God Bless America

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

We've had a really nice day.  It was cloudy and drizzly all morning.  We enjoyed all our church meetings.  It was still sprinkling at noon when we were done.  I am fascinated by the way colors change or are enhanced in different lighting.  The greens were so vivid against the gray morning.  If there was an ocean nearby you'd think you might be in Ireland!

We celebrated the holiday yesterday with the neighbors and city, and tonight a couple of the resorts are shooting off their fireworks.  We made bbq pork sandwiches with cole slaw, corn on the cobb, and fruit for our dinner.  And tomorrow we will celebrate with Mike and Adrianne and Josh and Meredith when we get home in the afternoon since they all have work off.  Wow.  3 days of celebrating the birth of our country!

As I get older, I get much more sentimental and emotional about America.  It probably doesn't help that the US has seen difficult and interesting times lately either.  First of all, I look at the 4th of July as a spiritual holiday.  If the Lord had not prepared America and set in motion all the things necessary for the gospel to be restored and the Book of Mormon to come forth, we would not have the blessings of  the church, the priesthood, a living prophet, temples.  It makes me think about God's wisdom and timing.  I am grateful.

Then my thoughts and ponderings go to my German grandparents.  They heard the message of the gospel and converted when they were teenagers.  They didn't know each other then.  But independently when they were 17 years old, left their homeland to come to America so their posterity could have freedom and the gospel in it's fullness.  When I contemplate that, I feel so blessed.  And humbled.  I often wonder if I would have that kind of clarity at that age to think that far into the future and what a decision like that would mean for generations yet unborn.  They had no jobs, no education, no money, no family, but they had their testimony and a dream and lots of faith.  Was it easy?  No.  But they learned the language, worked hard and devoted their lives to the Lord.  I am forever grateful and blessed because of their sacrifice and hope my life is a reflection of that.

When I count my blessings that one single unselfish act is among the greatest ones.  I have so many more from the other side of my family and Duff's family, but since it's the 4th and about America's birthday I've mentioned this one this time.

I love the Star Spangled Banner.  When we sing it I always get choked up.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Oh, and I watched the Boston Pops concert and fireworks show.  This is the first time I've ever watched it.  I was blown away by the program.  It was awesome.