Kristy's Kreations: July 2008

It is our privilege right now to be host to share the beauty of our new Twin Falls Temple soon to be dedicated on August 24, 2008. We are so excited to have our Prophet, President Monson in our midst to do this dedication.

Preparations are well underway for his arrival. The Youth in this temple district have worked very hard to many many months to learn songs, dances for a Youth Production "The Living Water" to be held the day before. They increased the performances from one dress rehearsal & one performance to one dress rehearsal & 3 performances. There are 11 stakes participating in this celebration.

We have been able to take a few families to see this beautiful temple to see it up close and personal. The theme of 'Living Water" runs throughout the decor as well as the Siringa flower, Idaho's state flower. We hope that their visit has made a difference in their lives! Thank you for stopping by and visiting with us, Mike and Sherrie and family.

We have a couple of pictures to share. We were also able to take the Okelberry Family and the Vielmas Family from the Spanish Branch we are in right now. Later Audrey and the boys surprised me with a visit and we were able to get there to go through with them also. It was a great time for us.

In May, I listened to a local radio talk show about how a group of people were showing disrespect to the country in which they have come to live and make a living. I was shocked to hear the ways in which some of the youth of this group took the flag of our country down from it's place of residence, and replaced it with the flag of the country they came from. This brought out feelings inside of me that made me really think of how I feel about my country - the United States of America - Land of the Free and Home of the BRAVE!!!

It was forged and fought for by my ancestors who knew how important it is to have Agency - to worship, to live and to love family in a country that is "BY THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE". I have on every opportunity I am given, walked up to veterans of wars past or an active soldier, shaken their hand and said !!!THANK YOU !!! for your service and sacrifice on my behalf. They usually are timid or shocked that I would take a minute to stop and take notice of them. I ask them - are you going or coming? Where have you served & how long have you served and how many times have you been? They in turn replied, ... that it is an honor to serve!!!

I've asked the veterans of my father's generation found walking at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, where did you serve and what is your story. With tears in their eyes and a lump in their throat, tell me a brief but proud story of the important part they served that saved our nation and the world from an evil way of life. I am thankful that there are still the "BRAVE" that are willing to pay the price for the freedom that still is an important part of our wonderful but very troubled country, in which I still enjoy freedoms that most nations of this world still dream about. I pray for their safety and ask Heavenly Father to protect them and bless their families everyday.

So I have started a new tradition (actually an old tradition that I have renewed ) at our house.

Each morning, I get up, I take my new flag (flown over Camp Fallujah - 4th of August, 2006) and put it up to display my feelings to my country around me, I stand at attention and pledge my allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America! When was the last time YOU recited these words (with your right hand over your heart):

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

And to the Republic for which it stands One Nation Under God,

With Liberty and Justice for all!"

I have had the privilege to see with my own eyes "Old Glory", it's battle scars from the night and the morning, in which it inspired the words of Frances Scott Key:

"Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light,

what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars , through the perilous fight,

o're the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?..."

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=21689194

So lest any misunderstand my feelings or thoughts:

"I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN,

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY OF MY BIRTH!

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

IS THE LAND IN WHICH GOD HOLDS IN HIS HANDS,

WATCHES OVER AND PROTECTS WHILE HIS WORK & LAW GOES FORTH

AND

I'M PROUD TO PLEDGE MY ALLEGIANCE TO IT'S