The 4th....a day of recollection and visitation

Hi, I really had a great day today (make it yesterday). I started it with my new committment of reading the scriptures and having a quick breakfast. We kicked around the house abit and then headed to Caruthers CA... I was so excited.. I was going to see a friend of mine that I hadn't seen in about 16 years.
Elva was there with her husband Joe and son, Joseph. We hugged for a couple minutes talking excitedly and went into the house and on through to the back yard. I hugged a few family members and met a crew of people I didn't know. We sat around a shady area of the yard. Arnold's house has huge trees in the yard and a lot of room for people to play and just visit. They had 5 little chihuahuas running around the place. It looked like a lot of quivering barking little snacks for Punkyn. They had three that were the typical chihuahuas and one with fur around the body and a fifth that had curley hair...It was the tiniest... They spent the day walking around the yard, doing vacuuming duties from all the people as we ate good mexican food and drank plenty of soda and water.
We caught up on life as if it had been friday that we saw each other last. There was a tether ball tournament that Joseph won,beating out everyone else who challenged him. Then it got serious, a bad mitton challenge... Janie and her son held the lead for about four sets of players... Her daughter Amanda and her husband finally came in and put them down in two sets. After this, we continued to consume beverages and food stuffs...As the day wound down, we watched some simple family fireworks and around 10:30, we left for home. I had a very good time and was greatful that I could visit my friends and just enjoy a free day celebrating freedom...
I continue to be amazed that so many people offered thanks for the 4th of July. I appreciate what the people who fought the many different wars and challenges that we faced as a nation brought us to this conclusion. We started this nation on the premise of gaining independence and freedom of religion. We also did the trials and tribulations of growing and maintaining the qualities of life we have now attained. God bless you all and may God bless America...