The Eternal Family Ties That Bind

22 years ago began a journey for me that has pretty much become an addiction. A good addiction, but an addiction none-the-less. My dad started being the genealogist in the family, it interested him from the start when we joined the LDS church in 1976. We would attend family reunions back in Harper, Kansas for the Burkes, Newberry's and Howells. My Great Grandma Eda Susan Newberry gave my dad a lot of stuff. My dad has always remained interested in our genealogy but gave over the research duties to me in 1991 when he sent me a small box of long pedigree charts and family group sheets in a Book of Remembrance. Kind of like the picture here, only the paper ones, and not as nice. Pink pedigree charts and yellow family group sheets. :)

So in my curiosity I decided to just look around once along with Joe, Amanda (age 3) and Zachary, who at that time was only a few months old, pushing them both in the double stroller we had around the BYU genealogy library. Well just one time turned into many years of research adventures. I never knew then I would be stepping into a future of thousands of names found, about 6 large file boxes and several notebooks full of information! Research has been so fun for me and a bit of a challenge too. I loved going about once a week to BYU, usually Zachary was with me, but not always, Joe would watch the kids and I'd go on my own, especially as they got older. Even two additional kids later, sometimes I'd be toting a baby in a stroller on my research adventures, sometimes not.



BYU Library

As someone who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that this great work of searching our ancestors is important to do their precious saving ordinances for them in the LDS temples of the world.
The research we do leads us to be sealed or bound to our families. The ties that bind us for Eternity.

Matthew 16: 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.



LDS Family History Library Salt Lake City, UT

I also love going to the Salt Lake City Family History Library. I'm like a kid in a candy store. So many books and films, so little time. I remember once (yes, this is true, I don't kid) I asked if I could pitch a tent inside the library. Half joking and knowing they wouldn't, but seriously would have found a Walmart in SLC and bought a tent if they let me.....or an air mattress and sleeping bag at the very least. But, no dice.

I've enjoyed finding pictures and stories most of all. It's been so much fun discovering tidbits of information on my ancestors. My ancestor George Guest Russell fought for both the North and the South in the Civil War. I have many ancestors on both my mom and dad's side who fought for the Revolutionary War, Civil War, War of 1812, Spanish-American War, etc. I've discovered pensions and DAR records and many other things. My ancestors were from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, France, Switzerland and Canada.
I'm also glad I got my sister-in-law Kathleen interested in genealogy. She has found a lot of things and as far as the more recent technology of the LDS church on familysearch.org, she knows her way around it better than I do, so we help each other!
I love genealogy and I love my eternal family.


Templeton Family Bible




3rd great grandparents John Arnold Burke and Matilda McIntosh & family.
 





Third great grandparents Norman Allen Newberry and Sarah Thomas.

 

 

Janel Newberry born 14 Jan 1965 in San Diego, CA daughter of Danny Allen Newberry and Judith Lynn Meyer.
Grandparents:
Norman Allen Newberry and Barbara Mae Howell
Edward Charles Meyer and Virginia Elizabeth Owens

Great Grandparents:
Fred Herbert Newberry and Eda Susan Templeton
Theodore Ernest Howell and Lida Luella Burke
Charles Frederick Meyer and Minnie Alma Lexow
William Harrison Owens and Lorene Gertrude Russell

2nd great Grandparents:
Norman Allen Newberry and Sarah Thomas
Henry Lafayette Templeton and Ellen Meathers
George Washington Howell and Margaret Eliza Hickey
Charles Arnold  Burke and Priscilla Beatrice "Twix" Wohlford
John Meyer Jr. and Katherine Ohlweiler
Johan Christensen Fredriksen Lexow and Sophia Maria Dorthea Maier/Meyer
James Madison Owens and Jessie Taylor McCutchen
Elijah Lafayette Russell and Irene Eliza Ann Beavers




Meyer Family Bible



Grandma and Grandpa Edward Charles Meyer and Virginia Elizabeth Owens






3rd Great Grandparents:

 

