My wife and I have begun a journey to find out about us. We completed a DNA test through 23 and Me to find out about our genetic composition. After a long wait, we finally received the test results back and we are ready to share them. For more information about why we took the test, click here!
J and T
From the results that we received, there were a few surprises, a few inaccuracies in our family’s oral histories and few unanswered questions. Let’s get to the results.
First of all, my overall results were
Jay’s overall DNA results!
Not a big surprise there. It is inline with what I was thinking it would be. However, when the European data was broken down into more specific regions of the continent, I was hit with our first surprise.
According to the results, I am only 64.6% French/German. Forever, my family has claimed to be 100% German, with no other ethnicities in the mix. But according to this, I am also 10.5% Scandinavian, 8.4% British/Irish; and 1.8% Eastern European. But what does this mean?? According to 23 and Me, it means that most likely I had a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who was 100% French/German and lived between the time period of 1880 and 1940. That part I knew. In the genealogical research that I had done previously, I found that my great-great grandparents were born in Germany. Further, 23 and Me stated that I most likely had a 2nd, 3rd or 4th great-grandparent from Britain/Ireland and Scandinavia, in the time period of 1760 to 1850. And a 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th great-grandparent who was born in Eastern Europe, which could be the Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Hungary. I had not completed the genealogical search prior to 1840, so it is possible that with further research I will be able uncover who these non-German family members would have been.
Please note that the way that the test is set up, 23 and Me places French and German DNA into the same category because that area of Europe is same geographical location. 23 and Me is advancing its scientific testing, so in the coming months there will be more specific geographic locations in my test results. When those results are released, we will let you know.
And now for my wife. We could not wait to receive her results because we had not completed her genealogical research, so we did not know what to expect. Her overall results stated the following.
JT’s overall results
With 73.8% West African, it means most likely a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent was born in West Africa between 1880 and 1940. This would make sense and there is no doubt about that information. Now for the surprises that we found. My wife was told that one of her great-grandparents on her mother’s side was of European descent. Based on the results of 22% European and specifically 7.2% British/Irish, there is good possibility she had a grandparent, great-grandparent or 2nd great-grandparent born in Britain/Ireland between 1850 and 1910. That would verify the family’s claim; but it is now time to start that research to see if we can find that person. The family also stated that she had a great-grandmother who was a Native American. However, according to 23 and Me, it is a likely the Native American ancestor was a 3rd, 4th or 5th great-grandparent born between 1700 and 1820; which would have been much earlier than the family had suggested. The test results further suggest that there is also a 3rd, 4th or 5th great-grandparent from Scandinavia who was born between 1700 and 1820. And a 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th great grand-parent who came from Southeast Asia, Iberia, Central/South Africa, France/Germany, and Oceania. My wife was surprised to learned that she had a such a diverse DNA background. This was all new information that she had not heard from her family. We With the enhanced results that are coming, it will be good to get a more specific location to these broad areas and to learn more about where her family lived at.
23 and Me provides you with so much more information that just these statistics. We are going through all the information now and processing what it all means. We will share more about the specifics as we understand them more fully. Also, we share our own personal thoughts about what these means to us. Stay tuned!
PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST is coming to a theater near you on Friday, March 23rd. Just in time for the Easter Season. The movie examines the life of Paul, portrayed by James Faulkner, who in his latter years holds on to what he believes despite being tortured from all sides. And how Luke, a physician and Paul’s friend, played by Jim Caviezel, wants to recount in his writings how a person can truly be changed and then convey that message to the early church. This is a dangerous time for the new followers of Christ. Paul wonders if the word is getting out and if it is still important what he has to say.
Take a look a the film trailer below:
As Christians, we are noted for being quick to judge and condemning if a person is not on high of a pedestal as we think they should be. We have to realize that no one is beyond God’s mercy. “For we all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Paul, early in his life, hated Christians. Paul became a dramatically changed man, who is a key figure in fighting for Christianity and ended up writing a majority of the New Testament. Before we cast the first stone, we have to look at ourselves in the mirror. “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” Luke 6:41 (ESV)
Paul, portrayed by James Faulkner
This is such an important film to see in these days and times. Even while in prison, Paul sang God’s praises and some of his most loving writings came to be during this time.
Behind the Story
I am looking forward to seeing this movie with my husband. It is on our must-see list and I believe that it should be on yours as well. And you and a loved one might be able to see the movie for free. Bubbling With Elegance And Grace is collaborating with LEV3L Digital to give one person two free tickets to see the movie.
To enter the giveaway, you only need to do two simple tasks.
1) Leave a comment below about the movie
2) Share this article on your favorite social media outlet to get the word out about the film.
The giveaway begins now and will run until midnight (Central Time) on Monday, March 19th. the winner will be announcement on Tuesday, March 20th.
Are you getting your annual check-ups with your primary care doctor?
I cannot stress the importance of going to the doctor every year for blood work and regular examination.
You may have many excuses for not going; but I am here to tell you that your health is more important. The following infographic by hims shows the recommended health exams by age group. The earlier in your life that you start, the better you will be.
You may say, “I don’t have time!” Well, I say, “You have to make the time.” You make the time for the other important things in your life. Whether it is work-related issues, or personal things, you plan for them. If you want to take a vacation, you plan for it months in advance. The same effort should go into your health. Decide when you want to get the examination, make the appointment and put it in your calendar. In my experience, the appointment lasted less than one hour. Your health is worth one hour of your time!
You may say, “I don’t like going to doctors.” Well, I say, “It is much easier to go to a doctor when you are well; instead of going when you are sick and needing care.” The point of an annual examination is to establish a record of your health and to see how it has changed from year to year. If you wait until later in life to go to a doctor, he or she will not have any basis for the symptoms or know where you have come from.
