Hi, friends!
I know it has been years
since I've posted on this blog, and a lot has happened in my life since 2014—including
me and Jessica's wedding and the birth of our two children…nbd, ya know?
However, with Jess and the kids visiting family this weekend, I've found myself
with more time than usual and wanted to start this up again. Let’s give this another shot!
Having been away from my
family this past week, yet still having had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend—just
like I'm sure the rest of you did—I’ve decided to dedicate this special post to
my beloved wife Jessica and to the country that I most love. (That’s right, the
good ol’ US of A)
Why do I love the United States of America?
For many of you, I’m
sure that answering why you love America so much is easy. You may even feel that it’s unnecessary to
explain why you love this country, because your love for runs so deep and comes
so naturally. But, have you ever sat
down and actually asked yourself that question?
Why do you love the United States of America? How would you articulate your love for this
nation to someone that knows little to nothing about the USA?
I have made a lot of
friends in Mexico and Latin America, and most of what they know about the
United States either comes from the news, movies, or relatives that have lived
in the US. Trust me, what they gather
from those things ain’t always pretty… but if I were genuinely asked to tell
them why I love this country, this is what my genuine answer would be:
It’s not so much the
movie stars, the sports stars, the well-organized infrastructure, or even the
economic prosperity that makes America.
Those are nice things to have, but for me, it really comes down to the
fundamentals. And that foundation upon which
everything else rests in this country comes straight from the Constitution of
the United States.
It’s things like freedom
of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of press, and all
other rights which God has intended man to have… that is what makes this
country so great.
Since 1776, men and
women of this country have fought and have died valiantly to preserve those
God-given rights, just so that we could have a right to choose right or to
choose wrong. And because of these
fundamental rights, each individual in this country has a chance to think and say
anything they well please, even if it is critical to the very rights that grant
them a voice. Most importantly,
these freedoms allow us, the citizens of this country, to uplift and inspire
our peers and family members around the world to do good and to serve in their
own communities, meaning that we too, like the soldiers who fought, can serve others
and defend that which we believe to be right and sacred.
America is not perfect—not
in any way, shape, or form. It will
always be run by imperfect people. (News
flash: We’re all imperfect). In fact, the only time there will ever exist
a perfect nation or government will be when Jesus comes again to rule and reign
upon the Earth. (Rev. 20:4). Nonetheless,
the United States of America is the very first nation to instill individual
freedoms in its very existence, and these freedoms have allowed its people to
do much good in the world. Since then, other
nations have followed.
You know I’m a proud
Texan, born and raised. I love my home
state. If you ask me, there’s no better
state out there than Texas.
You know I love
Mexico. I love its people, its culture,
its food, its heritage, and so many other things about it. Let’s not forget that I married into a Mexican
family.
But above all of the
nations and states, I love the USA and what it stands for. God bless the USA.
The Special Day of this Month – July 17th
As special as July 4th
is, my family and I have marked July 17th as the most special day of
this month. In all other years, Independence
Day is usually the highlight of July, but this year, something even more
American than a 4th of July celebration will be occurring for us.
“What could possibly be
more American than a 4th of July celebration,” you ask?
How about… becoming an
American Citizen!
That’s right, on July 17th,
this girl right here, my wifey—after a long, hard journey of immigrating to the
US, learning to speak perfect English, paying her own bills to become the first
in her family to attend and graduate a US college (debt free), becoming a
permanent resident green card holder, jumping through several more hoops in the
process, and ultimately passing the US Citizen’s exam—will go through the
much-anticipated naturalization ceremony and swearing in to become a citizen of
the United States of America!
When I think back on my
own heritage, I think of my ancestors who had the courage to leave behind the
only life they knew, experience fatigue in travel, battle illness along the way,
and suffer a long voyage over the Atlantic Ocean on a cramped, wooden boat to
arrive and become citizens of this country.
They all came from Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and many
other countries, but they all had one thing in common: they desired freedom for their children—their
children like me. How grateful I am for
my ancestors that made the sacrifices that they did, all for my freedom and
well-being!
Yet, as I’ve watched
Jessica go through her own journey to citizenship, I’ve seen her go through her
own numerous, challenging sacrifices in the present day. Despite having been a US Citizen all of my
life, in 2015 I knew little to nothing about the process that one has to go
through to become a permanent resident, much less a naturalized citizen. Now, having helped her in this process for our
four years of marriage—yet but a portion of her journey—I now know that,
regardless of how genuine and strong one’s desire is to become a US Citizen and
pledge his/her loyalty solely to this country, it is a long, difficult,
complicated process. Yet, there is no
one more deserving, nor more excited to officially become a citizen of this
country than she is.
Congratulations, my love! I am so proud of you. You’ll be the best American that anyone could
be.
God Bless America, folks, and God bless all of you.
Until the next time, my
friends!
Christian Hutchinson.
