Christmas ~ My Testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

As I was contemplating my Christmas post, I was broadsided by a health affliction that left me in painful dark places reaching up for help.  One night, I wrestled almost the entire night with my feelings and thoughts until the Lord and I came to an agreement it was time to write my testimony for the future generations of my family.

It started with parents that had been taught of Christ.

My children have never known our home without Christ, but that doesn't mean that they didn't have to develop their own testimony. That is what one does.  You can't go on other's testimonies for all your life, at one point; you must develop your own. Over time my testimony of Christ and his divine mission has grown until it is just like breathing for me. It is me.
I will begin with what took a time for me to understand as my testimony was developing. I wondered, "How did God feel when he observed the atonement of Christ in Gethsemane?"  Then I wondered about how He felt when he withdrew himself from Christ while His son was facing the last hours during the Crucifixion.  I am not a Prophet or biblical scholar, just a child of God and a mother, so I am sure my perspective must come from there.  I felt as I was wrestling that night, that what God felt was gratitude.  Not pride in his Son, but gratitude for Christ facing his personal challenge and bearing it without being coerced and a pressured into those actions. Christ did his Father's will because it was his desire to do so and because he loved us. Christ embraced his Father, us, and the plan of Happiness in his actions, which testified to me that his actions were, in truth, a sacrifice.

"Christ in Gethsemane" by Heinrich Hofmann - Brigham Young University Museum of Art.1.

"Christ at the Cross - Cristo en la Cruz" by Carl Heinrich Bloch 2.

It all began on a night in Bethlehem when Christ came to this earth to be born to Mary in a lowly stable. Such a lovely tale, and I have crèches that I have collected to commemorate that event.  

God did not abandon Christ when he came to earth. He sent angels to guide and protect this family of Joseph, Mary, and Christ from the beginning. God is always with us. 
The babe in the manger that was Christ the Savior has been my friend and has always been the person for me to go to since I was little.  I remember seeking places to sit and talk with Jesus (another of Christ's names) when I was as young as 5 years old. If there were problems I didn't know how to deal with, I knew He was always there and listening. The comfort, the unfailing care, and the guidance I have received over the years, has never left me found wanting and always His footsteps has been a chosen path to follow.
I not only believe in Christ, I know He is there.  He cares for me, and He takes my up lifted hands and guides me.  He lives.  He is The Savior.  He is my all.

This is my Christmas testimony which I will save in 

Memories on FamilySearch for when my blog is long gone. 

~Frances Ellsworth

1.  Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christ_in_Gethsemane.jpg#/media/
File:Christ_in_Gethsemane.jpg

2.  Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christ_at_the_Cross_-_Cristo_en_la_Cruz.jpg#/media/File:Christ_at_the_Cross_-_Cristo_en_la_Cruz.jpg

Wordless Wednesday ~ Body Language

Celebrating Veteran's Day 2015 My dad in Europe WWII

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Ed Langley and Ethel Grote

Near last week's tombstone was my Aunt and Uncle.  Edwin R Langley was the brother of my father and Dora Langley... (she will be for next week).

My cousin and I had been talking about family history via email.  In our conversations were discussions about tombstones.  He decided he wanted to personalize his parent's tombstone with a picture.  He did some study on it and this was his final email on the subject.
"Dad purchased the cemetery lots and this stone about 5+ years before he died.  He put a lot of thought into the stone and was very proud of the fact he got it done.  I have always been amazed at the pictures on some of the older stones that are always very clear and never seem to fade even when facing the sun…..recently I found out that the reason for never fading is because they are ceramic (imagine that!!!!).   Recently I sent you a pic that I took from a portriat that was taken when mom and dad were in their mid-40's which they both liked.  I have decided to add a ceramic pic to the headstone  using the one I sent you…..I think they would approve."
I agreed. I think they would have been greatly pleased.

The picture he chose.

