Patterns

The Bible says: "visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." (Exodus 34:7) As I explore family history, I am struck by the patterns through the generations. It is interesting to see broken families, and the broken lives that are passed to the children. And strong families, and the strong families that the children become. And this isn't even from knowing the people! It's from stories I've heard, and paper records- who knew that a census every 10 years would reveal so much about people? I am thankful for the strong Christian families in my genealogy, and want to carry that pattern on. I am so thankful for the people throughout my personal history who made a change to brokenness and allowed healing. Especially Dora Gillenwater, and her son Joe.