Early in the mornings when I am out running in the deserted streets of the green zone or late in the day when I'm finally able to retreat to the comfort of my trailer, I am beginning to notice a change in the outside temperature. I believe there is hope for a life without the relentless summer heat of this land. Now I am not saying it is starting to get cool by any means. I am just saying the days have started to cool down ever so slightly. There is a feeling in the air that a change is about to begin, which the local people have already started talking about. The change of a season.

Over the years of my life I have learned to embrace the many changes of life: the changes of the seasons, the change of time, of things growing older, and of all things evolving. I look for change to relish in the moments when I can capture a change, being able to say look at how things have changed. As I watch the evolution of plants, animals, and the very world we live in, I realize that all things are part of an every changing natural system.

We are in an every changing plan of eternal progression, for is not progress change? Our very beings are designed for change, to be able to adapt to change, to be at one with the changes of our environment. But more importantly we are part of a divinely inspired plan to be forever changing that we might become more like our creator, even our Heavenly Father, as his godly children.

It seems at times that people in general fight against change, as if they could through their own efforts affect the constant rotation of the evolutionary process that is inevitable. Who are we to think that we might slow down, or pause this natural course of events put in motion at the time of our creation, through exercising our fears of change. A natural process of change which establishes a system of progress and development, creating the opportunity for all things to shed layers of their unwanted past blossoming into a new stage.

I can change my mind. I can change my clothes. I can change attitudes, unwanted habits, opinions, feelings, perceptions, likes and dislikes, tastes, governments, political affiliations, goals, decisions, directions, beliefs, behavior, jobs, hobbies, and on and on.

Many of us do have fears of change that prevent us from realizing the experiences and opportunities behind an unopened door, fearful of what lies behind. There are those who settle into a situation feeling so comfortable that all desire to see what might be around the bend or over the hill is lost. We are rather willing to take the bird in the hand not realizing that a flock of birds might just be in the bush, contrary to the words of the old saying.

Many in our group at the POW camp had no desire to move to another area, as if that place was the perfect place to spend the remaining time in this country. I for one, would have lost so much had I held onto that attitude. Sometimes it is the unknown that freezes us in our tracks, preventing us from making a move, only feeling confident to remain stuck.

It is the very essence of change that brings us the greatest rewards, through new experiences, new opportunities, and new developments, forcing us at times to continue on our course of eternal progression. Is this not the very plan and purpose of our creation?

I admit I too have some fears of change, but for the most part I embrace it, yearn for it, and even ask for it, hoping that with it will come new challenges. I look for ways to influence positive change in myself, in my surroundings, and in those around me, hoping they too will see the many treasures awaiting them.

More than anything, I am in awe of how change is actually deliberate and not merely by chance. It is used to guide us through life's journey, by the hand of our savior, who is really in charge of our lives. There is purpose and meaning in all things. The process of change is not haphazard or reckless, it is calculated and divinely directed, but yet no man knows always the path ahead and where it might end up.

Let me explain one example of how I have come to believe in the process of change. In looking back over the last 6 months, my life has been a progressive chain of divinely directed change, each step preparatory for the next. Prior to going to the POW camp I was in preparation qualifying me for the move as the OCE at the POW camp.

At the POW camp I had a great mission to fulfill in so many areas there, touched in so many ways, grew in so many ways, changed in so many ways, helped others, assisted the generals, etc.

But there came a time to change, to move on to the next step, one move leading to another. It was time to leave the POW camp having done all I could have done there. Little did I know that I would end up here in Baghdad working for the very general who would be the key in getting the generals released.

I have just now finished the release forms, submitting them to my boss, the general in charge of determining the fate of the officers we have detained. It is by no coincidence that this has happened. Things are moving in a predetermined pattern or course, initiating change in a timely fashion.

A few days ago we, the two of us, were asked to brief the general on what we were doing, giving us an opportunity to get to know her and her now knowing us. She now knows who I am and what I am doing here, associating a name with a face. We gained her full support for our current mission and had the chance to speak with her for some time afterwards regarding a number of topics.

I have hope and faith in the eternal principle of an every changing and evolving world, positively influenced by an all-knowing Father in Heaven. For he knows the future from the past, having seen what we might become. He knows the required course of change to bring about his will on our behalf.

It goes with out saying that change can be painful, sorrowful at times, and difficult. But, with the proper perspective more and more people will be preparing themselves for the day when they will be asked or perhaps required to change or at least have the option in a free world to make choices for change. .

Change is the very thing we are hoping to initiate in this tightly closed part of the world. It is the closed mindedness of the people against change that brings out the fears for what the face of change might look like.

It is not that we want to force change upon these people but rather that we want to assist them in bringing about a positive change for good to open the doors to freedom that they might take their rightful place in the free world. We are but a catalyst, to spark the continual affect of the freedom to change, without the fear of any reprisal.

As for me I will love change in all of its variations, in all aspects of my life, for better or worse. I will be looking for areas where I need to change, hoping that I will have the courage and conviction to do so.