I love doTerra products. I especially love their LifePak vitamins and use them, along with a cannabis ointment to control the crippling plantar-palmar psoriasis I got after Mr. Virgo died. When I purchase these vitamins, I get reward points that I can redeem for free oils or other products. I didn’t realize just how many points I had until a couple of weeks ago. So, I had a grand time ordering bunches of stuff!
I received a notice in the mail just before Christmas that my box had arrived but it wouldn’t fit in the mailbox. I’m not sure why they didn’t deliver it to the door. We were home and could have received it, but it was during the Christmas rush so I am sure the mail carrier was overwhelmed. I went to the Post Office Tuesday and picked up my package. It was like a late Christmas gift to myself!
Yesterday, I received three more boxes. In those boxes were three bottles of shampoo and two more Copaiba oils. I looked back at the emailed order confirmation and I had only ordered one shampoo and one Copaiba, among other things. That is when I also noticed that I didn’t receive one of the items on the original order.
I contacted customer service via the chat app on doTerra’s website. I spoke with Jakob and explained the situation. He said he would be happy to send out the missing item right away and email me a label to ship back the duplicate items. He offered to award me 10 bonus points for my inconvenience. In the course of the conversation, I told him I could have just kept the extras but that wouldn’t have been the honest thing to do. He came back and said he appreciated customers like me and he was going to add 20 bonus points instead of 10! That is free product in my mailbox…all for being nice.
I began this blog five years ago. I have written an essay nearly every day, covering a wide range of topics from my grief at losing Mr. Virgo to camping in the wilderness of Colorado to living on the family farm. I’ve talked about childhood memories, recipes, farm cats, and family. I’ve touched on sensitive subjects like depression, anxiety, sexual abuse, and even came close to the third rail of politics…at least in the sense of trying to get along. I’ve talked about God and my faith and the importance of being good for goodness’ sake. In all that time, I can count on one hand the times I’ve had someone post something negative to me here. Do you know how rare that is in this business? The internet lets the bars down for rudeness because our interactions are not face-to-face. This emboldens some people to bring out the ugly side of humanity.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you all…every single one of you. You meet me in this space and we have mutual respect and caring. There have been times when I have considered quitting. There have been times when it has become overwhelming and I have had trouble finding my voice. There are times when I feel perhaps I have said everything there is to say. It got better when I reached the point that I could lay down the burden of my grief and I realized I didn’t have to talk, or write, about it all the time. And, every time I’ve thought of stopping, I get feedback from you. Someone says, “You were speaking to me today.” or “This spoke to my heart this morning.” That’s when I realize…I’m not done. God is still using me to deliver the hope and encouragement only He can give. I ask Him for the words. He gives them to me freely. He will tell me if it’s time to quit.
So, I’ll be here every morning as you have your cup of coffee, or every afternoon when you take a break, or every evening when you stop and catch up with what’s been going on with everyone. I pray you find hope and joy and peace here. I hope you see the goodness in my life comes straight from God and it brings you closer to Him. Your “likes” and your “shares” and your comments bring His word to a greater and greater audience. We all spread Light and Hope and Joy when we share Him with others.
Thank you…for being here, for listening, for loving on me. Thank you for another year’s journey. Thank you for the many, many blessings you bring me. It is an honor to be invited into your hearts and lives every day and I do not take that lightly. Thank you for letting me be…well, ME! I am richly blessed. ❤️
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!””
Psalms 50:23 ESV
Thank you Ginny for your dedication to helping us through your own pain. As I have written to you before my Norman passed away in December just after Mr Virgo in May and I found you through Second Firsts. Sometimes we never know when we are blessing someone (especially behind the curtain of social media these days). But in spite of some of the bad stuff that you see on it; this is what it is really for. People helping people. Don’t quit I read your blog every morning with my coffee and it thrills me to see you happy and thriving. Happy New Year to you.
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Thank you for sharing and being the voice of so many. Many Blessings for the new year!
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Doterra ‘sister’ here !!! Love that “stuff” !?
