Oooh! What beautiful mornings we have been having! It looks like the weatherman and I are going to have to bury the hatchet, at least for awhile. This past week was very pleasant with the exception of a few days when the temperatures rose into the 90s on the thermometer. The forecast is for another very pleasant week with some possible showers the middle of the week. It looks like full speed ahead to catch up on the garden and flowers and the weeds that are growing up taller than I am and they are everywhere. I do not look forward to convincing them that they no longer have a home. Regardless, it has to be done! Here I go for better or for worse. It had better be for better as this is my choice land and what I am striving to achieve.Friday Beth Sakuri from Yokohama, Japan, arrived by plane in Sioux Falls. Those at the airport to meet her were her family, Mike and Judy, Amanda and Alan Bonnema, Jim and Ginger France, Sioux City, Iowa, Paul and Carole Aykens, Susan Veldkamp and Jadeyn, Orange City, Iowa, Linda Hengeveld, Valley Springs, Mildred Keunen, Jo and Joyce Aykens. They all enjoyed dinner together at the Royal Fork before returning to their homes.Belva Lumont, Sioux Falls, was a Friday afternoon caller in the Mildred Paulsen home. She is the daughter of Mildred’s cousin, Merrit Riter of Rock Rapids, Iowa. Those attending camp at Inspiration Hills this week are Jacob Bos and Justin Esselink.Sunday dinner guests in the Henrietta Huenink home were her daughter and husband, Pete and Judy Boeve, Sioux Falls. Friday evening Henrietta Boeve, Melba Boeve, Carol Zwaan and Cheryl Hup attended the Worthing Dinner Theater at Worthing, S.D. The play was titled "Love, Sex and the IRS!" It was a very amusing evening.Mildred Keunen, Jo and Joyce Aykens went to Orange City to visit in the Paul and Carole Aykens home Wednesday evening. While there, they attended the band concert at Northwestern College.Mildred Paulsen attended the local Advisory Council for Mental Health last evening at Rock County Human Services building in Luverne. Sunday dinner guests in the Joan Hoogeveen home were her family, Janice and Jerry Peters, Chandler, and Rick and Audrey DeBeer and daughters, Dana and Tracy, Tea, S.D.The Steen softball team lost their game with Doon, Iowa, Friday evening. Tuesday evening they play Lester, Iowa, at Lester. On July 30, Ellsworth plays Steen at Steen. Good luck to them!Those enjoying breakfast together Wednesday morning in Luverne in honor of Mildred Keunen’s birthday were Ginger France, Bertha and Bill Bosch and Jo and Joyce Aykens.Our world today has gotten to be so much smaller than it once was as transportation has made it possible for anyone who desires to visit anywhere in the world. Consequently, we are learning more and more about each other’s countries, governments and people. I know, I for one, have begun to appreciate the freedom we all enjoy in America much more than I used to. I also began to realize that in our world today it is going to be our responsibility to see that not only do we retain our freedom but that we can help others less fortunate than we, to obtain it for themselves. That is what we are fighting for in our world today. The freedom we all enjoy was given to us by our forefathers who gave everything, family, money and even their very lives, for those who came with them and for all of the citizens of America forever. Today we take this freedom for granted. We need to take a good look at what this freedom has done for this nation and all of us living here. Our flag is a symbol of freedom and justice throughout the world. It is the symbol for millions of people who live in slavery and are deprived of many things. It is their hope that someday they make their homes in this great land of ours. In the days of doubt and fear and uncertainty when freedom and justice were so seriously threatened it is fitting that we should pause to rededicate ourselves to the basic freedoms symbolized by our flag. These principles have sustained us throughout history. They have made it possible for us to grow in power and purpose. They have strengthened us when we faltered … given us courage when we have been afraid. United us when we were divided.We have much to be thankful for and we should all remember that it is up to us to keep this freedom alive. We cannot sit idly by and leave it to others. Each one of us should remember what makes freedom, For me, it comes down to how we treat each other individually. We need to respect each other, be willing to help each other, respect one another even though we may not agree with everything they say. We need to have concern for others and be willing to lend a helping hand, respect what we have and be willing to share.I could go on and on, but I ask you to make your own list of what you can do to preserve our individual freedom. America is bulging with good things for all. For all who are willing to work, care for others, learn to share and be faithful to our freedom that our forefathers paid such a price for. We all need to let freedom ring!
