Prayer on War

Today I read a very encouraging article on the death tolls for the Iraqi War. Whether you are for or against or luke warm on the war it does not deminsh the power of the Almighty. Some of my friends went to Iraq to pray for the government and war a couple months ago. They specifically prayed for the safety of the soldiers and civillians. Praise God that He answers our prayers when we are active in seeking Him.

Here's the article:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-10-30-iraq-toll_N.htm

U.S. death toll in Iraq lower in October
BAGHDAD (AP) — The monthly toll of U.S. service members who have died in Iraq is on track to being the lowest in nearly two years, with at least 37 troop deaths recorded as of Tuesday, but the military cautioned it's too early to declare a long-term trend.
Iraqi civilians, meanwhile, faced more attacks on Tuesday.
At least four mortar rounds slammed into a village near Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, killing a woman and wounding five other civilians, police said.
In Baghdad, gunmen in a speeding car tossed a hand grenade into a crowd of shoppers in eastern Baghdad, killing one person and wounding five, according to an officer in the capital. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information.
At least 37 American service members have died so far in October, nearly a quarter from non-combat causes. Among them were three soldiers killed Tuesday when a bomb exploded as they patrolled southeast Baghdad, the military said.
It is the lowest number since 32 troops died in March 2006 and the second-lowest since 20 troop deaths in February 2004, according to an Associated Press count based on military figures.
That would be the second consecutive drop in monthly figures, after 65 Americans died in September and 84 in August.
In all, at least 3,843 members of the U.S. military have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003, according to the AP count.
Maj. Winfield Danielson, a military spokesman in Baghdad, pointed to a number of likely reasons for the decline, including a U.S. security push that has driven militants out of former safe havens and a change in strategy that has placed troops closer to the population. That, in turn, has caused a rise in the number of tips from residents about roadside bombs and other dangers.
He also singled out the cease-fire call by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who in August ordered his fighters to cease attacks against U.S.-led forces and other Iraqis for up to six months. Danielson said Iraqi forces also were increasingly taking charge of security operations.
He welcomed the lower numbers but stressed it was too early to say it was a downward trend.
"Have we turned a corner? It might be a little too early to say that," he said. "It's certainly encouraging."
In August, the U.S. Army expressed concern that repeated deployments and tours of duty that have been stretched to 15 months were putting increasing pressure on military families and creating record suicide rates among soldiers.
There were 99 Army suicides last year — nearly half of them soldiers who hadn't reached their 25th birthdays, about a third of them serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The 2006 total — the highest rate in 26 years of record-keeping and the largest raw figure in 15 years — came despite Army efforts to set up new programs and strengthen old ones for providing mental health care to a force stretched by the longer-than-expected conflict in Iraq and the global counterterrorism war entering its sixth year.
The current pace of civilian deaths also would put October at less than 900. The figure last month was 1,023 and for August, 1,956, according to figures compiled by the AP from hospital, police and military officials, as well as accounts from reporters and photographers. Insurgent deaths are not included. Other counts differ and some have given higher civilian death tolls.
Suspected Sunni and Shiite extremists appear to have stepped up attacks in recent weeks, however.
A suicide bomber rode his bicycle into a crowd of police recruits in Baqouba, killing at least 29 people in a province that has become a battleground among U.S. forces, al-Qaeda militants and Shiite radicals.
A group of Shiite and Sunni tribal leaders, meanwhile, were rescued on Monday, one day after they were kidnapped in the capital after meeting with the government to discuss how to coordinate efforts against al-Qaeda in Iraq. A Sunni sheik who was among those abducted was killed.
Clashes also erupted for more than four hours Monday as American forces battled Shiite militia fighters near al-Sadr office in the predominantly Shiite northwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Hurriyah. Before the clashes, witnesses described militia fighters wielding weapons in the streets, which were blocked to outside access.
A U.S. brigadier general was wounded in a roadside bombing Monday in northern Baghdad, the military reported, but it could not be determined if that was connected to the fighting.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Dorko, commanding general of the Gulf Region Division, was the highest-ranking American officer to be hurt since the conflict began in March 2003. Dorko was in stable condition and was evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany; his injuries were not life-threatening.