Benjamin C. Newberry and Adeline Hurley

George Downing Thomas and Mary Batson

William George B. Templeton and Nancy Glover

Henry Meathers and Sarah Ann Griffith

Wamun Mansfield Howell and Margaret Jones

Sandy A. Hickey and Rhoda Tilley

John Arnold Burke and Matilda McIntosh

William C. Wohlford and Matilda N. Keck

John Georg Myer and Barbara Elizabeth

Jacob Johann Ohlweiler and Maria Elisabetha Imig

Charles Lexow and Carolina Holtz

Ernst Maier/Meyer and Caroline Warber

William Randolph Riley Owens and Nancy Narcissus Wilson

Charles Harrison McCutchen and Nancy Elizabeth Taylor

George Guest Russell and Sarah Jane McDonald

Albert K. Beavers and Sarah L. Harris

4th great grandparents:

John Newberry and Hannah Clayton
Dennis Hurley and Mary Connell
Abraham Thomas and Arlinda Gardiner
Stephen Batson and Aletha McDorman
George Hiram Templeton and Margaret Peggy Turpin
Jesse Glover
John Henry Meathers and Ellen
John Griffith and Eliza
Lewis Howell and Jerusha Duncan
Ammond Davis Jones and Elizabeth Tatum Grimes
Elijah Hickey and Sarah Saylors
Henderson Tilley and Mary Cardwell
William Herbert Burke and Barbara Comstock
James Mackintosh and Cecelia Mather
George Wohlford and Priscilla Stahl
Godfrey Kick III and Mary Ann Wolf
Johann Adam Ohlweiler and Maria Margaretha Weber
Johann Jacob Imig and Elizabeth Rausch
Christian Lexow and Caroline Tenajahn
John Holtz
Joseph Owens and Epsie Caroline Gunter
William Tanner Wilson and Rachel
William Walker McCutchen and Margaret Frances Elizabeth Harrison
Leander Jasper Taylor and Mary Ann Pollock
Elijah Russell and Sally Guest
Eli McDonald and Sarah Crouch
Reuben Beavers and Mary Headen



Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple

Waiting for 2014

Seems strange to say that a 48 year old grandma is waiting on a missionary, but I am! No, he's not my son or grandson, or nephew or any relation at all. But, I'm not alone, thousands of people are waiting for this missionary to return, and of all ages. He is preaching the gospel like any other missionary but he is special and different because of who he is, American Idol star David Archuleta. "I can't wait to bring back the person I will become" David exclaimed in a video blog he left for the fans. David also left his fans music, pictures, and videos before he left to keep the fans happy, preoccupied, and interested so we will be here when he returns. What an amazing young man he is, and there is nobody who could be more proud (OK, except maybe his family).

 

In January of 2012 before David left on his mission, I made a scrapbook for David, listing his fans who lived in various LDS temple districts and though most of the fans listed are not LDS, after explaining to them the scrapbook, they agreed to have their names in the scrapbook. Through the help of Geri in Utah I was able to get this to his family. I am wanting to do something else, starting it maybe in a few weeks and as a Christmas or coming home present for David (haven't decided). Additions to the list of fans who will wait for him will start right away. It will not be another scrapbook, and what I do hasn't been decided yet, but I will try and decide soon.

I've decided to just share one video of the start of my scrapbook. The others can be found on my YT under SRHS83 or Rochelle Dawn.

Planting the Seeds of the Gospel

Imagine with me if you will a seed buried in the ground, a little too deep perhaps, but there, and in the shade, out of the reach of any water source. Then, with the care of the grounds keeper, one day reaches a little further with the sprinklers, trims back the trees near where the seed was planted to allow sunlight on his garden, then finally hope reaches the little seed and it grows, and is fertilized and more seed is created from it and more new life springs from it.

