A book that is sure to make you cry....

Yesterday Lia handed me a book and said "Grandma, I think that you really should read this book.  It is really good and it made mom cry."  Now when an eleven year old gives you a book recommendation, there is most likely a very good reason.  I am a "reader".  You know, one of those people who reads for pleasure and really enjoys it.  This book was included in Lia's home school curriculum and Lia and Gwen had read it together.  

I started reading the book while the kids were doing their school work and finished just after Gwen got home.  The book is a true story (in part) and fictionalized (in part) that tells a story that everyone should hear.  The "main character" is  Salva Dut, a member of the Dinka tribe and a Sudanese Lost Boy.  This book is his story of being forced out of his home in Sudan during a civil war and the journey of his life.  Side by side the author also tells the story of a young girl from a rival tribe in the Sudan and her struggle to provide water for her family.  The girl represents an amalgam of girls from that tribe.  Although this part of the story is fiction, it is based on truth and facts.  Because I want you all to read this book, I will not share the share the ending.   The author has done such a wonderful job with this book, that both Gwen and I were totally stunned by the ending.  We never saw it coming.   I can assure you, it will make you cry.  

I have not been able to get this book out of my head since I put it down.  I knew a bit about the Lost Boys of Sudan.  Over the years I have read accounts of these boys, who were brought to the United States out of refugee camps in Kenya.  I remember that there were some of these boys brought to a boarding school very near to my home.  The newsworthy part of the story was a fight over whether or not they would be allowed to play basketball (which they excelled at) and the school was accused of "recruiting" them specifically for basketball.  In the end, it was determined that the placement of these boys had nothing to do with sports, but was simply humanitarian.   This book about Salva Dut is special because of who Salva is.  The kinds of adversity that he overcame and his strength and determination to go on are awe inspiring.   I was impressed with him before he ever made it to the United States.  

His journey was all about being reunited with his family.  He was separated from them because he was at school when the battle started and he was forced to flee without ever knowing what became of his family.  On every leg of his twisted path to New York, he was thinking about finding his family.  By the time he arrived in New York, he is certain that his entire family was killed in the war. Yet he persevered and finished his education and got a college degree (with the help of his sponsor family in New York).  I don't know how many miles he walked on his journey of exile, but he never gave up.  He just kept walking.  

I am so thankful that Lia has read this book.  The story of the girl who walked miles for water everyday is important.  The reality that 1.8 BILLION people do not have access to clean water is staggering.  This book brought that reality to life through an 11 year old girl's perspective.  If Lia had just read the part of the book about this girl and the lack of water, it might have seemed like such a hopeless situation.  (Spoiler Alert) Instead, there is an actual, genuine answer to that 11 year old girls situation, because of one strong, determined boy, who kept on walking.  

I am hopeful that Lia will continue to be moved by this book. She has been praying for something that she could support that would really make a difference.  And I believe that helping to bring water to those without access is making a difference that counts!

If you would like to actually listen to Salva telling his story in a Ted Talk just click this link.  There are many other YouTube videos also that tell more about this story. You can just search his name.  Don't miss reading the book.  Even when you know the story, it is so worth reading.  The book is available on Amazon.  More than that, make sure that all of those middle schoool/high school kids you know, read this book.  There are so many lessons for life contained in these pages.  

So I am ending today, so thankful for the clean, clear water that flows freely out of spigots and spouts in my home.  I am seeing so much more in my glass than I did before I read this book.  I am seeing God's plan to use some children to change a small part of the world by bringing life giving water to the people.  What an amazing testimony of God's handiwork and a picture of the flowing water of the Holy Spirit that brings eternal life to all who believe in Jesus!

Jesus, thank you for this book and for Salva Dut.  Continue to bless him as he works to bring clean water to South Sudan.  Holy Spirit, instill in us the courage and boldness to keep walking, especially when it seems impossible. Remind us all to see blessing in clean water.  Thank you for Lia and her desire to make a difference that counts!  Amen  

When DNA results don't tell your story.....

