Happy Thursday 2.16.12

With Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday right around the corner, I thought I'd share with you this little number.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Who Do You Think You Are?

Preview the Stories from Season 3!

Words cannot describe how excited I am about this show!

For the last two years from February to March, you could always find me at my parent's house every Friday night. Why? Well, the fundamental reason was that I, until recently, did not have cable but the real reason I was over there weekly, was to watch this show!

Here is another spin-off television show from Englad. The series follows well-known celebrities and athletes as they journey through time to discover their personal, family roots. There are celebrities who finally get answers to family mysteries (Kim Cattrall). There are celebrities who are united with relatives they did not know existed (Rosie O'Donnell). There are celebrities who are brought back to the faith of their ancestors by what they discover (Gwyneth Paltrow).

I don't think I need to explain to you why I love this show so much but if you are just tuning in, you can read more about my infatuation here or here and if you still need more here.

If you are a fan of the show or are tuning in for the first time tonight, let me know what you think of it!
Season Premiere February 3 - Fridays 8/7c - on ABC

Are You There God, It's Me Rebecca

The Lord has only spoken to me one time in my life. It was a core-shaking, awakening, totally freak me out in a good way kind of speaking. Ever since then I take even the smallest whisper as the Lord trying to tell me something. And His timing could not have been more perfect. 

Yesterday at church, one of my favorite songs came on, "Forever Reign". I like this song because of the chorus but never really found comfort in it until yesterday. 

Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Ok, I got it. At this time in my life, I really need to focus on giving everything to God and embracing Him and what works He is doing in my life; regardless if I understand it or not. 

He didn't stop there because I still had a little resistance and fear inside of me. 

As the sermon begins, the intro pops up on the screen and I was intrigued. The verse on the screen was Deuteronomy 31:8; The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Tell me more!

I kept waiting for the reference back to that verse throughout the message but it never happened. That was confirmation to me that I was meant to hear that verse. 

He still wasn't done though. 

The Biblical reference in the sermon was actually Romans 12:17 but my eye landed on Romans 12:12, Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. What I found comfort in was the middle of the verse, be patient in affliction. The Lord tells us that we will have trials in our life that will bring us closer to Him and that will strengthen us or change us always for the better, for the Lord only wants the best for us. 


I may not understand what is going on in my life right now but I just need to rest assured that there is a purpose and a plan for my life. 

All within a matter of minutes, I had been wanted, comforted and instructed. Even if they were three seperate whispers spoken to me, I heard all three loud and clear! 

Sentimental Sundays - Hopelessly Romantic

Upon re-typing my 3rd Great-Grandmother's diary, I came across this entry this morning. 

The day before, there had been a Vernon family reunion and Georgia Alden was continuing the description from that day. I found the following poem to be so heartbreakingly romantic and not to mention the continued conversation regarding the height of some of the men quite amusing. 

Sunday, September 7, 1890

Too tired to go to Church. Uncle Frank and Lizzie stopped at Aunt Harriet’s last night. Harry Hargis and Hendson Vernon of Georgia spent the night. The number of tall men at Nazareth yesterday has been subject of comment. A great many were six feet or over, all the way to six feet, six inches. The youngest descendant there was Master Alex. Vernon Holmes 5 weeks of age. The following poem was received from his descendant in Texas who wrote they would be with us in spirit on the 6. Anna L. Walden, Frances Lay, Dallas, Texas. The subject of the poem was a Great-Granddaughter of Alexander Vernon and the writer General Mirabeau B. Lamar, Third President of the Republic of Texas. It was written while Texas was a Republic on a sheet of music with a lead pencil, during Nancy’s absence from home.

To Miss Vernon

The richest rose, the rarest flower in Texas Valleys shining,

Can never match the absent one for whom my heart is pining.

My thoughts are with her day and night, nor can I from her turn ‘em.

Go where I will I still behold the smiles of Nancy Vernon.

Ye belles of wealth, ye devotees of fortunes heartless pleasures,

If to your stores ye wish to add fair virtues shining treasures,

Go seek the subject of my song; in her you’ll quickly find ‘em

For every gem of soul and mind is found in Nancy Vernon.

I know ‘tis said there never shone on earth a faultless creature.

That some slight shade must ever dim the brightest form or feature

But if such shadows dwell with her I’m sure I can’t discern ‘em.
I own that others have their faults, but none has Nancy Vernon.

But why should I her praises sing? Poor worth my softest numbers;

Songs of mine can never make the love that in her bosom slumbers.

Then take any harp and break its chords, take my songs and burn ‘em

I prize them not since they can win no smiles from Nancy Vernon. 

Surname Saturday - Richardson to Richerson

My last name is Richerson; not Richardson, Richarson, or Richerdson. To me, my last name is the correct spelling but I am a little biased. 

The story in our house is that my 3rd Great Grandfather and his brothers went off to fight in the Civil War. At some point during their enlistment, the spelling of their last name was changed from Richardson to Richerson. The theory is that the boys did this to ensure receipt of payment. Apparently, there were other Richardsons fighting in the war and my relatives wanted to make absolutely sure that they got what was theirs. 

4 Generations of Richersons

Thanks to the man on the left, Wright Montillion

Thankful Thursday - Circumstance of Events

There are many things that I am thankful for but when I sit down and really dive deep into what matters most to me and what would make me an incredibly different person, I’d have to say I’m grateful for my Great-Aunt, Goti (technically, she’s my 1st cousin 2x removed but she was like a sister to my grandmother.)

Take this as you will but I would not be here if her father had not been killed in a German bomb shelter – that’s another story for another day. Honestly though, had he survived the war, there is absolutely no way that I would be here. The following events would not have happened:

1. Goti’s mother would not have married an American soldier, who adopted her and moved the family back to the US after the war was over.

2. Goti would not have met her future husband while they were both stationed in Alaska – ALASKA! and after a short long-distance relationship, he asked her to marry him!

3. Shortly after the wedding, Goti’s new husband, my Uncle John, would never have sponsored my Grandmother’s immigration over to the US and provided helpful information on her journey, “For the record, I am a woman.”

4. Lastly, had my grandmother never emigrated from Germany, she would have never met my Grandfather, who most of  his friends and family thought would never marry, she would have never fallen madly in love, married and later had my mother who, thankfully and  subsequently fell in love with my father, married and a few years later had me. :)

I’ve just now begun to see the effects of God’s wheels turning slowly but I would have to say that the earlier events definitely happened for a reason and there was a reason for them all.

Today I am most thankful for my fun, loving, and witty Great Aunt, Irmgard Fischer! 

Goti and my Grandmother

My New Favorite Song

I am quickly becoming obsessed with this song so I thought I'd share it with everyone! 

Here's the Cover to Miranda Lambert's "Makin' Plans" 

Enjoy!