Monday, May 20, 2013

I Have The Greatest Family Tree...

My grandfather raised goats and rabbits. I tell it to my children proud. Just a small fact about him....and how he lived far off in Holland and he wasn't a very rich man and he smoked a pipe.

My grandmother was blind and she once sewed black pockets on my Dad's brown coat and made him wear it to school. He never said anything because he didn't want to hurt her feelings. She used to put her thumb in a tea cup when she poured tea so she could see how full it was.

I never met my grandfather but I did meet my grandmother once when I was 14.  When I came into the room she pulled me onto her ample lap and praised God for me.

These are stories I share with my children and will tell my grandchildren. These stories are part of who I am.

There are other stories I must be sure to share, one of them goes like this;

'By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.  Hebrews 11:24-29.

Beautiful story of our heritage to put down. True accounts of what a mighty God I serve. I have a whole book of them.

I have an ancestor who was given the task of naming all the animals, one who led mighty armies in faith, one who killed a giant with a small stone, one who built a magnificent temple, one who led an army around a city and its walls fell down, one who killed a lion and a bear; story after story and one special story greater than all the rest, of a God who loved us so much that He sent His Son to die on Calvary in our place.

Put that in when you make up your family tree and when you give the history on your family's past. Breathe out those words of love and share them until they penetrate deep. There is no greater legacy to leave those who follow after.

My Paternal Grandparents in Holland.

9 comments:

  1. Oh what a neat picture! I wish I could go back in time...just to visit! My one set of grandparents lived in Croatia and my grandma used to tell us about the gypsies who used to come and sell them things...and how my grandpa got mad at her for listening to them as some were palm readers and that is against our faith.

    Yes, we are children of God, and how important to study the old testament too! I often think of how in Jesus' time, how people dressed (and the old testament) and that we are probably supposed to dress that way now, it is a shame fashions were invented!

    I have a blue corning ware set...well..I only have one piece left due to letting my kids keep them when I gave them food. Yes, someone did probably pay good for your set! Who would ever think! Hope you can be consoled that your daughter is embarking on an exciting journey to comfort your sorrow!

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  2. I always loved hearing stories of my ancestors, and now find myself telling my son. I want to thank you for reminding me that yes, as a child of God that Adam, Noah, Moses and many more are my ancestors too. I just never thought of it that way. Boy, do we have a wild bunch in our family tree;-)

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  3. I love that photo (and the wooden shoes)! Your grandfather looked like he had a sense of humor.

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  4. Thanks Anita...I think I will use the cookie sheet to freeze first. That way, they won't stick together!

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  5. Ha...I still can't get over your grandparent's picture. Your grandfather looks high-spirited and your grandma looks a bit stern at that.

    Anyway, yes the peonies are a bit late here too....usually they are beautiful for Mother's day...so heavenly to smell them!

    Our air conditioning broke last night...the first night I decided to turn it on this year. My husband was just saying it is old and we probably have to get a new one soon. And they more then doubled in price since we got the present one in...I don't know if it was 15 or more years ago...although my son in law wants to come look at it before we get a new one...this getting children married has advantages! ha.

    My floral sofa did wear well considering my husband would end up sleeping on it almost every night for years, as his back bothered him and he could sleep well there!

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  6. What a wonderful post about your family tree. I like the picture from your grandparents.
    Your roots are in Holland....very nice !!!
    The weather here is cold and wet, just as it is in Canada. The plants in our vegetable garden grow very slowly now. The weatherman told us yesterday that in 2012 it was very, very in may.
    Now I am still wearing my wintercoat.....brrrrr
    Have a nice weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Dieneke. And yes, my mother was from Dokkum and my father from Westergeest. (Spelling may be wrong). They came to Canada in 1952. I have a lot of relatives there but I was born here in 1959 so I have only met a few.

      Hopefully the weather warms up soon! Have a lovely weekend, Anita

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  7. Hi Anita. Mine is always telling me to use the "clean the washer" cycle too. Weird that a washer would need cleaned! Well, live and learn...but it looks like in the future, we will probably only be able to buy these kinds of washers.

    It went from almost 90 a couple of days ago, to 53 here yesterday! And some areas nearby had frosts (up north a bit more). But it will warm up again later this week. I suppose we are all having up/down weather. Have a nice weekend!

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  8. Good reminder - I forget that the bible holds our heritage too! :) Wow - I can totally see Dave in your Grandfather there - actually that whole picture is like looking into Dave and my future...except for the shoes....maybe.. ;) lol!

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