The Grandparent Chronicles

W E   A R E    F A M I L Y   !!!      As you all know, it's almost Family Reunion time!   I thought it might be fun to reflect back on some Family Reunion memories in hopes that it might help you recall some fond memories that you have of Reunions Past.      The WADE FAMILY- has had some memorable reunions in the past. From the 1956 Bountiful, Utah reunion ( pictured above) to a sleepover reunion at a church in Bountiful with skits including J.C.Penny and the World's Greatest Spitter, to the Deer Creek reunion near Cedar City, Jacobs Lake Arizona, and St George in a motel.  I remember Gene's family puppets and Alan Wade's magic shows!      The JOHNSTUN FAMILY reunions are among my earliest recollections.  The last of which was held in August of 1970 at a campground in Monte Cristo, when I was on my mission and just a few weeks before Grandma McAllister passed away.      The Johnstun...

    S U S A N N A     J O H N S T U N    McA L L I S T E R      Not everyone has a claim to fame, but I do, I was born on my Grandma Mac's Birthday! From as early as I can remember, she and I enjoyed a special bond.      None of my posterity had the privilege of knowing this amazing lady so it's only appropriate that as Our birthday approaches that I take time to introduce her to you! Susanna Johnstun McAllister was born on July 6, 1902 in Oleo, New Mexico to Samuel James Johnstun and Elizabeth Emily Deans. She was the 5th child of 7. Samuel James Jr (died at 2 weeks old), Joseph William (Bill), Elizabeth Emily, David George, Susanna (our Grandma Mac), Jesse Robert ( Uncle Jesse was famous for saying " There are only 2 kinds of pie I like- Hot and Cold!) and Ellen Jane.      Susanna was still 3 years old when her parents took up a homestead at Twin Springs, in the Zuni Mountains of New Mexico.  He...

Many years ago, the church distributed a brochure with the title "Father, Consider Your Ways ." The message of this little brochure had a big impact on me. I was a newly wed and had  my child  rearing years ahead of me when the pamphlet was 1st published. I remember reading this 6 page pamphlet and thinking-" Wow, Fatherhood is serious business and hard work! I hope I'm up to the task!" We'll here I am, 45 years later and as I look back, I had good reason to be concerned ! Oh sure, I tried to do my best but in all honesty, I fell short in so many ways. My comfort comes in realizing that my sons, everyone of them, are better at being fathers than I was. Next week is Father's Day, an annual event in which we honor Fathers, past and present. What better occasion to review the important role of Fathers , in hope that we who are Fathers might be reminded of our responsibilities and hopefully become better at it, whether we still have children at home or l...

T H E   G R A N D P A R E N T   C H R O N I C L E S     OUR WADE FAMILY BEGINNINGS..   So last time we talked about beginnings- ( It was several weeks ago because we've been having fun with Grandma Wade visiting us!)      I thought you might enjoy knowing of the beginning of the WADE family becoming members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This true story was told to me by my grandpa Paul Wade and others...      Paul Wade's father- JASPER CAROLINA WADE ( the Carolina came from where his father David Caleb Wade was born- South Carolina.)  Jasper was a tobacco farmer- a product he used for most of his life, but he was a good man. One day while he was driving his team and wagon to town he had a vision.  He saw two men in white shirts walking down the lane to his house.  He saw that they entered his house and even where they would sit.  He felt impressed that they had an important message...

"In the beginning"...so begins the Bible in describing the creation of this earth on which we live. The Book of Mormon begins with " I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents...". So le's talk about beginnings- your beginnings! Every one of you lived in Heaven before you were born on earth. You were taught and loved and developed until it was your turn to come to earth.       I'm sure we were all excited to begin our journey here on earth. You were all born, like Nephi, to goodly parents who love, teach and help you. You have been taught to use your agency to make good choices. Eventually, we will all grow old and return to Heaven to begin eternity! However, before beginning eternity, there are a whole lot of other beginnings we get to enjoy! Savannah and Janelle recently began college, Camden and Levi recently began 1st grade, Cindy began swimming lessons, Alan will soon begin his Priesthood years and Connor will soon begin a mission. We all ha...

I N T R O D U C I N G -  T H E  G R A N D P A R E N T  C H R O N I C L E S Greetings dear loved ones!  We hope this New Year is starting out just right for you! For some time now, we have been praying to know how we might be a more positive influence in each of your lives. We continue to pray for each of you.  We also pray that we will live our lives consistent with all we know to be true in order to be good examples for you. We want to be the type of people you can trust and count on to always be in your corner. People you can turn to in need -whom you know love you unconditionally. We also believe that the more you know about our lives and your ancestors- the better you'll be prepared to make the best choices when you face challenges, when you remember how people whom love you faced theirs. In that spirit we are introducing - THE GRANDPARENT CHRONICLES. Our goal is to try to help each of you live happy lives! We believe as stated in The Family...