Happy Birthday, Belize!

As promised in one of our past posts, we are happy to report on the September 21st celebration commemorating  the 37th anniversary of Belize's independence.  I snapped some photos of the flags we saw along the way as we drove to the Belize City Branch flag raising ceremony and celebration on Thursday night.  Belize citizens are proud of their country, as shown by the the Belizean flags everywhere.

The Belize City and Cinderella Branch youth did a marvelous job presenting the program, complete with a brief  history of Belize, explanations of the Belizean flag's and country's symbols, and singing patriotic songs.  After we sang the national anthem, a sister complemented Elder Magnusson's enthusiasm for and knowledge of "Land Of The Free." (He admitted he was singing the anthem from the words on his phone)  We first heard the song at last year's commemoration. 

You can also see the video by clicking here .  

NATIONAL ANTHEM OF BELIZE    

LAND OF THE FREE 

  O, Land of the Free by the Carib Sea,
  Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty!
  No tyrants here linger, despots must flee
  This tranquil haven of democracy.
  The blood of our sires, which hallows the sod,
  Brought freedom from slavery oppression's rod,
  By the might of truth and the grace of God.
  No longer shall we be hewers of wood.  
 
CHORUS
  Arise! ye sons of the Baymen's clan,
  Put on your armours, clear the land!
  Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee‐
  Land of the Free by the Carib Sea!  

  Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold,
  O'er mountains and valleys where prairies roll;
  Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold
  Drove back the invader, this heritage bold
  From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon,
  Through coral isle, over blue lagoon;
  Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;
  For freedom comes to‐morrow's noon.  
   CHORUS
 

We gathered inside after the program and flag raising for a great meal prepared by the sisters from the Belize City and Cinderella Branches.    

Last Sunday a new branch presidency was sustained in the Belize City Branch.  President Harold Smith is pictured with his wife Elena.  Isaiah Gillett is serving as first counselor.

Also pictured are Elder Magnusson and Paul Woods (members of the district presidency)

Our friends gave us some freshly caught lobster!  This was my first experience of handling whole lobsters.  I did remove the heads before baking them.  I couldn't take the beady eyes looking up at me.

It's always a treat to get communication from our family.   In a WhatsApp message, our daughter declared that our 9 month granddaughter "LOVES this book."

It's a copy of the book that we share as we introduce ourselves and our family to our new friends in Belize.  You can also browse through the book by clicking here.