Have we really come to this?

I know I could discuss President Obama's decision to withdraw 30,000 troops from Afghanistan, but why? I'll believe it when I see it and what I rather discuss with tell my true feelings on it.

I'm more interested in this article I read about a 59 year-old man who robbed a bank for $1--yes one freakin' stinkin' dollar--so he could go to jail to have a secure roof over his head and health care until his social security kicks in.

What the hell is this?

Is this a case of a dude being lazy and trying to work the system, or is it an elderly guy that has ran out of luck and is so scared of his failing health that he felt like this was the only alternative to get the care he needs?

Either way, this is sad. While I'm out here on a mission to "bring democracy to the poor people of Afghanistan" and instill some proper way of life for them my people in AMERICA is steadily suffering, starving, losing hope in just being able to survive on a day to day basis.

Is this persona of being Team America so necessary that we have to sacrifice our livelihood for it?

But in the same instance we Americans squander things away that people here in Afghanistan don't even know exist. I mean some probably have never seen a cell phone, computer, a IPad?? That's make believe in their minds. The choice of what nasty fattening fast food to get, the ability to travel long distances in a vehicle, to be able to wear what you want, to speak your mind without fear of repercussions...

To wash your funky ass the moment it starts to smell??

So yes, I sympathize with the people here and I wish that we could have done more in the 10 years we have spent here. In my opinion it will take over a lifetime and some reformed beliefs before some real change occurs.
What should be the focus is how to make America better, before we end up a Third World Country ourselves.

A much needed visit....

Disclaimer:
For my non-religious readers, sorry, this will happen time to time--just take the positive message from this and keep it moving.

Today I decided to attend the Gospel Service here on base...I was a little biased about it because I wasn't willing to walk the half a mile back from work in the middle of the day in the heat for a service that might end up being a hooting and hollering session. Now don't get me wrong, I love praise and worship, but if it crosses over to the everyone singing in tounges on cue then stopping and people dropping to the floor acting a fool and then the second they get out they're cussing and trying to flirt with each other then I can't deal with it.

Fortunately I had 6 people convince me that it's not like that and insisted that I attend...actually it was a fellow Sergeant that said he would beat me up if I didn't go so I felt very happy that he was so insisting that I go get the word.

Anyone who's deployed and went to church knows it's probably in a wooden building, with the basic church decorations...but how this room was built it almost reminded me of the old school churches from my hometown, like the one I went to right before I deployed.
It is refreshing to see many men and women of color, of all ranks and services all together in one room...there were other nationalities as well, but I rarely get to see a lot of black Servicemembers in one place. I know it shouldn't be a race thing, but sorry, sometimes it is. Depending on who the black people are I'm either really comfortable or embarassed--this was extremely comfortable, everyone was so pleasant and nice until--

I almost wanted to leave because I saw the disgusting MSgt that cat-called me when I was going to the gym one night right when I got here--but I learned a long time ago that even the devil is in the church so don't get discouraged and act like they do...so I acknoledged him by rank and went up to the front with the Sgt who threatned to beat me up---at least I know no one will mess with me when I'm with him.

The choir was pretty good, the sermon was exactly what I needed--"The Power of Perpetual Thanksgiving"--Luke 17: 11-19, the story of the Good Samaritan.

I have stated since I been here to others that God meant for me to be here...but I still went around acting angry, upset and just all around unpleasant to be near sometimes.
If I am supposedly grateful to have the opportunity to better myself--Jennifer, not Sgt Jones--shouldn't I not just say it but show it though my actions? I wonder why I've had such a horrible week, a horrible couple of months, because I'm trying to fight this fight myself and do everything by myself when I've always known that I can't and never will succeed unless I allow God in my life completely to handle all the difficulties that come my way. When I do, I am ignoring the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ--He died for my sins, my pains, and my struggles--the least I can do is acknowledge it and be positive that everything will go the way I need them to be. For real, not just as a front to others.
I have truly been a hypocrite and I asked God for forgiveness today and I received Communion asking Him to wash this intense hatred I've had over everything, this doubt that everything is going to be bad when I get back, that the one I really care about will not be there for me and I will be alone again...I gave all that to Him and I feel whole again.
For the first time since I've been here. I truly feel peaceful.  Praise God.

Life Lessons #1

"An ass whooping builds character."