Welcome to In Our Hearts

Zechariah 10: 8-9,” I will call My people and gather them together. I will rescue them and make them as numerous as they used to be. Though I have scattered them among the nations, yet in far-off places they will remember Me. They and their children will survive and return home together.”
(Good News Bible: American Bible Society, 1976).

Welcome Family and Friends,

Through this page, I will show how the invisible connections between the past and the present shape our world, and our place (as individuals) in it.

Within each one of us is a legacy of memories, lessons, values and history passed down from those who walked before us. No matter how far you have traveled, or what separates you—the ties of family are intricately connected through the guiding hands of our ancestors watching over us. Sometimes the hands are gentle, other times the pull is strong. We are called to remember. We are called to teach our children from the lessons and experiences of family. We are called to question. We are called to open doors to healing. We are called to give voice to a forgotten past. We are all called by name, to return to the faded footsteps from which our very first steps began.

This web page is a tribute to the branches of my family tree(s): the Fords, Martins, Mortons, Green(e)s and all branches I have yet to discover. Through this page, I will share my own journey of how I was led to discover my past and reconnect with family. I also invite my family to contribute to this page, so that all our journeys can be shared. Please feel free to include anything you think is relevant—stories, pictures, recipes, genealogy, current events, etc. My vision is to create a family scrapbook, and have it printed. This page will be a foundation for what is put into the scrapbook. I need your input to make this possible! Feel free to e-mail me at any time with your contributions. I am flexible—and if you would rather not have your entry posted online that is fine, I will save the information for the scrapbook only. I look forward to hearing from you

My sincere gratitude goes out to my family. I thank all of you taking the time and effort to share with me. I thank my grandparents and ancestors for their efforts, dreams, and sacrifices. I wake up each morning with appreciation, and awe of how your work and love created such a life, such opportunities. I know we, as a family, have endured many hardships but faith, determination and love has seen us through. I have faith that God is working a special purpose through every experience, or as the old saying goes (grin), “We are built Ford tough!” I look forward to seeing this page grow.

The connection of one life to another brings the closeness of family into our relationships with others. As part of a greater purpose, what is learned within the family is to be shared; everything that is experienced in the family offers a lesson or insight. It is God’s design to open our hearts, to open our homes, and to open the circle of family (Hebrews 10:24), “Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another, to show love and do good.” My sincere gratitude goes out to my friends, thank you for your support and encouragement. We are not connected through blood but through spirit. I thank you for sharing this incredible journey with me. You are also welcome to contribute to this page—and be part of its growth.

In Joy, Love & Peace, Lynn Mari

©2007