Sizzling into Hodgepodge Wednesday this week. Thank you, Joyce!
Today is forecast to be hot, hot, hot. If I do anything outside it will be in the early hours. But now on to the questions.
1. What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom means I can choose. I can choose what I believe, where I live, where I get an education, where I go to church, what I wear, what I eat, where I work, what I do for fun, where I travel, and all of that without fear of being thrown into prison because of those choices.
I can also choose to give up a freedom for a greater cause like parenting, being a wife, being a friend, being a citizen, being a member of the Body of Christ. As a mother I chose to give up many freedoms so that I could help my children. As a wife I can give up some of my freedom to be a better helpmate. In serving others sometimes you give up personal freedoms, too.
There are national freedoms and personal freedoms.
I don’t want to abuse my relationships by demanding my freedoms to the extreme.
The more I think on this the more there is to say about freedom. There are times that God will take my freedoms away to teach me something I need to learn. Maybe through an illness or a loss. I’ll save those thoughts for another time.
2. How will you celebrate Independence Day this year? If you live outside the USA answer this question as it relates to your own country’s patriotic holiday, wherever that may land on the calendar.
We will go to an annual party in Colville with many of our church family. We bring our own meat to cook and a side or dessert to share. There are several grills for cooking the meat. There are games to play including an annual corn hole tournament. Fireworks are set off later in the evening.
3. This or that…red, white, or blue? Blue
Stars or stripes? Stars
Watermelon, home made ice cream, or blueberry pie? Watermelon
How do you feel about fireworks? I enjoy watching them. I’m always reminded of our dear Pop who never bought fireworks that I’m aware of. If we asked, he would say, “Here’s a dollar, just burn it.” His sentiment was that spending money on fireworks was just burning up money that was better spent for something necessary. 🙂
That said, here in Colville we don’t set off fireworks just anywhere because we are in a high fire danger season. Many families shoot off fireworks on New Year’s Eve instead when there is snow on the ground. People in town can set them off without the greater danger of starting a wild fire.
4. What have you purchased recently that made you excited?
I talked about my new riding lawnmower last week. This week I was excited to have the window washers come. Clean windows are exciting and when someone else cleans them that is even more exciting!
5. I’m thankful to live in America (or fill in whatever country you call home) because____________.
…it’s the land of the free and home of the brave.
I’m so thankful God led my parents to make the choice to immigrate legally to the United States from Persia. They made the hard journey to settle in the Los Angeles area with our oldest sister Kathy and while our mom was pregnant with our sister, Vera. God led them on that journey and was with them all their 90 and 95 years. They enjoyed their freedom in the U.S. and their abundant life in Jesus Christ. That freedom and abundance is available to all of their children, children’s spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I love decorating and celebrating the 4th of July, Independence Day in the U.S.A.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
…wish you a Happy 4th, Ellen.
Your decor is lovely as are those windows- so clean(!) and what a pretty view. I thought your parents came from Russia for some reason. From wherever, how wonderful that they came here and loved this country! They obviously helped instill it in you. I’m thankful my grandparents came here legally from Germany. Have a great 4th- the church get together sounds wonderful!
Maria, Both my parents were born in Russia and their families separately escaped out of Russia into Persia/Iran in the early 1930’s. They settled in villages close to Tehran. They met in a village and were married there. Your memory was correct! Thank you for your visit here!
I am thankful for our home of the free and brave! happy 4th of July to you!
Take care, have a great day!
I love your patriotic decorations. After seeing the photos . . .I just realized that I forgot to put out ANY of our red, white, and blue decorations. Our windows need to be cleaned. I should line up the window cleaners! I recently cleaned the outside of the ones I can reach, but I never do as good a job as the professionals!!
I love how you will celebrate this year! Your decorations are awesome too! Hope you have a wonderful 4th!
Hello Monica, Enjoy your 4th, too! Blessings.
Hi, I enjoyed your #5!! Thank you for sharing.
I had to laugh at your Dear Pop and saying here is a dollar.. just burn it. We have a family member who says the same. 😉
Happy Independence Day,
Carla
Your red, white and blue looks so pretty – and delicious!! I sure do agree with your thoughts in question one. We have so many freedoms but there are certainly many times when putting our freedoms aside/giving up our personal freedoms is for the best. Our world teaches us otherwise but it is true. Oh, and I would love to have a window washer. Currently, I am the window washer and it is clear (or not so clear!) that I’m not the best in the business:)
Jennifer, Thank you for coming by and for your thoughtful comment. A window washer is a luxury for us. The older we get the more we appreciate it!
Looks like y’all will be grilling and chilling on the fourth – enjoy the holiday’s spirit!
Mary, thanks for popping by and for your comments. Hope you have a good 4th, too.
I lov eyour answer to the freedom question! I do agree with your Pop about the fireworks! I’ll save my dollars and watch everyone elses. haha! Hope you have a happy 4th!
Hello Crystal, thanks for coming by, I appreciate it. Happy 4th to you and yours!
Happy 4th, dear Ellen! Love your answers. Beautiful decorations.
Thank you so much, Maristella. Happy July to you!
Great answer to the freedom question!!!
Thank you, Karen!
I love your Independence Day decor!! I should have taken photos of mine….oh well….I used to have stars that hung that were very similar to yours!
I love your answer to #1.
Happy Independence Day
Thank you, Faith. Happy 4th to you!
Such a pretty view just outside your window! I love what you said about the need to occasionally give up some of our freedoms for those we love. It’s actually a more complicated topic than I at first thought. Sounds like you have a fun 4th planned. Enjoy!
Thank you, Joyce. Blessings!
Ellen, I so enjoyed reading your answers to these questions! And the pictures were a joy to view. I’ve been busy making jam and canning so I’ve fallen behind in my blog reading. Hope your July is going well so far.
Dianna, the jam lovers in your life will be glad you took that time for making and canning! Blessings.