I'd like to send her the thread to encourage her.
Thank You for your patriotism, this just and great cause protects our children and keeps all Americans safe. God Bless you and your family and keep the faith... we all get to rotate out of there eventually...
..."She told me, "I know for a fact that I can’t do this without the help of prayer that is coming from back in the States."...
It's the heat that's getting you. Only a couple of weeks left until that will be a memory.
About the knife. I know you're a professional, but become very proficient with that tool before you carry it. Pistol in a towel is a better idea. Big knives are sometimes best left alone unless you are very familiar with them.
I know for a fact that you CAN do this.
Feel that warm glow and sense of peace enveloping you? That's my prayer for you and yours. It might be off a bit because of the time difference...
Stay safe and come home soon.
Dear Lord Jesus refresh Sharon and all the troops who are facing so much each day. Pour out Your love and strength of joy into their lives. Ever keep Your hand of protection over them and let them sing for joy under Your shadow.
Lord Jesus bring Your peace to Iraq, You have created all people for Your reward, take them Jesus!
And Lord keep giving Sharon Your messages of encouragment. Bring her home safe in You, Jesus.
God bless you Sharon and all your brave company.
JGP
May God bless this wise young woman and all of her fellow soldiers. I'm awed and moved by her letter, my eyes and heart are full. The Lord is truly watching over those who do such good so selflessly.
God Bless Sharon and all of our troops.
Lieutenant Colonel Sharon Jacko,
I was in the Army years ago, but never had to bear the burdens you endure now. Reading your letter, and knowing the pressure you are under, was both moving and frustrating.
I have passed my prime, and the military won't take guys my age. But, given the opportunity, I would gladly substitute myself in your place. Better someone like me than you, make such sacrifices.
Believe that you are doing a good thing. Know that we think about you, support your efforts, and appreciate - more than you will ever know - the devotion you have shown for the people of your country.
Your family is proud. Your fellow Americans salute you. And we pray that God will be with you.
The people of Free Republic would welcome a letter a day!
Thanks to all of you for your beautiful words, thoughts, prayers and pictures. I've sent the thread to Sharon.
Sharon, please show this to everybody. Our hearts are with you.
God bless you Sharon. You are awesome. You are in my prayers daily. God bless all of you at Camp.
Another really big (((HUG))), vg
Dear Sharon,
I have prayed for a layer of protection from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for you and the rest of the troops and the Iraqi people. I pray that the Lord will cover you with His mighty hand and deliver you from evil. Take care of yourself.
Know that we love you and respect what you are doing for that country and for America. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice it will not be in vain.
May God guide all of you in His path and may he give you the wisdom to see his will for your lives.
God bless you.
Hello Sharon.
I find this Bible passage inspirational and I dearly hope this encourages you, too.
May God bless you, keep you safe.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Cindy
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Philippians 4: 1 - 23 - Study This Chapter
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, F14 whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, F15 and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
FOOTNOTES:
F14: honest: or, venerable
F15: I have all: or, I have received all
Ma'am,
Please know that we back here in the States know why you are there and how much you are sacrificing everyday. May God bless you and all who are in harms way at this crucial time.
Dear Sharon,
You are my sister in Christ, and I will pray that God's almighty grace and power will shield you in your effort to crush the head of the serpent overseas. Evil is evil wherever it is. We must fear our Lord, and *not* those who want to bring fear and evil into the world. You will rise to the cause knowing it is just, and have the power of our prayers to help you.
I wish I had strength to write more to you tonight. My husband is also a Lt Col USMC holding command in the states at the moment.
God bless you. Your e-mail hit the nail on the head. Vg, thanks for the ping :)
I wanted to share the following site. It is so awesome. It will bring tears to your eyes.
http://www.clermontyellowribbons.com/index.htm
Click on Multimedia. There are three flash presentations And be sure to turn up the volume.
Dear Sharon,
You're absolutely right. You are there because God has a reason for you to be there. One day, we will see the whys and wherefores, but for now, that you are walking with Him, no matter what, no matter where, is the important thing.
May He surround you with His protection and give you the strength and peace you need to do His Will. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Prayer does work.
Our son is now back state-side from a tour in Baghdad, we prayed day and nite. Our prayers were answered.
Please pray for the MArines still there.
May God wrap his arms around all of our brave men and women today and aways.
Pegita, your words are so inspiring and beautiful.
May I ask for your prayer for Sharon and our military on this thread?
