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The Powerful Legacy of a Rescued Heart

February 11, 2019 //  by April Graney//  Leave a Comment


The kids and I took a trip this weekend to Baldwin City, Kansas for the Maple Leaf Festival. Our family gathers there every October at my grandparent’s hundred year old home. I have fond memories of playing “Christmas” on the third floor with my cousins, sliding down the wooden staircase on a slick crib mattress, and jumping into piles of yellow and red leaves in the yard.


I remember Grandpa beautifully playing the grand piano downstairs to wake us all up early enough for church. I recall sitting still and quiet at the “remembrance” service, taking my first sip of the red communion wine, and afterwards hearing Grandpa joyfully singing “What a Savior!”  


Grandpa shared his testimony every year at our Saturday night evening bonfire. He told of a sad childhood as a result of being abandoned by his father, and of lingering depression. But while in the Navy and fearing a watery grave in World War II, He came to know Christ at a Bible class. He said, “I then went to the South Pacific with absolutely no fear and at the time so full of joy that I could hardly contain myself. God had rescued my soul.” I truly believe his love for God never wavered after that powerful transformation. 

My Grandpa passed away on October 31, 2009. He was one of the godliest men I have ever known. He was a medical doctor, and the founder of a local Brethren church. He shared the gospel with all of his patients and preached on Sundays. He woke each morning to study the Scriptures in Greek and Hebrew, fix a cup of coffee for Granny so they could pray together for their six children, 16 grandkids, and a growing number of great grandchildren.

Granny and Grandpa’s House in Kansas


He loved the Word of God. When we asked him to read one verse at our wedding ceremony, he took the opportunity to read a whole chapter, and preach the gospel for ten minutes, while I stood waiting to be given away by my dad. 


I miss my Grandpa Jones. I am thankful my children remember him and Granny a little, and that they are participating in the tradition of Maple Leaf. More importantly, I am thankful for the legacy and example my grandparents left. I drove home this weekend more in love with Jesus. That’s the legacy he left me. That’s the legacy I hope to pass to my children. Because just as Jesus rescued my Grandpa Jones, he also rescued me.

Grandpa Jones with our firstborn, Anna!

You can read Grandpa’s story of conversion while in the Navy in his own words here.

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Category: Happy MomTag: happymom, legacy, onehappyhouse

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aprilgraney

"The Lord also thundered thru the heavens, and the "The Lord also thundered thru the heavens, and the most high uttered his voice." Psalm 18:13 

As I was writing "The Marvelous Maker", I was looking for the perfect verb to describe the way in which God came down to earth to rescue us from our sins. I'm not sure that I knew the word "thundered" could be a verb until I read it in Psalm 18. But I think it gives a pretty good visual of the majesty, glory, and power God displayed in his loving work of salvation for us. A little further down, the Psalm declares, "He rescued me because he delighted in me." #themarvelousmaker
#salvation #psalms #redemption
#bhpub #onehappyhouse #childrensbook #creation #thefall #gospelforkids #spiritualwarfare 
What a great and powerful Maker we serve! #themarvelousmaker
The Lord has done great things for me. He brought The Lord has done great things for me. He brought me out of doubt and depression, paved the way for me to have two books published,  and gave me a job teaching that I love. What great things has he done for you? #joy #themarvelousmudhouse #blesstheLord #childrensbook #themarvelousmaker #biblein100days
A visit to Mama George's marvelous mud house! What A visit to Mama George's marvelous mud house! What a blessing being able to visit and see George and his mother again after 7 years! #themarvelousmudhouse #bhpub #lifeway
The land and the people are beautiful here in Keny The land and the people are beautiful here in Kenya! #themarvelousmudhouse #onehappyhouse
Great to finally be here in Kapsowar with my broth Great to finally be here in Kapsowar with my brother and his family!
Kenya trip 2021 Kenya trip 2021
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