Poems for Mother ~ ala Little Lamar

Many mothers keep the cards, drawings and school assignments their children create. I know I have a box of saved stuff (and also many more scanned and saved online). This precious poem and invitation to a school celebration was saved ... it's likely over 75 years old!  This was made by little Lamar for his mother Lucille. Check out the artwork, the poetry, the print, and the cursive! Grandma Lucille probably thought she was hanging onto this cute card for herself, not knowing that many years later future generations would be checking it out.

Here's another card - Another poem for Mother

The picture little LaMar drew is the famous "Whistler's Mother" painting.  

Perhaps this is where the Westra kids and grandkids inherited their artistic ability.  

The original painting is now worth $140 MILLION dollars!

Hmmm, how much LaMar's rendition is worth?

Derek commented: I loved Dad's poems and Whistler's Mother-style portrait! I remember learning about James McNeil Whistler in A.P. Art History with Mr. Bill. I remember two things: 1) Whistler always painted while wearing a full suit and tie, and 2) Whistler took critique really hard - he couldn't stand any criticism. I remember going on my Senior Trip to the Met in NY with Brian Anderson (who took AP Art with me). We knew enough about the artists and paintings that people started to follow us as we walked through and explained things. We got a big kick out of that. Two 18-year-old dudes were being followed for our deep knowledge of art history!

Deciphering Dropbox

 

The recent family history challenges have been focused on FamilySearch.org ... which is a great website for photos and histories and tracking family lines. Once people have passed away, the pictures and documents are available to the public. OUR family history project started with Dropbox, which is a file storage/sharing app. A great backup that is available from anywhere, and a little more private and flexible for our family history needs. There are free Dropbox versions with limited storage (2GB). That wasn't enough for the Westra Photo Project (currently at almost 200 GB) so we have invested in a family plan to give several people full access. A "family" log-in was created so that anyone who doesn't have Dropbox (or only has the free version or doesn't want Dropbox installed on their computer) can still access the full family photo project. With an app for your phone or tablet, or a web-only version on the computer, with the family username/password ... you can log in and see all the preserved pictures, and even upload - adding your own to the project.

To get the login/password, text/call/email Grandma, Jen, Wendy or Chris.

It is saved (an image file) in the main menu ... in case WE forget ;)

The first image is what the Dropbox menu looks like if you have Dropbox installed directly onto your computer. It is basically just using file explorer to go through folders and files. With this, you can change the size of the images (Grandma likes hers extra large and easy to see) or check out the details/dates/properties.  It can be stored on your harddrive (if you have the space) for offline access. There is a search option ... plug in a word/name and see what it pulls up. 

With WebOnly access, simply go to Dropbox.com, and you will see a "sign up or sign in" - and use the family username/password to sign in. It brings up a main menu page, and if you click on (Westra Family Photo History Memory Project) you would get a similar pages  show above & below. You can click on folders and files, and move forward or back through photos and folders to enlarge pictures. There is also a search function for the web version. 

Using your phone or a tablet is another great way to access Dropbox. You would need to add the app, then use the family login/password to get into the Westra Photo Project. As you log in the first time, it will ask you a couple questions (connect and backup all your photos to dropbox? Notifications?) You can just skip these - no commitment! 

These are three screen shots from an iphone - dropbox app.

Showing the main menu and going into the year 2000 folder. 

Folders are first, followed by photo files. 

With limited space on a smaller screen, you may only get partial names/labels.

An ipad shows a slightly different, but similar presentation.

There is a search option in the app too. 

When you are in the app -  check out the menu at the very bottom. HOME is the start page, which shows recent uploads and notifications. To look through folders and photos, tap the FILES to explore. Things are basically in chronological order, with a folder of everything before 1960, then each year after that. Within each year, there are folders for families or specific activities. Then there are some topic folders (all the annual Christmas newsletters/slideshows, another family folder feature). 

