Blessed To Be An American!

It's not surprising that we're passionately patriotic around the Rudd household these days. We are thrilled witnesses to God's glory in liberation. Jesus told us that he came to set at liberty those who are bruised and to set the captives free. Bringing home our Gates has caused all of our family to again reflect with gratitude on the bravery of those who have gone before us as immigrants and dreamers of the dream... their determination and God's grace resulted in the freedom we have today.
The fact that Gates is home will impact generations of his decendents giving them the benefit of a life's struggle and journey to America that they won't have to make for themselves. Thank you Lord for walking out our Salvation. As your children we inherit freedom from brokeness and seperation from God. In Christ we havve a hope and a future that would never have been possible without Him.

Gates's namesake, "William" came here as an immigrant. His Great, Great Grandfather William was also born into devastating circumstances, he was adopted as a child in Scotland and one day immigrated to the U.S. as an honorable man and a member of the United States Navy who later acheived the rank of Admiral and the titles of beloved husband, adoring father to three and a community leader here in Ft. Myers.

The woman He married was the daughter of an immigrant who came here on a ship at the age of fifteen as an escort to her seventeen year old cousin who had been offered a position here in America. Emma had worked in a dismal factory in France as a child. When the factory burned down she was without residence and rather unwelcome in her Father's house so it was arranged that Emma (who was self described in her writings as bold in personality and had enthusiasm for new experiences having had so few)would accompany her rather timid cousin on a ship ride to New York. One of Gates's Great, Great, Great Grandmother's journal entries documented a day where poor cousin was quite ill with seasickness down below in the ship, while Emma danced with some fiddle playing Italian Immigrants on deck. I think she would have liked Gates's enthusiasm and tendency to tackle thing bigger than himself.

Paul's Great Grandmother came to America as a first generation immigrant from Ireland. As you reflect on the immigrants in your own family tree, some of whom endured unspeakable suffering, we ask you to consider that the tenacity and survival of these precious people continues to bless their decendants beyond what they themselves were able to enjoy. Although prejudice and suspicion between peoples and cultures still exists in the world... it's better here and there continues to be hope that in generations to come more people will know greater freedom in the Love of God poured out on us all.

We pray that immigrants in search of a better life will continue to be respected for their vision and bravery against all odds. Today especially, we celebrate for the children who are here! We greive for those who continue to wait for the hope and future that will only be availible to them in Heaven one day. Gates is here for good. Precious little Marie must return to Haiti at the end of this month, her medical visa of six months will expire. Please join us in continuing to pray for favor with immigration authorities so that this child will have a chance to return each year for medical treatment that we are hopeful will ensure her survival. We offer our gratitude to all who guard our borders in efforts to protect us and we rejoice with the precious few who will join Gates in U.S. Citizenship this week. May God Bless America!