July 4, 2016 - Monday in Nauvoo

We had one very busy day today!  It was an early morning start to our activities.  We had our morning devotional and prayers, and then left the house at 6:30am to participate in a good old fashioned flag raising ceremony.  I think this would be a fun tradition to start with the family back home!

Today marked  the 240th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence!  Mom and I were touched that we were asked to participate in an early morning ceremony, at the Nauvoo Visitors Center, where we gave tribute to the American Flag, and to the United States.  Here are some pictures from the event this morning;

The Nauvoo Brass Band led by Elder Brague

The view from the drummer (Elder Felstead knows how to play those drums!)

The Honor Guard - Hall's, Clark's, Cook's and Lasher's

Posting the colors

The flag is 9' by 20' - one large flag!

"Gave proof that our flag was still there"!

Lasher's - Cook's - Clark's

What a sweet experience to have participated in!

Here we are celebrating our independence in 2016.  But 2 years after I was born, in December 1952, here is what the President of the United States said about our liberty;

December 1952

"We find it hard to believe that liberty could ever be lost in this country. But it can be lost, and it will be, if the time ever comes when these documents are regarded not as the supreme expression of our profound belief, but merely as curiosities in glass cases."

— President Harry Truman, December 15, 1952, address at the National Archives

And what did President Ronald Reagan say about liberty?  “As government expands, liberty contracts.”

After our participation in the flag raising ceremony, we went home and changed clothes and went back to the Visitor's center to grill some Dawgs, and make our potato salad for the Young Performing Missionaries.  Both mom and I were craving that potato salad and the hot dog!  Here are some action shots of our morning by the grill;

The Bistro at the Visitor's Center - dining for the YPM's

Home Depot memories.....

We grilled up 80 of those Dawgs!

Mom and I have been craving the hot dogs this entire week!  We finally satisfied that craving for lunch with the Young Performing Missionaries.  We fed 56 of them along with their leaders and advisors.  I got some great comments on the potato salad and the hot dogs.  I'm glad we could do this for them today.  This was our second year to grill hot dogs for them on the 4th!

Then we were able to enhance our day by attending the 1:00pm temple session.  There were only 6 of us in the session and mom and I were the witness couple.  We were able to make the most of our P-day with all the activities involved.  The only thing we missed was our morning walk!  We even got a service project in by cleaning one of the Historic Site Kiosks along the 96 highway.  It was a great way to end the day.

The Rexburg 4th of July parade!

What a great looking family!  Everyone looks so good in this picture!  How wonderful it is to be living in a country where we have been blessed so abundantly!  Nephi spoke about this land of promise, that it would be a choice land above all other lands as long as we keep our focus on, and honor, our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  Mom and I pray for our freedom and our liberty on a regular basis, as I am sure we all do!  Happy 4th of July and may we stand tall as a country as we keep all of our priorities in line!