Can you believe it's been 10 years?

Can you believe it's been 10 years since the terror attacks in NYC and Washington DC (and on our country as a whole)?  I bet you can still remember what/where you were during the hours of 7:46AM and 9:03AM on that sunny Tuesday morning.  I was at my old job at Allstate Insurance CO.  I had just begun my workday about the time AA flight #11 slammed into the 94th floor of the north tower of the WTC.  A co-worker approached me and told me that a plane has just struck the World Trade Center in New York.  I gave her a dumbfounded look and told her she had to be kidding,  as nothing like that could EVER happen.  Well,  it DID happen,  and suddenly I noticed many subdued conversations going on amongst co-workers.  15 minutes later,  UA #75 clobbered the south tower of the WTC,  and then I knew this was no joke,  30 minutes later,  AA #77 slammed into the side of the Pentagon in Washington DC,  as I was really coming to terms on what was taking place.  Then about 25 minutes after that,  UA #93,  believed to be heading for either the Capitol,  White House,  or Air Force One had crashed in rural PA.  Many employees were even in tears,  being consoled by their co-workers,  and TV monitors were set up all throughout the office building.  Large crowds were tuning in by the dozens.  More tears were shed amongst employees,  more consoling in front of the monitors,  as the mighty USA was shook to it's very foundation that day,  exactly 10 years ago.

 As we have come to know,  the true heroes of this great country were the NYC police,  firefighters,  EMT's and rescue workers,  many of who perished while trying to rescue those who they will never know the names of.  They truly put their lives on the line that infamous day.  In the weeks following 9/11,  people united as one,  barriers came down,  church attendance soared,  and God was sought after by those who have previously shunned Him to the side.  In fact,  many churches in this country reported record attendance the weekend following 9/11.  People were curious.

 But as you know,  not all folks united,  some barriers went up instead of down.  Innocent Muslims were assaulted by angry,  vengeful Americans,  Mosques were torched.  Is this the way Americans are REALLY supposed to act?!  Some people never learn.

 Yes,  our country and world have changed in the last 10 years,  some for the better,  some for the worse.  Take some time today to reflect on the events of 10 years ago,  and how they may have even changed you.

 Now,  some other news.  I depart for Africa this Friday,  arriving in Johannesburg on Saturday night.  After an overnight in Johannesburg,  I'll then fly into Zambia the next morning.  I'll be staying in the home of a missionary couple.  After a week there I'll head into Uganda for about 5 days,  before returning to Chicago on Tuesday evening,  Sep 27.  Just 3 days later I'll head to Williams Bay,  WI to participate in a single adult retreat.  Considering I'll still be dealing with jet lag and taking malaria meds,  this should be very interesting.

 I'll post more trip details later this week.

 Always,  choose kindness