Our Somers Family Heritage

Taken in 1955 This photo was taken when Dad was stationed in Tripoli, Libya after joining the U.S. Air Force. He was 20 years-old. Dad was my first hero. Dad was a tough guy in his younger years and broke his hand while in the Air Force. He tells the story of going to the doctor and saying he broke it when he fell. The doctor replied that the guy he fell on was in the next room with a broken jaw. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dad has been living with my husband and me since August of 2018 and seems to be doing well considering his illnesses (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease). A couple of weeks ago Dad told me he had asked the Lord to forgive his past sins. This confession of faith in Christ Jesus came out of the blue during a moment of mental clarity. Praise the Lord! May God bless those who have prayed for us or who are going through similar circumstances. In Lord Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

David Brainerd was a trailblazer in taking the Gospel to the Native Americans. The Somers family can be forever grateful for our Native American ancestors who might have heard the "Good News" and been converted to Christianity, as we look forward to meeting them in Heaven someday. David Brainerd (April 20, 1718 – October 9, 1747) was an American missionary to the Native Americans who had a particularly fruitful ministry among the Delaware Indians of New Jersey . During his short life he was beset by many difficulties. As a result, his biography has become a source of inspiration and encouragement to many Christians. Missionaries such as William Carey and Jim Elliot , and Brainerd's cousin, the Second Great Awakening evangelist James Brainerd Taylor (1801–1829) have been motivated by the ministry of David Brainerd. ( Wikipedia ) Link: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=616030646 See also: HAVE YOU READ THE LETTERS OF DAVID BRAINERD? (Log ...

Photo of my parents, Jess and Marsha (Lawson) Somers, with brothers Terry, Kenny and me (Taken in approximately 1958 or 1959). I don't remember ever seeing this family photo before, but after receiving it in the mail from my cousin yesterday, many fond memories have been going through my mind... I remember as a child thinking my father was the most handsome man in the world and my mother the kindest woman on earth. I also remember crawling over pillows my mother had placed around me (as a barricade?) to get to my brothers who were playing with toy army men. Sadly, they didn't appreciate my company as I remember knocking over their battle scene. :) I love my parents - mom went to be with the Lord in 1995 and Dad is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. A few months ago he told me I worried about him too much and that he has lived a good life. He then assured me he is in the Lord's care... I truly hope so. Thank You, dear Lord, for the family I was born into. Pleas...

David Brainerd on horseback. He travelled over 3000 miles on horseback as a missionary. Wikipedia The title of this blog is "Tracing My Christian Heritage" and I love to read about the early Christian missionaries in America who shared the gospel with the natives. I often wonder if David Brainerd or perhaps a lesser known missionary shared the gospel with one of my ancestors; and if the good Lord will reveal how His grace was woven throughout the tapestry of the Somers family with all of it's branches and offshoots when I am with Him in Glory. Here are some links to articles regarding the evangelism of Native Americans I recently found at Baptist Press that I think you will be blessed to read: Pocahontas - Wikipedia 400 years: Pocahontas conversion discussed JAMESTOWN, Va. (BP) -- Four hundred years after the death of one of the most well-known Native Americans in history, scholars say Pocahontas' profession of faith in Christ is among the few fact...

Smoky Mountain View I've been researching my father's family for years and when I find a new piece of information regarding an ancestor, I count it as a gem in our family treasure ( my father came from a humble background and his family stories were my treasure as a child growing up.). Sometimes I find myself going down a dead end path and get discouraged because the lead didn't work out... But, the good Lord is faithful to renew my resolve and offer encouragement in my quest to share our family story. This excerpt from a sermon by the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon , posted at Tried By Fire , comes at just the right time! Please be encouraged that you aren't a creature haphazardly placed in your family - but know that the very hairs of your head are numbered by a loving heavenly father who placed you right where He wants you to be. THE HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE NUMBERED “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30.  Ho...

Marsha Lillian (Lawson) Somers A woman of fierce family loyalty. Date of Birth: March 26, 1929 Father: Ace Levi Lawson (Feb. 1894 - Sept. 1972) Mother: Ester Anna Stone (Jan. 1908 - Dec. 1998) Marriage to Jesse C. Somers: March 26, 1957 Mother went to be with the Lord on New Year's Eve, (December 31, 1995) after a brief battle (approximately 6 months) with cancer. She was buried at Millers Chapel in Pettis County, Missouri, on January 5, 1996 during a soft snowfall which was mother's favorite seasonal event. (I can remember being ill in bed as a young child and mother taking a laundry basket outside to catch some snowflakes to bring into me; we both loved the soft snow so much.) Mom's Baby Picture Mother and me June 1958 Mom and Dad 1975 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,...

By John Angell James (1785 - 1859) 1. The enjoyments and occupations of heaven are uniformly represented as social: but where is the charm of society without mutual knowledge? 2. Heaven is uniformly represented as perfecting all our faculties; is it then probable that it will diminish memory, one of the most important of them? And if memory be still retained in full vigor, and it be perpetually employed, as it inevitably must be, on the past scenes of our earthly existence, is it likely that the friends and companions of that existence, inhabiting then the same celestial world with us, will be unknown to us? 3. The chief grace that will be increased in the regions of the blest, next to love to God, will be love to our companions in glory. But will not one of the most pure, elevated, and delightful exercises of this holy passion be wanting, if we are ignorant of our glorified relatives? 4. In the general judgment, which is appointed to vindicate the ways of God to man, it is...