Family History: It’s not a Trivial Pursuit!

In Pursuit Of Excellence

Develop a stronger sense of family

Bridge the gap between generations

Share special time with your loved ones

Make history come alive

Create opportunity for lifelong learning

Encourage organizational, planning, communication, logic,

problem-solving, and presentation skills

******************************************

Now here’s a story of a lovely lady who met a very handsome man. One day they decided to marry and start the McElroy-Randolph Family...  

1. What is the name of this couple, the patriarch and matriarch of our family?

2. What date did they marry? What Location (city, state)?


Family Genealogist Challenge: Name the children according to birth order, with birth dates; and location (city, state) of their birth.

1. Who are Emily and Isaac McElroy?
Name their children according to birth order, with birthdates; and location (city, state) of their birth. 

Family Genealogist Challenge 

1. What is the maiden name of Emily? 
2. What is the maiden name of Ida? 
3. Name the siblings of Joshua Randolph.
4. Name the siblings of Isaac McElroy.

Family Genealogist Challenge    

Who is ‘Uncle See’? Who is ‘Snake Hips’? Who is ‘Reesie Cup’?
Who is ‘Uncle Butch’? Who is ‘Uncle Botchie’? Who is ‘Partner’?
Who is ‘Sister’? Who is ‘Uncle Nip’? Who is ‘Uncle Jake’?
Who is ‘Ole Mother Goose’? Who is ‘Gene-o’?
Who is ‘Good Man’? Who is ‘Thumb’? Who is ‘Papa White’?
Who is ‘Big Mac’ Who is ‘Ike’? Who is ‘Rae, Rae’?

Family Genealogist Challenge

Name at least 25 individuals under the age of 18.
Name at least 25 individuals between the ages 18- 40.
Name at least 25 individuals between ages of 35-60.
Name at least 25 individuals over the age of 60.

*At least one-half (50%) of your list must be names of individuals who reside outside your state.

Family Genealogist Challenge

Name at least 25 individuals born 1960-1980 who have obtained a high school diploma.

*At least one-half (50%) of your list must be names of individuals who reside outside your state.

Family Genealogist Challenge 

Name at least 25 individuals born 1960-1980 who have obtained college degrees.

*At least one-half (50%) of your list must be names of individuals who reside outside your state.

Family Genealogist Challenge

1. Name at least 2 individuals who have achieved the scholastic honor of salutatorian and/or valedictorian of their high school.
2. Name the person who worked for the Lieutenant Governor/Governor of Kentucky.
3. Name the person who worked for an Indianapolis mayor.
4. Who was a participant in a beauty pageant?
5. Who was homecoming queen in high school?

Family Genealogist Challenge

1. Name at least 25 individuals who have developed/managed a business.

*At least one-half (50%) of your list must be names of individuals who reside outside your state.

Family Genealogist Challenge

Name at least 25 people who have served/serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Name each individual’s branch of service, years of service, and current rank or rank upon discharge.

*At least one-half (50%) of your list must be names of individuals who reside outside your state.

 Family Genealogist Challenge 

Name at least 25 people who plays/played a musical instrument. 

*At least one-half (50%) of your list must be names of individuals who reside outside your state.

 Family Genealogist Challenge

Name at least 25 people who participates/participated in high school sports. 

*At least one-half (50%) of your list must be names of individuals who reside outside your state.

 Family Genealogist Challenge

1. “Rise Peter, Slay and Eat” was a common phrase quoted by this person.
2. Who regularly asked the question, “Has anyone ever told you I love you today?”
3. The John H. Randolph loved the song/ballad, ‘John Henry’. Recite the lyrics and/or sing the song, ‘John Henry’. Explain the story of John Henry and how it applies to the Family's pursuit of excellence.

Web of Deceit

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive."

The controversy involving Mitt Romney and his employment at Bain is the proverbial game-changer in election politics. Individuals, on both sides of issue, seems to be effectively asserting their positions based on perception of the facts.

The controversy is a relevant and serious issue. What is the truth? What is the basis of Mitt Romney's arguement?

An interesting fact is the severance agreement from Bain that was finalized in 2002 and retroactive to 1999.

At first glance, it seems when Romney signed the oft-mentioned SEC documents, it may have been legal, initially. Furthermore, Romney's propensity to have it both ways seems to have resulted in all of his words and actions being in direct contradiction to each other.

Significance of Romney's Pattern of Obfuscation ---

• Calls attention to the 2002 gubernatorial race and the MA Ballot Law Commission hearing thereby presenting legitimate questions about the legitmacy of Romney's gubernatorial candidacy/election.
• Calls attention to 2012 Wisconsin primary and the legitimacy of its results.
• Calls attention to allegations  regarding the legitmacy of results in other 2012 Republican primaries 
• Makes it more likely that the 2012 Republican Party National Convention may be brokered or contested.

The controversy seems to involve more than inconsistency and lies. The issue seems to include multiple incidents of fraud, perjury, and de-legitimization of the U.S. electoral process. Indeed, what has transpired is about more than employment tenure at a company. This controversy involves actions that may be regarded by historians as having potential to be a bane of U.S. democracy.



