Roots 2 Blossoms

 

My friend Roxy and I started an Instagram account together. We both have a love for Genealogy, History and our families. We have learned that from our roots to our branches we can all blossom. We want to share our passion, stories, activities and other ideas with people and show how amazing genealogy is. Check us out @roots2branches

 

 

 

 

Family Heirlooms

This Bride is the 11th family member to wear this wedding dress. To read the story click HERE.

When I read this article, I felt a twinge of  jealousy. How I wish I would have had a beautiful gown passed down to me. It is beautiful and sweet. I love how it is modern to her style and she wears it well. I love that the world is embracing family history so much right now.

October on the Brain

            I am so excited for Fall. It is my favorite time of year. I cannot wait for the crunching leaves.

 

Pumpkins, apple cider, and crisp air… Some see Fall as leaves dying, cold and the step before the snow comes. For others, it is a favorite time of year. A season full of beautiful warm colors, family and love.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

~ L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

Autumn is packed with children’s laughter, traditions and fun. There are so many things to do from October through November. Here are just a few favorite Fall Activities for Families.

            ~Go to a Pumpkin Patch                     ~Plant Bulbs in Garden

            ~Carve or Paint Pumpkins                  ~Make Caramel Apples

            ~Apple Picking                                                ~Rake up Leaves    and Jump in them

            ~Make Apple Cider                             ~Bake Pies

            ~Hayrides and Corn Mazes                 ~Dress up for lots of Parties

      

Autumn is the time of year, like trees, we can shed the old and prepare for new. We think about what we learned, and what we can change.

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)

Fall is a beautiful, peaceful time of year. A time when for family and friends. A time that we can start anew and a time for love.

“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~William Cullen Bryant

            What is your favorite Family Tradition in Fall?

Friday Faith- Joshua Dennis

Every year I write a blog post about my brother Josh and when he went missing 25 years ago. As a family we celebrate our Faith and that we have Josh with us.  My blog was mentioned on Mormon Channel and they talked about Josh's story. Unfortunately I deleted my old blog and started a new one. HERE is the Mormon Channel episode. Below is the post they were talking about.

Who our ancestors are and where they came from can impact our life and who we become. If they decided to get on a ship and come to a new world, we have a completely different life, because of that decision. We have that same affect on ourselves as well as our children. The things that we go through in life and experience can change things.

My family went through a life changing experience when I was only seven years old, when my older brother Josh was ten. We witnessed a miracle twenty-four years ago, it changed who I am . I have shared this experience a lot, but never really told it from my side.

First picture taken of Josh after his experience

 

It was fall of 1986. We had just moved into our new home in Kearns. I was in bed early one morning and woke my mom to me screaming. My mom ran in my room. She woke me up and told me I was having a dream and everything was okay. I was still crying and described the dream to my mom. "But Josh is stuck in a hole in the mountains. He can't get out! Angels were crying." My mom continued to comfort me and I was able to calm down.

September 22, 1989 I remember looking out the screen door as my dad and my brother were laying all their stuff out on the lawn. They were going on a Boy Scout camp out. Josh wasn't old enough, but the leaders allowed him to go since my dad was there. They had bags, sleeping bags and a tent. Josh teased me a lot, we didn't hang out together, but I was sad. Maybe it was because I wanted to do something fun, maybe I knew what lie ahead, I am not sure. They left and my mom surprised us with a sleepover at my grandma's house. I felt so much better.

The next afternoon my mom had left to go shopping and we were still at my grandma's house with my older cousins, who were babysitting. We got a phone call and my cousin answered. It was a neighbor Joan Venema. She was searching for my mom, and looked up my grandparents number. (Of course this was before the days of pagers and cell phones.) My cousin Tawnya hung up the phone and I remember her saying that was strange, that she was a little frantic on the other end.

My mom went home to put her groceries away and a neighbor came in the garage to talk to her. She learned that as the Boy Scouts were on their trip, they explored an abandoned mine. My mom was told that the night before Josh went in and never came out. They haven't found him since. I didn't see my mom for another five days.

Along with my younger sister Terra, and brother Jake we were picked up and taken to a neighbors house to stay. My grandparents had been out of town at our family cabin and weren't home yet. I don't remember exactly who told me, but I remember that my friends would talk about it and say that he probably died. I didn't cry, but I really wanted to know what was going on.

 

On Monday we were taken back to my grandparents, they were home and heard the news. My grandma was the best during that time. She wanted us to be happy and not worry about what was going on. I was still sad. I was the oldest after Josh and I knew a lot more than my sister and brother who were four, and two. My grandma and grandpa Budd wouldn't even watch the news until we were in bed at night.

I remember when we finally heard the news about my brother. It was a Wednesday afternoon on September 27, 1989. We were finished with lunch, and I asked my grandma if we could pray one more time. We were sitting in the kitchen at the counter, we prayed for Josh. I told my grandma if we could make him cards for when we saw him again. So we folded white paper and started coloring.  We drew so many pictures. Suddenly the doorbell rang several times in a row. My grandma went into the living room and there were screams, cries. I got off the stool and it was my grandma's neighbor. They were hugging and crying. She screamed, "He's alive. They found Josh!" I remember that I started to cry. I was happy, but I didn't say a word.
  

The next day we were taken to Primary Children's Medical Center to see him. He was surrounded by balloons, gifts, cards. Josh was smiling  We were a family again! I was so happy.