Ethel is the Daughter of  George and Hattie Grote

Treasure Chest Thursday ~ Grandchild Number 3

Bright and shining Copper Top...

Princess Dynamo... She was always moving.
This is the story of  the Hero helping save her. 

She had a special relationship with her uncle.
He loved watching her and had a way with helping with getting her to take a nap.

This was one of my favorite studio pictures of her.
She did not grow up to be a phone person.

Her 6th birthday. She was flexible with celebrations. Look at that copper hair.

Always animated... Here she is at her uncle's wedding and freezing.
 If she had to smile she would give it her best.

She became quite the multi media artist.  

2010 such a sweetheart.
 She sings and helps.
A naturally good person.

She asked if I could make her a mermaid costume in 2014,
then she decided that she could do it herself.
What a great job she did.

She has started performing with a local theater group.
She sings and dances.
Her personality sparkles

This is her scrapbook page I made especially for her.
I adore being with her.

May you all enjoy your Treasures.

Wordless Wednesday ~ What We Support

Tombstone Tuesday

A post by Amy Johnson Crow took me to my cemetery pictures to see if I was following her "5 Photos You Should Take at the Cemetery"
I was good.  Whew.  Want to make sure time is not wasted when making the trip and stop.
Below is the picture of my Aunt and Uncle's Parents.  My dad's brother and sister married a brother and sister.  Those are for easy genealogy lines. JI was looking for their tombstones, which I did get, when I noticed most of the Grote family is buried in close proximity, I went ahead a grabbed a picture of  the parents tombstone.

Tombstone for George and Hattie Grote and their son Delbert.

A close up: 

I made sure I could read the epitaph.

"At rest but not forgotten"

The cemetery sign was a must since a huge number of my dad's family is buried there.

I went a little back wards at this, but I did the work. Happy Tombstone Day,

This is for Kenny and his cousins.

Madness Monday ~ Why Can't I Leave It Alone.

I am choosing to write about that which I have a tendency to do.  I will come across a descendant in my family line that doesn't have a death date or any other information.  I become distracted from my own  direct line and begin searching to make sure everything is filled in for that person. Of course, that tends to send me off down other rabbit holes as Carol of the blog Reflections from the Fence says.
Today, I began to research a sister of my great great grandmother. Her name was Mary Hankins. I found she married a Reuben McCroskie, whose surname had been slaughtered in almost every census and ages messed up.  I soon found their child Nancy's, who turned out to go by Ellen, married a Samuel Green in Ray County, Missouri and her line was not finished.  Now these are from the 1830s up so most I would expect some to be done.  I am not finished yet, but one young lady intrigued me... Phyllis J Holmes.

Phyllis Holmes 1942 Yearbook picture

 Her mother the daughter of Nancy Ellen McCroskie Green, Beatrice Helen who married a Clayton P Holmes.  Beatrice died at 24 of Tuberculosis.  Leaving Phyllis who was 2, motherless.  I do not know who raised her because I not found her yet on a census with her father who remarried. He was a pharmaceutical salesman and he married a pharmacist. I did find Phyllis went to college at  Kansas Wesleyan University and found a picture of her, as well as who she married. Unfortunately, it was in a time period, I do not know if she ever had children.  She died in 1973 in Los Angeles, California; her husband remarried and moved to Oklahoma.  No clues.  I hope if she did have children, they will be joined with her tree.
Beatrice opened another dilemma for me as her obit names a brother Bud Green.

Beatrice death certificate and obit

Another one I have not found on the census. Wonder if Bud was a nickname.  Well, still working on that rabbit hole.  Need to stop and do some work as I have been at this all day.
Genealogy throws you curves.  J

Sentimental Sunday ~ Memory of A Great Trip

One fall, the Hero and I were driving our daughter to Utah for her fall college semester.  We decided to go through Taos, New Mexico area because none of us had ever been in that area before and the scenery promised by brochures was going to be great.

