FamilySearch and My Grandfather

On September 8, 2020 I read this on my FamilySearch message page:

2 August 2020

Hi,

In cleaning out my grandmother and great grandmother's things, I have an original photo of Marion L. Harris that I'd love to share with a family member. If you know the best address or contact of Marion's descendant, I'm happy to put it in the mail.

Thanks…

As it turns out, the person that reached out on FamilySearch isn’t a relative, but had in her possession a picture of my grandfather.  Through her research she was able to reach out on FamilySearch.org asking for anyone who is his descendant to reply to her message.  

Here is the photo I received in the mail after I replied to her message. My parents and my siblings had never seen it before.  I am so grateful for the effort this person went to so I can have this original 1917 photograph of my grandfather, Marion L. Harris.  

What is FamilySearch.org, you ask?   You can find out for yourself by clicking here.  Anyone can sign up for this free service.  

This is a screen shot from a page on FamilySearch.org which shows some of the activities you can do.  I got to this page by clicking here.  

 

Find out for yourself how easy it is to track your family tree.  

Welcome Ryan!

Saturday we had a wonderful day in Logan, Utah participating in the wedding of Ryan and Lisa.  They say a picture is worth 1,000 words.  Enjoy the pictures.  

Please Pass the Popcorn

Last Christmas Rachel gave us a Popco microwave popcorn popper.  We love it!  She got the gift idea from Mel's Kitchen Cafe post titled:  "Mel's Holiday Gift Guide..."

This is what Mel said about the gift:

 Microwave Popcorn Popper {aff. link}:  after many years, my last microwave popcorn popper went kaput. Enter this new fun popper! It works exactly how it should, and it means my kids make popcorn for after school snack 4/5 days of the week.  

This is what I say about the gift:

After years of not eating popcorn very often, we are now regular popcorn eaters thanks to this new way to make popcorn.  It is also fun to make a popcorn snack for our grandkids.  When I was in Idaho helping with the arrival of Janelle's new baby, every day at 4:00 we paused what ever we were doing and had a popcorn popping and eating break.  The grandkids loved it.

I also give this away as wedding gift along with a jar of Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn  whenever I get the chance to.  This is the note I include with the gift:

I know it is a gift that is appreciated because of this thank you note I received written by a newlywed husband who was the recipient of the popcorn maker:  

"Thank you so much for your kind wedding gift.  *Susie has frequently said she used the popcorn maker more than any wedding gift we've received.  She loves it, as do l..."

*the name has been changed.  

Please pass the popcorn!  

Entertaining Toddlers

Several years ago, my daughter observed a toddler playing with a version of the two middle containers and told me about this brilliant, entertaining, free toy.  I've been collecting milk jug lids and containers ever since.

Just unscrew the lid of your homemade toy, dump out the milk lids and watch your toddler entertain himself by putting the lids back into the container.  You can also review color names as he/she adds them to the container.

Here is another view of the tops of the container. 

Have fun!  

Wise Words from Elder Holland

This great advice from Elder Jeffery Holland was posted on his Facebook page this morning.  I have highlighted the parts of his message that stood out to me.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, it has been interesting for me to have so many meetings, trips, and public speaking assignments canceled and to spend more time with myself. That is something that I don’t get a lot of opportunity to do.

For any of us, it’s an interesting experience to be the only person in the room and ask yourself whether you like the company. Personally, I’d say that there are some things I like about Jeff Holland, but some other things need work and improvement. I like to call this time alone with yourself “character time.” It’s a good exercise to ask hard questions and hope you like what you’re able to answer.

In my normal life, I would have a few moments each day to pray and be in the scriptures. Now, I’ve had day after day where I can spend hours praying and being in the scriptures. That is a luxury that I didn’t know I’d ever have again. I hope when things go back to normal—whatever normal is going to be—that I don’t forget the feelings and experiences I’ve had during these months of reflection and solitude.

