Our trip to see the Gettysburg battle field was a reminder of the struggle in our country that is still affecting our country today. It gave us a new perspective on the civil war, how it was fought and why. My feelings on this may not be the same as yours, but we are all entitled to our own ideas because people have fought for our freedom. Slavery was wrong then and still wrong today. However, many people are slaves due to human trafficking, abusive spouses, and maybe even controlling parents. But the worst slavery is the bondage to sin. This may include addictions to many things, such as drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, and many more things. But God is able to set those people free if they will only turn to him for help. True freedom is in a relationship with God. That doesn’t make us perfect, but just sinners saved by the grace of God. We have no reason to feel we are better than others and we are called to love even our enemies. The fighting and hate that is going on in our country is not of God even if some of the people claim to be Christians. We are to stand for what we believe in but we are to show forth love, not hate. OK, enough on that for now.

Tony and I went on a tour of the Gettysburg battlefield with a fantastic and knowledgeable guide. He explained each step of the battle as we drove around the battlefield. He told us stories about the soldiers and their leaders that were inspiring and sometime so sad. He showed us all the memorials to the different groups that fought in this famous battle. Such loss, but such a critical battle in the development of our country. I have always admired President Lincoln for what he said in his famous Gettysburg address. We should be thankful for what he did in freeing the slaves and remember that we need to continue in that attitude and help free others. My granddaughter, Alyssa, did a paper in college on human trafficking in the state of Washington. She wants to find some way to help the victims of this horrible bondage. I admire her for her passion to help others. Keep it up, sweetheart, grandma and grandpa support you in your desire to help these victims. I am praying that you will be blessed with the right job soon to enable this to happen. We love you.

After touring the battle field we went into the Gettysburg Museum. Hope you enjoy the pictures of both the battlefield and the museum. The Calip Adventure continues next in Shenandoah National Park. Talk to you soon.