Birthday Pics

Ahmad and Ryan in the United States

Here is the latest good news from Ryan...

Thanks so much for your prayers and support. I guess this chapter has come to a close as I am writing you from Ahmad's classroom in Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Oklahoma. He enrolled this week and seems happy and comfortable here. Nobody thought he would get the visa and, after the application interview in Istanbul, we both thought we'd be heading to Cyprus to make another visa appointment. But he got it and his visa expires in 2011!
I hope all is going well with all of you. Things have calmed down in Beirut and I still can't believe everything that has happened. I'm waiting to hear about my US placement site. I asked for as much advance notice as possible about the place and starting date. I'll need to prepare some things here and, since most of my stuff is either in Beirut or Belgium, I only have a toothbrush and some clothes.
Peace and blessings to all of you,
Ryan

Ryan Update

Ryan is back in the United States! I've gotten loads of responses to his e-mail(posted below), so thanks for everyone's prayers and concern for him. More prayers are needed, both for Lebanon and Israel, as well as Ryan's friend Ahmad, who he is still trying to get to the U.S. God bless!

Happy Birthday to Me!

This is a picture of my beautiful Cheesecake Factory cheesecake provided by my dear friend Michele. The pic doesn't do it justice. Later, I'll post pictures from this past weekend's b-day shindig and from going out with a few girls tonight. At 4:19 p.m., I'll officially be 23!