If you've ever seen a picture in the Christmas slideshow that you wanted to download to your phone, or wanted to check out the years before you were born, the Westra Family Photo History Memory Project is the perfect place to look. As the end of the year rolls around, upload your best photos so that you are represented in the files (and in the calendar and slideshow) ... it's a great backup too! 

Cooper didn't participate in last week's family history challenge (uploading a photo to Family Search) ... he said "I don't like to take photos of myself". I told him he could use a baby picture, and he asked how he would do that. Well just hop onto Dropbox, look at the year you were born and find a photo. Download it to your phone, and upload to Family Search. Easy peesy! Now that the next generation is mastering the Family Search site with the challenges and scavenger hunts ... exploring Dropbox may be an upcoming contest! 

Animating Ancestors

FamilySearch.Org is the main site that the Westra's use for family history. Backed by the church, it has a ton of information and it's FREE to use. There are other genealogical sites out there, like Ancestory.com and MyHeritage.com ... these often have fees, but can include additional information or fun activities. One of these activities that has been making the rounds on social media lately is MyHeritage's "Deep Nostalgia" which can take an old photo and bring it to life! Animating ancestors! Cool ... or creepy?

Introducing Henry Weeks Sanderson. 1829-1896.

Mom's (Margie), Mom's (Zada), Dad's, Mom's Dad

You need to press play ...

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Instagram - The Westra Way

For being several generations back, there are quite a few memories about ol' great-grandpa Sanderson (98 of them, pictures/text) on the FamilySearch website. Check them out HERE.

Here are more "live" pictures ...
the great-grandparents on the Westra side, Ate and Geeske

... and a young Grandpa Joe, missionary age!

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To use MyHeritage's Deep Nostalgia tool, it seems I did have to create a log-in (free). I used the tool a few times and then received a pop-up to subscribe (after a 14-day free trial). $150 a year, which seems excessive with FamilyHistory.org's free (and already mostly complete line for our family+) offerings. It seems if I came back to the site, I was able to upload and "liven up" more without having to pay or take further steps. I also accessed MyHeritage again from a different browser, and this time used the "Facebook" log-in (rather than setting up an email/PW) and used it several times and didn't get the "sign-up" pop-up (although I did recieve a general "welcome" email at the email address associated with my Facebook). So while you don't have to pay to use the tool, I do think you need to "sign-in" somehow before use.  

Illustrious Ancestors - Looking for Links

 One of the activities on FamilySearch is "Famous Relatives" ... tracing back in your family tree to find some of those well-known scientists, political figures, artists, etc.  Here is the challenge Chris sent out:

Today the goal is to report back on one famous relative that you found fun and interesting. I chose Thomas Edison. Send me back a screenshot similar to mine. There are three extra rewards (1) for the quickest result submitted (2) the CLOSEST relationship to a famous person (you may want to try out a few) and (3) the person who BEST explains what "Three Times Removed" means (see the example in my Thomas Edison screenshot). 

Below - you'll see the screenshot that Chris sent. Any of the Westra siblings (shown here with Jen's screenshot) would trace the same line back. So you'd think any grandchildren would just be another branch down on the tree. Surprise ... when Colton clicked on Edison, he had a closer link through the Blackham side. That was true for Calder too!

Rella won for first/fastest response ... Jane Austen, the author of Pride and Prejudice. That's one of Jen's favorite books, so Jen looked up that relationship for her too. Neither Jen nor Rella went through the Westra side of the family for the link.

Next up ... Diana and Disney!

Derek and Danielle's crew connected with Princess Diana and Walt Disney along the Westra line.

The Blackham's linked to those two too --  but they found a different route.

Here's a look at Lincoln. Three grandkid links ... Three different paths.

Here is Kaden's winning explanation of "cousins" and "removed"

I must admit I'm still a little confused.

Here's a chart from Family Search ...

... and an explanation from Ancestry.com

Each cousin can be numbered based on how many generations back your shared ancestors are and “removed” a given number of times, based on how many generations apart you are from each other.

