Have you ever researched your ancestry? Some of you may have had grandparents where you sat with them when you were young and heard tales about their parents or grandparents. When I was younger, I pretty much knew about my heritage because I grew up in a home with a second language being spoken. No, sadly I never learned it because my parents wanted to keep adult topics from my ears!

Although the church I grew up in was ethnic-based, I’d sometimes hear that foreign language being spoken and one of the early Catholic Masses of Sundays was said in that language.

For Christmas this past year, our daughter and son-in-law gifted my husband and me with an Ancestry kit. My son-in-law teased me that they wouldn’t give me one because he knew where I descended from. It’s amazing what can be discerned from your DNA nowadays. My parents, if living today, would be totally surprised as to what can be discovered.

It’s interesting and fun to find out who your ancestors are. I’m Croatian, one of the smallest ethnic groups on the planet. Have you looked into your ancestors?

I think one of the most important things to remember, even if you’ve had scientists, rebels, or world-changers in your history, is that we are all descendants of Adam and Eve. Some of you reading this article may not hold to that, but I believe that we’re all here for a purpose and only for a so many years (maybe 30? maybe 90?). So what are you doing with your life that is significant so your descendants will find you remarkable? Perhaps that nephew of yours is an artist, just like you, or a pharmacist, or baker, or a bronc rider.

Most importantly, what are you doing with today and the rest of your days to honor God?

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalms 139:13 (NIV)

Is God busy with you today so you can leave a legacy to your descendants?

I would love to hear from you as to whether you have done genealogy research. Feel free to email me at alicia.r.whittle@gmail.com or place your comments on the website.

Have a beautifully blessed day!