MERCY MAGNIFIED
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Orkney Musings...

1/24/2015

8 Comments

 
Bear with me, as I lay a little ground-work.  I would like you to meet my grandmother, who was born and raised in Graham...
Like a scene from Laura Ingalls Wilder, Thelma Benston, the golden-haired girl spent her childhood days frolicking in the prairie grass of Rocky Ridge and wading in the muddy waters of Muck Creek.  When she wasn't fishing for crawdads or riding the hay-wagon, she sat at the feet of her half-Quinault grandmother Sarah Davis Benston.  Tales told were hidden in Thelma's heart and the retelling would continue to captivate... 

Sarah had met and married William Benston, a fur trader with the Hudson's Bay Company.  Too young to sign on with Hudson's Bay, yet determined to leave home after the death of his mother, William stowed away on a ship carrying his older brother Adam.   They set sail in 1843 from a far-away island called 'Orkney', off the north coast of Scotland.

Fast forward some one hundred and sixty-nine years...to November of 2012.  Thelma, the golden-haired girl (my grandmother) has been gone for thirty years now.  Though her memory begins to fade a little, the golden thread of those stories...the rich tapestry of our family history still glimmers from time to time. 

For some reason, the glint in the tapestry has caught Henry's attention this dark, November night.  He is fascinated by tales of William Benston, the man who took the 320 acre homestead claim at Rocky Ridge where we have our home.  He decides it's time to visit Orkney.  Tickets are bought.  Reservations are made.  I smile at the prospect of a long- held dream realized.  The Lord knows the desire of our hearts.
8 Comments
Naomi Solscheid
1/24/2015 01:05:50 am

I enjoyed reading family history & fruition of a dream & purpose placed in Henrys heart so many years ago. God is so intricately involved in our every footstep & footstep of our ancestors. Thank you Lord....

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naomi solscheid
1/26/2015 01:11:48 am

I forgot to hit the new comments tag...

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Anne
1/26/2015 04:26:00 pm

Naomi, thanks for your encouragement!

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Monika Leonard
1/29/2015 01:55:14 am

I just read your story to Omi. She is so fascinated and delighted by it that she's asked me to print out a copy for her. This should go some way toward answering her question on why you sojourned to Orkney.

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Robin Griffin
1/29/2015 03:51:27 pm

O Anne I was so thrilled to read this about the lady who still is so near and dear to my heart.I only wish I would have talked to her of the history of our area. I so love to read about it.I love your blog and will continue to follow it. Thanks

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Anne
1/29/2015 05:00:35 pm

Robin, your comment brought tears to my eyes! There are very few people I know who actually knew Grandma! She was a very special lady whose life and love inspired me. Her faith, even in the face of dying, testified to the REALITY of Jesus. I am so thankful...and look forward to seeing her again one day.

Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement, Robin!
Anne

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Barbara Benston Clerici
10/15/2017 01:21:13 pm

I really enjoyed your story. I have some from the other brothers tale-Adam Benston was my forebear.

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Anne
10/16/2017 12:17:45 am

Barbara, thanks for your comment. I would love to hear your stories...and how you found my blog! Are you living in Washington State? Feel free to email me at annereitzug@aol.com
Blessings!
Anne

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    Anne Reitzug

    Sojourner.  Servant.  Recipient of undeserved  Grace.  Worshiper.

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