"..making the most of every opportunity…"

Feb 17, 2006 - a special day .

Matt and Cyndi's engagement 2 yrs- wow

Eventhough you are serving in Northern Iraq
we remember the day. We look back with gratitude and forward in faith to your future.

Amazing day, Feb 17, 2008.

"Since every moment is the beginning of the rest of your life, and every moment is the end of the past, every moment should be governed by the glad affections of gratitude and faith. ....continually humbled by our backward look of gratitude and continually emboldened by our forward look of faith." (John Piper)

John 15:13:13
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

We remember:
2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment
Pfc. Jack T. Sweet

Sgt. Timothy R. Van Orman

Triple Deuce 10th Mountain FOB Warrior Kirkuk Iraq

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffef7AQaipo

http://newsblaze.com/story/20080209071927tsop.nb/newsblaze/IRAQ0001/Iraq.html

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Military_News_1/Iraqi-Army-Coalition-Forces-find-caches-detain-terrorist13760.shtml


Downhere - A Better Way
From the album Wide Eyed and Mystified

I'm not alone, I really believe
You never go, You never leave
Here and now, You always stay
“I love you” could not be said a better way

It's everything You've promised
There's no greater love than this
From prophets until today
A man laying down His life for His friends
Your sacrifice has spoken, You gave everything
And “I love you” could not be said
A better way

I am forgiven, I clearly see
It's why You came to do all you did for me
Trading earth with heaven, You took my place
“I love you” could not be said
A better way
Because You redeem, I know what's to come
Everything I could lose here, You've already won
So You have my surrender, with passion obey
“I love you” could not be said
A better way

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl13F9mv3Ug&feature=related

As far as the sunrise is from the sunset

Sunrise at Andrea
Sunset at Warrior

Psalm 103 (The Message )
A David Psalm
1 -2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing!


3 -5 He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.


6 -18 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud. Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said.


19 -22 God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King! So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills. Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are— everything and everyone made by God.
And you, O my soul, bless God!

1ST AD Update in Northern Iraq

WARRIOR VISIONS (1/10 MTN in Northern Iraq)

http://www.1ad.army.mil/Ironside/dec07Ironsights.pdf

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Transforming Today’s Combat Operations

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16728&Itemid=1

MercyMe -God With Us

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ORy81YOza5I

Matthew and Cyndi at Fort Drum- our heart of hearts

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"(Ps 46:1)

"what gives me repose in all things, is the thought of their being His appointment.
I doubt not that the same God who has in mercy ordered so many events for so long a course of time,will never fail to overrule (i.e.. oversee or sustain) ALL things both for my family and myself."(William Wilberforce)

Operation Courage Harvest

"For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." Deut: 16:15

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Josh 1:9

KIRKUK, Iraq - The 1-10th Mountain Division's

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Military_News_1/Iraqi-Army-Coalition-Forces-find-caches-detain-terrorist13760.shtml

1st BCT update from Iraq1/11/2008 4:09 PMBy: Amy Ohler

http://news10now.com/content/all_news/watertownnorth_country/?ArID=132806&Se

Snow fell on Baghdad on Friday for the first time in memory, and delighted residents declared it an omen of peace.

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-31352620080111

Christmas -2007 "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another (John 1:16)

Kirkuk, Iraq 2007

Christmas 2006 Matt and Cyndi you are a blessing.

Presidential Message to the Men and Women of the United States Armed Forces

On behalf of a grateful Nation, Laura and I send our best wishes for the holidays.
In this season of giving, we remember our duty to others, and we see that sense of duty fulfilled in the men and women who wear our Nation's uniform. Our country owes you a debt of gratitude for your courage and resolve to serve the cause of peace. Americans are proud of your dedicated service, and I am proud to be the Commander in Chief of the greatest force for freedom in the history of the world.
Our Nation is thankful for the many sacrifices you and your families make every day. During the holidays and throughout the coming year, we ask the Almighty to bestow His protection and care on you and your loved ones. We pray for your safety and for liberty, justice, and peace on Earth.
Laura and I wish you a joyful holiday season. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.
GEORGE W. BUSH

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071221-2.html

“From His Fullness We Have All Received Grace upon Grace”
John 1:14-16:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

A Christmas Meditation on John 1:14-16 by John Piper

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2007/2545_From_His_Fullness_We_Have_All_Received_Grace_upon_Grace/

"The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,.." Ps 121: 8

Sgt Mwenyiley

Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of Mulit-National Force - Iraq recognizes Scotland Neck, N.C. native Pfc. Linwood R. Letchworth, fire support specialist, 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1-10th Mountain Division, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, for his part in "saving the life of an Air Force EOD technician" with his coin of excellence during a visit to Forward Operating Base Warrior in Kirkuk, Iraq, Dec. 8. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

Some Scripture and quotes from The Life of William Wilberforce:

How grateful ought I to be for this protecting providence
of a gracious God.

"There are times when we know, of a certainty, that God has been watching over and protecting us.
It is then that we understand, in many ways that are new to us and twice-blessed, what the Scripture means
when it declares:

`for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' (Heb 13:5).

"The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,
and even for evermore.' (Psalm 121:8)

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/corner/Photos-MNF-I-commander-visits-Task-Force-Warrior12443.shtml

Warrior Report #2 from Kirkuk

Matt with his fellow Charlie Company officers and our friends.

Freedom Chapel in Kirkuk, Iraq

Cynthia on minute 2:52 of this You tube video Warrior Report #2

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ETSR2p-fuQw&feature=related