My testimony was buried deep for so long, and as my younger brother told me, it was there, but I denied it was. I wasn't feeling or seeing anything that would make me think differently, in fact the adversary helped things along by making what anti-mormons and ex-mormons said against the gospel make sense to me and my testimony grew ever more hidden, shaded from the light of Christ and my thirst for the knowledge of the truth was no longer there.
Heavenly Father had his time and plan for me to return, and perhaps he wanted me to return earlier, but I wouldn't listen as it was just easy for me to become complacent in my daily routines, and make excuses for not believing anymore or going to church. But the ray of sunshine came in the form of a hymn, one which I had sung in church when I was a young adult, but had long forgotten over time. The delivery of the song came from a young man with the voice of an angel, David Archuleta. It hit me so strong listening to it on Youtube from a fireside where he sang it. I listened over and over and used tissues cluttered up my desk and the floor around me, but I couldn't stop. Later that same day, I had passed the temple, and I had this feeling of a pull toward it, like a magnet almost. Then back the other direction I passed it again on my way home with the same pull toward it, only stronger. This time I had to pull over because the feeling hit me so hard. I asking God what was happening, why was I feeling this way now, and the message was sure, that it was the music I had been listening to and I need to keep listening. This burst of sunshine to my testimony was the beginning of a journey eventually leading back to the church. (more of the story can be found in another blog I did here about Be Still My Soul).

As my testimony has grown, so too has my desire to spread the gospel, to be a voice for my Father in Heaven and for my Savior, and to never deny the truthfulness of the gospel ever again. The spirit dwells strong in me at times, and I can discern the spirit in others, David included. I have had the thrill of sending 4 Books of Mormon to some young people on the FB group "Learn About David Archuleta and His Religion "Mormon". One a young man Elysion in Taiwan, one to Cherry Mariano in the Philippines, (those two included testimonies from David), one to a young girl Virginia "Gin" in New York, and one to another young lady Cinthya Mendoza in Ecuador (with testimonies from me). I know and see the testimony of sweet young Gin, and I know she wants to be baptized and is looking forward to being able to drive herself to church. A new seed planted and a testimony growing. I have seen the work of our Father in Heaven reach and touch the life of Cinthya through her going to church, and now attending Institute classes, and she is slowly but surely reading the Book of Mormon. And I can see that her testimony will probably start to develop soon, through the examples of young people her age at the Institute classes and through missionaries which will be coming to her home soon.
I hope some day though that through my example and how happy my own children see me, that perhaps they will seek and return to the gospel I love and have a testimony for themselves. I pray for it all the time and hope for it. I just have to have faith.

Though Gin has not been baptized yet, I can already see her sharing her testimony and I see that testimony touching other people's hearts. I love these young people and love doing my part to bring the light of the gospel to their lives.
I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for giving me Be Still My Soul as my beacon, and reminder that I am where I'm supposed to be. I'm grateful for my testimony and I know this gospel is true, I know it as the spirit has testified it to me. I know God lives and I am his daughter, I know Jesus is the Christ and my redeemer, I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know it with every fiber of my being. I hope I can help plant the seed of the gospel in the lives of more people, and see their testimonies grow and see them be baptized, then in turn they will share their testimonies with others, and so on. Planting the seeds of the gospel, seeing them grow with their testimonies, and planting more seeds to touch more lives with His truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Update: Cinthya was baptized on July 21st, 2013. I'm so happy for her!! :)

Remembering Christ in Christmas

A week or two ago I was feeling frustrated and worried about not having enough money to buy a lot of gifts for Christmas. I drove Alyssa to a party this evening and on my way home was mesmerized by the lights and decorations on homes in my neighborhood. I loved them all but especially one I saw with a beautiful manger scene in the front yard. Just by chance I was listening to my Christmas From the Heart CD by David Archuleta. "Oh Holy Night" was the song playing.  I had realized earlier today that it was 3 years ago this date that Alyssa, Kaili and I went to his Christmas concert, the tour for the same album. I continued to listen to the rest of the album in my parked car outside my apartment. With tears in my eyes my realization that helping others and giving to others, not with Christmas presents but in other ways is really what Christmas is all about. Not the hustle and bustle of black Friday, fighting over a $2 item that you or the recipient of your gift might not even need.
Money is a little bit better at the moment, though far from ideal, but today I was able to help my oldest daughter with some things she needs. That felt good to be able to do for her and seriously, my worries about being able buy Christmas presents was melted away when I helped her.
So back to Christ in Christmas. I remember the simple movie that so many of us know and watched when we were kids. Charlie Brown's Christmas. The part where Linus tells the story of the birth of the Saviour as is in the bible. The moment gave a light of hope in the commercialized Christmas being worried about in the story.
The birth of our Saviour needs to find it's way back into Christmas or otherwise if we "x" that out, it just becomes "x"-mas. My encouragement to anyone reading this blog; Find a neighbor, a friend or even a family member in need to do something for this Christmas. The gift that feels the heart with hope is far greater than the gift that you stick under a tree.

