I do not hate America

Now that level heads have prevailed, and my dear friend Joy helped me sort through my experiences this weekend, I want to make it clear that I. DO. NOT. HATE. AMERICA. I think anyone and everyone who is born and lives in America is blessed beyond belief to be given the freedom that we have. At the same time though, I do not believe that God has blessed us or our nation more than He blesses anyone else. The USA is not God's country, but the world is God's world.
However, due to my incredibly harsh blog yesterday, I would like to post some things that make me proud to be from the USA and excited to be back returning HOME come June.

1) Sweet tea and all foods southern. This weekend I was talking with some people from the North and how they love going to their little local restaurants for good organic, wholesome food. I enlightened them that I too love the local restaurants in NC but that if I only went to those places, I would die in less than 10 years. I was proud to admit this haha Nothing like sweet tea, barbecue, fried okra and strawberry cake - mmm Ted's Kickin' Chicken! Also, crabcakes. Go Maryland!
2) American football. While watching rubgy on and off here, I just cannot think of any good reason why people play that sport. It might seem less manly to wear padding, as is true in American football, but really? I like a man with teeth.
3) The Star-Spangled Banner. Enough said.
4) Our founding fathers... my sister and Joy have reminded me that we have a truly unique history and a bunch of radical Christians to thank for our country. The Constitution in the eyes of these men of God is an amazing thing and I am definitely looking forward to getting to read about their struggle for freedom and the whole Revolutionary movement :)
5) Disney World - an imagination that shows how happiness and laughter are the best medicine and the true language of love.
6) Country music. Nothing quite like going to an outdoor country concert in the middle of the summer and having a good ol time! Also, nothing like driving with the windows down and singing at the top of your lungs - which might happen all around the world but I believe we Americans have got the top spot on driver seat serenades.
7) Change. We still have a lot of changes to be made (health care, equal education opportunities, energy resources, etc.), but we are a persistent people who will see this change through. In the words of our new President, "We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
8) I do not believe all Americans are selfish and greedy. While the mentality of our capitalist economy and the past has been, "me, me, me," I believe compassion is on the rise in our country and that this world will be better for it. Again, as Obama pointed out in his inaugural address, our country is about "the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break; the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate."
9) OF COURSE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I love and miss you all.

I truly cannot wait to be back in my home in the USofA. It is where I want to live my life and I recognize the beauty of the freedom I am given by the fact that I can freely write comments about how I do not agree with certain aspects of our country. While I am out of the country, my eyes have been fixed on certain things that I do believe need to change. Regardless, America is my home and at the end of the day, I am happy and proud to tell people "I am from America." I am grateful for the opportunity and privilege to get to come home and see about bringing some change along with me.

LOVE. That's the name of the game. Whether I am in America, Spain, Mongolia, etc. the point is to love. Big ol Americans need lovin too and I intend to get home in June and do all I can to love, love, love. Bring on the Lazarus Generation. Bring on the love.