Riggins Family Christmas  2013

  

(Click on the pictures to see expanded versions of them.)

This year seemed busy. I mean, it felt like we were working. But we did not check off any boxes on the life accomplishment list. No weddings, no funerals (praise the Lord), no graduations. Linda's cleaning business hummed along. The church did pretty well, recovering from tough blows received the year before.  One highlight: the youth mission trip to help Jersey Shore residents recover from Super Storm Sandy. 

Sea water + crawl space + junk = One Big Stinkin' Mess.

We are still here. Here is a good place to be.

Dan continued working for the Food and Drug Administration at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. His lab duties there helped him clarify his vocational goals. He has spent the year applying for medical school. He has traveled a few times for interviews. In fact, as we type he has come home to Traverse City after visiting a campus downstate. He should decide where he will attend sometime in the spring. He remains an excellent dog owner, taking care of our grandpuppy, Brianna. 

  

Dan.  Cousin Tom.  Appropriate attire.

Laura and Sam superintend our other grandpuppy, Cooper. Laura did check off one box, becoming a full-time teacher in Carmel, Indiana. Well done. Sam accepted a new position at OneAmerica and has joined the board of PYOCA, the church camp where they met. They both traveled this fall to visit Dan and Cousin Tom in Washington, D.C.

Laura.  Sam.  Cooper with attitude.

 Over Memorial Day weekend the greater Riggins clan moved Dotti into an apartment in a retirement community. This represented the culmination of several years' work, most of it done by others in the family. Mike only closed the deal, leaning on his experiences lo, these many years ago, driving the road for Mayflower Van Lines. Mom likes it there. Linda's folks continue their amazing travel and activity schedule, far exceeding the statute of limitations on the human body normally imposed by age. 

Laura.  Dan.  Cousin Molly from England.

 We dream of selling our house in the spring and building a new one on the property we bought a couple of years ago. It has a beach on West Bay. If the Lord wills it, soon we will invite you to visit us there. Until that day, go with God's blessings. May peace settle in your heart. Though we all have known our share of sorrows, this is still a good place to be. And Christmas is a great time to be in it.  God bless us all, every one.