Birthday Blessings

       On July 2nd, I celebrated my 21st birthday.  In my family, we go all-out for birthdays.  Here are some photos...

Putting the grill together.

 Gifts are great, but little sisters are better!

 For dinner, we had veggies, chips, grilled sandwiches, and Oreo ice-cream.  Mmm!

 Somebody burned the sandwich...

 Picking off the "burnt" part!

 This is a great book!

I think Rebecca enjoyed the gifts even more than I did!

 Applesauce and rubber bands (In the bus, rubber bands are the currency of choice, as well as the weapon of choice!)

 

 Dark chocolate.  Ahhh!!!

 

 I love getting clothes for my birthday, because then I don't have to buy as many!

       If only a good ball glove would translate to a good ball player.... 

       Needless to say, I had a great day.  However, even if we couldn't afford gifts, I still would have the best family in the whole world!

Independence Day

       As I write this, I am with my family, driving through British Columbia on the Alaskan Highway.  It feels a little odd to spend Independence Day in Canada, but yet, even here, I am reminded of the great price that was paid for our freedom.  You see, during World War II, the Americans were afraid that the Japanese would invade Alaska.  The Americans needed a way to transport troops and supplies to Alaska, so they built  the Alaskan Highway in 1942.  The road begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and covers approximately 1200 miles by the time it reaches Alaska.  In spite of cold weather, lack of food, and extremely difficult terrain, the road was finished in about nine months.  The spirit shown by the men who built this road is the spirit of the American people, a spirit that, against all odds, inspires us to fight for freedom.  

       It is the same spirit that made our forefathers fight to make this country free, and also to keep it free.  It is the spirit that says, with Patrick Henry, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”  It is the spirit that inspires us to fight to keep this country free from tyranny, and it is the spirit that makes us declare that we are still “One nation under God.”

       If you are an American, you are blessed to live in the greatest country on the face of the earth.  So while you watch fireworks and eat watermelon, remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.  And most of all, remember the One who gave his life so that, regardless of where we live, we can be free forever (John 3:16)!