for the rooms and treasuries at the house of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the gatekeepers were assigned to care for the various articles used in worship. Others were responsible for the furnishings, the items in the sanctuary and the supplies, such as choice flour, wine, olive oil, frankincense, and spices.</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">Sounds a whole lot like what goes on at <a href="http://www.sanangelochurch/">http://www.sanangelochurch/</a> on a weekly basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a lot of gatekeepers who dedicate their time, muscles and sweat to help “guard” and care for the rooms at the house of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with other gatekeepers that provide the “choice flour, wine, olive oil, frankincense and spices”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though for us it is chocolate balls, cookies, cheesecake bites, etc...</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">Thank goodness that we can learn and model our lives after the Levites to help create the house of the Lord to allow people to come and hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">Give it up for the Gatekeepers!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-42708572422509967762011-03-21T07:16:00.000-07:002011-03-21T07:16:33.175-07:00We're in this together!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: magenta;">This is a blog post from Tricia Lovejoy. I can so relate to this post as Mark and I feel the same way about San Angelo Church! Thanks Shawn and Tricia Lovejoy for the encouragement and perseverance of church planting!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";">I</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";"> love my church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because it's my church...the one my husband and I planted....the one we've devoted our lives to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my church because the people here get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They understand the chain reaction they have when they serve and give. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They partner together to create a place where people feel welcomed, loved, and accepted. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";">Do you know what happens when someone disconnected from God or church comes to Mountain Lake and they encounter a smiling face directing them to a parking spot, when someone strikes up a conversation with them as they walk in the doors, when they are served a free cup of hot coffee, and when they discover outstanding environments for their children to enjoy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They feel comfortable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They feel like they belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They drop their defenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, they can sit and listen to our Pastor share a relevant, practical message about God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, if people have a bad experience in the parking lot or lobby, they won't care what the Pastor says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They'll already have him tuned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, life change starts with our people, not our Pastor.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";">The people at MLC get it, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They serve in volunteer areas making our church a great place to belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They give of their time and resources because they love God and they love our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, my hubby taught on this "chain reaction" and reminded all of us that when we serve and give, we reap eternal benefits for the people around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";">-We come to church to learn.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";">-We feel welcomed and loved, so we continue coming.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";">-As we learn of God's love, our lives are changed.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";">-We want others to experience the same thing, so we begin helping other people feel loved and welcomed.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold", "sans-serif";">In other words, we begin with a "serve me" mentality, but we move to a "serve others" one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's the goal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That pleases God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you are a Mountain Laker, join me in serving and giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Join the Cafe Team, rock a baby, or jump into Creative Arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only will you feel more connected, but you'll help others find their way to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, THAT'S radiating</span></i></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-74625395311489716822011-03-11T04:25:00.000-08:002011-03-11T04:25:21.577-08:00Spring Break<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d1b11; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Wow, Spring Break is here!! While most people are planning quick trips to the mountains or the beach I am planning on spending it with 4 crazy kids and one handsome husband. Even this morning the kids and I were talking about what we are going to do. Of course I offered the typical suggestions: go to the park, visit the library, go bike riding, etc…and then Kennedy states she wanted to go to Junction. Ahh, Junction aka “The River”. The city of Junction (rather the outskirts) holds fond memories for me. Over 35 years ago, my grandparents bought 7 acres of riverfront property on the Llano River covered in rocks, cactus and oak trees. I’m not for sure how many years it took but they eventually cleared away the unwanted rocks and trees and built a house that would last through their great grandchildren and beyond. You see there is nothing grand or elegant about those 7 little acres but it does give me a sense of refreshment and peace every time I go there. As a kid, I remember the two hour drive (when the speed limit was 55) from San Angelo and the excitement that I would feel when we left the pavement and drove onto the dirt road. It felt like we entered into a new dimension of time. Of course from the moment we saw the gate to the property we would jump out of the car and run to the house in time to see Ma-Maw and Paw-Paw waiting on the porch. I could probably write several hundred pages on the memories that The River holds for me. From the smell of the fire burning with cedar, putting out corn for the deer, tubing down the Llano river, the countless number of rocks skipped across the water, eating beanie-weenies to burgers, watching my grandmother “put on her face”, having your shoes filled with sand from the river, the list could go on and on. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d1b11; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">As the years have gone by, Ma-Maw and Paw-Paw have gone on to heaven but they have left a lasting legacy for me to pass on to my kids. I think my favorite part of the whole place is the way the sun shines through the massive amount of oak trees in the late afternoon portraying beautiful sun rays that radiate throughout the trees. I like to think of it as God’s love shining down on his creation. