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This depiction of For Spacious Skies brings to mind, as we celebrate the founding, how truly difficult was the growth of what we know now as America.
I definitely would have had a hard time uprooting from the Eastern part of America, all wordly goods for my family loaded on one or two large wagons...setting across the vastness with almost no access to goods, spare parts, fresh groceries, etc...
Think of having to feed and water the animals pulling the wagons, and those ridden - no refrigeration; having enough flour and beans and sugar and other things to cook - things IN WHICH to cook!
Fuel for the campfires -- the list is endless of the hardships, and explains why so many family heirloom antiques (furniture, primarily) had to be jettisoned to make it up/down steep grades, ford rivers, etc.
What if the family 'expanded' over the months and 'space' was a consideration - imagine a family with 5 or 6+ children??!
Add a baby or two - subtract the chest, a dresser --
We take so much for granted in this day and age of convenience and relative ease...load the van/U-Haul and get there within a few days, without deprivation, no less...
Lord of All, thank You for allowing us to experience this wonderful nation founded under Your Holy Name. We take seriously our heritage, and understand what it takes to perpetuate it.
Please, Father, keep us strong and able to overcome the destructive elements in America that erode it further every day - let us be strong and positive in all areas.
We praise and thank You, Father...
Amen
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P.S.
We appreciate the fact so many Freepers stretch all the way across America, from coast to coast, and participate here - and that You had TC born in Texas and grow up to be such a great advocate for You, for America, and an inspiration to all of us.
We lift him up to You, Father, as The Great Physician.
Continue to lead and strenghen him for all that lies ahead...and to use him...
Amen
OM Goodness, LadyX, what a wonderful prayer...
I have always been fascinated with the early part of American History...
My favorite shows growing up were Wagon Train and other shows depicting the "West"...
I complain when the air conditioner won't cool lower than 75....LOL
Your prayer took me back to that time when I used to read the Little House on the Prairie books and daydream about what it would be like. I have always been backward, I guess.
When my contemporaries were dreaming of landing on the moon, or traveling to Mars--watching shows like Star Wars, Star Trek, etc., I was mentally putting myself in the "way back" machine...
Well, you have yet again posted words that will have me thinking pleasant thoughts this evening. That is quite a gift you have, Lady X...I am very grateful..
Have a great evening, and a safe, COOL, 4th of July.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!!!!
THANK YOU GOD, FOR BLESSING US ALL!!!!
sleuth
Think of having to feed and water the animals pulling the wagons, and those ridden - no refrigeration; having enough flour and beans and sugar and other things to cook - things IN WHICH to cook! Fuel for the campfires -- the list is endless of the hardships, and explains why so many family heirloom antiques (furniture, primarily) had to be jettisoned to make it up/down steep grades, ford rivers, etc. You didn't carry feed for the animals, except maybe the chickens and swine you were bringing as brood stock (many didn't). You found forage along the way, or bought feed as needed before you cleared "civilization". Water you carried with you. Not enough for the whole trip of course, but enough to, probably, get you to the next clear creek, spring or other water hole. The animals would of course drink anything, and you probably would too, as long as it wasn't too alkalai.
I don't know much about my ancestors trek to the great American desert. I know my wife's Danish ancestors came in wagon train from St. Louis. At least as far as Omaha (or Council Bluffs across the Missouri), when they found out that the folks they were with were Mormons, which was a bit too much for those Danes, so they split off from the group, which continued on in the Platte Valley, and headed up the Elkhorn to the Humbug Creek, to build a "Soddy", where the family farm still sits today. That was in 1868, about the same time my maternal ancestors came over from southern Germany. They didn't head for Nebraska right away, but added a few kids to the three they came over with, somewhere in Illinois. They added even more once they made it to Nebraska.