THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

October 15, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

I really enjoy history. It's not so much the events that occurred, but the people. I will drive by old abandoned houses or farms and wonder what the people were like who had built it. I'm sure they never imagined that all their hard work would one day be left in ruins.

Family history is, also, fascinating to me. I love remembering my parents, uncles and aunts and reminiscing about memories I have of them. They are a part of my history. One day, I will be part of the history of my nieces and nephews and their children. I wonder how long will pass after my death before I'm forgotten. I'm not being morbid or feeling sorry for myself, but I just know that most descendants don't know much about their family after one or two generations.

A couple years ago my niece bought me a book, "Aunt I Want to Hear Your Story". It is filled with pages of questions about me and my life. There some very hard, thought-provoking questions. I had laid the book aside and had forgotten about it, until running across it. I've been filling it out, so that I could give it to her to read.

One of the pages was a family tree, beginning with my parents, their parents and grandparents. I, of course, knew my parents' information. I even knew my grandparents' information. But when it came to my great-grandparents, I had to do some research. All of my great-grandparents passed away long before my birth. In fact, my grandmother on my mom's side passed away when my oldest sister was a baby; and my grandfather passed away when I was a baby. Therefore, I never knew either of them. I do remember my grandparents on my dad's side. I was a young adult when my grandma passed away, and was ten when grandpa died.

One of my sister's has done a lot of genealogy research on my mom's side of the family, so I've read some of that history. But I really don't know anything about my dad's side of the family.

I know that Grandpa Horton's parents both died when he was a young boy. But no information is known about about where and when they died or where they are buried. We've heard bits and pieces of possible family history, but nothing that can be confirmed.

I've heard very little information about my Grandma Horton's family. Basically all I knew was that grandma's mother had passed away when grandma was a young girl, therefore, she was raised by her father. I had heard her dad's name, but knew nothing about him. I had never even heard my great-grandmother's name or any details about her.

As I was doing some detail to find names and dates, I ran across a piece of information that I had never heard about my great-grandmother. When I found it I wondered if it was something that my grandma had even known; seeing as she was only six, almost 7, when her mother had died. I called my sister, who has done some genealogy, to see if she had ever heard this. She said that she has done some research on my mom's side of the family, but had never done anything on our dad's family. This was a surprise to her, also. We agreed that this is not something we would ever share with our surviving aunt and uncle on that side of the family.

Sometimes doing genealogy research can turn up really exciting, cool information. Other times we may find a family secret or unknown fact.

I recently read that in 2022, a survey from Ancestry.com revealed that more than half of Americans can't tell you the names of all four of their grandparents. That's just two generations back. It seems as if most people today have very little connection to their heritage. I find that fact very sad. The relationship of family has become so disconnected and unimportant for far too many people.

I suppose this is my thought: If people can't tell you their grandparents' names, then they are very likely not going to remember the names of their aunt. Will I be forgotten so quickly after I've passed from this life?

So how can I build memories with my family so that I'm remembered for years to come? Jon and I don't have anything of material value to hand down. I truly think the most important thing I can hand down is sharing Jesus with them. Not only sharing Jesus, but being an example of a godly women to them. I believe that giving them my time and being involved in their lives is also vitally important. Someone isn't going to remember a person they don't know well; but they will remember someone who loved them and took time to share in their lives.

Someone who is willing to give their time is building memories. They're building relationships. They're showing love. They're making an impact.

On the other hand, a person who is a workaholic and is so busy trying to build a business or make money, putting priority on their work instead of their family, is less likely to be remembered for future generations. Why? Because they're not present when memories are being built.

In addition, I am fully convinced that making Jesus priority in your life and relationships is the ultimate gift you can offer anyone. When you desire to see someone love the Lord and be successful, and spend time in prayer on their behalf, that is time well spent. Praying for loved ones, sharing the love of Jesus with them, and being a godly example is worth more than all the material wealth you could ever leave them. And those are the things that are going to making lasting memories on future generations.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Learning about shameful things in the past can help us to avoid repeating past mistakes. We learn about history of slavery and genocide so we see why we should avoid those mistakes. We can also learn things to avoid in our own families. I know never to try alcohol because both my grandfathers showed by example why not to.

We can also learn from good examples. My father was a hard worker, and ran a successful business for many years. But he also had his priorities in the right order. God first, then family, then work. Work was just a means to provide for his family, not the other way around. Because of that, he was successful in all of it.

ON THE MENEWE:

Soft Butter Cookies

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix cream cheese with softened butter. Add in egg and vanilla. Slowly add in cake mix, until mixed thoroughly.

Use small scoop to make 1-inch balls.

Double roll each ball in powdered sugar. Place on cookie sheet (either nonstick or with parchment paper).

Bake10-13 minutes.

Cookies stay soft and delicious.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

My sister was recently taking care of the nursery during church service. We attend a small church, so there are only two boys, both almost 2-years old, in the nursery. There are quite a few toys in the room for them to play with. But one of the boys' favorite things to play with was a box fan that was in the room (it was turned off). He kept trying to pick it up and carry it.

When one of my nephews was a little boy, his favorite thing to play with was boxes. He had plenty of toys, but he loved playing with boxes of all sizes. Sometimes kids like simple; not the expensive toys.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise, as some people think.

No, He is being patient for your sake.

He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org