My personal light show

"The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he as attained liberation from the self."

                                                                       - Albert Einstein

I had high hopes and dreams for this 4th of July. I saw it as a golden opportunity to try to get the young single adults in my ward or my new immigrant friends together and have a prime missionary opportunity and a great time with new people. After hours of knocking doors and looking for people on my list this week.. I had no success. I thought "ok... I'll get my Mexican seasonal worker friends together!" ... Couldn't get ahold of them. When I woke up this afternoon (after working last night) to find it pouring rain, I thought, "forget it, I just want to work". I really did want to work. Work has finally gotten interesting between our cracked out man escaping the hospital stark naked and a new atv accident... I felt like I was in an ICU! ....but not even the hospital would have me! There were no crossfit classes today... I think I read so much today that even Nelphi was sick of me... But I had to get out of the house! So.. I went on a run.

     It was probably the best 5 miles of my life. It was perfectly warm... Raining... Lovely summer night.. and unbelievably picturesque. As I was going along, I looked around at the dark broccoli fields around me... And was shocked to find that the fields were....glittering!! It was as if I had taken a shovel of glitter and had launched it over the field... But I hadn't. I suddenly realized that this captivating phenomenon were from the fireflies! I just had never seen them in such glory. I stood there in awe listening to the music of the rain hitting the leaves of the trees, being sweetly cleansed by the drizzle... And watched my personal independence Day lightshow. To me, this topped the fireworks of my childhood and even the ones I had seen in D.C. This was different. 

       In that moment, I reflected on the independence in my life. I was filled with gratitude for the liberties that this country has granted me- to learn, to live, to be as I choose. I can't even begin to recount all the blessings that ran through my heart.. Of those things and people that have given me liberty... And all the results of my liberty that I hold so sacred. In those moments of reflection... The Ultimate Liberator came to mind. I realized that the deep and profound freedom I had been discovering over these last few weeks here in Presque Isle were not so related to the country or state I was in... But that I was becoming liberated from my personal and private enslavement through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I realized that the more I had come to depend on my Savior... The more free and independent I had become. That is something to forever celebrate!

     Standing alone in that farm land basking in the glow of glittering broccoli... I felt free. I am so grateful for the liberty that no man, law, nor government can ever strip from me. 

Happy Independence Day my loved ones!!!