Today the 4th of July is the day in which we celebrate our Independence from Britain. We thank God for the blessings of a free country where each person is free to lead their own life. There are many things that I am thankful for, but top of my list today is a thankful heart for the Amazing Grace of our Heavenly Father and the freedom that we have here in this country to worship Him for that Amazing Grace that He has shown us.
At singing school this year we had 252 in attendance and to close out services together we all sang Amazing Grace. The preschool class sang the first verse soprano only, the second verse the middle schoolers came in and sang alto also, the third verse the high school students came in and added the tenor, then the adult class came in singing all four parts on the 6th verse, and finally the entire congregation sung the unwritten verse. The final song is Mungo Ni Pendo, a Swahili song that Bro. Obey first taught some of the brethren. This song remind me that there are other Primitive Baptist just like us in Tanzania who have not been blessed materially like we have and we should be more grateful. There are three verses: 1) God is love, He loves His people, and He loves me too! 2) Jesus came to set me free that's why I serve Him! 3) I will serve Him for all my life because He set me free! Chorus) Now listen carefully to me, God is love, He loves His people.
At singing school this year we had 252 in attendance and to close out services together we all sang Amazing Grace. The preschool class sang the first verse soprano only, the second verse the middle schoolers came in and sang alto also, the third verse the high school students came in and added the tenor, then the adult class came in singing all four parts on the 6th verse, and finally the entire congregation sung the unwritten verse. The final song is Mungo Ni Pendo, a Swahili song that Bro. Obey first taught some of the brethren. This song remind me that there are other Primitive Baptist just like us in Tanzania who have not been blessed materially like we have and we should be more grateful. There are three verses: 1) God is love, He loves His people, and He loves me too! 2) Jesus came to set me free that's why I serve Him! 3) I will serve Him for all my life because He set me free! Chorus) Now listen carefully to me, God is love, He loves His people.
We really needed a bigger car. In my old 2 door Sunfire it was incredibly difficult to get the car seat in and out, and almost impossible for me to squeeze back there with him when we needed. However, we really thought it was completely out of our reach right now. However, we kept hearing about people getting really good deals not only on new cars from bail-out companies, but used cars too. We decided we would go looking for newer used car, we decided what our maximum price was, and what we wanted. Ok, more like what I wanted because I said no more low to the ground cars, and definitely NO mini-vans.
To our surprise we found the for very little more we could get a brand new Kia Sportage and have a great warranty so Gary started bargaining. Several VERY long days later he had them talked down to our price range, and so I said good bye to my little car. We now have a car payment that we didn't have, but at least our insurance is going to be significantly less. 
I hated to say good-bye to Beatrice as she has been a great little car, but as I told her the night we parted, she was just too little. This was the car that got me through college and on several road trips to varies Church meetings, seeing Gary, and always carried me back home. She was a gift from my grandparents so that I would have reliable transportation. Just a week later, I found out that she had been sold to a single 19 year old gal (for almost twice what we got for trade in I might add). I hated to see her go, but oh my goodness how much stuff we were able to pack and how much room we had coming up here to Alabama this time!
The next project was to put edgers around the flowerbed from the car port to the steps, then from the steps around the corner and down the side of the house. This was a longer project, because I had to dig up all the weeds and grass that had grown into the bed. We also planted several plants, seeds, and I even moved the Monkey Grass around. I'm hoping to get some Tiger Lillys from Mother while I am home to put down the side of the house in between the Monkey Grass.
I have been asked about the cats now that they are outside only. Mara seems to love it and she spends most of the day out and about. She is only home in the evening and early morning. In the heat of the day she lays in the pipe that runs under the road. Brodie on the other hand isn't loving it as much. However he has adjusted. He stays on the porch most of the day, and follows me around in the yard much like a puppy dog. However, once I crank up the lawn more, he hides under Troy's shed.
James and Heather had their baby last Wednesday. We were able to go and see her on Friday night. She is such a little doll, and I told Gary that I want a little girl, but he says no, they are nothing but trouble and worry. I think the real reason is that he knows that she'll be the one calling the shots. haha!
Elisha Britt. That's my son's name. It was important to me to have a name with meaning, and for him to have a biblical name to always be a reminder to him to be a man of character. His daddy wanted him to be Gary Britt III, so we kept the middle name in the middle position. I told him that we could call him Britt, but to pick a new name. Britt's great-grandfather's middle name is Elisha, so we went with that. Elisha was the greatest prophet of the Old Testament so I was happy. It gives him a Biblical name and a family name with alot of meaning.
This year was my first Mother's Day, and don't you know we didn't take but one lousy picture and this one was it. It was pouring before Church and afterward Britt was asleep for awhile. To top it all off, I was sick. We didn't end up taking a picture until much later in the day. 
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(Above: Mother, Daddy, and me at 4 months old) I have been blessed with some great parents, and now that I'm a parent I just hope that I can be half of the parent to Britt that they have been for me. They gave me many oppertunities. They were one of the rare parents who could help me with all of my school work: Mother was always willing to look over my papers for grammer and spelling and even in college I could call Daddy for help working a math problem over the phone. They encouraged to do things in the community: I volunteered at the local library for 5 summers or more. They encouraged me develop my talents, I was able to take art lessons for several years and they sacrificed time and money. They tried to encourage me to be a bit more athletic, though that never took so well: Daddy spent alot of time teaching me to catch pop-flies (I was so rotten at that) and Mother didn't miss a single game. Later in High School, they went all over the state for Cross Country meets. Most importantly, unlike some of the parents of my friends, they were there for me. I don't spose I really appreciated it, but looking back I never had to wonder if I was loved. I hope one of these days, maybe Britt will be able to say, even though I had too many rules, nagged, and drove him crazy, that his Momma undoubtable loved him.
Matthew told me when his graduation would be a few months back, and I told him that we would try to come, but I couldn't promise him. When we found out that Mother's surgery would be the following Monday, I told Gary I wanted to go home for the weekend. He told me that we could swing it so home I went. While we were there Britt was finally able to meet Rachel, Emily, and Grandma.
