So glad to be living a life of freedom. There are definitely things I don’t like about our government, but I wouldn’t want to live in any other country. Last night, as Petal was falling asleep, she asked, “What’s that?” about the firecrackers going off in the neighborhood. IÂ explained about the fourth of July and how people celebrate, hoping she would easily get to sleep, even with the noise. Today we talked to her about independence, and what that means to us as Americans. I hope to guide her, and Eden, in the knowledge of how blessed we are here in the United States of America. I know I am blessed, and thank God for what we have here. I cannot imagine my children going to sleep to the sounds of fighting jets or bombs or gunshot (though that can’t be completely ruled out as a possibility). At least I feel safe here in my home. With John Mark as my someone to lean on, share with, and be my support here, and God and His son whom I can lean on, share with, and gives me support spiritually here and in Heaven, I feel so lucky.