I love America!

Those of you who are long time readers of this blog know my feelings about celebrating the 4th of July overseas. While celebrating in the States surrounded by family, enjoying a barbecue on a warm summer day, and watching fireworks can be very enjoyable, I find I am more pensive about our great country when I am unable to participate in those 4th of July activities.

This will be the sixth time that I will have celebrated America's birthday living overseas (two in Madagascar, two in the Congo, and my first in Zimbabwe). Living in countries where governments do not believe and do not adhere to the fact that "all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," has made me more grateful for our country, our citizens, and our government (regardless if its run by Democrats or Republicans).

America is the promise land. Our Heavenly Father has led people throughout history to America, the brother of Jared, Lehi, early explorers, and people seeking religious freedom. Not only has our Heavenly Father led people to the promise land, he has provided divine guidance to our founding fathers, he chose America to appear, with his son, to a 14-year old boy and re-establish his gospel. There was no other country in the world where the gospel of Jesus Christ could have been restored and flourished.

As Americans, we need to remember how great our country is and that it is truly the promise land. Regardless of political affiliation we all need to be grateful for our country and the fundamental principles that form the basis of our government. I am grateful and appreciative of many things about America, but here are a few:

1) I am thankful for a country where I am free to vote how I want and know that my vote will be counted.

2) I am thankful that I can vote how I want without fear of threats or violence from those that disagree with me.

3) I am thankful for a country where, for the most part, the citizens needs are met, either through their own means, or through the help of family, church, or government. I am sure there are plenty of people who disagree with me, but I know of families in the Congo where family members only eat every other day as they don't have access to enough food. I have sat in homes without electricity, plumbing, or floors. In Madagascar, there wasn't a single home that I went in that had a refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine, or computer. Most families lived in single room homes, with one bed for the whole family.

4) I am thankful for a country where the police do not stop you just to get a bribe.

5) I am thankful for a military whose soldiers choose to spend their life protecting the life of my family, instead of using their access to weapons to steal, rape, and murder.

6) I am thankful for a military whose mission is to protect America, not keep a certain party or person in power.

7) I am thankful for a government whose leaders are trying to make America better (even when I don't agree with their ideas of how to make America better), instead of spending all their time finding ways to stay in office and looking for ways to steal more money.

8) I am thankful for a country where I have the freedom of speech so I can write this blog.

9) I am thankful for a country where I can worship how I may.

10) I am thankful for a country that has allowed me to have a life with my beautiful wife and wonderful son, a country where I have liberty, and been able to pursue Happiness.

Today as we look at the flag, let us remember those that have died in order for us to have the freedoms that we all enjoy. Let us remember as we spend time with our family and friends, how awesome America is. As we look to the sky and watch fireworks, let us be thankful for the numerous blessing God has bestowed upon us and our nation. Happy Birthday America.