For those of you who don't know & if it has not already been stated here or anywhere else, my heart has been turned to my fathers(& mothers). I love genealogy!

Turning hearts to the fathers

Recently I was asked to join the Family History class during the Sunday school hour. I got and family search and decided to also ask my grandfather(my birth dad’s father, who we call Tata) about my biological Chilean family, because I had nothing on them, and didn't even know dates and places for my abuelos or tias y tios. So, I might actually have to do some work for that side.


My grandpa (mom's dad) has done a lot of family history research for him and my grandma. So, I have a lot of info I got from him. So, to tell you the truth when I've attempted family history searches I kind of decided to let him continue, but now that think about it if something ever happens to him I'll have to continue where he left of. Which may be in like the 1600's in a foreign country. That would be harder then if I had just started from the beginning, huh?

My grandma (dad's mom) has done quite a bit of work on hers and grandpa's family too, so I also got lucky and received a bunch of family info from her. Though I don't also know how to work the program, but luckily great grandpa and his family did get delete forever when I tried to fix the mistake of putting somebody’s wife with the wrong husband.

I've been kind of proud of the fact that I have 3 families. I have my birthfather's, my mother's, and I got to be adopted into my father's too. So, I've felt special growing up, for one my mom's side I didn't really have any cousins on for awhile, and my birth father's and father's sides I have about 15 cousins on each. Though 1 of the cousin I counted is more recent. Now some my cousins have had kids. So, have like 13 2nd cousins on 1 and 4 on the other. Though to tell you the truth I kind of prefer to call them nieces and nephews, that's what my aunt says they call their primos' ninos in Chile.

I honestly have been interested in my fathers and mothers since I was a girl. My grandma had an old photo album of pictures her mother had, and when I went to visit them (which were often) I would ask sometimes if we could look at the pictures, and when we looked at them I asked who everyone was. Also I asked about my great grandparents quite a bit, because all my mom's grandparents past by the time I was born. Though my great grandpa was still alive (he was step, but he was more like a real grandfather to my mom, I feel he my great grandfather as well), but sadly he got sick before I could meet him.

I have also been curious about those people I have seen in pictures Tia and tata had in their living rooms, they were people I knew I was connected to, but didn't really know, and I only got little bits and pieces from my family about them. And a few years ago my Tia showed my pictures she had found in Chile from when my bisabuela (great grandmother) visited, and there I was with her at 1 week old. I had never thought I had met them til then, and I of course had not remembered this. As my brother might say"*Gasp* Cheryl doesn't remember!?" LOL! But, in defense of great memory of details and trivial things, I'd have to say that not many people remember things that happened when they were newborns. Not many people remember things that happened when they were 2. So, I'm glad I got to meet her, and I'm glad that I recently learned her name, and where she was born and when she married my bisabuelo(great grandfather).

So despite the fact that I kept giving up on the record researching of and on since I was 17, I'm going to know. But, I'm also asking any of my family who might have known them or know anything about them for info on them. If they like to tell me stories as well I'd love to hear them. I love stories about my ancestors; it makes me feel as if I know them better than before.

(Yes, my birt father and father are two different people. I usually say birth father about the 1 so it isn't confusing when I talk about my father as well, but it is usually confusing if I don't explain it first)

I'm only 1/128 Irish... :/ At least I'm Irish. That means I probably a lot less Scottish. But hey I McGregor/Douglas/Stewart/Bruce blood

Wonder if this mobile posting is ever going to work for me

Family for thought

I had this thought today when I was thinking about how to describe a family member who is just outside your more amidate family. Like you great uncle, who is your father's, mother's brother or something. Or you great great aunt who's like your mother's father's mother's sister. I thought it as like rings or circles, and they'd be in maybe the 2nd or 3rd circle. And your grandparents like the 1st with your parents and siblings. So then I thought about it like ripples in water, how the water makes on circle after another. I which case I thought this could apply to the first family and so on...

And while I was doing Math(like fractions and what not), I thought families could have some math in them too. Like my great grandfather was full Danish, my grandfather (1/2 Danish, 1/2 Czech), my mother(1/4 Danish, 1/4 Czech, 1/8 Swedish, 1/16 French, 1/16 Prussian, and etc.) -note one of my great grandfathers was British/Dutch mix with possible a drop or more of Native American blood- and me(1/2 Chilean-some kind of Spainish/Native South American mix-,1/8 Danish, 1/8 Czech, 1/16 Swedish, 1/32 French, 1/32 Prussian, etc...) So if some added 1/32 French and 1/16 Swedish how much would that be. Well it would be 1/4 Chilean, 1/16 Danish and Czech, 1/8 Swedish, 1/16 French, 1/32 Prussian. Just a math example/review sorry.

I guess I just like to compare things and think of metaphores, symblolisms, or poetic views. I get some of my creativity from my family too I think :)

Good byes...so hard...

So, seems like lately some people have left. Whether it is that they’re leaving town, state, our lives, or this mortal life. It seems all a part of life. People move, go off to school, go serve missions, move on, or pass away. It can make us sad to say good bye. And even if they aren't dead I think it's natural that some grieve their going in some way or to some extent still.


