Wedding Pics

It was a great wedding in Fort Worth today.

Wedding Day

As the father of the groom I am full of emotions this morning. For one, I will be doing the ceremony. Second, I hope I don't start crying. Third, it just doesn't seem possible that our little baby boy is old enough to be getting married.

We are so excited to have Allison as a member of our crazy Carriger family. She is a beautiful young lady with a heart of gold and a love for God.

So Brian.....here is my advice to you as you take Allison to be your wife:

Cherish this beautiful gift God has given you. Love her with all your heart. Thank God daily for this special gift and ask him to help you be the best husband and friend that you can be to her each and every moment.

Remember Matthew 22: Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

May God walk with both of you as you keep Him first in your lives.

Rehearsal Pics

Brian, Adam and Vernon

The Bride to be fixing the decorations

The Mother of the Bride visiting with the wedding planners.

Uncle Mike and Brian

Brian, Allison, Mark and Laura

One Last Time

“Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts…
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts.

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips…
Last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip…
Last time when you had a binky stuck inside your mouth…
The last time that you crawled across the floor of this old house.
Last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold,
Last time when you said you’d marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from the past.
Would I have held you longer if I’d known they were the last?

Your last few hours of kindergarten, last days of first grade…
Last at bat in Little League, last colored paper made.
Last time that I tucked you in for one last midday nap…
Last time when you wore your beat-up Green Bay Packers cap.
The last dark night you slipped in bed and slept between us two,
When last I read to you of God or Horton Hears a Who!
Last that that I smelled your hair and prayed after your shower…
Last time that we held devotions in the evening hours.
Last piano lesson, and last soccer goal you kicked…
The last few weeks of middle school, last flowers that you picked.
Last time that you needed me for rides from here to there…
The last time that you spent the night with that old tattered bear.
Last time that I helped you with a math or spelling test,
Last time when I shouted that your room was still a mess.
Time and life moved quicker, taking pieces of your past.
Would I have stretched the moments if I’d known they were the last?

I watched you grow and never noticed seasons as they passed.
I wish I could’ve frozen time to hold on to your lasts.
For come tomorrow morning life will never be the same,
You’ll pledge forever to your girl and she will take your name.
And I will watch you, knowing God has blessed you with this day.
I never would have wanted, Son, to somehow make you stay.
They say a son’s a son until he takes for him a wife.
You’re grown-up now; it’s time to go and start your brand-new life.
One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss…
One last time to understand just how much you’ll be missed.
I’ll watch you leave and think how quickly childhood sped past.
Would I have held on longer if I’d known it was your last?”

Texas

Had to take a picture of the new sign on the Kansas Turnpike. the Flint Hills are beautiful all four seasons.


I did take a picture of Texas when we crossed the border as sunset of the Flags of Texas


Guess what I got to do? It was GREAT!

Thought for the Day

People are always asking couples whose marriages have endured at least a quarter of a century for their secret for success. Actually, it is no secret at all. I am a forgiving woman. Long ago, I forgave my husband for not being Paul Newman.
-- Erma Bombeck

Craig

Craig is a busy guy in NYC. He is a full time student at FIT, serves on the Executive Board (Student Government) and works full time at Ug. Looks like the Executive Board is a tough job!
Craig, we will see you in Dallas-Fort Worth this weekend.

5 Days to Go

Only 5 days to go before the big "shot gun wedding in Texas". We all are looking forward to the big day.

I did take a look at the weather forecast and it calls for 75 degree sunshine. So, I have been thinking how can I help best with the wedding plans, be supportive and prep with all the arrangements that need to be completed? I believe it starts by taking out my Cobra driver and hit some golf balls at the golf course across the street from the hotel we will be staying at.

I seriously doubt I will be given that opportunity.

God Leading Us to a New Beginning

We have been blessed to live in Osage City for the past 17 years. It has been our home. It's where we raised our boys and it's where we have great friends that we love.

The Central Church in Topeka is our family. We have been so blessed ministering to the Young Professionals Class and getting to Shepherd with Gary, Roger, Jerry, Rex and Bill.

Late Friday night, I accepted the position as the new superintendent for USD 493 Columbus, Kansas, effective July 1. It's a district double the size of Osage City located about 20 minutes from Joplin, Missouri. It's only 10 minutes from God's Country-Oklahoma.

We have felt God's hand in all the decision making process and believe God has led us to serve in a special way in Columbus.

