Leaving Iraq...

[Bushmaster78FS]

God willing, I have my boarding pass, I will be leaving in a few hours for my well deserved rest and recuperation. 7 months already in theater, it was quite an experience, including meeting Iraqi citizens, unfortunately I was not that spiritually connected as I was back in the US, taking communion only twice. However, without faith, I don't think I would have been able to carry on, especially in an environment like this. It is time to make a pit stop before hitting the second 7-month season next year.

When I am home and after I arrive back in Iraq later on, I won't be visiting The Ancient Way forums anymore. I wish to extend my sincere thanks and apologies to those who have known me since my cathecumenate, those who have supported ceaselessly, prayed for protection, sent me support packages. You made it all real, you have been a real blessing. I will spend more time at Non-Christian religion section of these forums tackling questions and issues of Muslims, visiting friends at Orthopraxis forums, and answering inquirers and Protestant concerns over at CARM.


Happy Holidays and Forgive me...

[EricTheRed]

God Bless!

[Thekla]

Congratulations !

leave, then a marriage blessing -- such a wonderful occasion to see "Mrs. Bushmaster again" :)

Prayers for you both :amen:

[Orthosdoxa]

I'll miss you, BushM.

Sometimes, the most difficult people in our lives are the ones we need to thank God most for. (I have no room to talk in this regard, but it's something for us both to think about.)

Enjoy your wedding. :)

[Dorothea]

Safe travels home and a blessed wedding, BM. I also offer prayers for your travels back to Iraq and staying safe there. I hope your wife will still be visiting this forum. She's a great gal. Although I haven't been here too long, I'll miss seeing your posts in here. Take care and God bless.

[Shubunkin]

I will miss you a lot. :cry: It's good that you are going home, and your wedding coming up. God bless you in all that you do. :hug:

MrsBushmaster is one of a kind gem. :)

[MariaRegina]

Bon Voyage.

God grant you many years.

[Philothei]

Yay!! You are going home !!! Praise the Lord! Also

"kala stefana" Congratulations for your wedding :)


God bless,
and God's spead
Philothei

[ConanTheLibrarian]

"forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us..."

We should remember this when we read a post that offends us, and pray for the person who posted it. Someone else may be in danger because of a judgemental spirit or pharisaical pride, but I certainly have my own blind spots.

This prayer, from the Rosary, has immeasurably helped me to be more patient with others:

"Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy." Prayer of Fatima.

[Lukaris]

On Sunday Nov 4th, our parish honored its (and all) veterans during coffee after the Divine Liturgy. please consider the this a token of our appreciation. http://www.antiochian.org/node/16683

[Mary of Bethany]

You remain in my prayers, John. Many years to you and Mrs. Bushmaster!

:crosseo:

Mary

[Nichole]

UPDATE................Bushmaster is in Kuwait. He's been there about 11 hours now. In about 6 hours he'll go to another briefing and then hopefully after that he'll find out when he'll be leaving for the US. Please.............keep him in your prayers............for safe travel and an arrival time of no later then early Thursday afternoon (the wedding will proceed..........LOL)! Thank you!

[3girls2dogs]

I'm praying for you guys. I just went through this about a month ago. I feel your pain.

[Nichole]

Ufffffffffffffffffffffff.......................I don't know how much more of this "waiting game" I can handle! :sigh: It feels like torture...................LOL...................^_^ !

[Thekla]

prayers for you both !!!

:)

[MsDahl]

Prayers for a happy, healthy and safe reunion.

I think that it is a good thing that you recognize your need to stop visiting a forum that is not edifying to your spirit. It is good that you recognize you have a boundary that needs to be honored - I just hope that you bring these issues of offense before God so that you are able to be at peace in your spirit with the situation.

I have learned, though, that it is best to remain emotionally distant and not to get too personal in life and especially on a public forum. Although I do see why some members here feel the need to leave this forum (and have sensed it from my first week posting here), I have found that since I am aware of my boundaries and that I maintain them in a disciplined fashion, my spirit is unphased by the subtle drama.

[Shubunkin]

More prayers! :crosseo:

[Nichole]

OK..........hubby is enroute to that states!!!!!!!!! :clap: :clap: Probably will be home tomorrow afternoon...........JUST IN TIME! :P

:crosseo: Prayers for travel please!

[Orthosdoxa]

:clap: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am SOOOOOO excited for you guys!!!! I really hope you'll share details about the wedding, and pics if you're comfortable with that!!! Oh, what a joyful reunion this will be!!! I am so happy for you both!

[Thekla]

OK..........hubby is enroute to that states!!!!!!!!! :clap: :clap: Probably will be home tomorrow afternoon...........JUST IN TIME! :P

:crosseo: Prayers for travel please!
prayers,

best wishes,

joy ! :)

Thanks to God !!!!

[SaintPhotios]

Good luck and best wishes and prayers to you Bushmaster. We've butted heads... but I wish the best for you. Have a safe trip home.

[cassc]

Yeah! Prays for a safe trip and a wonderful wedding! I'll miss getting your updates but you'll still be in my prayers!

[Nichole]

Well.........I am still here and will try to my best to keep you updated!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Dorothea]

Good to know that, BMW!!! :)

[cassc]

I am glad that your sticking around!

[Nichole]

Thanks! By the way..........hubby is in Ireland.........due state side like 8 a.m. and home around 3'ish, unless he gets on an earlier flight from Atlanta!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOT WOOT! :clap:

[cassc]

Ugg, it's in the last couple of hours that I always get the most impatient. You're going to be beyond excited tomorrow huh!

[Nichole]

Ewhhhhhhhhhhhh..................I am sooooooooooo excited now, don't know if I can go to sleep tonight............LOL! :P

[MariaRegina]

May God grant you both many years.

[Nichole]

:clap: :clap: Hubby will arrive in 1 1/2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can not contain my excitement now.......................WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap: :clap:

[Khaleas]

I'm sooo excited for you!!!! Have a great time!!! Make sure we get to see some pictures!!!!! :)

(((HUGS)))

[Nichole]

UPDATE: Hubby is leaving tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. :( The time has gone way too fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will try to do my best to have a good Christmas, but it will be hard! Please pray for safe travels back to Iraq and safety until he returns in August 2008!!!!!!!! :D

[Saint Melania]

UPDATE: Hubby is leaving tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. :( The time has gone way too fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will try to do my best to have a good Christmas, but it will be hard! Please pray for safe travels back to Iraq and safety until he returns in August 2008!!!!!!!! :D
That was too fast! My prayers for both of you! :crosseo:

[MariaRegina]

UPDATE: Hubby is leaving tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. :( The time has gone way too fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will try to do my best to have a good Christmas, but it will be hard! Please pray for safe travels back to Iraq and safety until he returns in August 2008!!!!!!!! :D

My prayers for his safety and that he will be able to enter the seminary soon.