Day 2: What's in a Name?

     According to one website: "The name 'Alyssa' is of Greek origin, and it means 'Rational.' It's a name commonly given to girls." Some places also say that "Alyssa" could have been a variation of "alyssum" which is a small, usually white flower. Other places it also mentions that this name is an Anglo-Saxon name.

http://www.aspca.org/sites/default/files/alyssum_facebook.jpg

     Going to the first meaning of "Alyssa" listed, I've never seen this particular meaning for my name but as I was talking to one of my friends while writing this, she agrees that this is a fairly true statement for me. I am good at acting rationally (most of the time), and have a tendency to question what people say, to argue, and to debate. 

     According to Ancestry.com, the name "Hansen" is, "Danish, Norwegian, Dutch, and North German: patronymic from the personal name Hans." Basically, children take their father's names as their last name with the suffix "-sen" or "-datter" depending on whether they are a boy or girl. For me, my last name is Danish.
     Most of my ancestors are Danish or English, however I have ancestors from all over Europe. On my dad's side, the first to come to America were my great-great-great-great-great grandparents (that is five "great" grandparents if you didn't care to count), Hans Jørgensen and his wife, Maren Pedersdatter. Hans' son, Niels, was the one to adopt the patronym and as the custom in Denmark of passing names isn't traditional in the U.S., it has been "Hansen" ever since. 

     I know that my five-times-great grandparents came to the United States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A church that I personally believe in with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I am grateful for my grandma on my mom's side, who is a convert to the church, because without her, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I am also grateful for all my ancestors on my dad's side that stuck with it and didn't fall away from this gospel which has so greatly impacted my life. And no, I am not just saying that, "because that's what I am supposed to do." I am a Mormon. "I know it. I live it. I love it," (Ann M Dibb). I am willing to stand alone in my beliefs, if that is what it comes to.

 

     I know that the subject of this post has morphed into more of my religious views, but I honestly don't care, since this is supposed to be post about me, and being a Mormon or LDS is a huge part of who I am. I would rather just have it out there during the start of this blog, rather than keep it hidden. I also know that there are many people with differing views and opinions; to them I say, "to each their own!"