Sharon, I know your life will never be the same having done and seen what you have done and seen there in Iraq. I hope that I realize that my life is not the same either because of what you are doing. Thank you for the service and sacrifice that you are making. God bless and protect you and your fellow troops.
Father, thank you for the opportunity to give thanks to you and Sharon. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Please protect everyone in Iraq and Afghanastan fighting to stop terrorism and rebuild those countries. I ask for wisdom, grace and mercy, and perservance for the leaders, troops, and the overseas contractors. Father please help them to stop the plans of the enemy. I ask that many will come to know you, that you will use this opportunity for others to come to know you as his and her Father, Lord, Savior, Friend, Help, and Teacher. I ask these things for the American people and the citizens of the other countries involved infighting terrorism and terrorists. Let us not grow weary in this battle and this war. Bless us with your grace and mercy Father. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you so very much for this thread, valleygal.
Sharon, we love you and all the folks you are serving with. I want you to know that I empathize with you on the shower situation. I thank God just about every day for not only hot water for my shower, but for indoor plumbing. Those are blessings not to be ignored by those of us stateside!
This is now an official destination for the Prayer Warrior Field Trips. For those who may wish to pray with other Freepers for our troops, you are invited to check out the troop prayer threads.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/1101474/posts?page=815
Following is the prayer posted on the Troop Prayer Thread 10
for LtCol Jacko, post number 816.
Beloved Heavenly Father,
We have heard the soul of one of your servants crying out to you for surcease from the relentless crush of darkness with which she has been burdened. We have seen that she takes on that burden with joy and with the attitude our Lord asks of us. She gives it to Him and He makes it Light.
Father, we ask that you will take our prayers and multiply them and reach directly into her heart, her mind, and her entire world to grant her a sustained and lasting Peace. Strengthen her in her resolve to be the willing Servant of her fellow troops and the Iraqi people in thy Name.
Father, we are petitioning you to place over LtCol Jacko one of our prayer blankets woven from our prayers containing all the many frequencies of light and love of your heart which she may need at any given moment. Let this prayer blanket be woven with the cool blues and invincible strands of your powerful protection. Let your love and courage surround her in all the many shades of pale pink and ruby. Enfold her in the shimmering hues of gold and yellow which remind us of the light of your Illumination and Wisdom. Let her be granted extraordinary increments of your discipline, and obedience in the purity of your cleanest brightest whites. Let her and those around her be healed in the flames of Truth and Abundance with shades of emerald green. She has taken up the mantle of our Lord in His service. Let her wear upon her shoulders, the deep royal purple denoting His majesty of being the Servant King. We also ask that as the smallest simple sweet violet can melt the hardest heart, we ask that you will let that hue enfold her in comforting strands of mercy, forgiveness, and the ability to extend that hunger for and desire to serve Freedom in this world.
We further ask that you will assign a large team of angels to walk with LtCol Jacko as she moves through the area to which she is assigned. Especially do we ask that she be granted extraordinary protection on her walks to the shower and other dangerous places. Grant her the ability to hear that Still Small Voice which can serve to warn her. Grant her the ability to move and dodge the dangers and attacks which the dark forces seeks to bring to bear against her. Place upon her and all our troops and those who stand with them the Whole Armor of God as an invincible golden chain mail.
Father, we remember her loved ones. Grant to all who hold vigil for Sharon a strength and comfort in the knowledge that all will be well with her by thy Grace. Hold them in your arms and grant them Vision and the ability to understand that which is difficult to understand for those who have not born arms in a war zone.
We are grateful for these who have chosen to serve at the altar for Sharon and all our troops. Increase and multiply the prayers of those who hold vigil and let there be woven from them a great network of light. Let its mesh serve as protection for each and every soul who serves the Holy Cause of Freedom. All which we call forth for LtCol Jacko we call forth for all of our troops, our allies, the fledgling Iraqi/Afghani security forces, and the contract personnel who serve beside them.
Father, we are grateful for the service of our precious young men and women who have heard your Call. They have come to you and said, "Hear I am, Lord, send me." Father, we owe them so much which we can never repay. Reach into their hearts and let them know directly in some way the gratitude we feel. Guide each of us into knowing what task you would ask each of us this day for the furtherance of your divine Will in the earth. We do invoke that divine Will and are grateful that you are our infinitely powerful and omiscient God as well as our tender, approachable, caring, merciful and loving Father. Let all be done according to your Will, for your Will is Good.
Amen