Testimonials
Connie, UT
Writing my history was a very daunting project for me. Having Loreen’s help and input really helped me through the whole process. She was so patient and kind with her comments and encouragement. I was very impressed with her knowledge of sentence structure and editing. When I vented in my story, she helped me figure out a way I could share the hard times so people could understand me better and learn from my experiences. Having another person’s point of view was a great help.
Working with Loreen on my husband’s history, after he passed away, helped me focus on all of the many good years we had together, not just on the tough times we had as his illness took over our lives and changed his mind and body. Looking through photo albums to find pictures for the stories helped me process the hard times and work through them to remember all the great times we had together.
Loreen can help you get started, and she knows what questions to ask to keep you motivated toward your goal of getting your stories written down. Plus, the finished book is beautiful and such a family treasure.
Heather, AZ
I went through a challenging time in my life after my grandma passed away. She was the only person I knew who had gone through a similar challenge and I ached, at times, to be able to talk to her about it. Loreen finished my grandma's book when I needed it most. Reading the personal account of her challenges and how she persevered gave me the hope I needed in my darkest moments. I know she was near and this book allowed her to continue to be my cheerleader from heaven. I am forever grateful to Loreen for this book; I will treasure it forever.
Sue, AZ
Loreen helped me beyond measure in creating my life history book. I love having my life story written down, so that my 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren can read it and really know me. Loreen made it possible for me to have this treasure.
She was diligent in using the best layout for each page, as she moved along. I had an endless amount of photos that she organized on each page of text. Loreen had many suggestions along the way, and always discussed them with me.
She worked tirelessly to complete my book by Christmas, and she did. Loreen is a very patient, kind, and thoughtful person. She is very knowledgeable with computer/laptops, apps, fonts, layouts, as well as working closely with a reputable publishing company.
I have seen several other life history books she has completed, and each one is an amazing treasure!
I highly recommend Loreen. She is organized, creative, motivated, and knowledgeable with high ethics.
Rick, AZ
Working with Loreen to produce my family history book was a very pleasant and satisfying experience. After viewing samples of her past work, I was convinced that she was the right choice to guide me in recording my family heritage. Her experience in this area as well as her unique ability in restoring damaged vintage photographs have been invaluable. The layout of the pages with these photographs exhibit a pleasing professional appearance and lend interest to the narrative.
Over the decades, I have gathered family data, stories, and vintage photographs stored in drawers, filing cabinets and plastic bins—total chaos! The thought of organizing it to preserve a record for my posterity was overwhelming. One of my daughters convinced me now was the time to move ahead on this project. Loreen was hired to help get me organized and do the layout of the book. Simply put, if Loreen had not accepted this undertaking, the book would never have been written. Thanks, Loreen, for your patience and professional approach to preserving my family history!
Lisa, UT
Years ago, my grandma lived in my home for several months. While she was there, I took the time to sit with her and record her stories as she related them to me. Other family members also recorded and transcribed her experiences. I wanted to share her life with her posterity, so I gave the documents to Loreen. She preserved those precious memories in the book she designed, and now we will be able to read and enjoy Grandma's stories for years to come.
I have several histories that Loreen has compiled and published, and I absolutely love reading them. Her work is amazing! Loreen is very thorough in her research and page layout plans, and each book is so professionally done and interesting to read.
I feel that photos always make things more interesting and bring the story and people to life. Loreen takes time to edit, enhance, label, and date the photos she includes. She also inserts an easy-to-read timeline, a Table of Contents (so it's simple to find the story you would like to read about), facts about the time period, and maps. All of these things add interest and help the reader understand the context of the storyteller's life.
Being able to read these stories and see pictures helps me and my posterity to feel a connection with our ancestors, to be aware of some of their joys and struggles, and to know about the lives they lived. I’m grateful for the legacy they left to me – and to have a written record of their lives. It is a joy to sit down with one of these books and reminisce. I would highly recommend Loreen if you are interested in writing your or your loved one's history.
Linda, AZ
Loreen is well acquainted with all the ins and outs of compiling a family history book. Thank goodness! It is a different kind of animal–one of a kind.
I am amazed at how creative Loreen is in adding interest to text with photos, text boxes, maps, and charts. Her photo enhancement skills are absolute magic! And she lays out a page in front of your very eyes so fast, it makes your head spin. Loreen is very organized, efficient, knowledgeable, and experienced. She is also a team player. She is a devoted professional of the highest caliber!
Best of all, Loreen is so sweet, kind, and personable–a delight to work with. We instantly became friends. She makes me feel like no question is a dumb one, and is so supportive, encouraging, and comfortable to work with!
Working on ancestral life stories has surprisingly had a big impact on me. There is truly a special spirit that accompanies this work! It has connected me to those who have gone before me. In a little cemetery near my home, there is a sculpture of a chain–the interlocking links representing how we, the living, are linked to the dead. I have gotten this distinct impression, more than ever before. Working to preserve how they faced life with true grit amidst daunting struggles and extreme trials of their day has amazed, strengthened, and been an honor for me. It has given me a deeper life perspective.
Garry, AZ
My wife wanted to write her personal history, but the task always seemed too daunting. She was dying of cancer and knew she did not have much time. Loreen and her Living Legacies became the means to our rescue.
We outlined important events, family activities, and experiences that my wife wanted to record in hopes it would describe our life and, more importantly, the stories that became life lessons and testimonies of Christ’s tender mercies. Joan wanted to write a personal letter to each of her children, and Loreen helped her do that. Loreen interviewed Joan to help her recount her stories, thoughts, and testimony. This method of interviews and transcripts included my wife’s voice, emotion, and love in the final words.
What could be a better memory, testimony, and gift to leave for me, her children, and their posterity? It turned out better than we could have ever asked for or imagined.