My Challenge

Today I am going to make a commitment to journal on a weekly basis. Somehow I am closer to God if I do that.
Next commitment... keeping my room clean ;)

Brokenness, Desire, Prayer

I should be thirsting for the touch of the Almighty.
I should be reading your word till I can no longer keep my eyes open.
Lord I want to desire you.
Heal me.
Heal my friends.
Heal a hurting nation.
Heal your people of a forgotten land.

You are sovereign because you are Lord! He goes out before us and is with us; he never leaves us nor forsakes us!
Do not be downcast my soul; do not be discouraged.

I am broken.

Lately, it feels like the world is being attacked…
Middle East fighting with little rest
Famine, plague and war in Africa
National Weather Disasters
Nuclear Threats
Virginia Tech.
Turkish Martyrs

It is a sin to be anxious and worry. How do I stop Lord?
PRAYER
Give me a heart for prayer

"It is what one does"

Living in a new culture calls for new rules and people do things because "it is what one does." Women wear head scarves because "it is what one does" to stay modest. At home is where most women live all day because "it is what one does." Cook, clean, make tea and tend to children because "it is what one does." As a single woman you do not go out alone except to school, the market or to a friend's home because "it is what one does." Men leave the home early and do not come home till almost midnight because "it is what one does."

I however, live outside the norm for the most part. Not out of disrepect for the culture. I try and do as much as I can to be respectful to all individuals I meet. Here are some problems.

You want to go eat some fast food. In America you can go anywhere... here not so much. There are only certain places where a single young woman is allowed. I learned the hard way. I went to a doner restaurant that I went previously with a friend. I thought I would be ok. I sat downstairs where only families and women can sit (only men can sit on the first floor) and took a table. Within ten minutes I had to leave because men were trying to sit with me at my table. That is a very shamful thing to do here. So I can only go to "nice" upscale places where I won't be bothered.

I need to get to the sixth floor of my apartment building. You usually take the elevator right? Well if a man gets in the elevator I must exit and walk up the stairs or wait my turn. You are seemed as an easy girl if you allow a man to ride in the same elevator with you.

I want to sleep in but I have to get up early and leave since my friend needs to go to town and I can't stay in the same apartment with her husband. The neighbors may see that I didn't leave. Oh and if I ride the same bus home with my friend's husband I must act as if I don't know him and walk home alone.

Men are pushy and hit on me and say very disrepectful things. Sometimes it is because I am a foreigner. Other times it may be because I can't speak the language. And unfortunately its because I am an American woman who doesn't know the culture or language and so the men think they can get away with it. Shame on them.

But "it is what one does" in these situations. "It is what one does" is a common response I get to just about any cultural norm.

What is an example of "it is what one does" in your culture?

I am HAPPY...

Ever been just TRUELY happy? So happy that you can't stop smiling?

That's not me today. There have been times where complete and utter happiness has stepped out onto my door step. My salvation day, Christmas, missions, JOSHUA, etc. God always has those certain days slipped in every once in a while to pick us up.

Have I been happy? No... not lately. Its not because my life stinks... my attitude just makes it stink. I like pitty parties and a bit too much I'm afriad. When things get me down well, the rest of the clan must follow. You must pitty my sorrows.

Change? YES!!! I want to be happy! Happy even when the skies are grey. Yes there are apporpriate days for pain and saddness but not everyday. I need to let go and be, just be happy in my Savior and King. Happy that God has allowed me to serve Him in Turkey. Happy because I am with a man of God who cherishes me and loves me as my mopey self. Happy because I have family and friends who would die for me.

