Thanks!

11 more days!!

Thanks to everyone who made it out to our party today. It was so nice seeing our friends and family before we leave.

Less than two weeks now. We still have so much to do. Packing won't take much time, seen as we can only take two duffle bags each, and already know what 14 outfits we have to wear. But there are so many loose ends to take care of here.... forwarding mail, canceling bills, getting our house ready, doctor's appointments.... I should have started sooner. But if you know me, you know that I have a personal relationship with procrastination. Ha. Also before we leave, we have to finish up with the "visting-family-one-last-time" trips. Last will be Josh's family way down in Southern Indiana. Thankfully we are flying, which saves a 8 hour car ride, and the stress of Josh's driving.

I went to Barnes and Noble the other day with my good friend Kristina, and got a few books on Iraq. One of them is a documentary book written by an Iraqi woman and an American reporter titled "Saved by Her Enemies". Very very good book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't understand the cultural tensions between ourselves and Iraqi people. The book talks a lot about the religious and political climate and restrictions on people who live in Iraq. Women get beat publically for talking with a male they aren't related to, and men lived in fear of Hussein's power. We really do take for granted the freedoms we have as Americans.

If I am going to Iraq, I have to believe I am going to make a difference in someone's life, if only in the smallest way. No matter what people may say, we, as Americans, are in Iraq for the people of Iraq. I have to make a difference, or else it won't be worth it.

Keep sending up those prayers.