One thing to bear in mind when dealing with “removed” cousins is that determining whether you are first, second, or third cousins is a little trickier, since you end up with different numbers when counting back to your common ancestor. In these cases, the number is based on which one of you counts back the fewest number of generations. For example, if your cousin counts back three generations while you count back five, then you would be second cousins twice removed. The “second” would be due to the number of generations back your cousin counted to a common ancestor, and “twice removed” thanks to the difference in generations between you.

I'm STILL not quite sure, but luckily when all the ancestors are in place along the family lines, then family search figures it all out for us! 

Several of the Jensen kids were feeling presidential ...

Janelle found a link to Thomas Jefferson (3rd president)

Josh found a link to Andrew Jackson (7th president)

Jaiden found a link to Franklin Pierce (14th president)

Janika found a link to William McKinley (25th president)

Lincoln (shown earlier) was the 16th president ... now this is also a history lesson. 

None of the Jensen's presidential paths connected through the Westra line, but ...

Elvis is apparently a 9th cousin ... removed differently. And NOT a Westra/Norman.

Cayson. Jenna. Colton - Linked through the other side of the family.

 

... and a couple more from Jared and Ellen (and Colton)

Again - no Westra connection.

Now before you think Colton was super excited about this project with all his contributions ... admittedly, it was Mom, looking up some on his account to get some different paths to the same people. Colton didn't actually participate, and didn't get the reward.

Cooper did though ... and won the award for the closest connection.

Removed by a lot ... but first cousin!

Cooper wasn't even trying for the extra reward - this was the only match he looked up. His Physics class has been studying Newton's three laws, so he had Newton on the brain. Maybe he has a little of the brain power too? After all, they are totally related!

With Roots Tech going on this week, Facebook has been full of "are we related" challenges, which would match your family history to see if you just might link up to some of your Facebook friends. Most "matches" were ## cousin ## removed ... but that's true for some of these famous individuals as well. Many people are related if you go back far enough, and with family history ... we can see pretty far!

What will the next challenge be ... will YOU participate?

Fun Photo Activity - Family History

Last week, the family history project challenge was to find out how your face fit into your family tree ... and there were a lot of fun entries. This week, the challenge was to go to familysearch.org, in the "activities" section (the same place the "compare a face" challenge was located) but this week, it was "Picture Your Heritage" where you can insert YOUR face into historical photos. 

Here are the girls ... can you recognize who is who?

To give a little hint/help, here's who participated: Janika, Janelle, Jaiden and Jenna from the Jensen family. Derek's girls Aniston, Layla and Noelle. Shane's girls Adria and Rella. Kylie, Corin's wife sent a submission too (Grandma would love for the older, married kids to participate!) As just 10 names are listed, and there are twelve photos, someone submitted more than one. You can see that certain poses were popular!

There wasn't quite as much participation from the guys ... but there were some great shots!

Do you need names at least to guess who is who? Uncle Chris, and his boys Kaden, Corin, Camden and Cayson. Nope ... Kellin didn't submit one, but I sure thought he did! Calder, Keaton, Cooper and Josh also have faces featured.

This activity worked best using a phone or tablet. It needs to access your camera so it can fill in your face (unlike the previous "compare-a-face activity which also allowed you to upload an existing photograph). You can "see" your face fitting into the image, and then adjust the brightness to try to make it match the picture. 

I'll admit ... I didn't know WHERE to put this one!

Just in case you couldn't tell, that's silly Uncle Derek!

In addition to participation awards, there were additional awards for quickest submission, funniest, and most realistic. 

What would your votes be?

Should I re-post the pictures with the names attached, or make you go to the Dropbox folder (these are in the year 2021 folder, labeled with names). 

I tried out the challenge originally, but didn't submit any for the contest ... 

but it was rather fun to play around with. 

