Happy 4th of July!!

As I’m sitting here munching American flag cookies just before midnight, all done in from such a fun-filled day, I’m reflecting on something Ben said today.  Usually on American holidays (and today was no different), I find myself missing the things that make up our traditional celebrations.  Sometimes I even slide into this pity party wishing for things that can’t be: that we could go to a 4th of July parade, see a fireworks display, sit down to a big picnic with family and friends, go to the rodeo (the Wyoming in me slips out sometimes).  But Ben said something on the way to a little get-together with our American friends in Warsaw and then Derrek echoed it when he prayed before we ate.  He said, “Thank you, God, for the freedom we have as Americans to be here in Poland.”  What Ben said was along the same line:  ‘Because we’re Americans, we have this incredible opportunity to raise financial support so that we can be here in Poland.’  It took me by surprise because it was so far from what I was feeling.  But it kept coming back to me all day, and even though I miss America fiercely, I’m thankful that we’re here.  I’m also thankful that this time next year, we’ll be celebrating America IN AMERICA!!