You may, say, “I don’t have the money to do it.” Well, I say, “Most insurances will cover an annual examination to you at no cost.” Check with your insurance company, and see what is covered and what the total cost will be to you. If you don’t have insurance, check with local doctors and clinic to see what the actual cost would be and if they accept any kind of payment plans.
When it comes down to it, your health is the most important thing in your life. If you don’t have your health, you cannot enjoy life. For me, it is a personal thing. My father passed away from lung cancer when he was only 54 years old. He was not one to go the doctor, even when he was sick. When he found out that he had cancer, the tumor in his lung was already the size of a softball. Had he gone to the doctor more regularly, I believe that the cancer and the tumor would have been found sooner. And his chances of beating the disease would have been much higher.
Because of this tragic story with my father, I had found a primary care doctor for my annual check. I was determined not to let this same thing happen to me. The doctor I had was very good and encouraged check-ups. However, he retired and his replacement had a completely different philosophy. I would go in for my appointment, and he would wonder why I was there. On several occasions, he told me that he didn’t want to see me until I was fifty. Something about that didn’t seem right. So, I decided to find another doctor. It was a challenge finding one, but ultimately I was able to find a doctor who agreed that annual check-up was not only important, but a necessity.
So men, I challenge you!
This is a call to action.
Find a primary care doctor!
Make that appointment!
Get that examination!
How your week has been a great one!
Around here, the weather has been crazy, to say the least.
On Thursday, the temperature topped out at 79 degrees. Unseasonable warm for February. I had a spring coat with me, but it turned out that I didn’t need it by the afternoon. Then in the evening, the rain moved in and the temperature started to drop. By Friday morning, it had bottomed out at 34 degrees. So I had to pull out my winter coat to wear to work. The temperature only rose up at 39 degrees.
Then today, as I woke up to heavy snow and 30 degrees. If you know me, I am a snow bunny. I really enjoy being out in the snow with my hubby and my doggies. Ever since I was a kid, I would look forward to the snow days and I would get not have to go to school.
So this morning, it snowed about an inch by 9am. Here is a couple pics of me and my doggies enjoying the snow.
JT enjoying the snow.
Gio and Vinny enjoying the snow!
Then as the day went on, the temperature rose to 42 degrees. The snow changed to ice pellets and then into rain by the afternoon. And by the evening, the rain stopped and the snow was gone, much to my disappointment.
The snow is gone! (sad face!)
Well, it was pretty while it lasted. My hope is that we will more snow this season. I would like to go out and build a snowman, or throw a snowball at my hubby.
Today, we celebrate the birthday of a wonderful person we affectionately call MOMMY BERNICE.
Eighty-one years ago today, Bernice Matilda Schulte was born in Freeburg, Missouri. She is the daughter of Henry and Katie (Linnenbrink) Schulte, She is the third of six children. Her life is filled with many wonderful stories of faith and resilience. She makes me proud to be her son. Here are a few stories for you.
When she was only fourteen years old, her father had gotten sick and was unable to work his job at the local MFA feed store. In order for her daddy to keep his job, she had to quit school and work his job. Her brother would also work with her in the store. While her father would recover from his illness and was eventually able to return to work, she was never able to return back to school. However, she didn’t allow the lack of a formal education stop her. She served her family as a wonderful mother; and raised her children well.
After getting married to my father in 1957, she gave birth to nine children, with me being the youngest. Sadly, four of her babies died only days after being born; and a fifth child died at the age of 37. At one point, she lost three premature babies in just four years. Despite these setbacks, she and my father never lost their faith in God and persevered through the hard times. Ultimately, the doctors found the source of the problem, fixed it and then she was then able to have three successful pregnancies. I guess they stopped after having that perfect baby (me)!
During their marriage, my father dealt with many sicknesses; from bleeding ulcers to lung cancer. Unfortunately, he would lose his battle to cancer and his life ended prematurely in 1987. She once again battled through, raising her youngest children on her own. I know it had to be a tough time for her, but she never would let me know it. And if you ask me, I will say she has done an awesome job.
Later in her life, she has overcome her own health challenges, from a broken hip, a broken ankle, and a fractured back (not at the same time); to macular degeneration and rotator cuff tears. But in spite of this, she still keeps her faith in God and maintains a positive attitude. She has been through so much, but I believe it has made her stronger.
Mommy Bernice is wonderful example of Godly woman who maintains her faith despite the circumstances. She is one who is deeply loved and admired by her family and her many friends. I can definitely say that I have not meet any one like her. I thank God for her and want the world to know all about her. We Love You, Mommy Bernice!!! And, Happy Birthday!!!
I hope you are having an awesome day.
I wanted to give you a quick update on the 23 and Me DNA test that my wife and I completed back in early December. The test analyzes the DNA in your saliva to determine your ethnic composition; meaning where in world your ancestor come from. To learn more about the reasons why we took the test, click here!
Typically the test is completed in six to eight weeks. Well, we are still waiting on my test results. Tamaki’s results came back in mid-January, without any problems. However, my test is taking a little bit longer.
Apparently, the first attempt to extract sufficient quantities of DNA from my sample was not successful and that my sample had to be reprocessed. So, now they are reading my DNA with a genotyping chip. During this analysis step, they make copies of my DNA so that they have enough to analyze. Then they place my DNA on their genotyping chip and use a computer to read my genotype at each location that they test.
What this means is that I did not give them enough of a sample of saliva to extract the DNA. They told me that it will be another couple of weeks before they complete my test and the results are sent to me. So, we are waiting, patiently, to find out what my test reveals about my ancestors. We wanted to wait and share the results of both tests at the same time.
We will be back in a couple of weeks (or sooner) with the results.
Until then, Take Care! And enjoy the journey!
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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