Here Comes July

Last week we took a short trip with the three youngest kids, and Mom and Dad up to visit Camp Liahona (where we girls go for girls' camp each year) and to take a short hike.  We had a pleasant afternoon and we only spent 45% of the time complaining about the hiking part!! (I think that's an all-time record)

 Fortunately, our bucket of Muddie-buddies mix kept us going, and we had dutch-oven dinner at the end of it all.

 We missed Luke and Eliza, but had a good time anyway.

 I've noticed that Levi is really good at this face.

On a more serious note, this week, our country is going to celebrate the 4th of July.  There will be fireworks,  neighborhood barbecues, swimming parties, and red-white-and-blue colored food galore.  This year I was privileged to take a course on American History, and I learned a LOT about the really, really important meaning of this holiday.  

 When the great creators of our country fought for independence, it was not for themselves that they were fighting, but for their families, their children, and their grandchildren.  They gave everything they had, in many cases, so that we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today.  I believe they were inspired by God, to fight for liberty, and for a new way of life for the world.  It is so easy, as an American today, to forget their sacrifices and the blessings of liberty that I enjoy because of those sacrifices.  I am grateful for the people who created the U.S. and the government that I know today, which protects my liberties and the liberties of all its people.

 Of course the founding fathers, who signed the documents, were not the only people whose lives we celebrate.  We also celebrate the soldiers who gave their lives for liberty: American soldiers in the Revolutionary war, the Civil war, World War I, World War II, and wars today all fight for the same reasons.  As I've watched different documentaries and series like Band of Brothers about the men in these wars, I have gained a new appreciation for their sacrifices and for the easy life I so carelessly claim as my rightful inheritance as an American.

I've just been reminded of these things recently, and I think they're pretty important.

Have a wonderful time celebrating with your family this week!

Remember WHAT you are celebrating.

Love,

Marta