Enjoy and look forward to our visits with morning coffee.. I like your thoughts -I like your heart. You are a blessing…when I count mine, I count you ..
Nioka
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I have your page set on FB as the first I see in the morning. My first cup of coffee wouldn’t be the same without you! Your journey has had so many similarities to mine. Keep up the encouragements! God bless you & Mr Fixit in 2018!
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Thank you for being the voice of grief and finding joy again.
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Thank you for being you, for sharing your life with us, for the love of God. And pulling some of us up and to see the true meaning of life. Thank you, God Bless you and a Most Happy New Year to you and yours.
lots of love,
Melba
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I read & enjoy your posts everyday. Keep it up!?
I love reading you first thing after I get to the office. It sets my mood for the day – always good! I especially love how you always find a scripture to go with your post. Truly the Book of -and for- Life!
My husband passed away 16 years ago and I was 35 with two small children. It hasn’t been an easy journey but through my faith, friends and family support I got through it. A friend of mine told me about your blog and for the past two years I have been reading your journey and much of it I was able to relate. Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life with us; you have reached out and helped so many. May the Lord Bless you abundantly my friend. By the way I to use doTerra and love their products.
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I love reading about your journey and have recommended it to others!! You are an angel Ginny your work is not done!! Thank you for encouragement and just things about real life!! Love ya!!
Aw, Doterra is wonderful. I love it. Love your columns and love the honesty. That doesn’t happen too much anymore. I, too, read and reflect your stories. Have a great 2018.
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So appreciate you and look forward to reading your encouraging words! I celebrate with you how God continues to walk with us in our crazy, amazing, and hard life stories. Happy New Year!
PS…I also love doTerra!
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A cuppa tea and Ginny McKinney!
This combination starts my day off with a smile and wonder how a lady comes up with so much to share!
Thanks for including me on your journey through life’s struggles and triumphs!
Gini Vose
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Hi Ginny! I am having my coffee right now and feel as if I am blessed this morning by your friendly words. I do not reach out to you as much as I would like and certainly wish we could camp together more. Your words are always gentle and comforting like your smile. When I saw you last, I was feeling overwhelmed and triggered. This was strange and surprising to me as I felt I had concurred so much. Your smile, friendship and words meant so much and helped more than you know. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your soul with so many everyday dear friend!
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Keepin’ it real with Ginny… otherwise known as marshmallow ranch ! I love reading what you write. You are beautiful and you prompt this fellow widow to consider life differently.
Thanks for being a wonderful voice along the way, an extraordinarily ordinary gal who found her voice and used it to help others find their own.
I stopped adding to my blog over a year ago, it’s a lot of work. I have a demanding day job. I do so want to write more, so maybe I will do more than just Facebook because you’ve shown me I can ??
That’s you ?
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We have been FB friends for years and although we have never met face to face. I look forward to your posts and enjoy reading your take on everyday things. I am thankful for your friendship ❤️
I always feel you’re just a hug away when I read your posts, Ginny. Wishing you much love & happiness in 2018. ❤️
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I enjoy your posts every morning. Lost my husband the same year you lost yours, and reading your posts each morning help bring me though the many things that have happened since then. While I haven’t been lucky enough to find someone else to share life with- like you have- I have hope. Also know if I have too, I can go on alone. Your travels and adventures also give me the courage to move on again, for the third time since he ‘s been gone, this coming summer. Thanks for being here!
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I also look forward to reading your posts as so many others do. Your easy going ,comforting style of writing is so honest and heartfelt that so many of us can identify with you on a very personal level. You cheer us on and validate us, often seeing our own reflection. We care deeply about you too and wish you the very best that life has to offer. May 2018 bring you happiness, peace, and joy!
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Your words have given me more comfort and n the last few years than you’ll ever know. I’ve laughed, cried and armchair-traveled with you so many times. Bless you, Ginny, for sharing yourself with us.
Another Doterra sister! Love your blog!
Ginny, so many times I have wanted to throw in the towel, but your blogs have come along just in time and inspired me to keep climbing that mountain, after all there is no place to go but up when you are down. love to you from TEXAS….