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCQCWGpLhs3psXdv1B-_HUCtJBFNx1xTPo_A_gom0sWpkPBZk5aeY6nv14ihE67BGYMVJ1Jtb4CO4GdMBD2inxWcykpVMg6L7j3VfwTRIEhrbSnHyuFZMmO20hidzU-dtJMabFGQU7q7v/s1600/100_1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCQCWGpLhs3psXdv1B-_HUCtJBFNx1xTPo_A_gom0sWpkPBZk5aeY6nv14ihE67BGYMVJ1Jtb4CO4GdMBD2inxWcykpVMg6L7j3VfwTRIEhrbSnHyuFZMmO20hidzU-dtJMabFGQU7q7v/s320/100_1874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d1b11; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">So we may just take Kennedy’s suggestion and go to Junction for Spring Break and just add more memories to our lives!</span></b>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-48908594899567691422011-03-08T11:49:00.000-08:002011-03-08T11:49:08.226-08:00Waiting on God<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer in godliness, maturity, and genuine spirituality most of us ever encounter.—Richard Hendrix</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">As I started a new devotional this week, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Power of a Positive Wife</i>, the second day focuses on waiting on God! Oh I could talk about this for hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waiting on God can be such a blessing and a curse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the key scripture in the devotional focuses on the children of Israel and their journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land, they had to wait on God and take the long route home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what a miracle they were able to be a part of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Witnessing the parting of the Red Sea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy smokes!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">I often find that if an idea or thought comes to mind I want it fixed/done/accomplished right then and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, when I have the idea to paint a room in my house, I just think get a bucket of paint and a roller and get started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides who needs to tape off the windows and base boards or fill in holes with putty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just get the paint on the wall and move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband can attest to the fact that when I don’t do those things, he is the first to ask why!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because then I have to go back and fix those things that should have been done right the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact is the shortest route isn’t always the best route.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">As I personally face valleys and deserts, I can see that God is shaping my life for a much greater, more powerful plan than I could ever imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I want the results STAT, he continues to reveal his plan ever so slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark and I have often talked about how God has developed our character and grown our faith through the circumstances of life. It’s easier to reminisce about those though times when you have made it to the other side but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> l</span>ike the Israelites, we too sometimes have to go the long route to stay in God’s perfect timing but the rewards far out-weigh the struggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">The same God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites is at work in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may not understand why he is taking us along a certain route—but we can always trust his love for us.</span></i></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-22508412472154301462011-03-03T10:01:00.000-08:002011-03-03T10:01:00.812-08:00Bloggers Block<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">I haven’t posted a blog in a few days and honestly, I am experiencing bloggers block!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there are a lot of things I could just blab on about but I would like to think my life is a little more interesting than a blab. Here goes nothing!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">I finished reading the book<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The Power of a Positive Mom</i> and there are so many tab marks sticking out of the pages it looks blue!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so impressed by the simple things I can do as a mom and wife to help me stay positive for my husband and kids, I just started tabbing everything I wanted to try and do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even while reading the book I was able to feel more of a positive vibe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The author, Karol Ladd, has inspired me to become a more positive person. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also ordered the next book written by her called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Power of a Positive Wife</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait to start that one!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so impressed with her writings I even went as far as emailing her to tell her that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what she sent as a response:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ginger,</i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Thank you for your kind words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May God give you all strength, joy and direction as you serve Him at your church. I'm thankful for what you are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep shining His light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm glad to know about you.</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">In His Service,</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Karol</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">That was pretty cool!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a woman who lives in Dallas, writes books full time, and has more of a positive outlook on life than anyone I have ever been around, and took the time to encourage me.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">So I guess that is worth blogging about!