Oh, America.

I love the 4^th of July.  I love it because I always get to be with my family.  We’ll usually spend a few hours at the pool, swimming has always been one of my favorite family activities.  My mom always cooks up delicious salads, and we have a great barbeque.  We always finish the night sitting on the grass at the Pleasant Grove City fireworks.  It’s a fabulous day. 

This year, I don’t get to participate in these festivities.  Instead, I am in Masaka, Uganda, the other side of the world.  Being here, I am realizing just how grateful I am to be an American.  I’m grateful that in America, there are traffic laws that are generally followed.  I’m grateful that I don’t have to work seven days a week to survive.  I’m grateful for the American culture.  I’m grateful for consistent electricity, big grocery stores, and fast food restaurants.  I’m grateful for the variety of restaurants you can find.  I’m grateful that my family doesn’t live in a village, so I can see and talk to them regularly.  I’m grateful that I can brush my teeth and drink water straight from the tap.  I’m grateful for baked goods that are moist and delicious, and for cheese and real butter at easy access.  I’m grateful that I can go to school and study what I want.  I’m grateful that I can shower with clean water, and use a pillow that doesn’t hurt my neck. 

America is pretty great, but I’m glad to spend this celebration of it away, because it is teaching me to appreciate its’ many blessings.  This year, we’re celebrating America’s independence with the Joneses by making pizza.

It was still a grand day.  And don't we look festive?