My Country

Election Day 2008 is only 1 month away. I worry about my country - I know that it is on a fast decline financially and, more importantly, spiritually. I worry about my precious grandchildren and what this world will be like for them in another 10 or 20 years. So many things have changed in just the last 10 years. We pray daily that our "babies" will be protected, choose good friends, and be strong enough to withstand what will be thrown their way. I know that these little ones coming into our lives are very valiant, and were saved for these last days. I just want their lives to be as fulfilling and stable as mine has been.

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed our lives forever. I was snoozing on the couch that morning while watching Mary Tyler Moore on our newly installed Dish Satellite. Jaime called....."Mom, are you watching tv?" Jaime's panicked voice on the telephone woke me up from a nap on the couch. It was 7:45 a.m. I quickly turned the channel from 'Mary Tyler Moore' to Channel 5 and was horrified at what was flashing before my eyes. The World Trade Centers in New York City were on fire, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. was on fire, and a hijacked airliner crashed in Pennsylvania. What was happening?

"What was that?" I cried to Jaime as the first tower collapsed. My first thoughts were to get Jeff home from USU and Jaime, Brandon, and baby Hadlee home from Ogden (they live fairly close to Hill Air Force Base) - put everyone down the basement, and lock them in. Wayne was milking and had no idea what was taking place. With tears in my eyes I went to find him, and thank him for moving me to this little hoe-dunk town of Clifton where I felt about as safe as was possible at that moment. Jeff had just turned in his papers to serve an LDS mission. I didn't want him to go ANYWHERE! I was so frightened about what was happening to this country that I love. I will never forget that day as long as I live!!!

I write a weekly Clifton Rural Route column for our local newspaper, The Preston Citizen, and the column I wrote that week was actually published on the front page of the paper. Here is part of what I wrote: "I have never been so proud to be an American as I have been this week. Flags are flying everywhere, and I'd fly one if I could find one in a store to buy! Patriotic songs which usually being tears to my eyes have brought rivers this week."

We pray for the leaders, and future leaders, of our nation. I just don't have much faith that either of those running can pull us out of our mess. I guess all we can do is pray for the Lord's help at this critical time in our nation's history. I pray that our children and grandchildren will stay close to the church because that is what will be necessary to pull them through!

(The photo is of the flag that was given to us from the Preston Elk's Club after reading my article in the paper where I said I couldn't find a flag to purchase!)