This picture from 1912 is my maternal grandfather with all of his siblings at the funeral of their father.  My grandfather, Arnold Toensing, is second from the left, back row, in this picture.  Aunt Anna (who was like a grandma to my family) is on the right in the front row.  My grandfather and Aunt Anna both died before I was three years old.  I have a couple very sketchy memories of them.  However I have very clear memories of Aunt Lydia, pictured on the far left.  We visited her several times after we moved to St. Paul when I was six years old.  It is interesting to look at a picture and see people that you have heard so much about, but never met and you KNOW that you are related to them.

Well, a few months ago I decided to do an Ancestry DNA test.  I thought I knew exactly what would show up on this test since I have clear family tree records.  I know that my dad was 100% Swedish (both his parents came to the US directly from Sweden) and I know that my mom's mother was 100% Norwegian and her dad (pictured above) was 100% German.  Therefore, my DNA should be 75% Scandinavian and 25% German.  Apparently, you really can't believe your DNA tests!

My results actually do not show any German at all!  What????  I have the most detailed information about the Toensing family, including photos of relatives that still live in family homes in Germany.  My mom knew all about the Toensing family since both her dad and Aunt Anna told many, many stories of their parents immigration to the United States along with four of their siblings!  Yes, four of those people pictured above were actually born in Germany.  So what gives???

Well, to start off, my sister Julie has also done this DNA test and believe it or not, we do not share enough DNA to be siblings.  We have several first cousins, out of our 34 first cousins, that have also done this test and at least one of these does NOT show up at all as a relative of my sister.  We have totally different results.  And strangely enough, she DOES have German included in her results. 

However, in spite of this DNA result, I know that my German ancestors sowed many Spiritual seeds into my life.  I am so thankful for the detailed written and photographic evidences I have of my true heritage.  The son of one of my mom's cousins actually has traced the entire Toensing family tree.  He has visited relatives in Germany and also in South Africa.  The photo above was given to me, along with many others, by this man.   More than that, I am blessed with the knowledge through oral history (stories told to my mother and then retold to me) of the faith journey of our family.  I love that I know the connection - one generation to the next - and the way that the faith journey of these past generations are influencing me today.  This has given me a renewed desire to write, to tell and retell all of the precious memories from the generations before me, so that they are not lost to my children and grandchildren.  Exactly what I wrote about in my last blog post. 

I actually decided to do the DNA test after Ken did his.  Since he is adopted, we were more curious about what the DNA would show.  There was nothing very exciting on his results and no close relatives were found.  After seeing my results I really don't put much stock on the results of these tests anyway. 

So now I have another reason to continue to do this blog.  These posts about my daily life and memories of the past are being done for the future.  I am hopeful that there will be a time when my grandchildren will be interested enough to look through these posts and find a connection to their long ago generations.  I am praying that they will see the fruitfulness and the faithfulness of Jesus in my life when they read these words!

Jesus, thank you so much for photos and stories from the past that keep us connected to our ancestors.  Holy Spirit, help us to remember the importance of oral story telling, as well as written and photographic memories.  Jesus, thank you for the spiritual heritage that is woven into my family.  Amen

Birthdays, tea party and really freaky snowstorm!

On Monday, I celebrated Ellie's 9th birthday a day early.  She turned 9 (and Doug turned 36) on Tuesday!  I had a long discussion with Ellie about her wishes for her birthday presents and she was quite specific about what was on her list.  Of course, her greatest wish was also the "toy of the year" for girls her age.  This grandma had a bit of a stressful time when I thought that I would not be able to find any of the items on her list. Even Amazon was sold out!  It was a miracle that I happened into the local ToyRUs on the day that they received a shipment of the exact items that she wanted!  So it was a happy grandma that was able to give Ellie exactly what she wanted. And it was a very happy Ellie. 

 (Side note, this toy of the year is LOL dolls.  They are a series of little collectible dolls that have "accessories" like clothes, shoes and jewelry, as well as "little sisters" to each of the big dolls. And by "big" dolls I mean they are about 2 inches tall and the little sisters are about 1/2" tall.  Of course you don't just get the doll.  Each item is packaged separately in "blind bags" that you have to open.  Now that you know the size of these dolls, imagine just how small the accessories are!

Oh, and the big dolls don't just come in a bag.  They are hidden in a foaming bath bomb ball that you have to place in water and let fizz until the doll is revealed!  Listen, I could not make this stuff up!  I am telling you the honest truth!  And this is the toy of the year!)    

