Liberty


Liberty
The USA declared independence 242 years ago, and with every Fourth of July we remember how grateful we are for our nation’s liberty.   We have seen first-hand living outside of the U.S. how grateful much of the rest of the free world is for, and depends upon, the “land of liberty” with its laws and rights.  They don't always agree with our policies but feel that both freedom and liberty in the world are tied to our success or failure as a nation. 
While freedom is the ability to do as one wills, liberty takes into account the rights of all involved.
"Millions of people, in ancient and modern times, have given their lives for liberty. The defense of liberty has been able to incite man’s strongest emotions—feelings of intense pain, feelings of great joy. But few people actually understand the true meaning of the word “liberty.” Charles Didier July 1986
One definition of liberty describes it as “the responsible use of freedom under the law.” Liberty is built and dependent upon a framework of laws. Without laws there is no foundation… and no freedom. 


George Washington tied our happiness to our love and respect for both Liberty and the Laws (of men and God) that govern it..
Liberty is based upon obedience to laws and also upon truth. 
 This scripture from John 8:32 was etched into the wall of the CIA's original building.
 It is also the motto of Johns Hopkins University.

Natural Laws

It happened that this week we got to visit the MOTAT (see below).  We learned a bit more about freedoms and worlds that have opened up as man has come to understand more truths, and use and obey the laws of nature.... from modes of transportation to wonderful machines. 
Museum of Transportation and Technology (and Aviation) MOTAT, Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology, is New Zealand's largest transport, technology and social history museum, an interactive journey to explore and discover the machines, vehicles and great inventions that move the world.   
This exhibition in the museum introduces the wedge, screw, wheel and axle, inclined plane, pulley and lever: the six simple machines that keep the world moving. Galileo was credited as being the first to name and qualify the six machines.  Galileo discovered many universal truths but during his lifetime many truths were rejected.
Galileo discovered the truth that the earth moved around the sun and not the sun around the earth. Even though many others wouldn’t believe him and threatened him with torture, it didn’t change the truth. Just because one chooses not to believe in a universal truth doesn’t change the truth or the consequences of ignoring truth. 
The laws of nature are set.  Not heeding them (choosing to jump off a cliff to defy the law of gravity) has consequences.  We explored natural laws and their power when understood, obeyed and then used.

At MOTAT we got to explore early simple machines like the abacus...
...and follow the development of machines and computers down to today's complexities of  the web and our connections with people and technologies all over the world.

This traction machine was close enough to an old old tractor that Vance wanted to find a farm field to mow.
We got to explore transportation modes from old English cars

...to the New Zealand "airboat" that both flew and floated.

We checked out exhibits showing the first delivery carts...

as well as the first milk delivery trucks from the happy NZ dairy cows


There were the early telephones housed in their red booths
...and an array of old New Zealand trolleys.   We hopped aboard this once-cutting-edge transportation mode for a ride.

(a bit of winter flora)
An 1890's school room in the village where they taught the latest in truths and discoveries.

The village church outside and...
inside.  New Zealand, like the US, has deep roots in being a God-fearing people
Winter flowers at MOTAT village

Found this interesting as you can read about the New Zealand Fencibles below, 721 men and their families (whose descendants are now well over a quarter million locals) recruited to protect the fledgling Auckland from a perceived threat of the local Maori tribes.  They helped shape the community and protect laws and liberty.

Speaking of recruiting,
The Stosich's celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary July 5, and recruited another old couple (us) to help them celebrate.  Glad to be of service, especially when it include Italian cuisine.

INSIDE THE BUBBLE


 YSA 2nd ward Family Home Evening Activity included red vs. blue "bubble soccer".  A safe way to play a soccer game (and would be nice to surround your kids and grandkids from the world and any outside harm)...
but, bubbles do limit you freedom.  For instance, Livy knows you can't ride a pony on the 4th of July wearing a "bubble".
...and after about 10 minutes "bubbles" are more than a bit restrictive on your liberty to see and breathe and use your hands. 
The 2nd Ward YSA ... minus their bubbles.
Elder Downs with Awa and his brother "T"

At the lake the "swan gang" (4 swan who spent the day following each other everywhere and did just what the other guy did no matter what). 
THOTL
In our lives we find that THOTL is definitely a truth, a real thing.  We find it daily in simple things.  This week in seeking direction we got a gentle but clear answer in listening again to a General Conference talk.  It also came as opportunities opened up when praying to be able to help someone. We got some needed and sought for direction we were seeking in a training we attended this past week.  And prayers for those we love who are struggling were answered with healing, as well as opportunities for Vance to give some Priesthood blessings to others who were struggling. 

We wanted to get "closer" to these warm hearted YSA in Henderson Stake Institute.  Well, we did.  It was a really cold night and the church houses have no central heat, just space heaters in classrooms.  So we got close and passed around a pair of gloves and took turns warming our hand together.  THOTL doesn't always work in the ways you think.

LIBERTY

He paid an enormous price for our liberty from sin.  
Just because one chooses not to believe in a universal truth doesn’t change the truth or the consequences of ignoring truth. 

You get to choose whether or not to believe in God.  Your disbelief won’t make Him disappear, BUT it stands to have an affect on the outcome of your future and your liberty.



Eternal LIBERTY may well be independent of the laws of man, but it is completely dependent upon the laws of God,
And, now that the Savior has paid the ultimate price  
your Eternal LIBERTY is up to you, like the christened name of this little boat in the harbor....
"U CHOOSE"

We love you,
Vance and Louenda
Elder and Sister Downs




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