Baby Riggio | Coming Soon!

Baby #3 COMING VERY SOON!!!

Natali, thank you for always being so loving and generous. Even through your pregnancy, YOU were the one walking over with homemade chicken soup when we were sick and YOU were the one who baked Christmas cupcakes for my kids to celebrate Jesus' birthday. And YOU were the one who opened your doors to have me over on Valentine's Day for breakfast while in your last few weeks of this pregnancy. I don't deserve such a neighbor…but God has blessed me to know you…to pray with you…and to share life with you. Thank you for always reminding me how to love like Jesus…with humility and grace. I am so excited to meet Baby L. He is already so blessed to have you as his mommy! Praying for this last stretch…I love you!!!

To Die is To Gain | Ash Wednesday

"We too easily forget our Maker and Redeemer; replacing God with things and ambition. Lent is the season that does something about this situation. It call us back to God, back to the basics, back to the spiritual realities of life. It calls us to put to death the sin and indifference we have in our hearts toward God and our fellow persons. And it beckons us to enter once again into the joy of the Lord--the joy of a new life born out of a death to the old new life. That is what Ash Wednesday is all about--the fundamental change of life required of those who would die with Jesus and be raised to a new life in him." 

-R. Webber

And for the pains of our yesterdays and tomorrows…

"Come, Lord Jesus"

Revelation 22:20

The Riggio's | Sneak Peek

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, 
the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love 
with those who love him and keep his commandments, 
to a thousand generations…

Deuteronomy 7:9

Adventures with Sitka

B's Preschool Project!

Confessions of a 'tiger mom' doing homework for her son's preschool assignment: Every student gets to take Sitka (a very special moose from Alaska!) home for a weekend. We're told to take him everywhere we go…capture moments…and put together a photo-journal. Being the very forgetful person I am, I completely missed our assigned weekend to take home Sitka! :( But B's teacher graciously allowed us to take him for a blitz-session to make this project. It's been a busy week trying to do homework for my preschooler. I decided B's project would based on an impromptu trip to Disneyland…it was crazy. I found myself posing the stuffed animal as if it were some sort of portrait photo-session. We even stood in line to meet Pluto, which my kids didn't even like!!! Might I add that Sitka looks pretty worn + he smells like "hotel" as B describes it + I'm sure he travels in and through some of the germ-y-est places. But I blog this, because quite frankly, I worked very hard on it. So good job, mom! Pat on the back for me. ;)

Brooke's First Birthday

God acts on the prayers of His children in the context of His sovereignty. He does what is right for His people and His purposes. He is an attentive God. Brooke, your life is a constant reminder of this. You've grown so much (photos from last year)!!! And for all those who have come together to love you and pray for you…we've been blessed because we've witnessed God's mighty hand~ Happy 1st Birthday…LOVE YOU!!!

We will always remember you, Brookey.
Our God is Sovereign. His Providence reminds me that our days are numbered. And death…like life…is not random. God desires for us to know him in his eternal plans. He is good…and this is a truth. And though there are things we may never understand in this lifetime…God is still good. One thing I know for sure…God chose the best family for you, Brooke. He gave you laughter and joy…a mom and dad whose love for God stands out among the crowds…and sisters who could pray and love on you because they have been so loved. We will miss you, forever. 

Brooke Noel | Sneak Peek

We love your hair!
O~ And of course that killer smile of yours…

Happy Birthday, Brookeyyy~

Chino Hills Huskies | Homecoming 2014

Love this girl!!!

Just Grandma and Me!

This is one woman's journey who has spent her life submitting to the Lord…serving her church and family…and always praying for her children and grandchildren. I am living proof of God's generational blessing. May God continue to lead you and bless you in this life! I love you!!!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Dear Sam-Sam-Sammy-Alex!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful girl. Some memories of you at 2…

-you love jumping

-you sing in the car

-you love chewing gum

-you can recite Proverbs 3:5-6

-you like hamburgers
-you love in n out

-you hang and swing off anything 

-you watch Daniel Tiger everyday

-you ask daddy to paint your toes pink
-you are still pigeon toed ;)

-you are the sweetest 

-and sometimes you are the sourest ;)



Regardless…God loves you "ALL THE TIME"
And I am so proud to be your mommy!
I LOVE YOU!!!
~Happy Birthday~

Worship

So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned...

Ephesians 6:10-20

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Persecuted | Church

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; 

but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ 

If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

John 15:18-20a

Praying for those who are suffering and dying for Christ today.

Feels like a Monday...

THIS is very normal. 

It happens EVERYDAY.

Sometimes I give you a timeout.

Sometimes I need a timeout.

Good parenting IN doesn't always mean good child OUT.

But these are just MOMENTS in the day.

The tantrums are a reminder that you need God…

Just as much as I need God.

God…give me GRACE…so I could reflect GRACE.

Life is not an emergency.

So I'll choose to embrace my Monday.

I LOVE you Alex!