</span></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-16800560182384416122011-03-01T09:33:00.000-08:002011-03-01T09:33:01.962-08:00A Mothers’ Thankful Heart<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I come before You, Father</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>To thank You for this life</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>The blessings You have given me</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>As a mother and a wife</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for my children</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>As I watch them grow and play</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Knowing that each moment</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Will live for just today</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for the laundry</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>For the dust to wipe away</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for the problems</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>That make me stop and pray</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for my husband’s job</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>The roof above our heads</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for our daily food</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>For the comfort of our beds</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for the errands</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>The phone that always rings</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for the tears we cry</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>For the joy that laughter brings</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for our family’s love</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>The way we sit and talk</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>The simple games we often play</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>The picnics and the walks</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for the little things</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>That make up every day</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>For therein lies Your love, Lord</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>And the wonder of Your ways</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I’m thankful for the memories</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>That life has brought my way</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I count it as Your blessing</em></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>To be a mother every day.</em></strong></span></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-13295506584520114722011-02-28T12:26:00.000-08:002011-02-28T12:26:55.470-08:00Woman of Prayer (The Power of a Positive Mom)<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #00b050;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b050;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you relate to this mother’s Prayer?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: #00b050;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Lord, so far today I am doing pretty well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t screamed at the kids or thrown anything in a burst of anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have not grumbled or gossiped or whined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t been greedy or self-centered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have not yet charged anything to the credit card, and I haven’t pigged out on the chocolate cake in the refrigerator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in a few minutes I will be getting out of bed, and I am going to need your help to make it through the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b050;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does it mean to pray?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been asked that by my kids on several occasions and usually I give the same response:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s talking to God about whatever you want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeanne Guyon puts it this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prayer is nothing more than turning our hearts toward God and receiving in turn His love. </i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #00b050;">I have often wondered how you become a woman of prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karol Ladd, the author of the book I am reading, says the best way to learn is to simply begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like wanting to become a runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start slow and steady, dedicating just a few minutes each day and then grow from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By being consistent in meeting with God each day, you will develop a habit of daily prayer in your life that will not easily be broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b050;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been challenged by what I have read about spending time in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I need all the prayers I can muster up to be able to raise 4 great kids that will pass on to their kids the wisdom they will hopefully learn from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no parenting book I can read or seminar to go to that will give the answers to every problem or situation that arises in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That why James 1:5 is so important for me to remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”. So as I find the opportunities to turn my thoughts upward during the day I will remember,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Positive Mom is a Praying Mom!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-16318131874939460882011-02-25T09:09:00.000-08:002011-02-25T09:09:26.053-08:00Fun Times<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #984806; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">A good ole’ bump on the head</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #984806; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">This week I had to go to Austin for a nurses’ conference so Mark and I decided to take the whole family and make it a fun trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left early on Wednesday and got to Austin before the sun went down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had researched some places to go and eat and the first place was Maria’s Taco Xpress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This place was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thought it has to be good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pulled up and the first impression was, “Oh-no, do we really want to eat here?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were only a few cars in the small parking lot but we decided to try it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well it turns out that this place is good!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they have the best fish tacos I have ever tasted along with great fajita nachos and breakfast plates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They kids really enjoyed it because we got to eat outside on a huge upstairs patio while watching the traffic go by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that was a great start to the trip.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #984806; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Well the “hotel” we stayed at was basically an apartment complex turned hotel suites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was old but worked for our size family!