Who all as done this that I think on it now? Well, I know some people who have moved from the town I was in. Some people I met her have gone off to basic training (my cousin is doing well so far btw), or school. Some people back home are serving missionaries, and any cool missionaries that come along eventually get transferred elsewhere in the mission. Also who has moved on...hmm...I don't know of a recent example. I have in certain ways from certain things a little while ago. I also moved away in Nov. Who has passed on? My great aunt Eva died in Dec., my dad high school friend passed toward the end of last year, and recently Matt(Emily's husband). I will say I didn't really know any of them. I didn't really know Matt, but I know he is a good guy, and Emily really loves him. I know losing loved ones is hard, and I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose a husband, but I know it would be really hard to lose them. I'm glad that we have the temple, because we as Latter Day Saints have the comfort of knowing not only will we see Great grandparents, and parents again, but we'll see our spouses and any children we might have and get to be with them again. So, see goodbyes are only temporary.

So...what can I say now? Besides, to tell everyone goodnight and goodbye for now. God be with you all.

Somethings on my mind

I've had something on my mind, but it's a bit of a story, and it's a little too personal to post on a blog. Only 2 person really knows about it. It's nothing big or life threating, so don't worry. It's just sometimes I wish I could just talk about things on my mind. Share my thoughts. Get things out before they become so overwhelming or fill up my mind, that I just get frusted or forelorn or something. I spent too much of my teen years and earlier adult years walking around with thought running through my mind and sighing. I will remember fondly the rides my modre took me on to clear my mind. Through SE Portland, around Beaverton, Hillboro/Aloha, and a few times to the Portland, OR temple. I just wanted to feel the spirit, clear my mind. I'd look at the side of the temple and thought about life.

Anyways...sighing can get quite annoying, and doesn't do too much. So, I hope this helps me, so I'm less likely to start sighing. But let me just say once to be sure I get it out *sigh* "life..."

A Sobering Experince

I had secretly wanted to get caught in my other ward. I secretly wanted one of the bishop brick to finally ask me to give a talk. I figured it would happen, because that is what happen sorta when I got my last calling, but a las it was not to be. I even metioned that I hadn't given a talk since Primary, and 1 of them said "Oh, now that you mentioned it your going to get asked!" Still no. I thought, I probably won't get asked by this ward now, but I'll probably get asked at the next. At the time though I didn't want to give a talk in the new ward, I wanted to give at the ward I love! I wanted to talk to my people, the people I knew and loved! But, I guess my people there did not need to hear whatever I had to say or whatever I had to teach. Sure enough I did get caught here, and I kinda wanted to give a talk anyway. I have grown to appricate and perhaps even love the branch. I got asked today to give one next week, and then shortly after was asked to give the closing prayer today in Sacrement meeting.

I kept thinking how nervious I'd be and thought of the words in 1 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" except I didn't real recall the sound mind part. Just the power and love. Anyways, I was filled with a happiness, a calm, and a loving feeling just before I got up. I did focus a little more on my prayer then my fear, and made it out just fine. I could still feel my creeping anxity, but I didn't listen to it as much as I usually do.

So, my talk will be about "Sober". I was given a choice of words and I choice sober. I got a little paper that tells a little about the word and I have to go from there. I have to aim for 10-12 minutes, so that's not so bad.
And you know most people do tend to think "not drunk" when they think of sober, but the word can mean something more than that, but I won't get into that on this blog, because I still haven't done my talk. If you like I will tell you all my thoughts on Sober during or after my talk next Sunday. Though I don't even know if anyone in the branch even reads this blog.

Anyways Peace and Love unto you all, and God bless. Also remember to be Sober and Rightious

Trying

I'm trying to keep happy, but it's hard when someone you know has had something sad like death happen to them.

This has sort of helped when I thought about the death of friends or family
Faith In Adversity

90's timewarp

Wasn't I a cute lil kid?

Little update(Not quite in any particular order)

I ran into Rachael B. like a month before I left Oregon, and I have her contact info, so that was awesome! Amy I found on facebook, but she hasn't responed yet...oh well!

4 out of 5 tests! I might have to do one over again. I started the Math classes and I think it was mostly just that I needed to review somethings again.

I think I've made a few friends here, but some left for college the beginning of Jan.

My cousin's in basic, but I haven't really heard any updates so far.

I love living here! I like living with my family! I love little Cricket dad's shih tzu!

Recently I got to visit with Emily and Brian, my cousins who visited from Montana. Joseph has gotten so big! It was cute when he met his new cousin Kylee!

I learned how to make delicious Romanian Cabbage Rolls! I made candy cane cookies and cathdral windows for Christmas, and Great Grandma's famous coffee cake for Christmas brunch! This week I made Tuna Caserole, and tried a new topping that was so yummy! Plan to make Paula Deen's Creamy Mac & Cheese and Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler(both from the "Slow Cookin'" episode and availble on Food Network) for dinner. I can't wait both are sooo yummy! I like to eat the left over cobbler for breakfast! Shhh! Don't tell anyone! LOL!

A classic huge dinner(I helped w/ the yummy Nacho Caserole) with the Conders/Fowlers and the missionaries

What else...few tid bits I might tell you via text of phone chat, so if you got my # or I have yours maybe we can have a chat.

I think I had a cold, lately my allergies like to trick me though. I'm feeling better though so...yeah.

Anything else? No...not really. Oh, I got hit in the head by a dodge ball, I wasn't even in the game! I preticipated in one round! I've preticipated in volley ball, missionary tag, and kick ball games @ fhe. I did pretty well serving in volly ball I guess.

It's sad when there is no more fudge, and not just because we ate it all, but because we ate it all.

Uploads for January 2010 (132 photos), by Cheryl Folwer

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