Quote of the Day

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.
~ Alexander Graham Bell

No place is truly "God-forsaken"

As night falls on Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah silence and darkness covers the FOB. This assists the FOB to remain tactically quiet and unseen throughout the night. However, if you listen closely through the constant running of generator motors and air conditioning units you can hear a melodic sound off in the distance. (click here for full article)

In Rustamiyah, there is apparently a group of soldiers, who have formed a band (of sorts) and play Christian music to lift the spirits of the men and women serving there. As I read this article it reminded me of my time in Ramadi... I'm thankful that there are still guys like Maz over there, getting people together to play music, boost morale, and most importanly, praise the Lord. =)

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed... ~ II Corinthians 4:8-9

Picture of the day

This is a picture I took in Kuwait while I was outprocessing, on my way back to the States... As much as I love the US, I miss the Middle East... *sigh* Maybe someday I will go back, but not any time soon (for which my family and friends are thankful).

Remembering Baghdad

The Mosque on Camp Victory


Sunset over the BIOP from Camp Victory


The Perfume Palace on Camp Slayer


Sunset from a watchtower on Camp Slayer

I have been reading about the increase violence in Baghdad lately and it makes me so sad. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been (I know many soldiers and Marines who would like to argue with me on that point) and yet is an city of such poverty too - poverty such as the US has never known. Granted, I was inside the wire during my entire stay in that city, and so did not see most of the ugliness that is present there. Instead, I cam home with beautiful pictures of Sadam's palaces and playgrounds. Despite being awoken at ridiculously early hours at the sound of bomb blasts (actually, I think it was the violent shaking of my bed that woke me), I will always have fond memories of my short time in Baghdad.