Monday Morning Boost: Creating a Pioneer Legacy for Future Generations
Imagine a young 16-year-old girl, setting off alone to a new and unknown land due to financial constraints that prevented her family from joining her. Undeterred by the challenges ahead, that’s exactly what my second great-grandmother did in 1863 when she joined a group of strangers, and together they crossed the vast plains in a wagon pulled by oxen. Her faith in her beliefs and the promise of a better future fueled her determination.
Kristine Marie Jensen was born in Denmark in 1847. Her remarkable adventure of migrating to America with a group of Mormon Pioneers serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience that lies within us, waiting to be unleashed.
During their journey, tragedy struck when Kristine suffered a serious accident. Despite her injuries, she found the courage to keep going. With no medical assistance available, she turned to her faith and received a priesthood blessing from the elders, which proved to be a turning point in her life. The blessing assured her that she would reach Utah and become the mother of a large family.
True to the words of the blessing, Kristine’s dreams came to fruition. She settled in Utah, where she raised 12 children and became a grandmother to 53 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and even two great-great-grandchildren before passing away at the age of 98.
As I reflect on Kristine’s journey, I realize that her legacy lives on through the generations that followed. My grandmother, Veone Christensen Patterson, was one of her 53 grandchildren, and my father was among her 11 great-grandchildren. The connection in our Family Tree graphic serves as a constant reminder of the strength and resilience that flows through our family line.
Our pioneer ancestors’ stories offer us valuable lessons that can empower us to forge our own paths in life and create a lasting legacy for our descendants. Each of us has the potential to be pioneers in our own right, facing our challenges with unwavering determination and faith.
Just as we feel a deep connection to the pioneer journey of our ancestors, our stories will also be treasured by future generations. The triumphs and tragedies we experience will resonate in the hearts of our children, grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. By sharing our stories, we pass on the wisdom and inspiration that will guide and uplift them in their own lives.
I encourage each one of you to take a moment to record your own stories. Whether through writing, recording, or simply sharing with loved ones, let us embrace the power of storytelling to inspire ourselves and those who come after us.
Ironically, after spending 10 days in Florida working, hanging out with my brother Robert, and rejuvenating, Elisa and I will return home to Utah on this day we celebrate our Pioneer legacy. While we will travel in the comfort and expedited convenience of an air-conditioned plane, I will reflect on the lessons learned from my pioneer ancestors.
Just as the Pioneers faced the unknown with courage, faith, and determination, creating a legacy that endures in our hearts and minds today, we can follow in their footsteps by intentionally creating a legacy that will shine brightly through the annals of time.
Thanks for letting me share!
Have a beautiful Monday! I love you, friend
Les
p.s. Take 13 minutes today to record and share a story of your own.
