If letters could blush... I will just come right out and say it, I am not going to Iraq! This morning in order to prepare for leaving all of us Marines recieved our Anthrax and Small Pox vaccinations, as well as constantly being bombarded with "the importance of being mentally prepared for the worst." To top that off we just had a memorial ceromony for two of our fellow Marines from a different Battery who have died in Iraq. A Battery is about 130 people there are normally 5 Batterys in a Battalion thus, 2/11. So at the COB today the word was passed that we are now at an operational standdown and are to resume our regular training on Monday. I sincerely want to apologize for anyone who read my last entry, I want you to understand that I was certain we where going, everyone up to my Battalion Commanding Officer CO thought so. I feel like a real goober I thank you all for your prayers and I am glad to know there is concern for my life and my ministry. I will say that if my words can help you to realize the seriousness of the situation over there right now I have done some good. Sure we Americans are winning the war. for each Marine, Sailor, or Soldier killed there are about 200 Iraqi's killed. These are men like myself, yes fighting for a different reason, but none the less more valuable than the choicest diamonds, more beautiful than the most enamoured sunset's. A large part of me was really set on going, I work with some very bellicose individuals who are motivated by the prospect of war. Well, I am happy that I will not go I guess... I should just take things as they come from now on and not say anything till I am on the plane. Through all of this I cancelled my leave to go see my family and go to a good friend of mine's wedding. Told everyone that I would going and now am taking it all back.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,