Someone asked me why I loved the 4th of July so much this week and I didn't really have an answer. So I thought about it a lot. And this is what I came up with.
I love the history of our country.
Studying the American Revolution is fascinating. There are so many wonderful stories full of heroes and people who were so passionate about their rights. I love that our country is founded on people who wanted religious freedom. I love hearing about the Boston Tea Party, the Declaration of Independence, and later the writing of the Constitution. I am intrigued by the colonial time period. The way they lived their lives. Aside from school, most of my knowledge on the subject has come from other historical fiction literature, including the American Girl Felicity books. I love them and she has been a favorite since I got her as a little girl. Someday I am visiting Williamsburg, Virginia! Along with all the other historical sites on the east coast.
I love the colors red, white, and blue.
They look good huh. There's something about the way they compliment each other that makes them stand out. Maybe it's just because I've seen them together my whole life by living in this country. When you look in my closet you would see a lot of blue and white (go viks & cougs) but an accent of red is never a bad thing.
I love the significance of our flag.
Betsy Ross and the stars and stripes.
13 stripes for the thirteen original colonies.
50 stars for each state in the union
Red - hardiness and valour
White - purity and innocence
Blue - vigilance, perseverance, and justice
I love our national anthem.
On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President's house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.
Who doesn't right? Besides the fact that they are gorgeous, there is such a thrill that you get from seeing a firework go off. You enjoy it, but it's also so loud and kind of terrifying. It is just so fun! And there are so many different varieties. I love the ones that are HUGE and also the sparkly ones. I love sitting and watching a good firework show whether it's at a baseball game, professionally done, or your cousins shooting them off the dock or being at stadium of fire, or even just in the cul de sac. I find myself often just sitting in awe and wonder at the excitement of it all. It's also pretty great to light them off yourself. Plus, a 4th of July celebration wouldn't be complete without a sparkler that you use to write your name with.
I love the freedoms that I have by living here.
Do you know the bill of rights and other amendments to the constitution? Thank you Mr. Hankel for making us memorize each and every one. I feel like a lot of it I take for granted, but I love the way that I live here! I am blessed with so much and the first things that come to mind are the right to worship how I choose, the right to have an education, and the fact that the government doesn't control how many kids you have because I leave each one of my family members. When I hear about persecution or how the government is falling apart or civil war in other countries, I am grateful for my freedom. And although not everything is fine and dandy all the time here, I am still grateful that it's not any worse.
I love the memories I've made with family and traditions.
Surprisingly, I haven't been with my family for the past several years on the 4th of July, but I will never forget our celebrations together. Mostly it just consists of your typical BBQ and day at the lake with a firework show to finish it off. But I've always loved how we had SO much family around all the time. The Blackners know how to party. I love tubing and jet skiing, and throwing pop-its, lighting sparklers, taking pictures, wearing our 4th of July Old Navy shirts, bundling up to watch our own personal show at the end of the night, the beautiful weather we always seem to have, watching the fireworks from Cheney Stadium, red, white, and blue fruit and desserts, that one time we went to Stadium of Fire. I'm sure I'm missing some, but it's always a blast!
I love the songs that have been written about the USA.
This year I was listening to a 4th of July playlist. It was fantastic. The best part was I knew most of the songs. Whether it's a heartfelt tribute to america, a country song that says it all, or even Katy Perry singing about fireworks, they were all a hit.
I love the all the different parts of the country I've seen.
It's so beautiful and so diverse! I love the beautiful Puget Sound of the Pacific Northwest,
the big majestic mountains of Utah Valley, the dense greenery of the South, the huge cities like NYC, the country fields in the backroads or Alabama. I guess I haven't been to that many places, but I've seen lots of pictures! and it's gorgeous :)
I love all of the people I've met from all over the country.
BYU has it's own little melting pot. I am so grateful for each unforgettable individual that have become some of my dearest friends.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
I love how there is such evidence of a loving Heavenly Father in this country.
Aside from all of His beautiful creations, He has inspired our leaders. He has allowed His church to be restored on the earth, we have a living prophet that lives in this country, we have temples where we are able to worship and make covenants for ourselves and our ancestors, all of the technology that we have to connect with each other and share the gospel.
I love America's pastimes.
sports baseball, football
food: hot dogs, hambugers, fries, shakes, peanuts, apple pie
hollywood: movies, music, celebrities
I love that it is a choice land that was prepared for the restoration of the gospel.
The garden of Eden here in America!
"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written." Ether 2:12
Protection during wars, the Constitution and freedom of religion, Moroni burying the plates in the exact part of the country where Joseph Smith would later live. What more evidence do you need? The Lord has a hand in all things.
Well. This might be a very long, boring, drawn out explanation of the place we call America, but put simply, we are blessed. I feel like it's our responsibility to appreciate the land we've been given and to fully take advantage of the many opportunities that have been given us in this short, but very important stop on our way to eternity.
I love the history of our country.