So today I my not be in utter and blissful happiness but today I am saying that I am going to enjoy the life God has given me. I am going to extend that joy and grace to the world.

Blissful happiness is coming soon though... ;) (Joshua)

You are rich if you have $2,200

A recent survey posted these results regarding the world wealth.

The richest 2% of the world's population owns more than half of the world's household wealth.
You may believe you've heard this statistic before, but you haven't: For the first time, personal wealth -- not income -- has been measured around the world. The findings may be surprising, for what makes people "wealthy" across the world spectrum is a relatively low bar.

*The research indicates that assets of just $2,200 per adult place a household in the top half of the world's wealthiest. To be among the richest 10% of adults in the world, just $61,000 in assets is needed. If you have more than $500,000, you're part of the richest 1%, the United Nations study says. Indeed, 37 million people now belong in that category.

*Half live on less than $2 a day Sure, you can now be proud that you're rich. But take a moment to think about it, and you'll probably come to realize that the meaning behind these numbers is harrowing. For if it takes just a couple of thousand dollars to qualify as rich in this world, imagine what it means to be poor.

*Half the world, nearly 3 billion people, live on less than $2 a day. The three richest people in the world –- Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, investor Warren Buffett and Mexican telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helú -- have more money than the poorest 48 nations combined.
Even relatively developed nations have low thresholds of per person capital. For example, people in India have per capita assets of $1,100. In Indonesia, capital amounts to $1,400 per person.

You can read the rest of the article here: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/News/StudyRevealsOverwhelmingWealthGap.aspx?GT1=8816

Thoughts?

I realize that I'm blessed beyond my needs...

You?

New Year Means Craziness

So it has been a while since my last posting... I am sorry. I was busy but who isn't?

Since November my life has gotten a bit nuts. I went to Colorado for to weeks during Christmas and New Years. My boyfriend Josh and I made it in the night before the first blizard... the first of many. My family and I got snowed in for three days got out just before Christmas activites started. Joshua left the day after Christmas, just before the second system of snow... lucky him, not for me. Praise God though that the roads were clear enough for me to drive up to Blue Sky Church in Loveland, CO to talk about my experiences at Hillside and the upcoming travels to Turkey. It went well. The trip was fun but a bit limited to visits and seeing all the people I wanted to. So sorry to those I could not go see and sorry to Joey & Robin and Kyle & Miranda for missing your weddings. I hate that I missed the biggest day of your life. Please forgive me and the snow!

What am I doing now? Getting ready for one of the biggest life changing experiences ever! I am going to be living in Turkey for three months doing God's work by showing His love to the Muslims. It is going to be hard but worth every sacrifice that I will have to make. I bought my tickets already. I will be gone March 13th to June 11th.

My biggest block that stands in my way right now is finances. I need $3,000 more in order for this to be possible. If you know anyone who would like partner in this amazing outreach for God's Kingdom let me know.

God is good and He is GREAT!

Old School Lifehouse wrote this song called "You Can Shake the Mountains" and I wanted to share the lyrics:
Freedom comes in the morning time
As the sun begins to shine on my face
And even in the dark i'm not alone
You guide me by the hand, You won't let go
And i know you'll carry me when i can't walk

And you can Shake the mountains with a whisper
And you, you speak And i fall at your feet again
You burned the chains off of my feet
That held me to the ground
You let me rise
Don't ever let me come back down
Or even live a day apart from you'
Cause you lifted me
Higher than my doubts and fears

And you can Shake the mountains with a whisper
And you, you speak And i fall at your feet
And you are so beautiful
And i am so in love with you
You, you lead
And i will follow close behind

Now i'm waiting here for you
And don't be far away tonight
Lead me to the place where i can go and find rest
'Cause i'm so tired And now let me feel your breath on my face

And you can Shake the mountains with a whisper
And you, you speak And i fall at your feet
And you are so beautiful
And i am so in love with you
You, you lead
And i will follow close behind