Monday, September 01, 2008

A Life Declaring God's Faithfulness

I have been spending hours lately putting together a DVD montage of 90 years worth of pictures from my Grandmother's life in celebration of her birthday this month. In viewing her pictures again and again, my heart is filled with gratitude and praise to God for His faithfulness to her and to her family. He is good!

My grandmother Nadzieja was born in 1918 in Moscow, Russia just months after the murder of Czar Nicholas II and his family. Nadia's father died when she was a little child, and her mother fled communist Russia to Poland with her children. To save her girls from starvation, she placed them in a Christian orphanage where they lived for the next twelve years. God blessed Grandma with the opportunity to travel to America in a choir, provided her with a college education while she lived with her generous "American parents", and gave her a loving husband and five children.

My Grandma tells part of her story much more eloquently in a series of letters that she wrote to her grandchildren which I have posted on my previous blog.

Go ahead and press play and watch a little! :) At the beginning of the montage, I refer to Grandma as Jadwiga, because she was given this Polish name in the orphanage to distinguish her from other girls also named Nadia. Later I refer to her as Nadzieja, her Russian name, which she started using again later in life.



10 comments:

Tammy said...

What a blessing family is, and what a heritage from the Lord! : ) You made a lasting treasure with this montage, Melissa.

MARGARETE said...

I only watched a little but...that is wonderful. I have posted some of my grandfather's pictures from WWII. My mom still has alot more pictures to give me. I guess she doesn't want to give them up yet. Enjoy the beautiful pictures.

Anonymous said...

Melissa,
I watched the whole, beautiful slide show. By the end I had tears in my eyes. I read the letters from your Grandma back when you posted them on HSB. I felt a little like I knew her after reading the letters, then getting to see her was so moving. Her life truly is a testimony to the goodness of God. Thank you for sharing her story here!

Nancy in CA

Chucki said...

What a wonderful way to share memories.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful thing you've put together. I'll have to come back and watch the whole thing, but I love to see time and effort put into projects like these. My uncle does this professionally, but there is so much I should do for the other side of my family. I just love family history.

Lisa~ said...

I agree! What a blessing to know and have such wonderful memories of your family! Im still watching! Im hooked...

Loved the picture w/ your dads porkchop sideburns! Woohoo to the 70s hu? I think I also saw a Dorthy Hammil hair cut! *Ü*

Lisa

Meliss said...

Thanks Nancy for your heartfelt comment. I sent it to my mom to give to Grandma.

And thanks everyone! Lisa, I wanted to put a caption on that picture of my dad: "We're not sure what to think about his sideburns, but we love him anyway!" Hee hee.

I contributed the Thanksgiving picture that has one of my sisters glaring at me and the other making a face. (I was taking the picture.) Poetic justice. (I know, I'm such a lovable older sister!)

Skeller said...

WOW! What a wonderful gift -- not only just for your Grandma, but also for your entire family.

Truly, a labor of love.

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Melissa, I remember when you posted her letters on HSB as well, and I was touched.

What a beautiful slideshow. I agree with Nancy completely. What a precious, talented life lived for the Lord.

lynardlynard said...

You have documented a touching testimony of God's grace. How he loves his children! Your loving slides made me pull out your grandmother's letters at the office. We must get something going with them soon...

|||||| lynard