Luke 2: 8-14
8: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9: And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12: And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13:And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


Merry Christmas to all my friends and family. And hope for a prosperous and joyous 2013 and beyond.

To Begin With Me

After reading David Archuleta's thank you letter to his Father in Heaven, the people who worked with him on his "Begin." album, and especially the fans, my mind is filled with so many thoughts and emotions.
Instead of the letter I'll give the link to Archuleta Fanscene where they shared it. http://archuletafanscene.com/2012/08/04/david-archuletas-begin-thank-yous/
Even though "Begin." is the name of David's album and I've began this post talking about him, this is actually not about him, but about me, and where I need my life to change directions and begin a new course.

Skinnier me in 1990

I know my health is not the greatest right now but I don't have the money or insurance to go to the doctor at this time. I know that if I lose weight my health will improve. My daughter Amanda is attending school right now to be a personal trainer. She said she wants to train me and help me to lose weight. I know I need to but I hope she'll be careful and not push too hard because of my sciatic pain. Over doing it can trigger the pain. I know though that if I lose weight this will help take pressure off my legs and back and that will help.
Just like anyone else I have weaknesses with things, and things I'm easily prone to fall into temptation with and the adversary knows this. I've been reading the Book of Mormon and most recently the Doctrine & Covenants where God clearly states that if we don't do what He says, we have no promise but He is bound when we do what He asks of us. Do what He says, the blessings will flow and don't and He won't be with me. I have to keep my mind straight on the path that leads to eternal life. I love how David talks about how God illuminates the way when the paths are hard so we can get through them. Isn't that true with any of us?

I know one thing I struggle with is feeling secure about my voice and being able to sing well. I have said before to others I think I can sing ok, but I lack in skills to read notes and have to rely on my ear to change up notes and what key it's in to suit my contra alto voice. Though, I have no idea what key I'm changing things in because I don't read notes. I'm a member of the Chauntenettes LDS Women's Choir and when our choir director Margaret tells us to sing a certain note or to "step" down or all these other things in music, I have no clue what she's talking about. I have to hear it on the piano or from the person singing next to me. In D&C 60 God tells us to not be idle with our time and waste our talents. I felt like that was for me because I have felt strong about singing and that I should sing but I haven't developed my talent to it's full potential.  I guess I can try to read notes but It's all so foreign to me. But, I will try, and I will sing more.

Chauntenettes LDS Women's choir

I need to begin to attend the temple more. I feel so blessed to live so close to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and even though I go a couple times a month, there's no reason why I shouldn't go more, especially since right now I don't have a job and really won't start working again until school is in session. I feel so close to Heavenly Father and my Savior when I'm in the temple and feel inner peace I'm looking for away from the world. I also have tons of temple cards to go through online before I can get their work done. I can't keep putting my ancestors in a holding pattern waiting for their work to be done. They were names submitted by my sis-in-law Kathleen in 2006 (when I wasn't active in the church at the time), but since LDS family search changed their website to www.new.familysearch.org, names not reserved by anyone but previously submitted were put as "ready" for anyone to do the temple work. Because of that we have found that about 2/3 of the names that were submitted are already done. Unfortunately some of the names that are completed are our direct ancestors which both my brother Allen and I really wanted to do foremost before the extended family names. Once Kathleen and I are finished going through all the cards, we'll probably have some of my nieces and nephews do the baptisms and confirmations then we'll do the other work. No more procrastinating.

