INSIDE the Seminary Video

This coming week starts the filming of the New Seminary Video of 2016.  This always makes for fun, full times at 336.  It is not my place to say what the video is this Old Testament year or on what contemporary movie it is based.  Mom just needed one little essential prop that she asked me 'help' her with... oh what Joy!!!

 

It even has a working lever handle if one is feeling like a major shift.

Happy Birthday Ada May Watts Neeley

We are going to honor Ada May Watts Neeley on the anniversary of her birth, January 30, 1873.  She was born in Cairo, Randolph County, Missouri.  Randolph County is just a couple of hours east of Jason and Stefanie and they will drive through Randolph County on their way to NAUVOO!!!

Ada and her husband Amos Neeley

Ada May Watts Neeley as a young widow.

Find her on the fan - her mother is dark orange.

We learned about her amazing parents, how they joined the church and emigrated here. We all know that on Family Search you can upload memories. What you may not know is that don't necessarily have needed to know them personally - just research them and love them.  The following essay was written and uploaded by dad's cousin's daughter - Meagan Neeley, daughter of Nathan Neeley, Son of Kenneth R Neeley Jr., Son of Kenneth R Neeley Sr., Son of Ada May Watts.  Enjoy this lovely essay - be inspired by it - upload your own words regarding your ancestors.  Her essay will be followed by Ada's words to her surviving children.


"I’m going to write about my great, great grandmother Ada May Watts Neeley. Her sixth child, Kenneth, was my great grandfather. I chose to write about Ada May because I liked reading about her experiences and how she overcame her trials. She was hard working, faithful, happy, and courageous. She married a guy named Amos William Neeley. They had a beautiful baby. They named her Esther Neeley and loved her very much, but she was sick all her little life, and it was so hard for her parents to see her suffer that way! When she was six months old she died. Ada May said she had two different emotions about when her baby girl Esther died. She was relieved that her baby girl did not have to suffer anymore and heartbroken that she would never see her again in this life. this is what she said in her journal. “O what an arrow seemingly is being pressed through the heart. When loved ones are suffering untold miseries and your power to relieve them is gone.” About a year later they had a little boy and it made them feel much better. He was healthy and well. His name was Amos Golden Neeley. He was very loved by everybody. But soon their happiness came to an end. One day he was spending the day at his grandmother’s house, being cared for by her. A tragedy happened. He wandered into a large canal behind the house and drown. They had a search for him for seven long sickening hours. Finally at two o’clock in the morning they found his little body. Ada set such a good example of patience, even when things are wrong, she said, “The Lord’s ways are not ours. He has a wise purpose in all things.” Because of her strong faith and belief that she would see her children again, she was able to heal. She started to feel better and happier. She had two more kids. Their names were Geraldine and Leroy. They were dong well and then Amos was called by his church to serve a mission. He would have to leave and go to the Southern United States. Again she had her faith tried and had a big challenge put before her. She would have to live on her own for about two years, and be separated from her husband. Although it was difficult for her and she missed him a lot, she again faced her trials with courage. She said this about her husband leaving, “It’s a long separation for us, but I realize it is an honor and will prove a great blessing for him. It will be a crown of righteousness for him in eternity. the Lord’s promises never fail and he has promised a reward to the faithful.” There were still more troubles to face. After having three more children, Paul, Kenneth (my great grandfather), and Viola, Amos lost his business after his partner took advantage of him. It was harder to take care of his family. He became very ill and without a cure to be found, he died at a young age, about forty eight. What I have learned from the experience of Ada May Watts Neeley is, even when you’re going through hard times, have strong faith and do the best you can. Because I have experienced this, I have stronger faith, even when things go wrong. I am grateful Ada May kept a journal so that I could learn all of the wonderful stories about her."


Read Good Books; encourage pure thoughts: and high aims. Shun evil Companions, Honor and Obey Father and Mother: Have the uttermost respect for “Old Age.” Observe the “Golden rule” and the first and greatest commandment of all, - Which is, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy might, mind, and strength. Do these things, dear Children and the Lord will bless you in numberless ways, and the world will be made better by y our having lived. These are the heartfelt desires of your Devoted Mother Ada May Watts Neeley

Apparently Eight Years Ago . . . . .

 Apparently eight years ago we were in Utah - or least our camera was in Utah.  These pictures are from January 2008.  It seems like just yesterday - until you think about all that has happened in the past eight years - WOW!!!

Monrovia's New Square Deal

Mom and dad took a little Saturday afternoon stroll down to the Grand Opening and Dedication of Monrovia's new Station Square Park and Transit Village.  The Gold Line light rail is scheduled to start running with service to Monrovia on March 5th.  Monrovia is going to be a fun place to arrive. 

The old Sante Fe Station is part of the complex and is under design to be a special part of the transit villiage.

Hey, hey, hey... for the bikers who need a little adjustment after their ride to the Transit Village there is an assortment of complimentary bike tools next to the multitude of racks.

 

 

Free kiddie train rides... alas, only today.

Some may not have seen Monrovia's new gateway signage at Mrytle and the 210.  So there... Hollywood.

Happy Birthday Sophia Ann Bush Stradling

We are starting a new year of Family History Friday.  Last year we loved learning about the conversion stories of all of our ancestors.  This year we are going to learn more about their life stories.  I decided to do it by birthdate. I want their names and faces and stories to be familiar to you. We will start off with Sophia Ann Bush Stradling - Born January 26, 1839.  The story of her parents joining the church is found here.  Sophia was born in Newport Monmouth Wales, the second of eight children. You can see how you are related to her in the fan below - her parents are in orange.

