Winter celebrations - January and February birthdays- leaving a Spiritual Legacy!

 Yesterday our family celebrated Grace's sixth birthday with a party at the Ball Factory!  This place was made for fun for those under 12 years old.  Us older folks had fun watching the sliding, ball shooting, climbing and driving fun of all the little ones.  Even Jimmy (and Doug) had fun exploring all of the activities.  

It was so much fun and I am sure that the parents took home some very tired kids.  These winter birthday's make it hard to have large groups in your home, so finding an indoor activity with a party room is surely the way to go!

Anna's birthday is actually January 30th.  It's hard to believe that she is nine years old! Her party was going to be an ice skating party on their lake, but sadly (or gladly depending on your perspective) it has been so warm that the lake was not frozen.  However, there was a week of snow and cold and blowing before her party, which was changed to an indoor roller skating party.  Sadly, I had to miss that party because of the snow/ice conditions that made driving impossible for me.  However - I did get to spend the actual day of her birthday with her!

I also got to be with Grace on her actual birthday - February 1st.  It was a school day for her so I saw her for a few minutes before her bus came. 

 And then I got to stay for dinner and celebrate with Doug, Susie and Jimmy.  So thankful for that time with Grace.

I am so thankful to be able to be with the kids on their special days.  So many of my friends are far away from their children and grandchildren.  Every time I drive away from a time with my family, I am filled with gratitude for the chance I have to be with them.  I really don't take this for granted.

Today I happened to be glancing at my emails and found a notification from Ancestry.com that I had a new "hint" in my family tree.  I only occasionally look at the DNA site, so it had been some time since I checked it out.  The new hint was about my great-great-grandmother with a confirmation about her death date/burial information.  I was so surprised when I looked at it and it was in the County that Doug and Susie actually live in!  In fact, the Lutheran Church and Cemetery is about 45 minutes from my house.  As soon as I can, I will be making a trip to that cemetery to see if I can actually find her grave.  And to add to my fascination with this information, this two times great grandmother of mine is not directly connected to the three times great grandfather of mine, who was buried very close to my current church (about 50 minutes from my house).  My mother never had any idea that so many of her relatives lived and died in the Chicago area.  And I am finding this information all because of a DNA test that I did several years ago.  I wish my mom could have known this information.  She would have been pleased to know that we did have roots in Illinois.  

My current writing project is about the Spiritual Heritage that we have through the prayers and life experiences of our past ancestors.  Both of these long ago ancestors of mine, Martha Larson and Lars Rokne were buried at Lutheran Church graveyards.  Both were members of the Lutheran Church.  Lars Rokne was actually the Music director and teacher at his church.  Sadly, the church and graveyard of his final resting place was torn down/moved in the early 1900's.  He died in 1856.  So I was never able to get any further information or see his grave.  But now I will be able to pay my respects at the grave of my great great grandmother Martha who died in 1904.  It brings reality to the concept of a Spiritual Heritage.  These two people made a choice to keep Jesus as an important part of their life.  And while this may seem like an unusual idea, make it a point to pray for your future generations.  Ask Jesus to continue to bring blessings on your family.  Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance as to how to pray.  Leave a Spiritual legacy that will bless your family in the future.  

At church we are doing a series on the Gospel of John.  Each week Pastor Dave has been unpacking things from each chapter.  Beginning at around chapter 13,  he is calling this the "Last Will and Testament" of Jesus.  The final things that Jesus wanted to leave with his disciples.  Last fall when Pastor Dave announced that he would be preaching on the book of John all through the school year, I was not particularly excited.  If there is any one book of the Bible that I have studied and studied, read and re-read over the years, it is John.   I have done at least three very in-depth Bible studies on that book.  What an eye-opening year this has been for me.  I have learned things every week and have really gone so much deeper into John than I could have imagined.  After today's service I was thinking about learning new things no matter HOW old you are.  I am certainly getting older - but I am also continuing to learn new things.   So thankful for the chance to learn and grow! And so thankful for this Spiritual legacy that Jesus left for us.  

Jesus, thank you for knowing how much we would need your words of direction in our lives.  Thank you for the inspiration that John was given to pen these words so that we have them over two thousand years later.  Holy Spirit, guide our prayers for our friends, our families and our generations.  Give us the words to say to those younger than us, to pass on all that you have done for us.  Help us have courage and boldness to share our testimony and to stand firm under tough circumstances.  Thank you for placing us in families, in churches and in communities that need your light.  Help us shine in the darkness!  Amen