Mills Family Book of Faith

  It sure was fun sitting around the fire sharing stories yesterday.  It is not too late to send them to me.  Reply to this email, text or call and I'll do a phone interview, or complete this form. I have been working on a TImeline of events that isn't quite complete.  In the process, I have asked and been given the stories of how our parents'/grandparents' met and married. I love how these siblings were so integral in each other's love lives. Since this week I am looking at stories from the Glen Mills branch of the tree, allow me to share a little of what Uncle Glen has shared with me.  Since Uncle Glen does not have internet, I go visit him every few weeks and give him a printed copy of what I have mailed out since our last visit.  Then we have a nice chat.   Kathleen Matheson Mills 1937-1995 From Interviews with Glen Mills by Valerie Mills Hunt Glen met Kathy when he was still in high school.  The baseball team would often go to the same dine...

  Hello again, Yesterday I drove my mom to Tabiona to attend the funeral of Wilma Webb, Aunt Deanna's baby sister.  Because of my mom's first marriage to Dale, and having Aunt Deanna as her sister in-law twice, we have been invited to the Webb Family reunions and have run into Uncle Len, Aunt Deanna and their awesome kids' and families over the years. As I thought about what to share from that branch of the tree today, I felt that sharing Aunt Deanna's contribution was fitting.  She spoke very lovingly about her sister at yesterday's funeral and the title of her story is good advice for all of us on how to handle trials. Enjoy!  (PS - Aunt Deanna - I should have snapped a picture of you yesterday at the funeral - you looked gorgeous!)  Please send me a picture of your choice to include). Faith and Trials   By Deanna Webb Mills 1969, 2006   In this life it seems that we each in one way or another face some trials. I think about the...

  I came across a quote that stood out to me this week.  I liked it so much I not only posted it on Facebook, I used it in an Easter egg hunt for one of my teens - paying her for putting the pieces of it together after I cut it apart: “The question of having moral beliefs is decided by our will.  If your heart does not want  a world of moral reality, your head will assuredly never make you believe in one.   Suppose you are climbing a mountain and at one point your only escape is to leap across a deep chasm.  Have faith that you can make the terrible leap and your feet are nerved to its accomplishment.  But mistrust yourself and you will hesitate [until] all unstrung and trembling…. You roll into the abyss.  Refuse to believe, and again you shall be right, for you will perish.  But believe, and again you shall be right, for you shall save yourself.  You make one or the other of the two possible universes true by your trust or mistrust...

  As I have collected all these amazing stories, Family History has been on my mind a lot!  Visits with family members in person, over the phone and back and forth in emails and texts has been so rewarding and helpful!  Thank you for sharing your stories with me.  Please continue to do so through email, phone call (801-414-9048) or completing this form .   My mom shared her story in a book that is now out of print, called "Links of Forever."  It was a collection of stories about Family History.  My mom's story is a huge reason why I believe what I do about life after death and the importance of family history and temple work.  She gave me permission to retell her story for this book.  It is a compilation of her published story,   journal entries which she shared with me and personal interviews: ​ Why Me? By Valerie Mills Hunt from the published account, interviews and journals of  Rena Gayle Mills   My mom w...

  Thoughts from the Mills Brothers on Smoking   Compiled by Valerie Mills Hunt   As I interviewed and collected stories, I heard several told about smoking.   My first thought was, these are not the kind of inspirational stories I was hoping for.   But then, I realized I was being short-sighted.   I believe we all have our Achilles Heel – weaknesses that can hold us back from achieving if we let them.   The example that my dad and uncles set for me, was that they each learned and in their own way, overcame during their lifetimes.  What an amazing example that is to me!     Uncle Glen mentioned in one of his stories that he did not drink coffee and I had never seen him smoke.  Since other stories had come  up in other interviews, I asked him why,  when his other brothers and dad smoked,  he didn’t.  This is the story he told summed up in my words:   ...

  Hello Again, This week I'm back to the Len & Deanna branch of the tree.  It's always a hard decision on which story to choose to share.  This time I chose one that takes us back to the 1940's.  After receiving this story from Uncle Len, it dawned on me that this happened before most of us were alive.  And in fact, Uncle Glen is the only other person in the family to have been present.  On one of my visits, I asked Uncle Glen what he remembered about this story and you'll see a fun footnote with his comments.  This story is a tribute to Mothers.  In particular, our Mother and Grandmother, Lorna.  It definitely brought back other memories of her and also the times my mother was a ministering angel to me.  If this stirs any memories of mothers, grandmothers, mother figures, or fathers too, let's get them in the book for our posterity to read some day. After going through my mom's photo collection and a fair number of Fac...

 I have had the privilege of reading all of these wonderful stories and visiting with family members asking questions and gaining a greater appreciation and love for my family members.  I hope that you also feel that appreciation and love for our family members as you read their contributions.  I truly think we each have something worth sharing with each other.  I have loved reading about lessons learned from parents and grandparents, how several of us made it through trials and came out stronger because of it, and answers to prayers.  This week, I am choosing  from Aunt Lorna Gail's branch of the family tree.  Laura Lea submitted several beautiful, short stories.  I couldn't choose just one. If the thought enters your mind, "Maybe I should share that" please do.  The things that inspire and matter to you will matter to others.  Email, fill out the form or call me at 801-414-9408 to add something.   Dad is Still Helping  Decemb...