Louisiana Trip / Part one!

Hey friends! This post has been a long time coming - well, since July but you know what I mean, Ha!

A few months ago a few members of my maternal grandpa's family thought it would be awesome to have a family reunion since it had been so long since we have all been together! My grandpa is from Central Louisiana ( Pineville ) and is the last living child of 12! He moved to California as a young man to attend college then met my grandma and the rest is history! Although many family members have scattered all around the country some remained in Pineville, LA and keep up with the old property where my Late great-grandparents lived and where my grandpa grew up! There are even some family members who live on the same street! The family church is still thriving and our cousin is currently the head pastor.

My mom, sister, Mike, the boys and I flew out to join the celebrations. While there is SO much I want to share , that would literally take a year, ha! I'll spare you every last detail ( including our airport arrival fiasco ) and show you some highlights from our trip!

The last time I visited, I was around 10 years old and don't remember too much of that trip - before that I was almost one when we came for my great-grandpa's furneral! It was such an amazing blessing to stand in the place where my kin once stood.

Gordon - My Great-Grandmother's Maiden Name. My great grandparents were very respected in their town ( which was quite rare for Black Americans and Native Americans during that time ) and the road leading to the their property and the road where is stands , Miles St. ( my Great- grandfather's last name ) is named after them.

This is the land where my great-grandparents home once stood. Where my grandpa and his 11 siblings grew up. Where my great aunt and cousins still live next door!

Miles St. - My Mom's maiden name ( property is to the right )

It was common to leave your trailer on the property as you built your house! This trailer and old car belonged to my late great uncle- my grandpa's brother. They eventually moved into a home next door where my great aunt still resides!

This is an abandoned Nursing home
next to an abandoned church - next to our family property

When my mom ( pictured here with the boys ) was a kid- my grandpa's job actually moved him back to LA and they lived in this house ( still standing-wow! ) which was short walk from her grandparents - They eventually moved back to CA

This is the grave of my great Uncle, Moses. I remember him and how kind he was! He is Buried around the corner in our family cemetery. So may unmarked or damaged graves here - we may not know their names but they are our family and may they rest easy in the Lord!

The CA crew!

Thanks for following along with me and I hope to have part 2 & 3 up soon!