It was especially wonderful to see just how delighted Ellie was with her gifts.  She has really grown up in the last year and suddenly just seems so old!  This girl has the biggest heart I have ever seen.  She would give away her most prized thing if she thought that you wanted it.  She is the most loving and caring girl.  She has a creative gift that is extraordinary.  There is no trash to Ellie.  She takes boxes and packaging and creates amazing things.   She is cutting and creating from morning until night.  Usually making something for someone else.  Right now she is working on making bracelets for all the girls coming to her birthday party.  When she is not doing that, she is working on large jigsaw puzzles.  As I am writing this, and thinking about what makes Ellie who she is, I am reminded of the clear message I received for her of God's plan and destiny for her life.  She is a warrior who will be praying for others.  Her gifts will bring her to places and people that will need God's love. She will be there, declaring and sharing Jesus will everyone around her.  I can't wait to see what Ellie accomplishes in the years ahead.

After all that birthday celebration, I was helping Anna clean up her bedroom.  She was very clear that all the cleaning was being done, just so that we could have a tea party.  After everything was put away and things were exactly right, Anna prepared the tea for us.  She did not need any help (of course) getting the water from the bathroom for our "tea".  We each had a doll that would need help and I was given very clear instructions for the help that was needed.  The highlight of the tea party for me was Anna's great surprise that this "old" grandma was able to sit "crisscross applesauce" on the floor!

It is so wild for me to spend time with Anna since it feels like I am in a time warp and back to spending time with Gwen.  Anna is so much like Gwen in so many ways.  In typical Grandma fashion, I manage to call Anna, Gwen more than once!  

Then on Tuesday, Grace and I had a fun day of play.  Our Chicago weather was typically crazy beginning on Monday evening.  We had rain, followed by sleet, followed by little icy pellets, followed by more rain and finally snow.  By Tuesday midday, the ground had basically cleared.  The sky had a really funny cloud bank and it was pretty windy and cold.  But the sun was shining!  Then out of nowhere came this burst of a blinding snowstorm.  And there were giant flakes of snow - like half dollar size!  The snow was swirling around and you couldn't see very far for all the snow.  This is how Grace stood for over half an hour!  She wanted to get to those snowflakes in the worst way. 

Pretty quickly the ground was once again covered with snow.  But as quickly as it started, it came to a halt.  And within another hour or so, all the snow was gone!  But the wonder and joy of Grace stayed with me.  Seeing snow in the eyes of a one year old really changes things!

This couple of days has just reinforced for me how incredibly blessed I am to be able to spend time with my grandchildren.  Being with them on regular days, just doing normal things, allows me to get to know who they really are.  I just love seeing all of the wonderful gifts and talents in each of the kids.  Being able to share birthdays, and tea parties and snow showers with them is not only making memories it is sowing seeds into future generations.  Our life is influenced by our ties to past generations and we have the ability to leave a lasting legacy for our family.  Gwen sent me this quote out of her current Beth Moore Bible Study ....

I loved this paragraph so much!  Yes, it is God's way for fruitfulness and faithfulness to come from being connected one generation to the next.   Knowing and receiving from our past generations and then being intentional to sow into those around us will bare fruit in the future.  

During our tea party, Anna started talking great grandma Nona (my mom) she called her "great grandma Nona that I never met".  She knows all about her.  She talks about her and she knows that she is in heaven with Jesus.   She is connected to her  through me, through her mom and through her sisters.  When she gets older she will hear many stories about her.  But she knows, already, the most important thing.  Great Grandma Nona loved Jesus and is in heaven with Him.  Her faith is being shared with Anna because of the spiritual lineage of our family.  

My encouragement to you today is to take this short paragraph to heart.  Look at the spiritual seeds in your past generations.  Think about taking time to share with those around you what is happening in your own spiritual journey.  Start right now leaving a spiritual legacy for future generations.  

Jesus, thank you so much for all these special times.  Thank you for the gifts and talents that you have placed into each of us.  Holy Spirit, give us courage to look at our past generations and open our eyes to the spiritual legacy that was given to us.  Jesus, help us to connect to those around us in open and honest ways.  Give us grace to share our spiritual journey with others.  Amen