They say time changes everything and, yes, today marks my 41st birthday :*-)

What a joy it has been to receive early greetings and wishes from many of you. Thank you! Remember, I make a bigger deal out of my 3-16-84 birthday than this one <g>.

Some dear friends passed along a great US website for people like me who have a hard time keeping up with the time. There's even a place where you can change the time zone!

For those outside of the US, feel free to make use of www.timeanddate.com

On the other hand, the more things change the more they stay the same :-(

>>Wednesday [Oct 26, 2005] suicide bomber was identified as a 20-year-old from the West Bank town of Qabatiyeh. His name, Hassan Abu Zeid, was announced over a bullhorn in Qabatiyeh, residents said. Israeli police said the man had been standing in line at the falafel stand before blowing himself up.

His parents were evacuating their home, fearing an Israeli response. His mother, Raqaiah, wailed, "Where are you, my dear son?" Relatives said he worked as a blacksmith with his father and disappeared after morning prayers Wednesday.

Six people, including the bomber, were killed in the blast, rescue service officials said. More than 30 people were wounded, nine of them seriously, they said.

Hadera is a Jewish working-class town of 75,000. Many of its residents are immigrants from North Africa and their descendants, alongside newer arrivals from the former Soviet Union.

The most recent suicide bombing in Israel, on Aug. 28 in Beersheba, killed only the bomber. Before that, a July 12 suicide blast in Netanya killed five Israelis.

Israel's withdrawal from Gaza last month has raised hopes for a return to Mideast peacemaking after five years of bloodshed. However, the sides have failed to capitalize on the pullout's momentum.<<

As we delivered food boxes given through the World Hunger Relief Offering, we heard person after person talk about losing jobs when the settlements were dismantled. Add to that the steady unemployment and severe under-employment and you have grounds for people feeling hopeless; especially since their god has deserted them. Remember, he only comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

Your focused intercession, however, will make a difference in the lives of untold thousands, if not millions, of people. Two sites come to mind: www.jjsw.net and www.palestinian-arabs.com Please pray.

+ You prayed with Scott to have tranquility as he "caught up" after five days away from home... and then, boom, I found another groove <g>. An object in motion tends to stay in motion. I did, however, regain that wonderful sense of tranquility and appreciate your praying to make it so.

+ Shirin sought your intercession for "things to get back to normal" from Scott's absence and the recent topsy-turvy holiday schedules... Shirin sees a change in things as Jasmine's dual schoolwork may be catching up with her. It's either that, or we need to make use of the tutoring opportunities available for her.

+ Jasmine continued to request playground safety for her friends at school... she says they're safer but has an ongoing concern.

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< Pray that Scott will be able to enjoy an overnight vacation and gain renewed strength for the task at hand.

<>< Shirin asks prayer for responsibility as Jasmine's homeschool teacher, specifically that she would be able to help Jasmine learn effectively.

<>< Jasmine asks prayer for her friends at school and to have a good vacation with her mom and dad.

>< Pray for the Sunda of Indonesia.>

CALENDAR UPDATES

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26-29, Ask God to prepare the hearts of mothers with whom Shirin can share the Good News.

* Some moms are beginning to open up by saying hello, so it's a start!

30, Jasmine is 6 years and 5 months today.

* Your intercession helps her grow in Him. Thank you!

31, Thank God for the Reformation!

* May we be reminded of our roots.

1, May we give Him more honor this month!

* We've been able to give this day to Him in more ways than we thought possible!