Sophia was 12 when she joined the church and 16 when she emigrated to America to be with the saints.  Her just older brother William had gone ahead to prepare things for the family, he was only 18 years old.  The Bush family that boarded the ship Siddon on February 27, 1855 in Liverpool, England consisted of her father (age 45) her mother (age 39) herself (16) and brothers Henry (10), James (6) and Joseph (2 - Do you think he was named after Joseph Smith???)   They landed in Philadelphia  April 21, 1855, sailed from Pittsburgh to St. Louis and then joined the Richard Ballantyne Company to make the overland trip.  Family Search has a new feature that links the Company information on the personal sites of all that were in the company and has all the available journals from the company members.  Our family didn't keep a journal, but it was fun reading about what they must have been involved in being a member of this company.  This must have been a hard journey for the Bushes as their sweet Joseph died on the plains, but the story I want to share is from the company master's journal - Richard Ballantyne - of how they celebrated July 24th on the trail by the Platte River.

Tuesday half past Seven A.M. the Saints Met for morning prayer, the Choir Sang Come all yea Sons of Zion an[d] let us praise the Lord, Prayer being offered up by Elder Wm. Glover, President Ballantyne then addressed the Saints for a short time < informing them> that he felt happy in seeing the good spirit and feeling that was manifested throughout the Camp, this day is a day of rejoicing in the Vallies [valleys] of the Mountains, and we desire that this Camp Should rejoice and be glad, we shall therefore go out a short distance this morning and Encamp for to day, and in the afternoon hold a Festival and meet in the Dance together, an[d] if the Brethren brings in a Buffalo we will roast him and enjoy ourselves, there was then given three hearty Cheers for the 24 July, Followed by three times three for President Brigham Young[.]

At Eight OClock A.M. the Camp moved out in splendid order with Flags of all Sorts and Sizes, affixed to small and fastened to the end of their Waggons, while the ladies were Busily employed in gathering pra[i]rie Flowers to adorn the Oxen Heads, and make Wreaths for the Brethren, by the time we reached Camping Ground which was Eleven A.M. nearly all the Oxen were adorn[ed] with flowers, our Waggons being drawn into Carrell and the Cattle Watered and put into good feed, extra provisions were then served out for our evenings enjoyment which Caused the Ladies to be busily Employed in making confectionary Cooking Rice puddings[,] Apple tarts[,] Tea[,] Coffee &c &c[.]  

Some of the Brethren were taken [taking] boxes from the Waggons to form a table up the center of the Carrell [corral] of some sixty or seventy yards covered over with white table cloths, During the time this were going on President Ballantyne Entered the Carrell accompanied by Elder Wm Pitt of the Nauvoo Band with his Violin, also Elder Willm. Glover who was appointed Marshal for the day[.] Elder Elias Gardner Captain of the First ten and Elder G[eorge]. M[ay]er Captain of the Third ten with four young ladies Dressed for the occasion who entered Heart[i]ly into the dance, at this part of the stage the Camp had the appearance of a city of Milliners and Drapers, for by the by the Ladies had rummaged there [their] Boxes from top to bottom in order to get there Caps[,] Dresses &c to see who would be the smartest at the Ball,

(Don't you think Sophia at age 16 might have been pretty excited about the dance???)

There were a few speakers and the Marshal of the Day Said "Brethren and Sisters we will have no more speaking for the present but says he "you old men can take your old women and enjoy yourselves in the Dance[.]" All who were inclined joined heartly in the dance to the sweet Vibrations of Bro Pitts Violin accompanied by Bro. Henry Cleggs[,] Dulcimer. During the Evening Bro Glover entertained the Company with a song and Dr. G[eorge] Bell with a Comic anecdote. the Dancing were Kept up until a Late hour[.] the Company was then dismissed by prayer
Thus ended the 24 on the plains which will not soon be forgotten by those who were blessed in participating in the same.  Ballantyne, Richard, Diaries and reminiscences, 1852-1896, box 1, fd. 3, vol. 6.

NEW QUILT!!! - Thanks dad

Reupholstering at 331

Rachel and Spencer recently instagrammed about their recent experience with reupholstering. (CHECK IT OUT!!! - or post them here Twelmeyers - AMAZING.)   I found a picture of our first attempt at reupholstering in some of Grandpa Cornwall's slides.  This picture must have been right after we finished the sun room.  I am sitting on our handiwork.  It is probably good you can't see upclose - although dad must have had a lot to do with it - look at how the cushion pattern lines up with the couch.  We also did cushions in the breakfast nook.   I was pretty daring with my little Singer sewing machine (THANKS MOM!!!)   The telephone table and kids room pictures were grouped with the others.  Thought you might enjoy a trip down memory lane.  What do you remember about those spots?  I remember a couple of things - YOUR DAD IS AWESOME!

336 Modern

I think some of the kids who grew up at 336 always wanted to live in a "Modern" home. Looks like they did.

Click on Image to see floor plans

Thanksgiving Potpourri

A few last random photos from our Thanksgiving trip to California including playing around 336, Christmas Tree shopping, and a visit to the new Cornwall Associates office.