Mt. Timpanogos Temple, American Fork, Utah

I also need to substitute teach more and figure out other ways to make money for my family. I can't depend on Joe's ability to pay me alimony and child support or to live on that money alone. Right now he doesn't have a job, so not sure what is going to happen with his ability to pay me if that doesn't change. I need to rely on myself to make money, and budget money better too.
Begin to make things happen in my life. Don't be idle. Develope my talents. Take better care of me. Begin to live better. Begin to have confidence in myself. Just Begin.

Courage, Confidence and Character

Amanda at Camp Cloud Rim summer 2000

As someone who has been a Girl Scout leader for 12 years I try hard to live by the Girl Scout mission, to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. I started out as a co-leader with my daughter Amanda's Junior troop, when she was in 5th grade. I've been my daughter Alyssa's leader since she was in 2nd grade, and she is currently in 10th grade. 

I've seen so many young women who used to be my Girl Scouts grow up and have success. I figured out that I've had over 200 girls in my care as their leader. I can't imagine a better place to be!

Brownie troop 1011 Macey's trip. Alyssa kneeling, pink pants

My daughter Alyssa has been a Girl Scout since she was a Daisy. I started being her leader in second grade. She wasn't in a troop in Daisies, just an independent member and someone else was her leader in 1st grade because I was a leader of a different troop at the time. Alyssa has grown in Girl Scouts with more confidence. She started out being so shy to sell cookies and now she makes plans on how to sell the most cookies. She has been our troop's top seller for 5 or 6 years now. She's not a camper like her sister was. She'll go if I go. She is a program aide. Program aides help at various activities and in our service unit the program aides run our day camp. She has helped run our day camp now for 3 years. We are having a Fall day camp next week which she also has helped to make decisions and will run various activies along with some other girls.


Alyssa and Kaili with stuffed animals collected for the children in Afghanistan

Update April 2012, Silver awards and certificates

Along with her best friend Kaili, Alyssa has earned her silver award and will be presented to them at next April's award banquet. They followed the example of their idol, David Archuleta and helped children out through various ways with service. The place where they put most of their 50+ hours of service was collecting items for the children in remote villiages in Afghanistan. Mainly stuffed animals, school supplies, tooth brushes and floss. They also did free babysitting, giving gift bags to children in the hospital, collecting food items for low income families with small children for Thanksgiving, and giving their time at places like the Gingerbread festival and our local children's library. I'm proud of them and their time spent to earn it. Just started my 13th year as a leader (13 "actual" years will be in March). I have 46 girls in my troop and love it! I have fantastic leaders who are so helpful in my quest to make our troop be a place girls love to attend with fun activities, field trips and camps for them to go to. Our troop has rented Trefoil Ranch (Girl Scout camp) in a few weeks from now. Going to take them on some hikes and have some fun tracking and trail sign games. Help my older girls to earn their backpacking badge and my Juniors to earn their Camp Together badge. Going to be a fun year!

Bell Tower at Girl Scout Trefoil Ranch, Provo Canyon

One Mission Decision

I make no qualms about the fact that I am a fan of David Archuleta. It is because of him, his music, his testimony and his example that I am active back in the LDS church once again. He and David Osmond's personal testimony to me to return to church have changed my life for the better.

On December 19th at the My Kind of Christmas concert with David Archuleta, he made the announcement during his encore that he would be serving a full time mission. The crowd exploded and was behind him.

I was happy for him from the beginning but admittedly sad too because I knew I would miss him. My emotions and thoughts were a mixed mess on the way back home from the concert.
My thoughts were turned to noticing how calm everything was. No wind, so peaceful. My mixed thoughts soon turned into a calmness similar to the night air I was noticing. I had assurity in my thoughts that this calling for David was from Heavenly Father and that we as fans did not have the right to be possessive of him or his time. The time he spends on his mission will be for our Father in Heaven, teaching the gospel to those who will hear.
The morning of New Years eve I decided to use my new video camera and on my video I included a message to David and a song for him. "In the Hollow of Thy Hand" by Janice Kapp Perry. I wish David all the success on his mission and that the Lord will keep him safe. God bless him!

