Luke 6:38: ‘“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with
the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”’

Thursday, November 15, 2007

12:05 A.M., Houston

9:05 A.M., Fallujah

God Bless this day,

Chris had just posted his new poem “Standing Post With Jesus”.  His Chaplain likes it quite well and posted it up in Camp Baharia.  I had the pleasure of Chris reading it to me.  In fact, he’s read every poem to me before he sends it my way.  I would much rather hear his words from his own mouth.  Reading them is wonderful, but I’m the first to hear them.  He is a huge blessing in my life.  He did tell me that the reading of all the Tolkien books has inspired his own writing.  He admits that it is prone to sound like the Elvish poetry in any one of those books.  Speaking of books, he loves his Uncle Mark’s series of books that made their way into his hands.  He loves the story lines.  Heroism is always appreciated by a military man (or woman!).  Books take him away from what he’s seen and put him into a new world filled with the fantastic.  Sandstorms, scorpions, and guard duty all fade away when he can get the chance to read.

It appears that Chris has joined up again with the coffee drinkers of the world.  It was 29 degrees and he said that coffee is the only thing to really warm them up while they’re on guard duty.  He’s requested a thermos to hold the precious beverage while he’s on post.  He has finally gone back to eating breakfast again.  He says that the food has improved for that meal.  Although he admitted that it’s better to have even bad food to eat at camp rather than starve out there the way some of the poor do.  He tendered me a piece of his wisdom.  “Never forget the three F’s: Family, Friends, & Food.”  It’s better to be grateful for whatever we have been given (not that I’m fond of bad food).

Recently, an Iraqi man invited Chris, some of the interpreters, and a few Marines from Camp Baharia to a supper in their honor.  They had been working in the community with the water supply and other tasks and just happened to be passing by this gentleman’s home.  Obviously this man and his family had been planning this meal for quite some time; he must have been aware of the Marines‘ timetable.  Chris described it as a feast.  This man was so overjoyed to be able to invite them into his small home (the guys dwarfed it).  This was his way of saying “Thank you” to these men for what they’ve done to help his country.  He was jubilant to be able to show his gratitude.

Chris said that he served them with as much food as their family would have eaten in three weeks, all for one meal.  The food was heavenly, seasoned with love: meat kebabs, rice, chai, and always the homemade bread that Chris adores.  It was more than our son thought they could afford, however, circumstances have been steadily improving for most of Iraq.  The man asked for nothing.  He offered a banquet of food, friendship, and his own family.  Chris wanted to give the man a gift, so he left a twenty dollar bill in one of the man’s shoes.  He could not give it directly to the man as it would have insulted him.  It was done in such a way that would not hurt or offend.

In stark contrast Chris was angry at a major sports figure here, A-Rod, who wants more than a $275 million for his contract.  Chris said that the people over there have so little.  It really hurts him to see them suffering and to know that stars over here are so gluttonous about getting their “fair” share.  I think Chris will never be rich.  He’ll be too busy trying to help those who have little.  I would rather Chris have the esteem of his wonderful Iraqi dinner host than that of any multimillion dollar star, whether of sports or Hollywood.  His time is far better spent where he is and accomplishing the little tasks that mean so much more to God.  There is far more satisfaction to be had in humble duties.

November 18, 2007 (Chris‘s 21^st birthday):

1:45 A.M., Houston

9:45 A.M., Fallujah

Chris had worked his eight hours on post the previous night.  He was getting ready for his brush work.  It was fine to be able to wish him “Happy Birthday” so early on his day.  He did tell me that he gets a certain amount of recreational time at the gym each day.  He was looking forward to having some cake (from the chow hall) and a scoop of chocolate chip mint ice cream atop it.

He was bemoaning Thanksgiving because he and his boys (there are 16 of the guards) were going to be working while dinner was served so they wouldn’t be getting any.  The most they could hope for was cold turkey.  I’m so glad he had the meal with the Iraqi family; that was a meal to be thankful for.

Our conversation ended abruptly with mortar fire hitting the base. It must have been Al Quaeda remembering his birthday!  He literally yelled good-bye and dropped the phone.

November 18

6:19 A.M., Houston

3:19 P.M., Fallujah

Hurray! The boxes we sent out for his birthday arrived on it!  He shared the homemade brownies all around until they were gone.  I’d sent him a can of frosting and some candles so they could celebrate in style.  He said that the guys “just love the home cookin’”.

Furthermore, he laughed at his birthday cards.  I thought he might not like them too well.  My favorite was a mug of beer that played Willie Nelson’s “You Are Always On My Mind”.  Since he’s in a dry country I couldn’t refrain from the cruel, sick humor.  He thought the cards were funny. It was great to hear him so happy!

Thank you for all the prayers and boxes,

J