The Grandparent Chronicles

                                     CHRISTMAS IN  UKRAINE CHRISTMAS is a magical time of year in most parts of the world-  Ukraine is no exception. Traditionally, Christmas is celebrated (following the Julian calendar) on January 7th. In 2017, the Ukrainian Parliament officially recognized December 25th as well, (Per the Gregorian calendar) corresponding with most of the western world. Ukrainians now have two official Christmas’s ! Much of the secular is yet to take root so Christmas in Ukraine is all about the birth of Jesus Christ. Even daily Ukrainian greetings change in the more traditional parts of Ukraine. Instead of the normal “hello” and “goodbye”, during the Christmas season people greet with”Christ is born!” And responded with “ “let us praise him!” Still, many traditions have remnants of pagan traditions intertwined. Most of these traditions are found in the  hig...

In spite of life’s challenges and stress, it’s disappointments and difficulties, we ALL have much for which to be thankful ! The event that Americans commonly call the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their 1st harvest in the new world in October 1621. per Edward Winslow, a pilgrim who attended, the feast lasted three days and was attended by 90 Native American Indians and fifty-three Pilgrims. Thanksgiving is now a national holiday in the United States that has been celebrated off and on since 1789, with a proclamation by George Washington.  In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of “Thanksgiving and prayer to our beneficent Father who dwells in the Heavens,” to be celebrated on the 4th Thursday in November. As you gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving Day, surrounding a table full of your Thanksgiving favorite foods, we hope you’ll take time to ponder and pray- giving thanks to our “beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens....

                               O F  T R E A S U R E S  I N  H E A V E N  A N D  E A R T H      Recently we had the opportunity to visit the “ Mezhyhirya Mansion” which is called by the people of Ukraine- “ The Palace of Corruption.” or “Monument to corruption.” Why would such a beautiful place as this be called such a name? Let us tell you the story! Clear back in 2010 a man by the name of Victor Yanukovych was elected as the 4th President of Ukraine on February 7, 2010. ( 4th since the collapse of the Soviet Union on Dec. 26,1991-) He began almost immediately spending and expanding his complex in Mezhyhirya. The winter of 2014 is called “Winter on Fire” as the people revolted against the political corruption. The people gathered at Kyiv’s Maidan Square and eventually, more than 100 people were killed, many by sniper fire, in clashes between protesters and police. ...

                                                        THE LAW OF THE HARVEST                  September 2019 Here in Ukraine, fall is in the air and farmers markets are displaying a colorful assortment of fruits and vegetables. It’s harvest time ! Our favorite season. We have always loved gardens and have known some very amazing gardeners. Grandpa McAllister grew an incredible bounty of fruits and vegetables on his little garden in Washington Terrace, every year.  Grandpa Wade (Big Al) could grow tomatoes like nobody’s  business ( and a pretty good crop of weeds by seasons’ end.)  Grandpa Stone always had the best garden in North Ogden which helped feed his large family of 9 growing children. In Wellsville, even though our growing season was short, the soul was rich.  Blake a...

                                       Is The Holy Ghost YOUR Constant Companion?                            Not long after Joseph Smith was martyred, he appeared to Brigham Young in a dream . “Tell the people to be humble and faithful and to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the still small voice; it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it.”      Of all the messages Joseph could have shared with Brigham to teach the people, the importance of keeping in tune with the Holy Ghost was most important.  Gary E. Stevenson of the quorum of the 12 Apostle...

                                    FAITH OF OUR FATHERS ( and MOTHERS !)      In the very last verse of the very last chapter in the very last book of the Old Testament we read “And he shall turn the heart of the father’s to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6). We usually associate that scripture with genealogy and the need to do Temple work for our ancestors. This time of years we have other reasons to turn our hearts to our fathers.  Hymns # 84 reminds us that it is the Faith of our Fathers (and of course our Mothers) that should endear us to them and to which we must be true.  I especially like verse # 2 - “ Faith of our Fathers, we will strive to win all nations unto thee, and thru the truth that comes from God, mankind shall then be truly free. Faith of our fathers, holy fait...

                                       A  W h o l e  N e w  W o r l d ! When the new version of Disney’s Aladdin recently came out, we were privileged to take our Sacramento grandchildren to see it.  I love the story, the symbolism and messages even parallels of life that can be seen throughout the movie- even “A whole New World!” Come with me as if on a “magic carpet ride” as we view this amazing scene through spiritual eyes. A poor street urchin meets a wonderful young woman and catches a vision of what life could be. He takes risks and gets out of his comfort zone. Though dangerous, he dares to go where few others go and discovers a magic lamp. With this lamp comes a gift, a new companion, even a Genie who declares - “You ain’t never had a friend like me!” This amazing new friend and companion helps him become a new person- even- “ Prince Ali- Marvelous He!” T...