Stuck at BTC again DEC 14 11:30am

Well here I am again. waiting to get out of BTC Bagdad. I will know in a1 hour if I fly today or not. The first flight the one at 4am was full. Since I'm going home for good I am lowest priority. At least there are two flights today so it increases my chances. I cant believe how fast this year has gone. Now that it is over it seems like it went by so fast. This has been such a great oppertunity for me. God has made his presence in my life know on so many occasions I cant count or remember them all. Our church was the same here as it is at home. (except most everyone here has a gun with the) Some nights we only had 5 people in Sacrament but it still was the same as at home. The Spirit was always strong. Most of the locals I have meet here are very glad we are here. They have been so gracious. They do not like Sadams name being mentioned at all. They say it honers him evan when speaking ill of him. They hate talking about Iraq when it was under his thumb as well. Someone is going to have a tough time writing history books. Iraq has so much bible history it is ashame we cant tour. I truly hope these people find some sort of peace. It would be nice to see a free Iraq. This area has been at war so long I'm not
sure they know what peace is. I know our military is setting a great example. We are blessed to have such great men and women serving our country. Iraq is nothing like they talk about on the news. When I listen to the news I wounder if there is a diffrent Iraq than the one I am in. I have no idea what is next for me but no matter what I know my life will be alot easier than 99% of the people around the world. I hope to remember that and be greatfull for what I have.
Hope to be home soon
LOVE
Jim

Heading Home

Well today my trip home begins. It's a bunch of paper work and a bunch of good byes. I can't believe my year is up. It has gone by so fast.This has been such a privlige to work with our fantastic military for the last year. We are truly privlidged to have such a great group of people representing our great nation. My great adventure started out slow but is going out with a bang. I had the oppertunity to spend the day off base. ( a non sanctioned trip ok I snuck off ) and we have been getting mortered every day almost. One blew debri onto the building I was in it hit so close. When I get back I will be posting many pictures. All I can think about now is getting back. My next trip will be a west coast trip. In the mean time I will be chasing my grandchildren all around. Iraq is not anything like I expected. I was stunned at how friendly the people were. Iraq need so much infrastructure work they will be building for years, evan if all goes smooth. They have 1 hour of electricity 4 without. There are no roads leading to peoples homes. This place need all the prays it can get. I hope someday I can return and visit a friendly safe Iraq. There is so much history here it is sad not be able to see it. There are old ruins that date back to more than 2500 years. Well I have to go clean and do laundry to get ready for my trip. I cant wait to see everyone espacially my wounderfull Wife. Oh and rotten puppies.
All my love
Jimmy

DEC 15th JJBGA Ends

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted. I have been so lazy. Not to much happens so I have not posted. I have been called to be a sunday school teacher, and my wounderful wife is now the relief society president. HUUUUMMM maby stuff is going on. Well I cant wait. My contract ends on dec 2nd. LSI's contract ends dec 30th. And today I gave notice I want to be home no later dec15th. I truly appericat the oppertunity to be here but it is time to go home. Unless I get the air traffic controller job in Kosavo. I'm not holding my breath. Since the last time I was in ATC the Wright Brothers flew for the first time. This has been a great experance and a real privlage to see how our great men and women in the military conduct themselfs. This place needs all the prays it can get. We have a new President and I wish him the best of luck. Going home is all I can think about now. And I can't wait to get there. Home looks alot diffrent now than it did when I left and the economy is hurtin. But that can only help the auto repair business. I will be a shop owner and face a hole new set of challnages. But I'm sure I'm on the path God has chosen for me. And being home with my wounderful wife and her support should make the transition easy. I really don't want to be away from her and the puppies and the grandchildren again. Steph is kind of mean and I have enjoyed the safty the distance has brought me. I can't wait to get home and buy Jerami a BB gun and a dirt bike. OOPPPPssss I should not have said that. I mean buy Elaina a dirt bike and BB gun. No wait forget I said that I would get in trouble. Steph has a bad attitiude.
Any I'm looking forward to getting home. And hope I will be home for good. (Unless Steph's attitude kicks up) Phil and Anna need to have kids so I can aggravate them as well. And corrupt there kids to. I'm so glad is did this but it is time to go home. And the best part is I will be home for Christmas. I can't wait to see everyone.
Love Jim

Be Not Afraid

Yesterday was probably the best of my Sabbath days that I can remember. Our Sacrament Hymn set the mood: A thought came to my mind, Have we magnified our Fathers Will? I proceeded to sing these words: Behold the great Redeemer die, a broken law to satisfy. He dies a sacrifice for sin, that man may live and glory win. While guilty men his pains deride. Although in agony he hung, no murmuring word escaped his tongue. His high commission to fulfill. He magnified his Fathers will. He dies a sacrifice for our sins. Oh how we are so truly Blessed as a people of this Great Nation!!

I was reminded that our Leaders in our stake have not only been chosen but they themselves have chosen to live their lives in such a way so that they may lead us buy the spirit.

And as I tried to follow the scriptures that this speaker spoke about, it happened. I was taken to the scripture that at this time My kind and gracious Father gave me the message I most needed to hear:

Mosiah 4:27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run raster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the price; therefore, all things must be done in order.

For my testimony is that Jesus is the Christ and I belong to the true church where the priesthood once again is on this earth and that I am grateful for a young man, a prophet of God Joseph Smith who was brave and diligent enough to restore the gospel for all those who seek the truth and knowledge and that we are still blessed today to have a living Prophet Thomas S Monson to lead and guide us in these latter days so we can return to our Heavenly Father. I hope and I pray that we will continue to seek this knowledge and become worthy to work in Gods Temples and help complete thy work. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

the tree is gone

some more on the tree

Snapped it like a toothpick. they say winds got up to 75mph.

Well, Jimmy wanted to change the pool and design of the yard anyway. He needs to stop mentioning the changes he wants to make. First it was the roof and siding so God sent hail, now the pool and deck so God sent a very thirsty tree.....

Thirsty tree

Imagine the suprise on Sunday when the puppies and I woke up from our nap! A friend of ours accused our trees of being thirsty!