We stopped at an out of the way group of bungalows before we got there.  It was an awesome place. There weren't any electronics, or phones, no outside world at all.  Our son was with us too. He was so excited no one could interrupt with a phone call.  We and a wonderful time visiting; they had games too and the kids went for a short hike. (nope no pictures...silly me, but no smartphones back then either.) Short digression here, I asked my daughter if she remembered and I am giggling over her answer:  "Yes, I remember him going on and on about how quiet it was... he wouldn't be quiet.... it was lovely and I remember the cold creek out behind it."...

When we left to continue our journey, we were relaxed and filled with happiness.  The trees were breathtaking and the air was so clear as we drove in the mountains. The Hero gave way to our request to stop at the first scenic pull over in spite of a tight schedule. It was so beautiful looking down through the trees.

We saw these. This is from a brochure.

picture from the area on Wikipedia

 Away from the world and all its cares, my daughter turned on the Enya "Watermark" album for her and myself to dance our best joyful uninhibited interpretation of the music.  We were having so much fun. Our son and the Hero, just leaned back on the rocks and smiled.  They knew we were silly.  

Our reverie was interrupted by a car pulling in behind us and an older Native American gentleman got out.  We quickly turned down our music, when he approached us.  I guess we were expecting a scolding for so much noise.  Instead, we were surprised when he said  "I have not stopped here for many years and enjoyed the scenery.  When I saw you dancing with so much joy, I had to stop. I remind myself now, that I should take the time to enjoy what is here. Thank you for reminding me."  

We never know how we are going to affect someone else. This man was uplifted by our joyous dancing and he reminded us that one should not ignore the beauty around us as we become busy in life.  

The rest of our trip was filled with a feeling of happiness.  We deposited our daughter at BYU and then drove back home on I70 through Colorado. The choice to drive up the scenic way was one of the best we ever made.  

I am glad I am writing this because my daughter had forgotten our dancing in the woods..,

Don't forget to stop and smell the roses... one of my favorite sayings.  J

Halloween Memories...

My mom loved Halloween.  She was one of the first teachers at her school in Oklahoma to start dressing in period costumes for the festivities.  Of course it was a different era, the kids dressed up, parents brought cupcakes, there were parades, and there was in general a lot of games.  As I was growing up, she always had popcorn balls (in a variety of ways), candy, etc.  I had to dress up to had out candy to those coming by.
When she moved to Texas, she was living in a rural community.  There wasn't the going from house to house for trick or treat but there were a lot of little kids that wanted to do what they saw city kids doing. As a school they still did costumes and a class party, but the whole community turned out at the precinct barn where a special group had put together a variety of activities and treats.  Mom loved this and was disappointed when the activities started coming to a close at school, then in the community at large.  Now they do a haunted house, which I have to say, I am glad all my kids are gone, because I have never been a fan of haunted house activities.  Here is the only picture I have of my mom's Halloween activity.

She is the "scarecrow" in the center, surrounded by my children.

My mother-in-law always decorated for Halloween time.  She would have fun handing out candy for the kids in the neighborhood. Her foster daughter loved the dressing up and handing out candy too.
When Mildred moved into an assisted living home, they had activities every year.  We would go down and participate with her. She would dress up and so would we.  Such a fun memory.
These are a few of her dressed up as well as my sister in law and brother in law.

One year she decorated her door then dressed up and handed out candy when kids came by.

My wonderful sister-in-law who was game for anything, and looked great too. (she is in the middle)

A close up of my sister-in-law

Mildred and her son,,. My grandson thought his mask was cool. 

Mildred and I, in another year.  She decorated her tee shirt.

Fun memories and ones I hold dear.

Treasure Chest Thursday ~ Grandchild 2

I know you are sitting there thinking good grief... but wait 'til I get through with all 25.

The second granddaughter and grandchild was just perfect.  She has been a delight to see growing up, full of vim and vinegar. 

A delight to her aunts and so gullible. They loved playing with her..

