Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cordelia

Cordelia Silva Alton Kimes.

Born December 22, 1846. She is my great great grandmother. She named her daughter Sadie Mae. Sadie Mae was my Dad's grandma. Dad would stop by her house after school and she would feed him homemade bread with homemade jam.

We went searching for Cordelia's grave...Joette, Emily, Chay and I.

In a small cemetery in a small town- in the trees, Spirit Lake, Idaho.

We looked and looked for her grave. We were on a mission to find her. When we arrived to the cemetery it had suddenly stopped raining and the sun was peaking through the clouds.

Joette wanted a picture of her grave for family records.

"I FOUND CORDELIA!!!!!" I screamed when I found her grave. And suddenly a burst of sunbeams came through the clouds and trees and landed right on her grave. "Oh my gosh, quick take a picture, Cordelia knows we're here!" We were laughing and also were astounded by the obvious sunbeams of her grave.



I do not believe in coincidences.



I can't wait to someday meet my ancestors. Those who have come before us and have carried on the legacy of my family. I feel they are so much apart of my life...cheering me on from the other side of the veil. I know there is life after death. We are all connected.

God's plan is perfect. He has carefully designed it so that we can always continue to learn to be like Him through serving others and strengthening family relationships. Our ancestors help us as we help them.

I LOVE THE TEMPLE!!!!! That is what the temple is all about: FAMILY

11 comments:

The Wright Stuff said...

That is seriously so awesome April! We realize how thin the veil is when things like this happen. She lived soo long ago and it's so neat to think that they're so "close" to us. Is her temple work done?

Dorene said...

Altho I don't believe that we the living, can effect another's personal salvation April, I appreciate your love of your heritage and ancestry. I think our similarities outnumber our differences... it's all about loving our Lord Jesus and loving one another and sharing His Good News!
I too, believe that we will be united and RE-united with family, known and unknown to us in the heavenly realm through Jesus Christ. What a glorious reunion that will be!
That picture at the Spirit Lake cemetery is proof enough for me that this is not all there is. As Christians we are in the world but not of it. I don't believe that was a coincidence either. Bless you!

April said...

love you Dorene! You are such an example to me.

Heather said...

well - how neat is that! I love the sunrays! I'm so glad you got a picture that captured it so you can remember it forever and tell your kids about it.

Heather said...

plus... i love her name. :)

Calie said...

How did I not know we had a Cordelia in the family? I love that name! What a terrific day that must have been. That is wonderful that the camara was able to capture those sunbeams. April thank you for your testimony. Love you.

Levi and Cynthia Wilde said...

What a lovely story! I love family...there is nothing more important in this world than family! It's one of the only things we take with us after death. There's a wonderful article in this month's Ensign about family from Sister Beck. Totally worth reading more than once.

Me~Kelly said...

lets hope she had a relationship with Christ Jesus so we get to see her one day :)
i loved looking thru all the genealogy stuff that grandma tomblin had - i assume one of you girls has that now? if so i'd love to look thru it again sometime. being my dads daughter i didn't get anything of hers to hold onto and that has always bothered me :( maybe i could photo copy some old pics?

April said...

Kelly, I think Joette has some photos...and I think my Dad has a box of all of Grandma's journals and photos.

When she died my Dad got the house and your Dad got the cabin- at least I think that is how the agreement went. So it was my parent's that went through all her stuff.

We need to give you some photos! I have her jewerly- I should mail you some of her fun pieces- remember how she always wore earings??? Always. Classy.

I wasn't very close to her growing up. She kind of made me nervous because she always told me to "be quiet" when I was little. I became more close to her when she moved in with us when she was unable to take care of herself anymore. I have sweet memories of serving her. I have her middle name. Oh Grandma... Remember her wood blocks we would play with at her house?

anyway. So yes, let's share some of her stuff...Joette needs to do a scanning party- because I know she will want at least a copy of the pictures for history's sake.

Tiffani said...

Awesome story of the importance of doing family history. The pictures are gorgeous! I am almost ready to learn more - I hope you will teach me all you know about genealogy!

Unknown said...

Hi Greetings!

I came across your blog while “blog surfing” using the Next Blog button located at the top of my blogspot.com I frequently visit other blogs encouraging the various, creative ways in which people express themselves. Thanks for sharing.

God’s plan for those who believe will be always great!


Kingdom Blessings!