The speaking part of my video is a little soft, so this is what I said:

"Hi David! I know a lot of people have sent video messages and I didn’t take my chance yet to do that so here I am.

I wanted to let you know that being at the concert during your mission announcement was incredible! The crowd was so loud and behind you and you felt it with such emotion. Your decision hasn’t been easy for everyone but I feel in my heart that it is a calling from our Father in Heaven because I could feel the spirit so strong in the room.

I was reading in 2^nd Nephi today and was touched by chapter 32:3. Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

After reading it, some thoughts came to my mind. I know that through Heavenly Father we get personal revelation in our own lives and I know this is the feeling you get from the Holy Spirit when you talked at BYU Idaho how you do what you do for Him and because of Him. And at your announcement you said you need to follow that feeling you’ve always felt that directed you in your life.

. Though I will miss you I am proud of your decision, knowing too that it couldn’t have been an easy one to make. When and where you’re going is a well kept secret because nobody knows who aren’t in your family or closest friends, or those leaders in your ward who know. I hope wherever it is that you are kept safe and that you come back home safe and to the loving arms of your family and friends and will be able to be here again for your fans

So many fans have vowed to be here for you when you return from your mission. I’m putting together a scrapbook for you which will center around the LDS temples of the world and a list of fans who live near these temples who have vowed to be here for you and show their support for you. I hope to be able to present it to you before you leave for your mission but will share the pages here on your fan groups too so you and the fans can see it before you leave.

I was so touched by the fan videos and with those and my own personal experiences I know what an influence you are on countless people. People like me who have brought the gospel back into their lives, or have become baptized because they want to know what it is you’re all about so they seek the truth. People who have become better and more faithful in their own religions whatever they may be. People who have given service because of your example, or who have had the courage to share their talents because of your encouragement.

You are more than just an idol to us David, you’re a shining example of what kind of people we want to be. The people in whatever country you go to teach will be surely blessed that you are their missionary. For you, I want to give you my own personal gift of a song sung at many a missionary farewell. I tried to find sheet music for it that also wouldn’t cost way too much to ship but I wasn’t successful. So, I’m going to sing it a cappella so bare with me because just like you, I’m not a morning singer, though you sing better in the mornings than I do. The song is called In the Hollow of Thy Hand."

.

.In the Hollow of Thy Hand by Janice Kapp Perry

Dear Lord who blesses us with love

Please send this day thy spirit from above.

As this thy son, accepts a call from thee

Help him we pray to learn humility.

Direct his footsteps everyday

And keep him ever walking in thy ways

Inspire him as he spreads the gospel plan

Lord, hold him in the hollow of thy hand

Chorus:

In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man

Help his understanding deepen and increase

In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man

Let him know the special blessing of thy peace.

Dear Lord, who hears and answers prayers,

Please keep thy servant always in thy care

As he prepares to teach his fellow men

Oh keep him safe and bring him home again.

Protect him from all worldly ways

And always send they spirit when he prays.

Give him the courage of a righteous man

Just hold him in the hollow of thy hand

(Chorus)

(last Chorus)

In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man

Help his understanding deepen and increase

As he faces life’s demands, may he take a valiant stand.

Give him shelter in the hollow of thy hand.

Edit Nov 24, 2012. David has been gone now almost 8 months and he is in the Racangua, Chile mission. He already has been able to sing at a couple of music devotionals and will be doing some Christmas ones next month for the people in Chile. This time on his mission really is going by quickly. I love this time of year because seriously, nobody sings Christmas songs like David. Today is also the 3rd anniversary of when Alyssa, Kaili and I saw him in concert for his Christmas From the Heart tour. Amazing memories. Seems like yesterday!  In just a few weeks will be one year ago when David made his mission announcement. Wow!