We will miss so many, but understand that God has new plans for us.

We would appreciate your prayers in the transition and as Osage City looks for a new superintendent of schools.

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore run, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (1 Corin 9:24-27)

"make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Do Not Fear

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. "For I am the LORD your God, The Holy one of Israel, your Savior;

Isaiah 43:1-3

New Contemporary Songs I Want My Boys to Fall in Love With

New contemporary songs I want my boys to fall in love with...............

1. Faithful Love
2. Blessed Jesus
3. You Are My All in All
4. As the Deer
5. Jesus, Your My Firm Foundation
6. Ancient Words
7. How Beautiful
8. Thank You
9. Blessed Be Your Name
10. How Great is Our God
11. These Are the Days of Elijah
12. In Christ Alone
13. Beautiful One
14. Here is My Heart
15. I Stand in Awe
16. Thomas Song
17. Still
18. We Shall Assemble
19. His Grace Still Amazes Me
20. Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Hymns I Want My Boys to Know

In addition to the countless fresh contemporary songs of praise that are sure to lodge themselves into the hearts of my boys, Here's a start to my list of proven hymns I want my boys to know, and thus be shaped into the image of Jesus Christ by...

1. Nearer, Still Nearer
2. My Jesus, I Love Thee
3. Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
4. Jesus, Thy Name I Love
5. Christ, We Do All Adore Thee
6. On Zion's Glorious Summit
7. The New Song
8. Wonderful Story of Love
9. I Know Whom I Have Believed
10. Be Still My Soul

Thought for the Day

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Philippians 4:11

Would our country be in so much economic trouble if we practiced this life style?

A Carriger Family Weekend

The day started with a trip to our favorite BBQ joint in Kansas City. We even celebrated my Mom's Birthday with a cake!


Next stop was Park University where my nephew Chris plays volleyball for the Hannibal-Lagrange College. They got beat by the #3 powerhouse in NAIA Volleyball ark University Pirates. We enjoyed watching him play.


This was a family shot after the volleyball match. It was great having my brother Steve visit from Chicago.

Then it was off to the Oklahoma-KU Women's Basketball Game. The #2 Sooners won. It was fun sitting with the Sooner Nation!

On Sunday, Brian went to church with us and then we spent the day discussing wedding arrangements as we are only 13 days away. Allison called us from Texas as she celebrated with another wedding shower today.

Happy Valentine's Day Debbie

Happy Valentine's Day to my #1 Girl!

Friday the 13th Facts

Here are 13 more facts about the infamous day, courtesy of Fernsler and some of our own research:

1. The British Navy built a ship named Friday the 13th. On its maiden voyage, the vessel left dock on a Friday the 13th, and was never heard from again.

2. The ill-fated Apollo 13 launched at 13:13 CST on Apr. 11, 1970. The sum of the date's digits (4-11-70) is 13 (as in 4+1+1+7+0 = 13). And the explosion that crippled the spacecraft occurred on April 13 (not a Friday). The crew did make it back to Earth safely, however.

3. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor.

4. Fear of Friday the 13th - one of the most popular myths in science - is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

5. Quarterback Dan Marino wore No. 13 throughout his career with the Miami Dolphins. Despite being a superb quarterback (some call him one of the best ever), he got to the Super Bowl just once, in 1985, and was trounced 38-16 by the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Montana (who wore No. 16 and won all four Super Bowls he played in).

6. Butch Cassidy, notorious American train and bank robber, was born on Friday, April 13, 1866.
7. Fidel Castro was born on Friday, Aug. 13, 1926.

8. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.

9. Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.

10. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. "It was bad luck," Twain later told the friend. "They only had food for 12."

11. Woodrow Wilson considered 13 his lucky number, though his experience didn't support such faith. He arrived in Normandy, France on Friday, Dec. 13, 1918, for peace talks, only to return with a treaty he couldn't get Congress to sign. (The ship's crew wanted to dock the next day due to superstitions, Fernsler said.) He toured the United States to rally support for the treaty, and while traveling, suffered a near-fatal stroke.

12. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number - 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.

13. The seals on the back of a dollar bill include 13 steps on the pyramid, 13 stars above the eagle's head, 13 war arrows in the eagle's claw and 13 leaves on the olive branch. So far there's been no evidence tying these long-ago design decisions to the present economic situation.

