Independence Day

This is our 3rd Independence Day spent OUTSIDE the boundaries of the USA (we were in Italy two years ago, and here in Dominica last year)- and man, we really wish we could be back in America celebrating today. However, living here has given us a unique way to celebrate and a greater perspective. We love America! We miss America. With all it's imperfections and political arguments, I still believe it is the greatest country in the world. One troubling thing about life in Dominica is to see the poverty around us. In the United States, when people are down on their luck or disaster strikes, or they were raised and have always lived in poverty, there are programs to help them: medicaid, food stamps, WIC, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, the list goes on and on. Here in Dominica there is nothing. As Relief Society President I've had the opportunity to help with welfare needs in the branch, and I'm so grateful for that chance and that service our church provides. Each time I realize that if the church wasn't here to help, these people would starve. Their children wouldn't eat for days. And I know that this is how many in Dominica are living. God bless America!

Two years ago I had the unique opportunity to go with a small group from the BYU nursing program to Washington DC. We spent a week there touring and studying Veterans health. We met with our Senators, toured Walter Reed Medical Center, met with leaders of the central VA hospital, and met with several veterans. It was amazing to get a glimpse into the health problems- both physical and emotional- that these men and women went through. It increased my gratitude and awe for their sacrifice. I think of the few veterans I know personally- an uncle who has given his whole life and career to serving our country, a few elderly men in my parents neighborhood who fought many years ago, all heroes in my mind. I can clearly remember walking on Omaha Beach 7 years ago and listening to my teacher retell the story of the Normandy invasion and the significance of D-Day. I walked around the beautiful American cemetery there in France, looking at the rows and rows of headstones, standing so perfectly in straight lines, in complete amazement of the sacrifice given there. The words that come to my mind now were from a man we met on our last day in DC. He was a veteran from WWII and fought at Iwo Jima. He met us right there at the memorial and recounted his experience. When he was finished he instructed us,

"Have a great life. That's why we did it."

He was so right. Living in America is a great life. That great life has been fought for and preserved for centuries by selfless men and women. Our freedom has come at a cost. I will forever be thankful for them.

 We had a lovely 4th of July. We got a group together at the pool for a little BBQ. There isn't a grill there, but we rigged one using some charcoal, cement blocks, and a rack from our oven (and an umbrella during some light rain), it worked great! Everyone brought delicious food and it was a fun little party! Next year we can do the whole deal- fireworks, parades, all that jazz, but for now, I'm glad we at least had a 4th of July BBQ!

And I just love this picture I snapped of my two favorite guys on the way home tonight-

Chase adores his dad,

and while I wish he loved me that much

I really love their little relationship.