{4th of July}

We spent our first 4th of July in Houston.

It was fun, but definitely was not the same.

Our family was invited to a BBQ and pool party.

A couple from church invited us, and we had fun eating, meeting new friends and swimming.

The host/hostess made the coolest 4th of July cake

that we will have to attempt to make sometime.

That evening we went to Clear Lake Park to watch

several fireworks shows around the lake.

We had a fun day. . .

but we did miss all of our friends and family.

There were plenty of times during the day

that I felt myself longing for Idaho.

Throughout this week I have found myself thinking about how

grateful I am for this country we live in.

Often times we get caught up in politics and politicians and

we forget what an amazing place we live in.

I think we need to be more grateful.

If we were more grateful, more of us would work together

to make this country a better place,

instead fighting against each other.

I was reading Doctrine and Covenants 134 yesterday and it made me realize how thankful I am that we live in a country where we are all free to choose.

This is what our Heavenly Father's plan is. 

That we have a choice. . .

This is what the United States of America is based on. . .

LIBERTY!!!

The freedom to choose who you are and what you want to be.

I am so grateful for this.

This is the reason I teach History.

To teach future generations to be grateful for their freedom

and to teach them to protect and preserve it for future generations.

Happy 4th of July!!!!