Hebrews 11:13-14 “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.”
S.S. Columbia – the ship Great Grandma sailed to New York City on in 1921
Dear Kids,
Real faith is not stagnant. It is never enough to say you believe something without proving your conviction by action. When you have confidence in a trustworthy person, your response will prove your trust. And well-placed faith results in great rewards.
The late 1800s and early 1900s brought with it a great movement of immigrants to the United States of America. Many of these new arrivals had heard about the abundant opportunity and blessings that could be found in our great country. They scrimped and saved and endured very difficult circumstances to make it to the land of promise. They believed they could have better lives and they were willing to sacrifice everything to start over on foreign soil.
Family History of Immigration
A few of these who left their native land to start their lives anew were Great-Grandma Thomson and her family. Grandma’s father, Archibald Speirs, went on ahead. He worked hard to get settled in northern New Jersey, and then provided for his wife and two daughters to cross the great ocean to join him.
Margaret & Archibald Speirs with Henrietta and baby Robina (Ruby).
So on December 29, 1920, your great-grandma, her sister, Robina, and her mother, Margaret, said goodbye to friends and family in Glasgow, Scotland, and set sail on the S.S. Columbia for New York City. The traveling trio arrived in New York Harbor on January 8, 1921, where they nervously waited for Archibald to collect them, so they could begin their new life.
Real Faith Gives a Spiritual Legacy
While our family members did not suffer on the journey as much as many others in this time of American history, they were still willing to sacrifice everything familiar and travel across a great ocean because they believed they were called to something better. In this country your Great-Grandma met Great-Grandpa who told her about Jesus and she put her trust in Him as her Savior. These steps of faith helped give us the spiritual legacy that we enjoy today.
Hebrews 11 is often called the Faith Chapter. Its verses tell of many who put their trust in God and proved their faith by their actions. They believed God’s promises and had complete confidence He would do what He said. By faith these ones obeyed God’s commands, hoped even against hope in difficult situations, and endured great trials because they knew the future held great reward.
Faith Gains Approval and Eternal Rewards
Some did not receive the fulfillment of the promises on this earth. But they were not discouraged because they understood they were only strangers here. They were not ashamed to identify with their God and believed He had prepared a heavenly city for them. They gained approval through their faith that an eternal reward was awaiting them in God’s better heavenly country.
One hundred years ago our ancestors believed they could have a better life, so they traveled the Atlantic to another land. We are the heirs of this great step of faith. But we each have our own voyage to travel. Are you settled here on this earth or do you consider yourself a migrant just passing through? God promises something superior through Jesus Christ our Savior. It is attained by real faith. So believe His promises, obey His word, and persevere . . . because there’s a much better country on the other side.
Love,
Mama
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you exerted an all out, heart-and-soul effort to attain it? These kinds of goals are few and far between. They take a tremendous amount of time and effort. But seeking the Lord is a pursuit in which the reward is amazing!
These lyrics from the popular 1954 movie, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, play on an ancient tradition. Most June brides of today are ignorant of the fact that this custom came from Roman times.
This note greeted me at the kitchen door on Wednesday evening after work. “Hate you? Why would I ever hate my son?” I thought. 
I just pulled a treasure out of a plastic Rubbermaid tub in the basement. Wrapped in old towels I found a blue and white china teacup that belonged to your Great Grandma Thomson. It is worn, a little yellow, and chipped in a couple of places, but I washed it out anyway and made myself a cup of tea. Why would I do this when I have so many other pretty and perfect teacups in the china cabinet? It’s because this teacup holds a special place in my heart!
Halloween is just around the corner. This is the time of year when many dress up in costumes. Recently, Luke and Brianna hosted an autumn dress up party. Their little family masqueraded as the cutest beekeeper, flower, and honeybee I’ve ever seen. After the party they took the costumes off and returned to their normal selves. But sadly there are many people who spend their whole lives pretending to be something they are really not.