Mitt Romney needs to provide answers to legitimate questions in a straight forward manner.

Further Reading

Forum Post: Romney Tax Returns '98-'01 -- Perjury, Fraud & the Mass. Ballot Law Commission

Romney's 2002 Testimony and Romney's Evasiveness

Mitt Romney Bain Capital Document Lists Him As 'Managing Member' In 2002

Account of Romney's Bain departure has evolved

Romney admits he lied about MA residency

Tools for Justice

Forbes: Romney Needs to Answer 35 Questions

Video: Romney Needs to Answer 35 Questions

Valuable Lesson

Author: Unknown


"A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the crowded room of more than 200, he asked, ""Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started to go up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple up the dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were  up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind  it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you all have just learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what i did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happen or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him."

Hope

Hope is the encouragement that gets you out of bed when all you really want to do is burrow under the blanket instead

Hope sees positive Change when the situation looks despairingly bleak; When needed most it provides strength when you are weak.

Hope is seen in a child's eyes, it's 'wonder of the possible' --- that takes the naysayers by surprise.

Hope is leaders who pursue progressive responsible change, not defending an ineffective status quo; Going beyond complacency towards new frontiers of opportunity where many dared not go.

Hope is common sense solutions to challenges facing the nation: Deficit; Energy; and Education.

For we are not a people that do wail as victims of circumstances nor do we quit; We live our destiny; rising up and putting on our strength which is responsibility.

When a crippling financial crisis ravished the land, Hope's cry resonated from businesses and individuals saying , "Yes, We Can!"

For out of many, we are one. We are Democrats and Republicans; Conservatives and Liberals; Christians, Moslems, and Atheists too. We are the United States of America.

Hope is You.

The Hallmark of Excellence

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect... but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus... Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." --- Phillipians 3:12-13; 4:8

 

It's not about achieving a goal. The scriptures records numerous examples concerning the importance of not just whether there is a completed work altogether, but the quality of the work. It's not about mediocrity but excellence i.e. presenting the best 'fruit of your labors' unto the Lord God. The scriptures , specifically Psalm 8, rcords 'the name of the Lord God is excellent'. The scripture, Colassians 3:17 records that everything that man does in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Practically speaking, everything done in word or deed should meet the approval of/be in accordance with the Lord Jesus Christ, the expressed character of God. Understand. If a man does or says something in the name of the President of the United States, their words and actions would meet the approval of or be in accordance with the character (the way things are done) of the President of the United States.

The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is excellent i.e.e above all things; above the President of the United states. therefore, as ambassadors of Christ (II Corinthians 5:20) man should be committed to do everything in word or deed in the name of His Excellency; in accordance with His character/meeting His approval, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Almighty God.

"Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us." --- Ephesians 3:20

Some people may be able to produce 30-fold, 60-fold, or 100-fold. The question is, 'are we willing to work to the best of our God-given abilities or do we settle for less than our potential?' Remember, medicrity just happens, but excellence requires diligence and effort.


Further Consideration


Paul Tsongas --- "America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor."

In the Glass

The Guy in the Glass

by Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934


When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.


Further Review

Related Blog:  Part 3 ---  Move From the 'Hood

Pre-Approved for a Blessing

Numbers 23:8, 20 --- How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?...Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it."

************

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph had intimacy with his father

Israel, his father loved Joseph

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph received coat from his father

Joseph received dreams from God

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph was rebuked by his brethren

Joseph was rebuked by his father

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph's brethren sought to destroy him

Joseph's brethren cast him into pit

Joseph's brethren sold him for profit

Joseph was brought to Egypt

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph's brethren lied to father about actions

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph became servant of Egyptian

Joseph was prosperous

Joseph became overseer over master's house

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph resisted and fled seduction

Joseph's character was impugned

Joseph was cast in prison

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph obtained favor in sight of prison keeper

Joseph prospered in his actions

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph received understanding to interpret dreams

Joseph received understanding to prophesy

Joseph was remembered

Joseph acknowledged  God for receipt of understanding

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph received promotion; authority

Joseph received wife; begat two sons

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph help Egyptians, brethren in time of need

Joseph fogave brethren, had fellowship with them

Joseph restored fellowship with his father

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph's progeny was blessed

Joseph's brethren was blessed

Joseph was blessed

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph was preserved

May meant it for evil; God designed it for good

God is in control; It's a set-up for a blessing, a miracle.

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

The vision is for an appointed time

It may seem improbable, impossible

It may cause heartache, misunderstandings

It may cause scorn, rebuke

It may cause rejection, betrayal (deception)

It may cause malevolence, imprisonment

It may cause the impugning of character

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

You may not see the vision, though it's clearly evident

It may seem slow in manifestation

Yet it shall be be manifested

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Selah.

 

Further Reading

Romans 8:28 --- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 

II Timothy 2:15 --- "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Music Video --- All Things Work Together