I am grateful for the many ancestors whom I have come across and how brave and knowledgeable they were. Even those who could not read were very intelligent and capable and I enjoy learning about their accomplishments. I am in awe of a 5 x's great grandmother who was born in 1779 who came early to Ohio. She had 13 children, 130 grandchildren (this is documented), and she was written up in an article in the Chillocothe Leader Newspaper just a few months before she died at age 105. She had over 1000 descendants, was still using a spinning wheel, still sewing, doing dishes, and enjoying her family at that great age, though she had had a stroke 3 years prior (she called it a 'paralysis'). Reading about her, how hard she worked, how much she accomplished, and all she managed to do, makes her a hero in my book. I hope to meet her one day in heaven. Learning about so many of my ancestors who came here for religious reasons (persecution in Germany for not being Roman Catholic), coming to Pennsylvania and being contemporaries and peers of William Penn. For all the ancestors/family who fought in battles and wars, from battles in Europe to the wars here in America- French and Indian War, Revolutionary, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American, WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, The Gulf War, and Afghanistan. I am grateful that God brought my ancestors to America to begin a new life in a new country where there were so many opportunities. From the 1600's to the late 1800's, my ancestors flowed from other countries into America and for this I am very grateful. I give thanks to God for all the blessings he has afforded me in having such a rich heritage and putting me into the family from which I belong. As imperfect as my family is (as all are), I am grateful for them all. As I continue to flesh out ancestors and discover who they were, I am sure I will find more to be thankful for concerning my ancestry. I am especially grateful for all the strong Christian ancestors who lived for the Lord and did many good things in order to bring Him glory. What a wonderful heritage I have been given.