Land of the Free

I'm grateful I live in this country. I think my appreciation for America and personal freedom skyrocketed after having lived in China for 6 months. It's been 9 years, but I still remember how grateful I was to come home and be able to do things like go to church without meeting clandestinely and to come and go as I pleased without military personnel watching my every move. Oh, and it's also nice to be able to give a speech without a party member writing or rewriting it. I think Americans often forget or don't realize what we have.

As I see it, this freedom comes from at least 2 sources:

1. A promise from God that if we obey his commandments and are faithful, we [who live in this Promised Land] will prosper and be kept safe. If we turn from God, this promise is void. So, let's be good little boys and girls and remember to whom we are indebted! I personally prefer the protection of God to the protection of a government who removes God from the equation.
   
2. The men and women who give their time and their lives to serve and protect and maintain our freedom. It would be unimaginably difficult to be a military family, but I am forever grateful for the people who are willing to give their lives that we might live a life with freedom from oppression.

And to celebrate tonight, I will leave you with some pictures and videos of my cute boys.