Thank you servicemen! 9/11

I don't quite know how to say it, but I would like to thank all those servicemen that give of their time and self to the defense of this country. I dislike thinking about the events that happened on 9-11-01. I remember sitting in my living room playing Sojourn on the computer. It was early in the morning and someone asked me if I had heard what was going on in the news. I said no, and turned it on immediately. It was about a minute before I saw the second plane crash into the Twin Towers. I don't have words to describe what I felt at that moment. Part of me wanted to vomit and another part wanted to scream out in rage at the loss of so many lives. I sat and watched and realized that soon those towers were going to fall. To make a long story short, it was an unfortunate day and I hope that we will never see another like it.

That being said, there were many men and women sent over to Afghanistan and later to Iraq to defend the freedoms and lives and liberties of this nation. I understand we are not a perfect nation and we have our problems. I do believe though, that when in righteousness, this nation is a country guided and directed by the hand of God. I may not agree with everything that is implemented by this government. I may not like how politicians work or what they say, but the fact that I can say what I think about someone says a lot for the freedoms here.

With a new family and the opportunity to go to school and increase my knowledge and education, I am grateful to live here in this day, and in this country in a wonderful family. I can go down to the grocery store and pick and choose what I want to eat for dinner, for a snack, for lunch, for whatever I have a hankering for.

I remember when Andrew came home. I was driving the car and felt like I wanted a presidential escort to clear the roads from all the crazy drivers that drive here in Utah. I wanted to protect him from any physical harm, and eventually protect him from some of the other dangers that are here in this world. Not by sheltering him, but from teaching him truth.

I am grateful for the men and women who have given of themselves to defend what I have today. For the picture below. It's of a father with two little girls at a field north of the Southtown Mall in Sandy. It was really quite a special thing. There were a ton of flags placed in rows upon rows in commemoration of 9/11. A father had his two girls running and playing and being little girls without much of a care in the world except for what food they detest, going to bed at a certain time and whether or not their parents spend time with them. You can see the girl on the right with a smile on her face as she runs laughing and not having a care in the world. I barely remember having such innocence and long for a day when there will be no innocence shattered.

I am grateful for the opportunity I have to go camping with my wife and son, and future children at some point.
I would also like to say thank you to my elder brother. Without Him, none of this would be possible at all. I would not have this family, I would not be able to live with them in the eternities.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (1 Nephi 21:16)
For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent (D&C 19:16)
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isa. 1:18)

I am grateful for His atoning sacrifice to make it possible for me to receive eternal happiness and joy forever. I am grateful for the peace that the companionship of the Holy Ghost brings. What a marvelous gift that is to me.