Oklahoma Women's Basketball

My family does our annual pilgrimage to see the OU Women play at the University of Kansas on Saturday. The Sooners are undefeated in the Big 12 and ranked #2 in the Nation. The Paris twins are having great years. Can't wait to see Whitney Hand (picture) the freshman guard play. My mom loves coming up for the annual Kansas game.

Before watching the 7:00 game we head to Park University in Kansas City to watch my nephew Chris play college volleyball. He is a freshman hitter/setter for Hannibal Grange College. We will have a big Carriger family group at both games on Saturday. Should be a great family day!

Quote for the Day

"A pessimist is one who feels bad when he feels good for fear he'll feel worse when he feels better."

Guess What I Did Saturday?

The weather was beautiful for my first fishing day of the year!

Declining Numbers in the Church of Christ

The progressive side of the church often has an attitude that conservative churches are dragging down the church from the inside out. You hear things about how out of touch they are and how they are fighting battles that are at least 100 years old and the like. I may have even said something similar to that at some time or another. The point in this post is this - It is easy to point fingers at the other end of the theological spectrum and say someone else is to blame. It is also very easy for either side (isn’t that crazy terminology that we have taken sides within the church of Christ?) to build straw men and rip them to pieces with ease and vigor. Progressives are not the only ones who build straw men and point fingers. I have read plenty of that from the conservative side of the CofC as well. When conservatives and progressives do these things what ends up happening is that neither side takes ownership of any of the problem because they are themselves like the Pharisee in the temple who is thanking God that he is not like that tax collector over there.

So conservative churches are not the only problem. Progressive churches are not the only problem either. We are all, individually the problem. We all share in the problem. We also all have to be a part of the solution. We have to be even handed in our assessment of what is going on and take ownership of our own responsibility in our decline. So if you are on the progressive end of the Church of Christ spectrum (which is still very conservative compared to most of the Christian world) don’t think you are blame free because you aren’t legalistic and because you aren’t fighting theological battles from 100 years ago. Instead, be proactive in understanding your own biases and what areas you need to improve to help God’s church grow over the next decade. Again, they are not the enemy. If you are on the conservative side, don’t spend your time analyzing and assessing the words of the progressives just looking for an inconsistency or mistake. Instead, both sides need to see what FRUITS their life and ministry are producing. If it is producing FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, whether conservative or progressive, then both sides of the aisle need to rejoice with the other and recognize that God is at work.

We can toss around stereotypes all day long but nothing is going to happen until we figure out that we aren’t going to change each other. The only person who can change your mind and your actions is you. So take some time to decide whether or not your life and ministry has been what God desires for it to be and don’t worry so much about what everyone else is doing. And be careful when you start labeling people as conservative or progressive or many other labels we have used. Once we start doing that we again play into being ineffectual.

Just in case I have now offended every single person who read this let me remind you that Jesus sides with me in the need to look at our own problems first and foremost. Jesus said in Matthew 7 - “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Matt Dabbs

Which Road Should I Take?

I am really struggling with a decision in my life right now. It is so difficult to know what to do. Ever been presented an option and you had to decide what the correct path might be? It can be difficult.

I remember what Roger Hamm shared with us at an elder’s meeting about 2 years ago. If you keep God first and seek Him in all your decisions, either route you take, he will be right there with you.

In this time of economic uncertainty and tough times it’s great to know we have someone that is on the journey right next to us.

A Prophet's Prayer

We do a better job of imagining what worship will
look like in heaven than what it might be like
in church, Lord. We like the idea of crowns being cast
before you. Of a numberless choir singing Holy! Holy! Holy!
We are not even all that uncomfortable with
a trumpet or two in that setting. Or bowing
down, come to think of it, since everyone
else will be doing it, too.

It’s church that stumps us.
Contrary to our strongest resolve, we too often file into the
worship center wondering
What are we in for today?
And will we sing any songs I know?
Will it be so loud I can’t think?
Will I hear anything that makes any sense at all?
These fears leave someone else—anyone else—in charge of what we
receive. And what we contribute.

Deliver back to us, Lord, a voice—a loud prophet’s
voice—that calls us to enter your presence as
your church with awe. With reverence. With
anticipation. With wonder. Make bold our own
voice to cry Today we want to hear a word
from the Lord! Today we want to practice
abandon in adoring you. So maybe heaven
won’t come as such a shock.

Prayer from a Church Web Site