To the Americans

Happy July 4th to all my American friends! What is that now... 231 years as a country? Very cool...

You know, something I've come to realize over the last few years is that I've really changed the way I think about the USA. Being a born-and-raised Canadian (and an Albertan at that) I have had in the past some very strong negative views towards the US, but through getting to know more and more Americans by meeting them through my service with YWAM in Vancouver and in San Diego/Tijuana, I've learned more about the country, how the people think, and what's engrained into them. I've really softened how I feel about the country. Sure I still have a few strong feelings toward certain things about the US, but I definitely try harder to present those feelings in more gentle and educated ways, and with respect. You know, I used to say I would NEVER move to the US because I'm too proud of a Canadian, but now I've even opened up to that idea, if God wanted it of me. (If I had to pick though, I would definitely move to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota... what a beautiful place... I love it!) I'm still a proud Canadian, I'm just not such a "judgmental-and-bitter- towards-the-US" Canadian anymore. So thank you my American friends for that... you know who you are, and you've helped make me a better person!