OBAMA '08

WOW.

Tonight the Young Women in our ward came over to my house for mutual. As we cooked in the kitchen upstairs, Paul was keeping us updated on the election ongoings downstairs. One of my girls exclaimed, "I can't wait till I turn 18! I am so excited to VOTE!" I laughed at her enthusiasm, then reevaluated my own enthusiasm, or lack there-of. I surely don't remember wishing I could be 18 so I could vote the way I wished I could turn 16 so I could drive. As we watched President-Elect Obama give his acceptance speech I got chills from head to toe (good ones). I watched HISTORY being made. Paul and I talked about how our missions changed us. They made us multicultural. They made us realize how much is out there in the world - and how blessed we are here in America. The fourth of July is my favorite holiday for that reason. I don't want to talk politics right now - the race is over. I just want to say how proud I am to be an American. I'm Proud.

I'm Proud that I can express my voice along with millions of others on election day.

I'm Proud that I can raise my children in a land where they don't have to run from opposition parties or rebels because of political matters. When I was in Zimbabwe I served with a sister from a small village there. I remember it was primaries for the elections in that country and we were on our way into town when we came upon a sister from our branch. She was leaving town and said, "Sisters, don't go into town. There are political riots and one man has already been killed. Stay safe - stay AWAY!" We went home and found a letter for my companion. It said that her family's compound had been raided. Soldiers had come through, smashing windows with bricks and setting fire to homes to warn people to vote for the right person or else. I couldn't believe that places existed where people who were "supposedly" free to vote couldn't for fear of their lives.

I'm Grateful I live in a land where there is gas to buy and food in the grocery stores. Before any of you spout off about this recession let me say YOU'RE PREACHING TO THE CHOIR. I know we're in a mess right now and that we need to heed the Prophet's counsel to have food storage and get out of debt. But YOU DON'T KNOW what it's like to go to the gas station and have to wait in line for 2 days to buy gas. You don't know what it feels like to walk into grocery stores and LITERALLY see the shelves EMPTY. It's surreal and scary. I pray our children will never have to know what that feels like either.

I'm Proud of the men and women who fight every day to keep our country safe. The fact that our country is a place that people love so much that they would risk their lives to defend it says so much. Thank You.

I don't know what the next four years hold for us. I know they hold CHANGE. I think my Uncle Bob said it best tonight when he cautioned Obama to rule from the middle. Trying to change all at once would cause a massive tidal wave. I don't know enough about Obama and all the issues - all I know is he is our president. And he needs our prayers and support.

In his acceptance speech Obama made reference to a woman who voted today who was 106 years old. She had witnessed everything change from slavery and civil unrest to women's and civil rights. She watched an era without automobiles change to an era of hybrid cars. She has been a witness to so much CHANGE in her life time. And now this. It's wonderful to behold. It gave me chills (the good kind).

This wonderful country needs our strength. This new president needs our support (as have all 43 presidents before him).

It doesn't matter what religion you are - be Prayerful.

It doesn't matter who you voted for - be Optimistic.

It doesn't matter what political party you're in - be United.

You're an American.

Be Proud.