Rain, rain, rain, rain, and more rain!

It seems like it has been raining here all summer. I know we desperately need it, after the drought last summer and a dry winter. Still, it hasn't felt like summer here yet. We did have a cookout with our small group from church this past Sunday. That helped. We were able to eat outside on the patio and swim. Randy, Chandler, and Kayleigh even entertained us with a diving show. Quite comical!

For those who were wondering, Randy made a 97 on his test last Thursday! Yay for Randy! He is doing such a good job with EMT school. His classmates have even started calling him Valedictorian, because he has had the top grade on almost everything. My smart husband!!!!

Tomorrow is July 4th. We both have off from work and are excited about getting to relax. It is supposed to rain here most of the day (80% chance) so we may be stuck inside. Oh well! We are free, and so blessed. I asked the kids at church last week what July 4th meant. One little girl very clearly and articulately said that it was a day to remember all the people who had died to give us freedom and to celebrate the freedoms we have. Out of the mouths of babes! She also mentioned our flag and what it stood for. She is only 4!!! Makes you stop and think about what July 4th really means. Is it just another day off work? For a lot of us, that is what it has become. A day to relax, get together with friends and family, shoot fireworks, and cook out. None of these things are bad, I will be the first to say I enjoy them all. I just think that a lot of the time, we forget what the day really stands for. Freedom. Such a small word, such a large meaning. Wikipedia dictionary defines freedom as "the state of being free, of not being imprisoned or enslaved." This applies to us both in our freedom as citizens of the USA and as Christians. Just as the Revolutionary war was fought to bring freedom to the colonists, Jesus fought sin, death, and Satan to bring us freedom. Freedom to have a relationship with Him, freedom to live abundant lives, freedom to not live in guilt because of sin. We are very blessed with freedom.

So I'm in a contemplative mood today. As you can tell. :) I just challenge you to stop for a few minutes tomorrow and thank God for all our freedoms - as citizens of the USA and as a child of the King. We are very blessed!!!