Family and Freedom

Our daughter and her son and friend returned home from their trip west. They are safe and sound and testify to wonderful trip. Isaiah was full of talk and wanted to share all the things he saw and enjoyed. He whispered to me during a dinner at church today that the most beautiful thing he saw on the trip was the Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone Park. I was rather surprised that he took such pleasure in that pool. I, too, find that pool a beautiful specimen of nature but was thrilled that an eleven year old found that same joy. His favorite wild life was moose and he took home many souvenirs with the moose theme.

Last evening, our daughter Lauri and her husband Elton, were celebrating their seventeenth anniversary. They chose to share that special day with us. Our Chicago based daughter and friend, Kip, had invited us to come to his condo for one of Kip's wonderful grilled meals. Our youngest daughter, Kendra and her husband, Craig, came from the north and met us there. We sat on the spacious patio that Kip has with his condo. It is his personal space and he and Jennifer had adorned it with pot after pot of beautiful flowers. Once it was dark, Kip lit candles in various spots between the pots and the ambiance was special. Jennifer had given him a patio heater for his birthday so when the wind picked up and the temperature began to drop, he lit his heater. It was truly an enjoyable evening as we visited with our daughters and their significant others and enjoyed Kip's grilled scallops, steak, and chicken. Downtown Chicago on a beautiful summer eve with people we love and scrumtious food all made for a special time. We commented on our journey home that we had had a wonderful time but also reminded ourselves that we have chosen to live in the country for valid reasons.

Today the weather is close to perfect. Tonight after church, we are invited to my brother and wife for a time of fellowship with their daughter's families and my parents. I think my nephew-in-law is itching to shoot off some fireworks so our fourth of July celebration will begin this evening. Our church service is also a celebration of freedom as we gather with four other churches in the area for one celebrative service. We must not forget to thank God for the freedom we enjoy in our nation. We are the freest nation in the world.