Happy 250th Birthday, America!

I started writing this post yesterday, on the 3rd of July.  I didn't get very far before our internet went down. We've been having issues with it all week, and yesterday it was up and down like a yo-yo. So I never did get back to finishing this post, and now it's Saturday, July 4th.  But I will go ahead and try to pick up where I left off yesterday, so bear with me, and Happy 4th of July!

Written on July 3, 2026:

Today is the day before the 4th of July, and I'm still getting myself in a more festive spirit. This tray/sign below was created by my son a few years ago, and it puts things in proper perspective: 

Always put GOD first, and then your family and loved ones, and then your country, and life will run more smoothly.

This is one of my favorite verses on this subject:

Joshua 24:15 NIV

15 "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. 

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Our blogging friend Chrissy T at One Season to the Next  has given a Photo Challenge for the month of July.  I'm just getting around to participating. I think I already did some outdoors photos and flower photos previously this week HERE,

 So we will pick up with the photo challenge of food for July 3:..see below...

We had blueberry pancakes for breakfast yesterday morning, made with our very own home grown blueberries!! It just doesn't get any better than that!

And for today, July 4th, something that "sparkles", well, this wreath did sparkle in the sunshine:

And so did this, but you can't tell it in the picture...so just take my word for it, okay? It sparkles! And maybe later tonight (4th), I will get some pictures of the fireworks when they "sparkle".

Sadly, our family isn't going to be getting together today to celebrate like we have in the past, but Lily Grace and her dog Bailey are ready for a  4th of July picnic:

And so are her friends...

And Lily Grace says HERE is a link to some special memories from the 4th of July in 2021, shared from her blog, The Adventures of Lily Grace.

And inside that blog is another link HERE, with pictures from some very special family times in the past on the 4th of July.  I love to look back at those special times and remember them, especially when we can't all be together again as in the past. Several of those family members are now celebrating every day in heaven...thanks to Jesus giving us the biggest gift of freedom ever...we are set free from our sins through faith in Him...

John 8:31-36
31 "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Oh, I wanted to share some pictures of what was going on in our yard yesterday morning...it was definitely a morning for "the birds"...

So, here's the story...You really can't see him too well in this picture, but there is a big Hawk sitting on the branch of that pine tree. There is also a hummingbird on the feeder...

Good Morning Mr. Hawk! How are you today???

He says, "I'm fine and dandy. Just don't bother me right now. I am watching for something to eat for breakfast out there.."

And then he flew away out over the pond, but then I realized there was ANOTHER Hawk sitting on a different branch of the same tree!

And Mr. Bluebird also sees him...and he is keeping a close watch on him because there are new baby bluebirds in the birdhouse, and we definitely don't want anything to happen to them like last time, when a big old crow came and snatched one out of the nest...

So you can bet that Mr. Bluebird is being very protective and watchful, but it seems that the two hawks had other prey on their minds out on the other side of the pond, because he soon flew away to join his mate or brother or whatever...

Mr. Blue bird is telling Mrs. Blue bird to watch out for them...

All the while, Blackie was sitting on the porch and watching all of the activities out there. Thankfully, he knew to stay quiet and still and didn't interfere in the activity of the Bluebirds or the Hawks.

Isn't Mr. Bluebird beautiful? They have been quite active lately, as I think the babies are getting bigger every day and they are busily finding juicy grasshoppers and other insects to feed them all day long...

Here's Mama Bluebird, watching for Daddy Bluebird to come back with more food:

They are both quite busy bringing food to the nest. Notice the blue of blur at the top of the pole...that's the Daddy taking off to find more food while Mama feed the babies with whatever she has found:

Now Daddy watches for the Mama to come back:

There she is...

And there's Daddy, with food in his mouth, waiting his turn to go into the house to feed the babies.

Mama keeps a watchful eye on things...

Daddy says "We are thankful that the Hawks went away and didn't disturb our nest, and now we can continue to feed our babies and hopefully watch them fly to freedom one of these days soon!"

All in all it was a lovely morning for bird watching. And I am VERY thankful to the Lord for all of these blessings...and especially for our freedom to enjoy them.

John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

So today, in the midst of all the hoopla and celebration, fireworks and barbeques and ice cream and watermelon...Let us pause and remember to thank GOD for our freedom...our freedom to enjoy this day without fear of our enemies coming to stop us...and freedom to enjoy this day, knowing that we are ultimately free from our sins when we have faith in Christ...and one day we will be set free from this earthly body to enjoy our eternal life, free from sickness and sorrow and the fear of death.  Praise God!

Have a blessed and beautiful and happy 4th of July!