Ancestors and Temple Work

My friend, Kathy, taught our Relief Society lesson today about the importance of temples and doing the work for our ancestors. She handed out a piece of paper to us and asked us to write down any thoughts we had while she was teaching. At one point in the lesson, I remembered how overwhelmed genealogy used to make me. In the past seasons of my life, I've been newly married, going to school and working full time, caring for aging parents, and raising young children. The thought of genealogy was always in the back of my mind, but I was so busy. I assumed that there would be a point in my life that I could work on it. The great thing about life experience is the perspective we gain, and it was this perspective that caused me to reflect the following thoughts:

I was in my forties before I was able to begin my ancestral work, and my dad is the primary reason I have been successful. Over the past 20 years or so, he has had the promptings leading him to search and find information about his family. He and I have become a team by accident, but really, there are no accidents in this work. While it was not my season for genealogy until recently, my dad has been hard at work researching and collecting data for years. Now that I am in a season in life where I can focus on this work, he has been able to provide a myriad of information for me to take over, organize further, and do what is needed. The timing coincided beautifully with my husband's calling in the High Priest group where he was responsible for setting up the temple schedule each month. Although it was a stress for him at times, it was a blessing for us as we were continually signing up for temple appointments and feeling the strong desire to take our own family names. Although there is much more to do, we have completed a lot of the work for our ancestors from the information that my dad compiled. Now that my eyes are wide open and aware of these ancestors, I see how much there is to do. I keep my field of vision narrow so that I don't get overwhelmed. I also take deep breaths and have faith that it will all work out. I know that I will uncover what I need to at the right time, and that I will know where to turn next. This has been my experience thus far, and I am forever grateful to my dad for having the desire to know his heritage, to research and record, and to pass this work on to me.

Saturday Fun

Jenna and Sarah shopping at Target. They wanted to have the moms take them shopping, and fortunately, the moms needed to go to Target. The girls got a treat and shopped for the birthday party they were attending later on. They were so cute together. Michelle and I had fun too.

Jenna and Sarah in their matching shirts at Cashel's Sky High party

Heather and Grace spent two entire afternoons playing video games together. There wasn't much else they could do in the rain yesterday, and it was nearing dark when they got together this evening. They were not complaining. It has been fun to end our Spring Break with friends.

Hangin' Out

Our company left on Thursday morning. The girls slept in and then played with their Legos all day. All day. Jenna and I made one brief run to Toys R Us to purchase two new Lego sets with a birthday coupon she still had (thank you Aunt Michelle). They were absolutely happy campers, and I happily hung out and watched them.

Today brought more rain. I've done laundry most of the day and am working on Jenna's room. Closets need to be cleaned out, items purged, etc. It will be a good process, but it will take a while. Both girls have had friends to hang with today as well as computer and t.v. time. Heather got some homework done also. We were safe and snug while the rain poured and the wind howled. It was nice not to have anywhere to be today. Our Spring Break has not been exciting, but it has been a break from our regular routine, and that has been a splendid thing.

The Book Hook

It's so fun to share books I love with friends or family who love reading. The dangerous part is the hook. I've hooked both my aunt and uncle this week. Auntie is almost done with her book, and since this picture was captured, Uncle has moved on and downloaded Catching Fire on his Kindle. They've only been here two days. Just think what I could have done had they been here longer...tee-hee.

Spring Break Company

We walked out to Ruby's on the pier tonight. A little chilly, but very pretty. Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chuck miss the salty sea air, and they loved being at the beach.

Easter Sunday

Today began with the girls happily finding their baskets as well as one filled with fun items for our hiking plans this year. Sadly, we won't have an Easter Bunny picture in this post. Jenna asked a few days ago, and I couldn't carry this one on any longer. She was perfectly fine with the Easter Bunny secret.

Before breakfast we did an indoor egg hunt with a twist so that the girls could find the same amount of eggs, and because, well, they are older and ya gotta have some more excitement.

I went to FV 3rd Ward's Sacrament meeting to hear my friend, Michelle, speak. Choir practice was right after that, and we continued on with our ward's services. I am Jenna's teacher, and it was great to teach my class today about the resurrection. Heather had a memorable lesson in Young Women's too. My heart is full of gratitude for being able to have our family well and at church today to fill our spiritual reservoirs.

After church we had our outdoor hunt and a lovely dinner. My dad is here with us this weekend and through this next week to visit with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chuck when they arrive tomorrow. I miss our bigger holiday family dinners, but I'm so happy to get to see more family this week.

Easter Eggs