Riggins Family Christmas 2017

We kind of viewed 2017 as a year of waiting. 2018 will bring son Dan's graduation from medical school. Daughter Laura and her Sam await their first-born, due in April. We have hoped and prayed for both these life-changing events. Because of them our lives will change, too. Where will Dan do his residency? (He finds out in March.) Boy or girl? How many miles will we put on our vehicles, which in human years are at least as old as we are?

 Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Oreo II, a.k.a. Goofball

(Click on the pictures to see larger versions)

But then church happened. Or didn't happen. Its long, slow, inexorable decline came to a head in the spring of the year. The details do not belong in a Christmas letter. We need mention only the fact of it, and the impact it had on us. Suffice it to say that we have never lost more sleep nor prayed more.

Now at Christmastide we can honestly, happily report that the church shows real signs of recovery. We have a core of incredibly faithful and generous people, people we love and want still to serve God alongside. Our hope remains in Jesus Christ and whatever future he has in store for us.

Our new Elementary Youth Group and its fearless leader

2017 has forced important realizations on us. We have led remarkably blessed, trouble-free lives. We have faced few setbacks. We have always had more than enough. We have never had to deal with the kind of challenge the church gave us.

In February we visited Death Valley, LA and Malibu (shown here) with Dan

We have learned to love the life we have more than ever before. By the grace of God we live on a beautiful small lake in the woods. It is beautiful here. We do love the church and the web of relationships it gives us. Our children are wonderful and loving.  Linda's parents and my mom remain with us.  Even our dogs are great! 

The view as I type.

We have learned we can handle even the big problems. We have had many hard but good conversations. What if Mike has to get a new job? What if we have to move? Will Archie Miller take the Hoosiers back to championship caliber? Through it all we have grown closer. We believe, now more than ever before, we can handle anything together.

 Sam and Laura during their mission trip to...Michigan

We have learned what truly matters. We have always known, but now we KNOW: family, peace through faith, friendships, doing meaningful work as well as we can.

We do not really need much of anything else.

Except dogs. And a sixth banner at Assembly Hall would be nice. Until that day comes, we will more than content ourselves with a grandchild, a son, a daughter and a son-in-law doing meaningful work as well as they can, and each other.

Pit bulls rule.  Well, they drool a fair amount too.

May God grant you all the things that truly matter. Have a blessed and peace-filled Christmas, and a joy-filled New Year!

California Dreamin'

Truly Random Thoughts on our recent California trip:

1. The first morning Linda and I scared up a roadrunner at the start of our run. It jumped out from behind a palm tree as we approached and ran away faster than I imagined a bird could move. It was tall and altogether beautiful. So of course I had to use Wile E. Coyote as a sermon illustration yesterday.

2. Death Valley captured me. Miles and miles of canyon hikes through banded colors and formations. Never have I seen an environment so clearly shaped by water--in a place devoid of water almost all the time.

3. My love for Linda flowered a little on those hikes. She is so tough and honest. She says whatever comes into her head. Sometimes this can get to be a little much, but I suppose my silences can sometimes get oppressive. She took such delight in the desert plants, the birds, the colors, spending time with her son and husband. She looked kinda cute in her hot weather hiking ensembles.  And she can hike with anybody.

4. I experienced vertigo for the first time. I have always loved rock climbing. Dan has the bug too. On our walk up Mosaic Canyon he kept taking little side trips up rock walls. Occasionally I followed him. Once his route led out onto a ridge. As we moved along the path grew thinner. Eventually, at a point maybe thirty feet above the canyon floor, the path got about one shoe wide. Suddenly I felt the world moving. I had to squat to regain my equilibrium and then slink back down the way I came. I guess I am 57 years old, after all.

5. The next time I get to Barstow, California I'm eating at Mama Lola's. Authentic Mexican in a storefront filled with Anglos, Chicanos, young, old. The retired couple next to us sounded like they spoke Russian or Polish. Mama herself came to the table. What a treat after a three-hour drive through the high desert.

6. The Getty Art Museum in LA was worth it just for the views from the sculptured gardens overlooking the city. The Bouchardon and Impressionist exhibits were more than ample icing on the cake.

7. We arrived at the Santa Monica pier at dusk. The homeless were setting up for the night in overwhelming numbers. We had just driven past the golf course where the PGA would hold that weekend's tournament. The Asian beauty wearing precious little posing for a photographer on the railing before the sunset. The black guy trying to make a few bucks singing to a Motown track. Families with skin colors from chocolate through mocha to vanilla with wide-eyed kids soaking in all the sights. Carnival music. Twisted cypress and sycamore trees. Churro vendors lining the pedestrian bridge walkways.

I recognize how blessed I am to have the time and means to travel with family. Thank God for this huge, diverse, beautiful nation!