Very Cool Family

[Falla39]

I am the eldest daughter of eleven. Ten of us are still living. We all graduated from the
same high school and most have some further education. We were never allowed to even
think about quitting school. We were expected to bring home good grades and usually did.
Our six adult children also graduated from this same high school. Our eldest daughter was
valedictorian of her class in 1978. Her first cousin, a boy, was salutatorian in the same
class. The next year his sister was salutatorian of her class. I believe their father, my eld-
est brother, was salutetorian of his class in 1956.

We were raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We had nightly family alter. The
Word of God was made a big thing in our home. Reading the Word of God and praying
were requirements if you were going to live for GOD. Some of the kids at school would
say my father was too strict on me because I couldn't do everything they wanted me
to do. I thank God for my parents who taught their children and taught us to live
disciplined lives. We were "trained up in the way we SHOULD go. Today, there is not a
smoker, a drinker, a druggie in the bunch. Not perfect, just forgiven.

I never received the Holy Ghost until the year after graduating from high school. I had
tasted just enough of the world to know I would never be happy there. Our father was
our pastor from just after I received the Holy Ghost until he passed on, in 1989. I worked
as his church secretary from the beginning and learned SO much from him. I wouldn't
trade my upbringing and my heritage with anyone.

Today five of our six children, with their families, go to the church their grandparents
founded. One son, attends an apostolic church near their home approx. 15 milies from
us, with his family. All of our adult children and their spouses and the older children have
received the Holy Ghost.

My late father held license with the United Pentecostal Church for many years. But the
Bible was his instruction book. He never focused on the organization, himself, but pointed
us toward Jesus. Look to Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith. We have done
the same with our children. Pointed and focused them to Jesus.

I wouldn't take anything for our large family. In fact I have a very nice gift for each of
our children's families (we give the grands money) and each of my siblings families.
Something the Lord helped me to find that was affordable (regular price 70.00, I pur-
chased for 19.99 each).If anyone's interested I will tell you after the holidays
what it was. Can't do it now as some of them are on this forum or some just lurk. Big
families are fun!! Children are wonderful and grandchildren are ...just grand!

We are SO blessed! I am just bragging on my Lord and God!

Blessings,

Falla39