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls slept on the couch bed while Madison and Lincoln slept on the floor with their own mattresses and Mark and I had a king size bed in the next room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well having this many people and one bathroom posses a couple of problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, it was so dark in the rooms that if you needed to get up during the night you had to feel your way along the walls to try and not run into the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, the kids have no idea how to get to the bathroom by themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well Kennedy somehow managed to get off the couch bed and make it past Lincoln and Madison to my side of the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needed to go potty so I told her to make sure she turned on the light, which was on the outside wall of the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, a few seconds after she left my side, I hear a very loud “bang”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sweet girl had run smack into the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I fly out of bed and help her to the bathroom and get her to quiet down before everyone else woke up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t end there!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I am trying to feel my way back to the living area I end up banging my head into the corner of the doorway and I just start laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Kennedy this “hotel” is a death trap!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as I am typing this I am getting tickled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I finally get Kennedy to the couch and make my way back to the bed and “bamm” I hit the back of my head on the headboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course by now I can hardly contain myself from just letting loose laughing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #984806; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">All in all we had a great time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark got to spend all day yesterday with the kids and we capped off the trip by eating at Freddies before heading home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #984806; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">I did have to think just for a minute why the left side of my forehead was sore this morning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aww, memories!!</span></b></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-25056207252447067172011-02-22T08:04:00.001-08:002011-02-22T08:04:36.103-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Power of a Positive Mom!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was at the bookstore yesterday and wanted to get a book that would inspire me to be a better person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as I was browsing through the shelves, I quickly was drawn to this brightly colored, daisy covered book entitled, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“The Power of a Positive Mom” by Karol Ladd</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instantly, I was captivated by the introduction and thought this is going to be good!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s a little snip-it of the introduction:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As moms, we have the opportunity every day to boost our children onward and upward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ours is a highly influential job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through our affirmative support and loving care, we are in a unique position to help our children reach for their dreams and achieve their God-given potential.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfortunately, in the day-to-day struggles of motherhood, our good intentions toward our kids can seem to fly out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may start off the day with a fresh outlook and high expectations, but midway through the second temper tantrum of the morning (theirs, not ours), we somehow lose our handle on the uplifting encouragement we intended to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we be positive when we often feel like the greatest portion of our day is spent correcting, scolding, and trying to avert minor disasters?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t help that we’re distracted from our efforts to be affirming by the daily chores of running errands, doing laundry, and putting dinner on the table.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am so excited to read this book to help me discover how to be a positive mom!!</span></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-18312082583262025982011-02-18T11:48:00.000-08:002011-02-18T11:48:43.161-08:00My Presidents' Day<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Thanks to Presidents' Day, I get a 3 day weekend!! Mark and I often joke about having 4 kids named after presidents (Reagen, Kennedy, Lincoln and Madison). I guess that gives us a little more to celebrate than most! It usually takes people a few minutes to realize they are named after presidents. I love the fact that our kids are named after some very important people in this world! We really didn't intend to do that but just kinda fell into place. </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I know for me growing up with a sister named Cinnamon, we have often been referred to as the "original spice girls"!! When my brother Aaron came along, he was named after my dad's side of the family. Not sage, pepper, thyme, nutmeg, or all-spice. To this day he still gets asked why he wasn't named after a spice! </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I love my family and my little presidents and look forward to celebrating with them throughout the weekend!!</em></span>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514656198974154110.post-79822734644239331452011-02-16T10:52:00.000-08:002011-02-16T10:52:01.060-08:00KOA Rocks<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Walking/working out is the hardest thing for me to do consistently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to most research, it only takes working out for 20-30 minutes each day to stay healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 20-30 minutes!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like that short amount of time is ever available to most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, since the weather was awesome and it was 80 degrees, I decided to hit the KOA for a walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man do I feel it today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is amazing how walking up and down hills for 2 miles will make you sore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the best thing about the KOA trail is that you have a quiet, scenic and challenging place to work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get to refresh my mind and thoughts and not be in a hurry to finish the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I challenge you to find 30 minutes this week to get outside and enjoy this weather!! I know I will!!</span></span></div>Ginger Rigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16990356581551723618noreply@blogger.com0