The scriptures testify of God’s hope that we will turn to him voluntarily—His hope that we will choose to be reflective, righteous, and contemplative in a way that will all lead to His grand purpose and to our improvement. There are many ways that we can learn to be more careful, more thoughtful, more grateful, more spiritual—and I believe that for many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of those ways. We would be foolish to miss out on this sacred opportunity to search our souls, do a little repenting, and look for how we can be better and kinder.

This picture with Elder Holland was taken in 2006 during the Arcadia Stake Conference

Entertainment during the COVID-19 Quarantine Season

Here's some great entertainment to watch during the COVID-19 quarantine season. This is music that I call truly Americana because it is so unique to the backcountry of the U.S.A. This particular number, The Orange Blossom Special, actually mimics the sounds, rhythm, and pace of an old-time locomotive train... can you hear it?

Click onto the arrow to watch the performance. 

You can also get to the video by clicking here.  

This is what the Kempter's youtube page says about the video:

Chris (with all his twins...or are they?) battles it out for a place in the band. Song of choice is The Orange Blossom Special. Hope you enjoy! If you would like to purchase this song or look into our other music, please click on the link below! https://thekempters.com/new-products-1/ Chris Kempter - Fiddle, Chaz Kempter - Guitar Nathan Kempter - Bass, Danielle Kempter - Keys JoAnna Kempter - Mandolin Website - https://thekempters.net FB - The Kempters - https://www.facebook.com/TheKempterFa... Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thekempters/

Here's a seasoned band playing the same song.  I'd say they are ready to shake the barn down with the help of the clog dancer at the end.

The Eric Tackett Productions youtube channel said this about the video:

I filmed this awesome video live, on the front row, during the Museum of Appalachia Fall Homecoming. Close to the end of the performance, we didn't know what was coming when a talented clog dancer started shaking the whole barn. He almost danced the barn down...literally! (buck dancing)

Who, Mx?

Rxmxmbxr thx days of using typxwritxrs?  This is onx of my favoritx handouts from back in thx day.

Love Is Spoken Here

I was listening to the Tabernacle Choir Channel the other day when the song, Love Is Spoken Here was played.  A feeling of peace came over me as I listened.  My mind went back to my childhood.  I am grateful I was raised in a home where love was spoken.

With all this craziness going on in the world today with the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest, I was happy to be reminded that we can have peace during this time as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and put Him first in our lives. 

You can listen to the song by clicking onto the video 

I thought of my mother as I heard these words: 

"Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears, 

And I am thankful love is spoken here."

Love is Spoken Here 

by Janice Kapp Perry

I see my mother kneeling with our family each day.

I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.

Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears,

And I am thankful love is spoken here.

Mine is a home where ev'ry hour is blessed by

The strength of priesthood pow'r,

With father and mother leading the way,

Teaching me how to trust and obey;

And the things they teach are crystal clear,

For love is spoken here.

I can often feel the Savior near

When love is spoken here.

I enjoyed learning the background of how Janice Kapp Perry came to write the song.

Count Your Many Blessings.....

This past weekend we received these pictures of our latest 4 grandchildren (along with an older grand daughter) who were born into our family within the past 6 months.  

As we thought of these sweet grandchildren, the hymn Count Your Blessings came to our mind.  You see, each of these 4 grandchildren spent some time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) after birth. Yet, we count our blessings that they are here, and are doing well. The greatest blessing is knowing that our Heavenly Father is real, is near, and knows us and our family members personally. We count that as our greatest blessing.

Count Your Blessing

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Chorus:

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your blessings;

See what God hath done.

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings;

See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Chorus

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings; money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Chorus

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Chorus

Text: Johnson Oatman Jr., 1856–1922

Music: Edwin O. Excell, 1851–1921

An Aaronic Priesthood Choir from Stakes in Layton sings, "Count Your Blessings."

April 2019 General Conference.

Click onto the arrow to listen

Music Brought to You Because of COVID-19

This COVID-19 pandemic has brought to my attention a new way to make and share music while in being quarantined.  And it is through virtual choirs.  ❤️

I was happy when this beautiful song came across my YouTube feed. The message of this song's title, "How Can I Keep from Singing" is so fitting after listening to the video. It's amazing to me to see that these talented people from New York were brought together through the Internet in perfect harmony.

