What a wonderful country this is. Every year we have a opportunity cast our vote for the direction we want this country to take. This year we chose our candidates, with a lot more prayer than we had in the past. Perhaps it is because it was more real to us that the changes enacted by the next president, could change the whole direction of our country. Perhaps it is because wer ealize that even when we cast our vote, it is the Lord who selects kings and rulers for his purpose. Our thoughts go to a vote that is not being cast this election. Grandma Draheim came by herself to this country as a 13 year. Her mother had left her the year prior at her daughter's encouragement, to come to this country and marry her widowed brother-in-law. Life had been so desperate after WW I, that when the opportunity to come to this country was presented, it had to be acted upon. Even if it meant a marriage of convenience. They had to be married a year, before the daughter could be adopted and brought to this country. Hence the 13 year old's journey alone,to Chippwa Falls, WI. She came to this country not speaking a word of English, and never really understood how she made it across the country by train, except that she had a slip of paper attached to her coat and people just kept sending her in the direction she needed to go. Grandma loved this country and what it stood for, the freedom, the opportunity, and did everything in her power to become a good citizen. She learned to speak flawless English, and never wanted to hang on to the German way. As soon as she could, she became a citizen. She always valued the opportunity to vote and to have a say in the direction of the country. When one grows up under repression and poverity, you never take freedom for granted. Please take this opportunity to exercise that right that is given to us. Kingdoms rise and fall, and we do not know if our children will have that privilege. Value it.
