Speech with a book club that chose my book

It is always nice to speak with readers that choose my book for their book club.When I am speaking to them ,I realize they are understanding more about what I am saying,I bring the words they read to life.I had a very enjoyable time this week at the Jewish synagogue where the book club had their meeting.I talked for two hours and we had an hour of questions,what a lovely time,it was like I went back in time and was talking to old friends.I am still very emotional during my speeches when I remember some of the things we went through.I will be returning to Iraq for a visit ,I don't know the exact time,but the plans are in the works.I am very excited about seeing Baghdad again.I probably will volunteer at the various clinics in Baghdad,when God gives us so much ,we should always give back when we can...Blessings...Diane

my time at the beach has taken me away from thoughts of Iraq. It is becoming harder for me to remember the early days in Iraq and how excited I was with my new adventure. Sometimes I wonder,"how could I have been so trusting ?" I left a safe secure environment and traveled 10,000 miles away to a strange land.I am also surprised at how I adapted to this land and readily called Iraq my home.It was not easy at first,I was alone so much of the time.I learned how to be alone and to survive loneliness.I often ask myself why,why did I persist in living in Iraq. I could have easily returned home,did a residency in the states and lived a very easy and comfortable life. What did I Need from Iraq? I don't know if I will ever know the answer,maybe one day when God's plan for me is known ,I will know why?My book is doing very well,it is found all over the world.I am very happy that I have touched so many people.I hope they will realize no matter how dark our days are ,God will send Shumez(sunshine) in to our life.

I was on my way to work at 630 am,when I stopped at MacDonald"s for my usual egg burrito an d decaf coffee.As I approached the door to go inside,my eye caught the headline of our local paper,it read the coalition is getting bigger .My thoughts immediately returned to 1990 when I was at home and the coalition was forming.Another Time ,another place. I realized at that moment how important is for us and the world.in order to fight in a foreign land so far away we need friends.Iraq is our best Friend,it is the center of the Arab world,our friends are the nucleus of the arab world.we have the nucleus secure ,we can secure the surrounding area.National Geographics established that Adam and eve began in Iraq,in the south of Iraq in a small village where my husband was born,called Gurney.Visitors can see a small apple tree that the government secured with a wire fence,it is the tree of Adam.how ,amazing so many battles have taken place in Iraq and this small apple tree remains.Iraq is our beginning we must protect it...Freedom is not Free

A few Days Off

I took a small vacation and spent some wonderful days at the beach. As I walked along the beach,I wondered if all the families enjoying the beautiful beach,the white sand and the wonderful sunshine,did they appreciate their freedom.What a joy to hear children's laughter.I thought about the years that I spent ten thousand miles away and I felt sad that so much of my life was wasted living in fear.I know God has a plan for me.My time in Iraq will not be wasted; I hope to be the bridge between the Arab world and America.I want people to know the real Iraqi es. They are very strong ,very kind and they do love America. We just have to understand both cultures. I hope one day I can complete the bridge and we will be able to know one another.

Reliving my life

I was asked the question,how hard was it to write my book and remember my past.It took me 8 years to write my book.We returned to the states in 1993.Saddam was still in power,although I was living 10,000 miles away,I was still afraid.Living in fear for 17 years becomes a way of life.One learns to trust no one.The hardest thing is not to have an opinion,the part of one's brain that thinks and analyzes must be shut off,survival is more important.When desert storm 2,as I call it occurred and I woke early in the morning watching missiles being dropped all over Iraq,I knew how my parents felt when they watched Desert storm 1 and did not know if their daughter and their grandson and their son-in-law were alive.They blamed my husband because he did not discourage us from returning to Iraq.As I watched ,I thought of all the thousands of innocent men women and children that were killed at the hands of Saddam.I knew all those souls were in heaven watching the revenge for what they went thru.I know America was saying to them as missiles were falling can you hear us,and I felt in my heart their answer was yes we hear you and God heard us,an evil Dictator will be no more...Freedom is not free

A break from Iraq

I will be on a speaking assignment for the next 4 days.I will not be writing anything.I will start writing again ,when I return.I enjoy my speaking engagement's.I have contact with alot of people,who are interesting in knowing the truth about Iraq.I would love to be a promotional speaking,my Passion is Iraq.I went thru alot of difficult and hard times,as a result I felt closer to God and I appreciate my Blessings more

Sadness from Iraq

Most days when I arrive home ,I listen to the news.On Wednesday ,I was listening to the news and I heard a bomb had exploded in Baghdad killing a number of people.AT that time,I felt sad for the families that had lost loved ones.On Thursday morning,I learned that a very dear and close Friend of ours lost his two grandchildren from his youngest daughter.Tears were streaming down my cheeks,and I looked up and said why God?I was so afraid to call and give my condolence because I was hurting so bad.When I did call,the first thing our dear friend said was God keep you safe,it was their time to return home.They are now in Heaven with God.the faith of the Muslim people is so strong ,they never question God,Allah,I am a Christian with a strong belief in God and when I heard the news ,the first thing I said was why ,God......