Joshua was with a group of boys, along with my dad. One of the boys was legally blind and was having a difficult time. My dad said he would take him out and told Josh to follow. Josh begged him to stay in the mine with the other leaders and boys. My dad and the boys turned to leave and Josh turned the other way. The lights ahead disapeared around a corner. He ran ahead to catch up, but just couldn't seem to keep up with the lights. Josh didn't have a light of his own. He decided to turn the other way to go with my dad out. He put his hand against the wall to lead him back out. It seemed to be taking a lot longer than it did coming in. It was also a lot steeper. He decided to stop where he was and wait. Surely they will come back and find him. Josh had followed a wall that lead him the wrong way. He waited and waited. Josh prayed, sang, and slept. He finally heard voices and yelled for help. They found him! He didn't recognize the three men that pulled him out. One of the men said, "It's okay Josh, we will take you to your mom and dad." Josh responded, "Just my dad is here, my mom is home." Josh was blessed with losing time. He thought he was only in the mine over night. He didn't realize he was in the mine for five days and nights. Josh had faith and was not scared. He knew that he would be found.
 “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

 

We don't celebrate every year as a family, but separately we celebrate in our own homes. I have told my kids the story about Josh, taught them about faith, prayer and miracles. I think any experience good or bad you learn from. It can make you stronger or weaker. Luckily it has made us stronger. I learned at such a young age the principles of our church and used them in my life.

 

I asked my mom, Janeen Dennis, how she feels every year on this day. This is what she said. . .

"I always have two reactions when September 27th comes around each year---> The first thing that comes to mind is GRATITUDE! I will always be forever grateful for all the prayers, support and love that came from EVERYWHERE! So thankful to those who searched for Josh, the rescue, and that he was found A LIVE!

Next comes the memory of living through such an ordeal. Reliving those days with the concern for Josh---> Is he hurt? Is he scared? Would we ever see him again? The NOT KNOWING was the worst. I still remember the feelings of loss, heartache, yet feeling such a peace." 

There are dozens of stories and experiences that people had related to Josh, dreams, and feelings. There was even a death in a different state that we believe the man to be a guardian angel. So many things experienced in life can change a lot of lives. Just like I read about my ancestors, this will be a story that we can pass on for a long time to learn from.
 

Josh telling the kids his experience.

 

 

The family with our balloons!

 

 

I believe in miracles!

 

 

Happiness at Home

There are countless articles written about “being happy”. Is there a secret to happiness? It seems that the root of joy starts in the home. We’ve always heard that eating dinner as a family is one way to bring a family closer. In these days it is easier said than done with both parents working, soccer practice or dance. Here is a list of five other ways to make your house a happier home.

1-      Eliminate Stress by reducing clutter and noise

Stress can definitely take the peace away from your home. Keeping your house presentable with less clutter and noise can make you feel like you can enjoy your children and home more. Less worry about guests coming over can eliminate worry and bring a calm atmosphere.

2-      Rituals and Traditions

When kids and families have something to look forward to, it can make all the difference. Whether you have family traditions or want to start new ones, there are so many ideas that will make everyone excited. Here are a few ideas that you can start doing if you don’t already. Night time bowl of ice cream, morning prayer as a family, Sunday afternoon cookies-kids can even lick the bowl, Family game night or movie night, Big Saturday Breakfast, and Bedtime stories. Whatever your family enjoys—make it a tradition everyone can look forward to.

3-      Personalize your Home

Add character to your home that can be an extension of who you are. Souveniors from far-away travels always add a flare. Family pictures of you, or your children growing up are fun. Family heirlooms or ancestor pictures it can always be a great topic of conversation.

4-      Memories you Make

Color pictures together, clean up while singing a favorite song—loudly, and laugh often. Making all types of memories can make your house a fun place to be, that you can always remember.

5-      Make your Home a Sanctuary

Hold family meetings, ask about each other’s day, invite friends over to share your memories and love one another. Make your house a safe loving home that everyone enjoys being. Remember to just smile.

Power of Journals

Record keeping has been around since the beginning of time. The word journal comes from the French word Jour, which means daily book or log book. People keep records for many reasons.  Without journals we wouldn’t have so much information about the past, from important historical figures like George Washington to wars that our ancestors fought.

Thousands found strength from a simple diary of a girl during tumultuous times. Anne Frank captured our hearts as she wrote during World War II. She wrote her feelings about her new journal on June 20, 1942 shortly after receiving it for her birthday. Little did she know her words changed the world.  “Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I’ve never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old school girl. Oh well, it doesn’t matter. I feel like writing, and I have an even greater need to get all kinds of things off my chest.” She later added, “Paper has more patience than people.”

I’ve found strength in the words and trials as I’ve read journals from my ancestors. One in particular my Great Grandmother Viola Stout. When she got older she had her journal made into books for her family. I've read it several times and learned so much from her writings. I never knew that as a young girl she wanted to be a writer and she had a teacher who believed in her so much that she would tutor her after school every day. Viola had many trials, after losing two daughters within months of each other she wrote, "Times like these bring a realization of our Elder Brother's suffering, far beyond our abilities to endure and live. This makes us aware our suffering is much less, can be endured. This was a year my doubts and beliefs fought the battle of faith and despair... Thanks to that special Gift the Lord gave us, Faith won, I became comforted. I reached the depths in 1929. By 1930, a new light led the way." With her words of endurance and faith I have learned that I can make it through hard times. Because she kept a journal we can learn from her experiences for many generations to come.

Spencer W. Kimball said, “Those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives.”