I Pledge Allegiance....

"Make sure you dress for the weather because we'll be at the port. When you go in look for the American ship, you can't miss it." With advice like that we were not at all sure what the US Embassy had planned for this years 4th of July celebration but it sure did peak our interest and our hopes. We were not disappointed!!!

The USS Oak Hill was in the area because of cross-training exercises with Uruguay and Argentina. This was our first time on an in service American Military ship. They fed us good 'ol American BBQ - Burgers, dogs, baked beans, potato salad, chips and soda (Dr. Pepper and Mtn. Dew!!! Can't get either one here.). While we were eating the Captain took the time to greet us and chat for a little bit. Then they made the first cut into a HUGE cake with a Marine saber.

After lunch we were able to take a tour of the ship. Which was quite informative. Kaitlin has pictures of all the little kids sitting in the captains chair and at the helm. Brandon got a picture with him sitting in a new humvee. I was amazed at how the door was so thick and heavy. I embarrassed the daylights out of Brandon, Kaitlin and Bethany when I had them line up for a picture by a landing craft...I wasn't thinking of the side show the kids would become. The anchor of the Graff Spee - the Nazi ship sunk in the Montevideo Harbor. Part of the group that was in our tour of the ship. The man to left of Brandon is a Marine serving in the embassy for a year. The Harmon family is to the left of him. And on either end are embassy employees.

The pictures below were sent to us by the Harmons, fellow missionaries and dear friends of ours who were also enjoying the 4th on the USS Oak Hill.

The whole family! And some guy in the background.
Isabel and Felicia Harmon.
I was "getting" a kiss from Silas. When you ask him for a kiss he holds his cheek out for you to kiss him. That's the port of Montevideo and the skyscraper (the only one here) is the Antel building.
Cutting the cake with the Marine Saber. The captain is on the left.

After lunch we were enjoying our Dr. Peppers and Mtn. Dews. The soldiers directly behind us were Argentines.

Oh! thus be it ever...

Oh! thus be it ever when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation,

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto, "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Standing in front of a table decorated with Red, White and Blue, and looking into the faces of our Uruguayan campers, our family along with the Perez children had the great honor to sing the first verse of the Star Spangled banner at camp yesterday. Of all the Indepence day celebrations this certainly ranks high. There was a certain specialness (if that's a word) in being able to sing our countries national anthem in the country which we have adopted as a home. God has called us to Uruguay and it is here that we live and serve with joy and a deep satisfaction. Yet we are, and will always be, Americans! Oh! thus be it ever....

Our 4th of July...

Was not as patriotic a day as it would have been in the States, but we had a good time together as a family. Scott took us for a drive in our van up to Anchorena, the presidential ranch. The visitor center was closed, as were the tours of the ranch, but we had fun playing at the playground on the ranch.

Lil' Patriot

Lil' Patriot scrapbook layout by Debbie

HAPPY 4th!!! Our family (and all American Citizens in Uruguay) was invited to an open house at the US Ambassadors home but we missed it as we had no transportation. Maybe next year.

The Perez' are gone this week for winter vacation, so we will celebrate tomorrow as a family. Our plan is to BBQ, we bought our steaks from the butcher next door and Scott found fresh mushrooms. And maybe we'll take a ride in our new wheels - that's right the Lord directed Scott to a very nice van (pictures to come). We might even find some firework to set off.

It's so cold here right now it's hard to remember it's July so I decided to scrapbook. I thought you all would enjoy the patriotic layout of Simeon I did on the computer. I'm thinking we need to put up the Christmas tree and wrap some presents. As you all are swatting mosquitos and wishing for the AC we'll be bundled up in our winter gear by the fireplace. We hope you all enjoy your Independence day celebrations...fireworks, BBQ's, and all the Red, White and Blue.

Remember to thank God for the freedom we have in America. It's a wonderful heritage not to be forgotten.