Anyone else this happy about the 4th? This is Nate’s first “4th of July” in his young life, and he’s gonna be spending it in Asia with his family and a group of friends from Kansas! I hope he grows up to love and appreciate the USA like I do.
I think there is something about living abroad that makes you appreciate America even more than you would have if you had never left. I know it’s certainly true for me. There are many things (a couple of REALLY BIG ONES) that I have totally come to appreciate about America now that I don’t live there anymore.
As many of you know, I am just coming off of a 10 month stay in America where one of my observations was how much everyone – particularly politicians and journalist and those who listen to politicians and journalist without thinking for themselves – would go on and on about how TERRIBLE things were in America today. Excuse me, ‘terrible’?! Really? Is your perspective really that microscopic that you cannot see beyond $4 gas? Shame on you. Go get a passport immediately. Travel to ANY other country. Live there (as opposed to being a ‘tourist’ there.) Then come back and tell me how terrible Americans have it.
OK, I’m getting off my soap-box before I get in trouble (translation = before Erica gets upset with me.)
Happy 4th of July everyone! Go have a burger, a Dr. Pepper and some yummy ice cream… I’ll be having rice… and I will appreciate every bite.
Hi! I'm Steve Webel and this is my blog. Thanks for stopping by!
I read an interesting blog post today about being grateful year-round instead of just on certain holidays like July 4th and Memorial Day. And hey… I’m having rice tomorrow too. Granted, it will be yellow and on a plate full of grilled meat, but still rice. I’ll be thinking of you…
Here’s a link to the post I read: http://blog.9marks.org/2008/07/the-4th-of-july.html
A great blog!
Not to worry hun, I completely agree with you about the media and how they get so hung up on certain issues… you can stay on your soap box!
Thanks Jennifer for the link, interesting article. I think if I could sit down and talk with the author, we’d agree, but the point made in his blog makes me a little uncomfortable.
I think he is oversimplifying a very real problem and is choosing to err on the side of NO patriotism. I think the audience is probably more sophisticated than he gives them credit for (particularly since so many are from other countries but have chosen to live in America) and could handle the distinctions between faith and patriotism in a carefully crafted presentation.
What wonderfully patriotic photos of your beautiful children! Annette
YEAH STEVE! I agree! We had pasta!