This is what Matt Podd's YouTube site said about this video:

Featuring... Grace Chorale of Brooklyn https://www.gracechorale.org/ First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyq-... First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn https://fpc.church/ Music arranged, orchestrated, produced, and mixed by Adam & Matt Podd www.poddbrothers.com Video produced and edited by Joe Gabriel www.thejoegabriel.com Additional audio editing from Jonnie Dredge All audio and video was captured by singers and musicians in their own homes.

This video preformed by Home Free makes me laugh every time I watch it.  

This is what Home Free said about their video: 

We've been having a hard time finding toilet paper around here, and we decided to write a song about it 🧻

The song, "Longest Time", preformed by Phoenix Chamber Choir is the most creative of all.

This is what  Phoenix Chamber Choir said about their video:

Wishing everyone the best of health from Vancouver, Canada!  Stay home, stay safe, and keep singing!

Lyrics: Zach Timson (@zach_timson) and Nicholle Andrews
Original Music: Billy Joel
Arrangement: Carolyn Shiau
Video Editing: Carolyn Shiau and Vaughn Chauvin
Sound Editing and Mixing: Brad Andrews
Artistic Director: Nicholle Andrews

Recorded in isolation by members of the following groups:
Phoenix Chamber Choir - Vancouver, BC
University of Redlands Chapel Singers - Redlands, CA
Songcology (mentored by Musica Intima) - Vancouver, BC
Crescent Choirs - White Rock, BC
Da Camera Singers - Edmonton, AB
Filles de L'île - Montreal, QC
Hart House Jazz Choir (Oscat) - Toronto, ON
Jubilate Vocal Ensemble - Vancouver, BC
Quartom - Montreal, QC
Richmond Orchestra and Chorus Association (ROCA) - Richmond, BC
St. Mary's Kerrisdale - Vancouver, BC
Timbre! Choir - Port Alberni, BC
Vancouver Bach Choir - Vancouver, BC

www.phoenixchoir.com

One Voice Children's Choir singing, "Memories"

One Voice Children’s Choir is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation based in Utah, USA. The vision statement of the choir is, “through music, we inspire, enrich, uplift, and serve our global community, while building youth as One Voice.”

Music Credits:

Words and Music by Adam Levine, Jon Bellion, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Stefan Johnson, Michael Pollack, and Vincent Ford 

Canon in D composed by Johann Pachelbel (1653 - 1706) 

Arranged and Produced by Masa Fukuda

Mixed and Mastered by Masa Fukuda

Video Credits: 

Producer / Director: Kathie Steinagel 

Cinematography and Editing: Nick Sales

Idos Media: RJ Idos, Morgan Steinagel

And how do you put together a virtual video?  Take a deep breath and wonder no more after you watch Nick Sales explain how he edited the One Voice Children's Choir rendition of "Memories".

July 3, 2020 - And this music just keeps on coming....  I heard this one today - just in time for the 4th of July tomorrow.  

Home Free put together this video (featuring Lee Greenwood and The United States Air Force Band)

....and this is how Home Free made the video.

October 11, 2020  This one recently came out.  Just in time to go back to church after not being able to attend services for about 6 months.  

This year, (2021) Scott was in charge of our church's ward Christmas party/dinner.  

This video hit home with us.

My nephew is in the video as an alumni of the BYU Men's choir.  

This  hymn was produced by our good friend from California, Nils Lindstrom.

This is what Nil's YouTube site said about this video:

Memorial Day 2020. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kristen Hamilton Director, Shannon Hyer Accompanist. Featuring Becky Hagen, Crysta Lew, Heidi Slater, Jackie Cox, Jocelyn Hansen, Joseph Jensen, Judilynn Watkins, Kendall Merkley, Kent Welling, Kristen Hamilton, Leslie, Loraine Lindstrom, Nils Lindstrom, Maren Hamilton, Mike Miller, Ryan Lew, Steve Slater, Tim Monzello