In my last post, I mentioned our "Legacy of Love." I've actually mentioned it in previous posts as well. Both Jon and I have been blessed with a history, a legacy if you will, of strong, long-lasting marriages. At our wedding, we featured 3 generations worth (those who were in attendance) of photos on the back table. Not only is it a Legacy of Love... it's also a Legacy of Faith. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

A few days ago, I received an invitation in the mail to attend a family reunion. Nothing out of the ordinary right? People have reunions all the time.

However, this reunion was for the descendants of my Great Great Grandparents (Paternal Grandmother's side), Iver and Ingeborg Skaare. It will take place next summer in conjunction with the 125th Anniversary Celebration of Bergen Church. The reason they chose this date and location is because my Great Great Grandparents were founding members of the church.

So I did a little bit of digging.

Bergen Church is a place that I'm very familiar with. I didn't attend there (it was an hour from my home). However, when we'd gather for holidays or other family events with my Dad's side, it was always very central to the conversation. People who gathered at my Grandparents' house were often integrally tied to Bergan Church.

In my digging, I discovered this document detailing the history of Bergan Church. It was amazing to take in the heritage into which I had been born. Certainly a Legacy of Faith had been given long before even my father was a twinkle in anyone's eye. Within this document are many, many names that are personal and familiar to me. I thought they were just friends of my Grandma's, but it turns out many of them were family -- cousins, aunts, uncles. I always enjoyed the family feel at my Grandparent's house, so warm and so welcoming. But I didn't realize just how interwoven family was -- family WERE their friends.

I read about how my Great Great Grandparents were founding members of Bergan Church, how they were one of only a few founding members present at the 45th Anniversary celebration of the church. How heartbreaking it must have been to watch the church burn on December 26, 1934, with the congregation gathered to celebrate Christmas. Yet, from the ashes, my Great Grandfather (Paternal Grandfather's side) was called to be one of those who constructed the new church. So on my Dad's side of the family, this little country church was really the cornerstone of their faith and their life.

I also found this article written by my Great Great Grandmother's brother and shared by one of his descendants. How interesting to discover just how they, and thus my family, ended up in that small town where so much of my heritage is based.

Also uncovered was this article about my Great Great Grandmother. The details surrounding my Great Great Grandparent's wedding was enjoyable to discover. But more than that, I loved reading about how my Great Great Grandmother recalled it with laughter. I love to think that laughter and joy was a prevailing mood and sound found in their house. My Great Great Grandparents were both born in Norway, thus spoke Norwegian in their home. However, they were married by an American priest -- one who spoke only English. So they didn't understand a word of their marriage ceremony! The Norwegian language not only was spoken by them, but also my Great Grandparents, and even my own Grandmother. I recall many stories from my Grandma about growing up speaking Norwegian, being confirmed in Norwegian. My brother and I both went to colleges with strong Norwegian heritage and were able to sing "Beautiful Savior" in Norwegian at my Grandparent's funerals.

What began as an invitation to a family reunion really became a heartwarming discovery of my family history. My family may not have been famous or wealthy, kings or princes, but they knew riches that were immeasurable. Their faith, their family ties, and the Legacy they passed on to future generations...my generation...is something much more "rich" than fortune or fame.

And once again, for that I am grateful.