Friday, May 10, 2013

A Little Secret Desire

Since I'm in this Family History Class, we have to participate in (surprise!) family history work. I've had a few experiences here and there with indexing and taking names to the temple, but I'm pumped and a little bit intimidated by what this class will have us students do beyond just dabbling in family history work.

I have a little secret desire. My grandfather on my father's side (we affectionately call him Pops) is of Native American descent. His grandmother was pure Cherokee Indian. On my family tree at newfamilysearch.org, the branches stop at this woman. Her name was Annie Mexico Dye. She married a white man, and her daughter, California Iowa Hancock, is my great-grandmother.

Pops can't prove he is 1/4 indian. There are no records, anywhere. This seems to be the case for many Native American descendants, and it poses a problem for family history work. My secret wish is that I can somehow find the link to Annie Mexico Dye's descendants. Can you imagine? Scores of Indian individuals with absolutely no work done for them yet. It would be a family history work gold mine!

Most of all though, I cannot imagine the friendships I would be able to create. How wonderful a reunion that would be in Heaven!

Olivia Grover

- love God

Monday, May 6, 2013

A Heritage

I used to care less about where I came from. My family tree, my lineage, my heritage...call it what you want. To me it was names on a pedigree chart. Of course, intuitively I knew that because they lived, I now live, but besides that they remained names.

Recently I wrote a paper for an English class about a phrase in my patriarchal blessing. It discusses my lineage. I am a member of the tribe of Ephraim. My patriarchal blessing also mentioned that it is called the believing blood. I'll have to post that paper on here sometime. It was one of the most eye-opening things I have ever written. Not only did it open my eyes to the wonderful heritage I hold, but it also made me look at where I stand as far as caring for my past, present, and even future family!

I have some awesome ancestors. One is actually famous! Sort of :) He is one of the neatest men I have ever known. John Tanner. The Church even put out a movie about him.
http://deseretbook.com/Treasure-Heaven-John-Tanner-Story-T-C-Christensen/i/5030485
Go buy it and watch it!

Anyway, I really got in touch with my history and my heritage when I took the initiative and took a name to the temple that I found all by myself. It was then that I really connected to my past. I am so proud of who I am! I am a Rogers and a Tanner and most recently, a Grover. I belong to lines of some of the greatest people! It makes me want to be the best I can be. I want to make them proud, and I also want to serve them.

One way to do this? Family History Work 'yall! We'll discuss that later. It's my new secret passion ;)

Olivia Grover

- love life

Thursday, May 2, 2013

A View of Life

Most people have a glass half full/half empty perspective on life. You could call it optimism verses pessimism. My view is glass always full (half air half water). 

Life is too good. It is such a precious little gift, a privilege that we have. The way I view life, and eeeeeeverything that happens in it, comes from my strong testimony. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I love every part of it. I believe in Christ. I believe in my Heavenly Father. I believe that they love me. I believe they have a plan for each individual on earth, and it is specific to each person's needs, wants, and potential. I also know that most of the time, it's not what you plan. I've been through a lot, just like everyone else, but without fail it has always gotten better, and it always will. Blessings are scattered all along the way. And besides that, I have a house, a bed, food, and good clothing. Already I'm in the top 10% of the world.
No room to complain my friends. So I try not to.
My view on life is simply to love it and everything in it with every fiber. 


               -love life