Our team all gathered at the Garsee's home on the 4th of July to celebrate our country's independance. It felt great to get together and celebrate America!! Clinton's mother sent Amber the 4th of July decorations you see here! It was a wonderful time - we ate Chicken N Dumplins - Apple Pie! - and a home made cake!!! A VERY rare and CHERISHED treat!

We gathered around the table and actually celebrated the independance of America in a way that I have never done before. I've always wanted to but never did. We sang patriotic songs, read quotes from men who fought for our freedom such as Thomas Jefferson and read about what was sacrificed for the freedom we live in today. It was amazing - some would say cheesy...but it was amazing.

I am very proud to be an American - there are many things that our country has done, continues to do and will do that I am not proud of - but I am proud of what America stands for and the dream that our forefathers had for our country. These God fearing men laid their lives on the line for a country founded on God and freedom. I hate to say that much of our country has forgotten their dream. It was a wonderful evening and for about an hour it felt like I was back in America.

Just so that you know from the left to the right here are the people on our team (minus the Pruitts who live in Ban Nam Khem and Pii Thak who took the picture): John, Kathryn, Tanah, Marybeth (holding Mercy), Brian, me in the back, Amber (sitting down), and Clinton. The kids (Josiah (3), Asia(2), Chase(12) and Colton(14)) are coloring in the floor.
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