If you are signed into Family Search, then it will match your last name up with nationalities that match up with your name. You can choose to go through all the different cultures if you want ... or as Derek displayed, switch sexes too. There were photos for men, women, and even some other group photos, that give you additional picture poses to choose from.

This was a fun photo activity for family history!

How Your Face Fits in Your Family

 

As part of the big Westra Family History project, photos and histories are being gathered, labeled, and hopefully saved in a way that future family will be able to find whatever they are looking for about their ancestors. This blog, the family Dropbox, and of course the church Family History site are all the places the Westra histories are being preserved. Beyond that preservation, family needs to know where these things are, and how to access them. So there have been some family history activities introduced to try and get the grandkids more familiar with everything.

This past Sunday, the challenge was the "Compare a Face" activity found on the FamilySearch.Org site. If you go to the main page, there are a few options across the top. One is "ACTIVITIES" and if you click it, you'll get a drop-down menu of some fun options, one being the compare a face photo exercise. You upload a picture of you, and then it will automatically analyze and match you to one of your ancestors who you look most like. It will give you a percentage, and show multiple people and your percentage of similarity. We have featured this activity once before on the blog (see HERE). 

Now - for this to be fully effective, you DO need to be connected to your family tree. I don't know if all the grandkids already had accounts, but the Blackham Boys didn't, so they had to be set up. Any living family members in your tree need to be added manually (privacy issues)... names and photos. If an ancestor is deceased, they should show up, and you can then link to them and all the pictures/histories that are saved for them.

You can manipulate the activity a bit, and try photos other than the featured faces on family search. Some of the grandkids played around seeing if younger faces were more of a match. Adria matched with a young Shane at 94%. A young Jaiden was a 93% match with Wendy at about the same age. 

Wendy wrote: The kids had a lot of fun with the family history challenge "find-a-face" on FamilySearch yesterday and after they did their matches with various ancestors they started doing matches with their immediate family members. Mom and Chris and I were discussing the other day how many of our ancestors look so much alike from when they were children to when they were adults. (See the screenshot of Joseph and Edward Westra below compared with their thumbnails, for example.) But there are always exceptions and I think I am one of them! I put a recent picture of myself with a picture of myself at ten years old on the find-a-face and it only had a 38% match -- for the same person! It isn't until high school -- post braces and all that -- that I got a 100% match to myself now. Interesting! I was also surprised that I had a higher match to mom than to dad! I thought for sure it would be the other way around. I was also surprised that Jenna and Janika had a 98% match when comparing pictures of similar ages. Interesting stuff!

Here's a look at a couple more from the activity ...

Sisters ...

Derek's Fixer-Upper Article

Derek had an article he wrote featured on the Church website. Shane grabbed a screenshot of it when it was on the main menu. It's the Do You Have the Guts to be a Fixer-Upper? And yes, that IS Derek as the model ;) Derek has been doing a ton of home improvements (with Covid canceling so much, it's been something many have turned to). He said he had written up this article and submitted it a few months ago, and didn't even know it had been published to the church page until someone mentioned it to him. 

The link to the church article is above, 

but Mom wanted a copy on the blog and in Dropbox... so here it is ;)

Do You Have the Guts to Be a Fixer-Upper?

You could say I’m almost addicted to all things house flipping (as in: home renovations that fix up a deteriorating property and culminate in a jaw-dropping reveal.)

I love all TV shows in this category, whether it’s the more recent shows or the classic ones. To me there is something noble, beautiful, and irresistible about finding a home that is run down, falling apart, and fraught with issues but seeing its hidden potential and investing the time to “flip it,” restoring it to its former (and future) glory.

One of the most popular of these hit shows starts every episode with the husband-and-wife dynamic duo stating their objective: “We take the worst home, in the best neighborhood, and turn it into our clients’ dream home.” Then they start that episode’s story by asking: “Do you have the guts to take on a fixer-upper?”

