Around 50 of us went in support of our friend, to watch her go through the process of becoming a US citizen. We shall call her "Kelsey" for her safety.
Those who were going to become citizens had to sign in first. Then they sat in numbered seats.
This man read off each name and what country they were from. There were speeches. We were told that some people had waited 20 years for this day. Others 3 years. Some fleeing oppression. Others looking for opportunities. They were told that in our country, we do not have a caste system. The president's vote is just as important as a person who has just become a citizen. They even had a place for all of them to register to vote before they left the building! I'm sure for those from restricted countries this was really exciting!
Do you see the guitar? A gentleman sang "God Bless America" and at the end he invited the crowd to join in.
As these new citizens-to-be took their oath, there were guards making sure they were saying it. The speaker told them that in his many years of work, there have been two people they removed and would not grant citizenship because they would not say the oath out loud.
We said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang The Star Spangled Banner. Then we all clapped for everyone to congratulate them on their new citizenship! America is not a perfect country, but the fact that we can vote is a pretty good thing. (Although I can't stand the advertizements on tv right now and can't wait until after the primary elections! Those commercials make me gag!)
We said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang The Star Spangled Banner. Then we all clapped for everyone to congratulate them on their new citizenship! America is not a perfect country, but the fact that we can vote is a pretty good thing. (Although I can't stand the advertizements on tv right now and can't wait until after the primary elections! Those commercials make me gag!)
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This evening, there was a party at church for "Kelsey".
Isn't that an incredible cake?? Such creative desserts too.
Little Miss Katy made this patriotic pinwheel in sparkly water in a jar for her. Katy was so excited to give this to her. She jumped up and down and twirled around!
Some of her friends from Omaha who came had made her a quilt that told her life story.
Isn't that an incredible cake?? Such creative desserts too.
Little Miss Katy made this patriotic pinwheel in sparkly water in a jar for her. Katy was so excited to give this to her. She jumped up and down and twirled around!
Some of her friends from Omaha who came had made her a quilt that told her life story.
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Twenty-four years ago, we went through a similar process with our daughter. She was 2 years old. I still remember the judge telling the people that in America he could not guarantee them happiness, wealth or riches, but he could guarantee them freedom.
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A lot of these people today went through a lot to become citizens, some risking their lives. When they came to this country, they had to carry a green card to show that they had permission to live here. I carried one in my billfold for Mindy for those 2 years until she was granted citizenship.
I decided to make myself a different kind of Green Card that I carry around with me.
One of the speakers, a lawyer, was telling the audience about any children they have that are under 18 years of age or future children. They are given citizenship based on their parents' citizenship. People who are born in this country are automatically citizens. As I think about Christianity, some people think that just because they are born into a family where the parents claim to be Christian, that they automatically are Christians too. But it doesn't work that way. As the saying goes, "God does not have grandchildren". In order to become a Christian, one must have faith. And it is more than just believing that there is a God. Even Satan believes that! One must realize their need for One to save them.
Twenty-four years ago, we went through a similar process with our daughter. She was 2 years old. I still remember the judge telling the people that in America he could not guarantee them happiness, wealth or riches, but he could guarantee them freedom.
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A lot of these people today went through a lot to become citizens, some risking their lives. When they came to this country, they had to carry a green card to show that they had permission to live here. I carried one in my billfold for Mindy for those 2 years until she was granted citizenship.
I decided to make myself a different kind of Green Card that I carry around with me.
One of the speakers, a lawyer, was telling the audience about any children they have that are under 18 years of age or future children. They are given citizenship based on their parents' citizenship. People who are born in this country are automatically citizens. As I think about Christianity, some people think that just because they are born into a family where the parents claim to be Christian, that they automatically are Christians too. But it doesn't work that way. As the saying goes, "God does not have grandchildren". In order to become a Christian, one must have faith. And it is more than just believing that there is a God. Even Satan believes that! One must realize their need for One to save them.
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
We were also told that America does not grant dual citizenship. Other countries may, but we do not. And as Christians, we must give our allegiance to Christ, and Him alone. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
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We were also told that America does not grant dual citizenship. Other countries may, but we do not. And as Christians, we must give our allegiance to Christ, and Him alone. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
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Happy for you, fellow-American, "Kelsey"!!
1 comment:
such a precious gift for "kelsey"! love it!!! tears in my eyes as i consider what drives a person to come to our country. some of my most precious and patriotic moments have been watching large families come through immigration beside me (as i bring home one of my babies). i can see hope in their eyes for a future they could only dream of... and many of those immigrating came from contries legally CLOSED to the gospel! wow. there are so many opportunities, but the dearest is the opportunity to hear about christ!
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