Studying the American Revolution is fascinating. There are so many wonderful stories full of heroes and people who were so passionate about their rights. I love that our country is founded on people who wanted religious freedom. I love hearing about the Boston Tea Party, the Declaration of Independence, and later the writing of the Constitution. I am intrigued by the colonial time period. The way they lived their lives. Aside from school, most of my knowledge on the subject has come from other historical fiction literature, including the American Girl Felicity books. I love them and she has been a favorite since I got her as a little girl. Someday I am visiting Williamsburg, Virginia! Along with all the other historical sites on the east coast.
I love the colors red, white, and blue.
They look good huh. There's something about the way they compliment each other that makes them stand out. Maybe it's just because I've seen them together my whole life by living in this country. When you look in my closet you would see a lot of blue and white (go viks & cougs) but an accent of red is never a bad thing.
I love the significance of our flag.
13 stripes for the thirteen original colonies.
50 stars for each state in the union
Red - hardiness and valour
White - purity and innocence
Blue - vigilance, perseverance, and justice
I love our national anthem.
On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President's house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.
A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Key's tactics were successful, but because he and his companions had gained knowledge of the impending attack on Baltimore, the British did not let them go. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away.
"It seemed as though mother earth had opened and was vomiting shot and shell in a sheet of fire and brimstone," Key wrote later. But when darkness arrived, Key saw only red erupting in the night sky. Given the scale of the attack, he was certain the British would win. The hours passed slowly, but in the clearing smoke of "the dawn's early light" on September 14, he saw the American flag—not the British Union Jack—flying over the fort, announcing an American victory. Key put his thoughts on paper while still on board the ship, setting his words to the tune of a popular English song.
Land of the free. Because of the brave. It brings instant patriotism. I will always love listening to it with my hand over my heart, saluting our flag with respect and pride.
I love fireworks.Land of the free. Because of the brave. It brings instant patriotism. I will always love listening to it with my hand over my heart, saluting our flag with respect and pride.
Who doesn't right? Besides the fact that they are gorgeous, there is such a thrill that you get from seeing a firework go off. You enjoy it, but it's also so loud and kind of terrifying. It is just so fun! And there are so many different varieties. I love the ones that are HUGE and also the sparkly ones. I love sitting and watching a good firework show whether it's at a baseball game, professionally done, or your cousins shooting them off the dock or being at stadium of fire, or even just in the cul de sac. I find myself often just sitting in awe and wonder at the excitement of it all. It's also pretty great to light them off yourself. Plus, a 4th of July celebration wouldn't be complete without a sparkler that you use to write your name with.
I love the freedoms that I have by living here.
Do you know the bill of rights and other amendments to the constitution? Thank you Mr. Hankel for making us memorize each and every one. I feel like a lot of it I take for granted, but I love the way that I live here! I am blessed with so much and the first things that come to mind are the right to worship how I choose, the right to have an education, and the fact that the government doesn't control how many kids you have because I leave each one of my family members. When I hear about persecution or how the government is falling apart or civil war in other countries, I am grateful for my freedom. And although not everything is fine and dandy all the time here, I am still grateful that it's not any worse.
I love the memories I've made with family and traditions.
Surprisingly, I haven't been with my family for the past several years on the 4th of July, but I will never forget our celebrations together. Mostly it just consists of your typical BBQ and day at the lake with a firework show to finish it off. But I've always loved how we had SO much family around all the time. The Blackners know how to party. I love tubing and jet skiing, and throwing pop-its, lighting sparklers, taking pictures, wearing our 4th of July Old Navy shirts, bundling up to watch our own personal show at the end of the night, the beautiful weather we always seem to have, watching the fireworks from Cheney Stadium, red, white, and blue fruit and desserts, that one time we went to Stadium of Fire. I'm sure I'm missing some, but it's always a blast!
I love the songs that have been written about the USA.
This year I was listening to a 4th of July playlist. It was fantastic. The best part was I knew most of the songs. Whether it's a heartfelt tribute to america, a country song that says it all, or even Katy Perry singing about fireworks, they were all a hit.
I love the all the different parts of the country I've seen.
It's so beautiful and so diverse! I love the beautiful Puget Sound of the Pacific Northwest,
the big majestic mountains of Utah Valley, the dense greenery of the South, the huge cities like NYC, the country fields in the backroads or Alabama. I guess I haven't been to that many places, but I've seen lots of pictures! and it's gorgeous :)
I love all of the people I've met from all over the country.
BYU has it's own little melting pot. I am so grateful for each unforgettable individual that have become some of my dearest friends.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
I love how there is such evidence of a loving Heavenly Father in this country.
Aside from all of His beautiful creations, He has inspired our leaders. He has allowed His church to be restored on the earth, we have a living prophet that lives in this country, we have temples where we are able to worship and make covenants for ourselves and our ancestors, all of the technology that we have to connect with each other and share the gospel.
I love America's pastimes.
sports baseball, football
food: hot dogs, hambugers, fries, shakes, peanuts, apple pie
hollywood: movies, music, celebrities
The garden of Eden here in America!
"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written." Ether 2:12
Protection during wars, the Constitution and freedom of religion, Moroni burying the plates in the exact part of the country where Joseph Smith would later live. What more evidence do you need? The Lord has a hand in all things.
What a wonderful post and appreciation for our country. No wonder you are going to be a teacher. Love you love this post! God Bless America!
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