I’ve often wondered why these shows are so ridiculously popular. Why are there so many of them? There’s a whole network dedicated to giving us as many house-flipping reality TV shows as we can take!

I remember asking a friend this same question years ago about sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero movies. “Why are we so obsessed with these stories?” I asked. “What is it that keeps us coming back for more?”

My friend’s reply was dripping with the wisdom of someone with decades more time than I have spent in the scriptures (and also within worlds like Asgard, Tatooine, and Gotham.)

“The reason these stories are so popular is because there is something deeply ‘true’ about the fight between good and evil, and the need for a hero to save us. It resonates with our spirits. We’re drawn to these fictions because of their similarity to the very real nonfiction we live every day.”

I recently realized that this same answer also applies to my other question: “Why are home renovation stories so popular?”

I believe there is something familiar about the process of recognizing potential, restoring virtue, and revealing beauty that speaks to our souls.

Isn’t it inspiring when someone can recognize the dignity of something that is so badly broken? Someone with “eyes to see” who can look past the neglected exterior and the injured insides, and with a confident smile can say, “I can work with this.”

Fixing up a damaged and decaying property takes a huge investment of time and labor. Sometimes the foundation needs to be reinforced. Often the roof requires repair. Sometimes there are significant structural issues. Some days are demo-days, where rotten walls and termite-ridden floorboards are ripped out, exposing the home’s fragile frame. Other days are for rebuilding, where stabilizing support beams are placed to strengthen the home and ensure that it remains safe for years to come.

When the bad parts are cut out and cleared away, it’s time for the designers to truly transform the space. They slowly walk through and look carefully at the various rooms, envisioning what they can become. They take notice of the flow, and how the light hits the walls. They visualize the people who will live there and begin to mentally place a fireplace here, a dining table there, and porch swings facing the sunset.

When the home is just about ready, the designers add the finishing touches to make sure every detail is in place: the landscaping is complete, the pillows are perfectly positioned and fluffed, and candles are positioned to accentuate the unique beauty and character of the home.

At this point the designers ask the homeowner, “Are you ready to see your fixer-upper?” The renovation is revealed. Jaws drop, tears flow, and homeowners say things like “It’s not the same house!” and “Thank you for seeing what this home was capable of becoming!”

Do you recognize this restoration process? These stages are similar to the steps of the Atonement of Jesus in our lives.

I realize that it is inappropriate to compare the most precious gift ever given to mankind by the Savior of the world to a home renovation. One is supernal, the other mundane. One is God-given, the other man-made. I do this only to say that on some level we intimately know and recognize this process, and it resonates with our spirits.

The scriptures are replete with examples of the Jesus’s “renovations.” I imagine Him at the Sea of Galilee looking at the rough and impulsive fisherman Simon Peter and envisioning the “rock” upon which He would build His Church. Then with a confident smile, saying, “I can work with this.” I imagine the resurrected Lord seeing the powerful potential of Paul in the small-in-stature Saul, and the yet-to-be-born Jehovah recognizing the determined drive in Alma the Younger that He knew He could “flip.”

The process of cutting away the spiritually rotten and decaying parts of a person is painful. It takes work to create a masterpiece from mangled and missing pieces. I believe the ingredient that makes this possible is mercy.

The scriptures describe this process of investment, love, and work many times. Here is one of my favorites: “And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them” (Mosiah 28:4).

Transformations require tools. Mercy, love, and grace are among the tools Jesus uses to renovate our lives. In all the scriptures, never did Jesus turn away from a fixer-upper. Never did He look at a potential restoration project and say, “That one is too far gone.” No matter how cracked the foundation or how abused the interior, our Savior always takes the job. The woman taken in adultery. The blind man. Jarius and his daughter. The woman with an issue of blood. Lazarus. Mary. Me. You.

If we allow Him to take us on, and to design our lives, we’ll find that He—as the Architect, Designer, and Builder—can do so much more with us than we can with ourselves.

Do you have the guts to be a fixer-upper?