See this picture? This is the extended Hulshof family on July 5 at Uncle Joe Hulshof’s farm. Kenny and I and the girls went to southeast Missouri to attend the annual family gathering after a very busy day of campaigning on July 4th. Unbeknownst to us, the entire family showed up wearing their Kenny’s Crew t-shirts. What an incredible demonstration of family unity, love and support. THANKS HULSHOFS!! WE LOVE YOU!

I love the 4th of July. I have always had this wide patriotic streak—I have been known to tear up during a particularly beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, or to sing loudly and passionately “God Bless America” when in a group sing.

For the past 14 years, we’ve gone up to my hometown of Hannibal, Missouri to be in the Tom Sawyer Days Parade on our nation’s birthday. This year, Kenny, Casey, Hanna and I did something new. We traveled to Marshfield for their morning parade and then to Springfield for the “I Love America” Festival. This family-friendly, Christian centered patriotic event draws close to 100,000 people. I have never seen anything like it.

First—a big thanks to the 70 friends and supporters who walked with us in the parade. We cheered and laughed as we walked the two-mile parade route. It was invigorating to be with folks who were so excited for Kenny’s candidacy! We then scooted back to Springfield.

The I Love America event was started 12 years ago by the James River Assembly of God Church. They wanted to celebrate freedom—the freedom we have as Americans, and the freedoms we have in a life with Christ. It is held on the grounds of Springfield Underground (a unique organization in itself - www.springfieldunderground.com.). People bring canopies or tents, lawn chairs and blankets, and they camp out for the day. There are concessions and tons of activities for the kids. I never knew that so many inflatable bounce-house type objects could be gathered in one space! There are Christian music performances through the day and speeches from elected office holders. They did an amazing tribute to a local Marine who had been wounded in Iraq, and shared the word of God’s love during the twilight hours before dark.

I have been to many festivals and large fair-like gatherings through the years. I was amazed at the good humor of people, at the tidiness of the grounds—I didn’t see a single piece of trash anywhere! I loved the exuberance with which our country and freedom were enthusiastically celebrated. No bitterness detected anywhere! And I heard absolutely no one say that this was the first time they were proud to be an American.

The very best part (other than Kenny’s speech, of course) was the choreographed fireworks. They went on for 45 minutes—set to patriotic and Christian music performed by the James River Assembly Choir members, and an orchestra dazzled us while the fireworks exploded right over our heads. My girls were enthralled.

Thank God for our great country AND the gift of His Son. Truly those must be the very best reasons to celebrate.

My fabulous fraternal grandmother—Nellidene (Fusselman) Howell—celebrated her 96th birthday on July 4! She lives in Hannibal, and believe me when I say, she still rules the family. Woe to anyone crossing Grandma! No chicken and noodles for you!

Grandma’s husband--grandpa Raymond Andrew Howell, died back in 1984. Together, they had 7 children. Those 7 gave Grandma 19 grandchildren, who now have given her 30 great grandchildren. WHEW! I can’t even keep track anymore.

Her mother died in 1977 at the age of 101. Two of Grandma’s sisters also lived well into their late 90’s. I can only imagine what they and my Grandma have seen in their lifetimes…going from horse and buggy to SUVs, from the Wright brothers to space stations…from radio shows and phonographs, to flatscreens and Ipods!

Grandma—you are amazing! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Last Monday, I paid a visit to my hometown—Hannibal, Missouri—America’s hometown! My visit was not for nostalgia’s sake, or to visit family. I wanted to see how the area was faring due to all the flooding from the Mighty Mississippi.

I paid a visit to the Douglass Community Center—which helps people throughout the community by providing numerous social services. The agency also handles food and clothing distribution for the needy through a food pantry and a clothing store. If anyone knew of the need in Hannibal and Marion County due to the flooding, it would be Executive Director Dave Dexheimer.

Dave told me some of what I already knew: Hannibal is fortunate—it has a flood wall protecting Mark Twain’s boyhood home and most of the other tourist attractions and local businesses. He also told me that after the flood of 1993, neighborhoods in the low-lying south side of town were not rebuilt, so the mass evacuations weren’t necessary. He said there have been very few requests for any assistance due to flooding. However, he did point out the need for food continues to escalate.

Other places along the Mississippi are not so lucky. Kenny spent a day recently with local officials as they inspected area levees. After visiting with Hannibal and Marion County Emergency Services Director John Hark - and John's been at this for over 30 years - Kenny headed north and met with Roger Sutter and Norman Haerr in West Quincy. He walked the levee and talked with volunteers to see exactly how efforts were progressing to fight the flood and what he could do to help. Kenny was also able to meet with Canton's Emergency Management Director Jeff McReynolds and sat in on part of a briefing regarding how to handle the flood were the levee to fail.

Canton and West Quincy were prepared for the worst. Breaks further north in Iowa and Illinois eased the level of the crest and the worst never came for most. But statistics only matter when it isn’t happening to you. Some farm families in Clark and Lewis County lost several thousand acres to Big Muddy. They’re not going to have much of a crop this year.

After my visit with Dave at the community center, I took a detour downtown and then over to Lover’s Leap. It is a fabulous outlook (see picture) over the Mississippi. You can see the entire rich farmland of the Illinois river bottoms, the Sny and all the way across to the bluffs. I remember 1993 when the levees gave way and that whole area became river. I remember my Dad and his siblings helping my grandmother pack up her belongings and get to higher ground before the water took over. It looked quiet and peaceful from my perch on this particular day.

Looking over the picturesque town below, I couldn’t help but think how fortunate Hannibal is to have a levee. But, it’s a mixed blessing. With every crest that didn’t happen here, it meant another town or farm somewhere else was flooding instead. With every family spared here, there’s another one in need somewhere else.

With that in mind, please keep all those affected by the floods in your prayers. And please consider a food or monetary donation to a local food pantry or food bank. Flood or no, there need be no reason or season to extend a helping hand to our neighbors.