 

We had many photo sessions that showed she wasn't a happy camper with a camera pointed at her.

Look at that long beautiful blond hair. 

A beautiful shot her mom got of her with her lovely laugh. I love joking with her.

A bit theatrical and sassy, she has developed a talent for dancing, This was a model shoot for a student cosmetologist.

She is a righteous young lady. She got up at 5 am to attend Seminary Studies. This is her graduation.

Today. Her at her sister's wedding.  Turned into a beauty in and out.
My happy girl.

This is her scrapbook page.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Wedding Preparations

Before the Wedding on Oct 24, 1970. 

Tombstone Tuesday ~ The Care Taker Becomes the One Cared For

In 2010, we took Mildred to clean and care for her husband's grave and she took the time to talk with her granddaughter and great grand children.

In 2012, a picture my brother in law took of her on Memorial Day when they went and cleaned the tombstone.

2014, My sister in law on Memorial Day after she and her brother cleaned the tombstone for Mildred and Ed her husband.
How time passes.

Sentimental Sunday ~ The Hero Took Naps.

Sundays were the day the Hero's family would gather together.  It might be just to go by and visit the grandparents, or, it could be to celebrate a holiday or birthdays.  The Hero and his twin brother tended to eat as they did when young, and the end result was they found a place to rest afterwards and we would find them asleep somewhere.
This scrapbook page was at their sister's. They had gone into the den away from everyone, and either bored each other to sleep, or were watching a game on television. I don't remember why, but finding them both asleep was funny.

Surname Saturday ~ And They Became One

One starry night on October 24^th, 1970, a couple professed their vows to love and cherish each other, and she took his surname as hers to honor.

In their toast to each other, it was made mention of a “toast to their love together forever”, and so it is and forever shall be.

This 45^th anniversary is celebrated by the bride with his memory at her side.  God has sent a promise that though they are parted, they shall one day be reunited. 

My hero is missed but not forgotten, and ever waited upon for the loving reunion.

FE

Follow Friday ... Grateful for...

It has been a long time since I have done the prompt "Follow Friday".  After the feeds changed, I went to subscribing to the posts.  That meant most of the time I have not gone to the website and posted a comment.  This is nice to not miss a post, but I have begun to wonder if the writers of the blogs wonder how their posts are being received.  Today I thought I would give a few a shout out.
Roberta Estes has helped me so very much in sharing knowledge about DNA... a heroine to me at DNAeXplained - Genetic Genealogy.  Judy Russell has broadened my understanding of legal issues, and reading a document, yeah for The Legal Genealogist .  If you are a beginning genealogy blogger, Geneabloggers by Thomas MacEntee is still the best for getting you started and keeping you going.
Amy Johnson Crow has to be one of the greatest caring genealogy bloggers for giving prompts that really make a difference in our personal posts of family history.  Jana Last on Jana's Genealogy and Family History Blog has been a great blogger herself, but even more, she has been a great edifier to many bloggers with her Follow Friday ~ Fab Finds.  There are more but I will save for another day.
Be a great follower and be sure and leave for those that serve the genealogy community as a whole a word of thanks or encouragement so they will stay with us in the long haul.
Later, friends. 

Treasure Chest Thursday... Grandchildren.

I have blogged about some of my gene treasures from the past... but today I choose to blog about my gene treasures in the present.  25 grandchildren... Each is such a unique treasure and learning experience.  I love them so very much.  I think I am going to do this each Thursday until I cover all 25.

Number one grandchild was so exciting.  We were all waiting for this treasure. 

Her mom and dad decided to name her Crystal.  Not for any family name, just because they liked it. Isn't that the way is it supposed to be?  

Her early Princess look. 

Her aunts loved dressing her up. Her medieval Princess look. J

Growing up she was so much like Princess Merida... 

This summer she was a really beautiful Princess.
A lovely bride.   

Yep... my first jewel in my treasure box.