#30 Born a Ricks

The first favorite experience I'm posting is listed at number 30 not because it is my least favorite of the "Top 30" but rather because without this first experience none of the others ones would have happened. (So, Mom, if you're reading this know that being born a Ricks is definitely in my top five favorite experiences of my life so far.)  Also as a note to anyone else who may read this I have not put a lot of thought into my rankings.  I will try to do it mostly in chronological order, until I get to the top five. I have to save my most favorites (except for this one, Mom) for last.

So... I was born a Ricks.  In my humble (but accurate) opinion this was the best family I could have possibly been born into.  Now don't get all riled up because you think your family is the greatest, we're just going to have to agree to disagree on this issue.  The Ricks family was the best family for ME to be born into.  You see I believe God gives each of us exactly the family we need. He also gives each one of us to our family because they need us. 
 
Just to keep things interesting I will show you a picture of this family before I explain why they are so wonderful! 

This picture is also almost 30 years old!

What makes this family so amazing is Jesus... my parents love Jesus with all their heart, soul and mind and they showed my brothers and I how to love and serve Jesus with all of our hearts, soul and mind.  My mom and dad were the most amazing examples to me of what a follower of Christ should look like and what a Christ centered family looks like.  While I know they were far from perfect they were wonderful role models. They modeled a loving, Christ centered marriage. Besides an occassional little "tiff" here and there and maybe a snappy remark or tense moment every now and then I never saw my parents fight. (I'm sure they did fight some, but not in front of us.) I never went to bed worried that my parents were going to get a divorce.  I knew they loved each other and loved us and that we were all in this together till death do us part.  They showed me what Christ centered priorities looked like, #1 God, #2 Family (spouse followed by children), #3  Church.
The lessons I have learned are numerous... much too long for me to list them all.  A few (other than those previously mentioned) stand out and I'll those mention briefly.  Always try your best and finish what you start. We were not allowed to quit a sport or activity in the middle of the season.  If we didn't like it we didn't have to play it the next year but we would finish the season.  Do what you say you're going to do, don't make promises you can't keep.  This was mostly taught by example, my mom and dad are some of the most reliable people you will ever meet, I think their example inspired my brothers and I to be people of integrity, and to always strive to do what we say we will do.  Don't be a church hopper. I remember one time in high school I told my parents I wanted to go visit other churches. I had some hurtful things (really just normal teenage stuff, but it was painful to me) happen with some "friends" in my youth group and I just wanted to see what else was out there. I had a car and thought I should be allowed to do this. My dad  proceeded to tell me that we were not church hoppers, we don't leave churches over getting our feelings hurt, it;s our family, we stick it out through good times and bad as long as the Word of God is not being violated.  I'm so glad he taught me that, I had a wonderful church, I would have missed so much if I had left as a teenager.
 I could go on but I wanted to save room to include the people who helped shaped my parents into the people they are and also have been a big influence on my life. Who??? My Grandparents of course!
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My 'M' Grandparents and their 10 grandchildren!

My mom's parents, who I will refer to as my 'M' grandparents, were also amazing Godly examples.  Without their example to my parents of what a Christ-centered family looks like, my immediate family I'm sure would have looked very different.  If I remember nothing else about my Grandaddy, I will always remember that he ended each day reading his big worn Bible and praying on his knees.  My Grandmommy was the ultimate servant, always serving others and putting their needs before her own.  They were wise, loving, fun, wonderful grandparents and I am forever grateful of the legacy they left for all of us.

My Ricks Grandparents

My dad's parents are by far the most generous people I have ever met. I don't think there was a selfish bone in their body, at least when it came to their family.  They made sure we always had what we needed and a lot of what we wanted.  I think they helped my mom and dad be able to provide certain things for us when money was tight. While my grandfather has been gone almost 10 years, my grandma continues to bless her grandchildren and great grandchildren both financially and with her wonderfully encouraging spirit.  She always tell us she has the best grandchildren in the world... well the feeling is mutual... I have had the best grandparents in the world!   
 

Finally being born a Ricks means that now 30 years later I get to be a part of this amazing family featured below. A fantastic group of people with some of the cutest kids I've ever met! Thank you Lord for my Ricks family!