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