August has brought with it some of the highest temperatures I have seen yet. I was recently asked how hot it really is here. To be honest I have no idea because our thermometers only go to 120 degrees. There are other ways to measure the heat though. An igloo ice chest filled to the top with ice will melt completely in about four hours, and by the end of the day the water inside is as hot as McDonalds coffee. In full combat dress its nothing for me to drink eight one liter bottles of water on a seven hour patrol, and even then when we return I will still be thirsty. After stripping off all the combat gear we are drenched in sweat. We look as if someone has sprayed us with a garden hose, in spite of our air-conditioned trucks. At night in my room I now have to turn down my AC because I freeze. Three months ago I would sweat in my sleep with the air all the way down. Its amazing what you can get used to.

The other weather element that August has brought with it are the sandstorms. The picture was taken about fifteen seconds before we were completely engulfed. Ten minutes later it was gone. It felt like being in a movie like "The Mummy". While inside the storm the sky is blood red and incredibly eerie. Visibility is limited to only a few feet, and the only thing audible is the wind. The sand gets into everything, literally. The tiny grains sting our faces, necks, and hands. Anyone caught in a storm without their eye-protection is in for it. Even with the glasses on the sand still gets in our eyes.

There is still a strange appeal to these storms for me though. I've always loved good thunderstorms, but never knew why. Now, I think of them as the Lord giving me a show. A beautiful and majestic display of his power. The same its true of sunsets and sunrises. In my eyes that is God Almighty showing off. To stand in the midst of a sandstorm, thunderstorm, or even when viewing a sunset and say to yourself "Lord, this is amazing, thank you", to me that is one of the truest forms of praise. Such spectacles are part of His gift of life, and are not to be taken for granted.

There might be some of you who wonder how I can talk about hitting little kids with candy bars and killing bad guys, and at the same time speak of God and praise. I know it all sounds hypocritical, but its not. There has only been one perfect man to walk this earth, and thats Jesus. I am not Him, I am just a soldier that believes in Him, and depends on Him. Now, with that said, I have a very special request of those of you who read this. There is a road here in our area that has become incredibly deadly. I cannot give you any information about it except we are having a very hard time controlling it, and its killing your soldiers. If you would, please say a prayer for our guys, and our commanders. I do not make this request idly. I believe with all my heart in the power of American prayer. So pray for us in this small matter. Whisper it silently and watch God move. You are in this fight too, and you have the greatest weapon of all. Use it. Please.