The Amazing Thing About Freedom.

In honor of the Independence of our great country, let me try to do it justice.

Well, it's free. But most certainly not. 

First off, the word freedom does have the keyword "free". In many ways yes, it could be classified as free. However, in others it isn't. For instance, the men and women who leave their families for months at a time to protect us and our rights, that's not free. The ache and pain those families feel for their loved ones and the safety of them, that's not free. And the lives lost in fighting for us, that's very much not free. But certainly not looked over. I can't even thank those who bravely-and willingly-fight for the freedoms I get to enjoy everyday. 

We Do Not forget.

I think that many things get lost in the aspect of all the negative events occurring in our world today. But they shouldn't be. There are, and can be, a lot of negative people in today's world. Not saying I'm excluded from that. But I firmly believe that even through all the troubles, negativity, and (quite honestly) junk that goes around these days, there is still an evident growth in the goodness of this world. And I think there are many who don't forget where they come from and where they want to go and achieve in this world. We don't forget those who fight on the sidelines of our country, we don't forget the people that need a little boost, and we don't forget even the business men and women. We don't forget to serve each other, and I find that incredible.

Free to Escape the Temptations of the Peabrain. 

Another point I would like to touch on, is the Peabrain. A.K.A. Mr. Satan. He surely gets into the lives of every single one of us. Knowing our weakness, and pains. The stink knows how to get to us. The trouble is escaping from him.

From the very beginning, he wanted to-in a sense-control us. But that was not our Heavenly Father's plan. So Satan, and others were set "free" to leave Heavenly Father's presence and our own. But until we were sent down on this Earth to prove something of ourselves. Satan wanted to tempt us and show us struggle and bring us down to the level he is at. In some cases, yes he may have succeeded. But we are free to escape the temptations of that dang Peabrain. He wanted to control our free agency. But he will never reap the blessings that we get from avoiding his fiery darts of temptation and tribulation bring. It's as simple as that. The hard thing is actually escaping those fiery darts. 

Strategy.

The thing about the Peabrain Satan, is that he has a knifing strategy. He, like our Heavenly Father, knows our weakness. He knows our downfalls and when and were we will trip up when the world has its harshest temptations to throw at us. Satan hits us right where he knows we will eventually falter.

"And in their weakest fornications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites."

Alma 48:9

But the thing that Satan won't know, is that we are willing to do anything to follow our Father in Heaven. No matter how hard.

"And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of the Christians."

Alma 48:10

Satan can only get to us, if we allow him to do so. We can fight him. With our Heavenly Father, and our brother Jesus Christ. The amazing thing about freedom, is that we have learned how high the price really is paid for that "free"dom. 

~Mostly Marissa~

Now for the weekly cliché Marissa photos!
             
First time I've gotten ready in probably 3 weeks! I swear I'm not self-obsessed, this is just an accomplishment for a girl who has ponytails and messy buns for her hair 99.9% of the time. Also, my "Fourth of July"shirt. Josh, Kari, Adam, and I all got matching ones. (More like Josh and Kari already had them and Adam and I joined in.) Pretty pumped about an Asian hot sauce shirt. But hey. It's pretty grand when you can celebrate it like everyday of the year!

Is this girl adorable or what?!

Happy Birthday Kari! We're so glad you're in our family. And thanks for raising my adorable nieces...and Josh...mostly Josh. 

I'm great with kids...haha punny...okay I'll leave now. 

Dad brushing up on his grandpa before sweet little baby girl Barnes joins us. 

In case you haven't seen me dead from Trek...this was taken on the first day. My parents are rockstars for being so great. Especially my mom for letting me pass out on her and making it camping for that long. You definitely deserved that Diet Coke. You da real MVP. 

I didn't know that my face was doing this. But I also didn't know Trek would be so tiring. All well worth it. Crazy faces and all. A special thanks to Stephanie Wray for these photos!

I swear we do get work done. But shake breaks are always necessary. Thanks to Luc for bringing them! You kept me sane for the day.

Oh how I adore this sassy girl. She's always there for loud dance parties in the car, honesty, and laughs for when I need it. I love you Kenzie girl.

Pranking is grand. Until retaliation will kick in. But this prank is a story for another day.

Oh man. Markasaurous is just the greatest. Not at parking, but he's the greatest. 

A much needed Beto's run with my studly brother. I can always count on him for food and long, ventable talks. 

Why do I feel like this is my face half the time? Chris-Tofu, you're the greatest. 

Hello Joker, I mean Micah. 

Oh look at them dwarves in my backyard. Adam and Richie have gotten quite into forging. Those goons. 

And because Tanner took a selfie on my phone...

Basically one of the greatest photos I've seen...

Gramps and Kaz.

Basket rides for dayssss. But no really, these girls can't get enough of it. 

Thug lyfe. 

"Give me a stink face Kaz!" 

She's basically a pro at it. 

Mike giving me a lovely unibrow. I just love her face in this one. 

Kaz is definiatley a girl! LOVES shoes, and getting her nails done.--Wasn't the first time this week I felt like an Asian in a nail salon. 

Oh lovely-sweaty-girl that takes naps in my bed. It's a good thing she's cute. 

I can always count on this girl for fry therapy runs and some good girl talk. I heart my Moogan. 

Cheese! 

Also, a BIG WELCOME to the newest addition of the Barnes family-Ben and Morgan's first child-I'm thrilled to be an auntie again! Pictures and name to come!