*********************************Baghdad Journal 4: ******************************

July 17, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

My six-plus months in Iraq are quickly drawing to a close. My replacement has arrived and I have done the ceremonial handoff of the LMR (Land Mobile Radio) and he is now “in charge.” I will begin the long journey home very soon. I want to thank you for your many kindnesses and prayers for me and for Mark back in Hawaii. As I approach my homecoming, I am ever reminded that even as our service members are separated for long periods of time, we are connected to each other in so many ways.

Interdependence Day: On Sunday, 4 July, we celebrated the 234th birthday of our country in a country embarking on its own new beginning. As of the end of August, OPERATION Iraqi Freedom will become OPERATION New Dawn with the drawdown of American forces to 50,000 troops. One chapter ends – another begins. And our prayers continue for the people of Iraq as they move into their future with the United States as friends and mentors. As I thought about the many ways we interact with our host nationals, our TCNs (Third Country Nationals), contractors, Department of State personnel, and joint partners, I am intensely aware of our INTERDEPENDENCE upon each other for daily living and for moving forward into the future.

As Christians, we celebrate our “Interdependence Day” every time we gather as the people of God to worship, study, and share the sacraments. We live out the “heart of God” as illustrated by the compassion of the Good Samaritan in last Sunday’s text by caring for one another freely and lovingly.

As I begin the long journey home, I realize that I have put down “roots” in this dusty, hot place that the people of Israel called home during their long exile and I will leave a part of myself behind as I am reunited with Mark, my family and the people of Hickam Air Force Base. But that is the nature of our interdependence. In Christ, we live for others as our Lord lived and gave himself for us.

May God bless you as you celebrate your “Interdependence Day.”

Love and Blessings,

Christine
 

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