Sorrowful Yet Always Rejoicing # 6

November 6, 2009

The Lord’s friendship is so dear to me and has become more precious to me than ever before. Working from dawn to past midnight with only a couple hours of rest in between and with people I don’t know has made me turn to the Lord and depend upon Him in a new way. The blessings He sends me are amazing and far outweigh the difficulties (which are blessings themselves!). He sustains me with His love and grace.

It is so easy to get off track and begin worrying and wondering how in the world am I going to make it through my time here on the Midgett, but I must mortify such sinful, faithless thoughts. God will sustain…I am His ambassador, His witness, and will be here as long as He sees fit. A verse in 2 Corinthians stuck out to me, “Sorrowful yet always rejoicing.” That is where I am at---sorrowful, but always rejoicing because I have everything to be joyful about. I am a child of the Almighty One and I get to serve Him on the Midgett. He is my treasure, my love, my joy---and I will honor Him by working hard, doing everything with a good attitude, and reflecting the Light to the lost sinners aboard the Midgett.

Oh, God, You have placed me here for a reason. Use me as Your vessel to be spent and poured out for Your glory---to this end I live and breath and press on. You are my treasure and my greatest delight. Fill my heart with joy and may I ever sing Your praises through the darkest night.

Setting Out # 5

November 6, 2009

I began my day in God’s Word, and found great comfort and encouragement in Paul’s second Epistle to the Corinthians. I studied Helm & Lookout Watch for most of the morning before Liberty expired for all hands. After that we mustered on the flight deck. All us new guys received our new covers [ball caps]. We were called up by the Captain, saluted him, shook his hand, took our covers, and saluted him again.

Next all us deckies prepared for “Special Sea” and manned our mooring stations. I was on the focsle (front part of the ship) on line three. I helped pull in the line (rope). Things went smoothly and we drifted away from the pier. The rest of the day was spent securing for sea…basically going around and tying stuff down and making sure there were no lose objects around.

One exciting thing happened while I was out sweeping the main deck’s starboard (right) side. I looked up from my sweeping and noticed dolphins jumping out of the waves! Amazing! I thanked God for letting me see and enjoy a part of is creation I do not usually see.

Behind the Clouds # 4

November 5, 2009

Amidst the raging seas of life and swirling tides of time
Stands one who walks upon the storms and calms this heart of mine.
He holds my heart in nail pierced hands and sustains my soul by grace
And though my eyes fail to see His work, I will trust Him and press on in faith.

The clouds block Him from my view---My precious Savior I can't see,
But I know without a shadow of doubt His eyes are upon me.
So I will press on toward the goal---this pain is apart of Your perfect plan.
And though my soul hurt , dear Lord, I will ever sing praises to You.

Fixed On The Son # 3

Fixed on the Sun~
November 3, 2009

As I sit in this airplane flying to San Diego, my thoughts turn to the adventure before me, my prayer and aim is to learn as much as I can, experience as much as I can (while honoring Christ), and grow closer to God through it all. He’s placed me here for a reason---so I’m going to sit back and enjoy the ride (thank goodness for seat belts---or I’d probably jump out! Just kidding!) knowing God is taking me where I need to be. I plan to make the most of every moment and not waste a second of it.

I fix my eyes on Christ---sometimes clouds get in the way, but my gaze must remain fixed heavenward. I joined the Coast Guard because I wanted to do something hard and I was telling my dad the other day, “I am realizing more and more that doing hard things is HARD.” Funny but so true. Living for Christ is hard, but worth it. You can’t give up even when the going gets rough---when things get rough that is good. It means you’re on the right path.

So press on with me today…whatever God may be teaching you, embrace it. If it burns---let it burn. If it hurts---then let it hurt. Turn the suffering of the moment into rejoicing for all time, turn your pain to praise, and know that if you are focused on heaven nothing can be too difficult to bear in Christ’s strength.

I write these thoughts to my own heart because I struggle staying the course that God has placed me upon. I hurt so I want to quit, the way gets hard so I want to find a new way, but God is faithful when I am faithless. I press on in His strength and help He continually fills my heart with joy beyond my wildest dreams.

The View From Here # 2

The View From Here
November 3, 2009

I’m in the air now en route to San Diego. The view out the window is amazing! Beautiful snowcapped mountains seem to go on for miles. Flying is such a good way for we humans to be reminded how small we really are because we see how big our world is---and think, it is nothing compared to God! How awesome it is know and rest in the confidence that God is holding me in His hands when I am nothing!

The journey so far has been enjoyable. I’ve been talking to the new “boot” who just graduated and is still stiff from boot camp (look whose talking!). He’s a seaman apprentice, so we’ll probably be doing a lot of painting together. We’ve been reminiscing back over our boot camp experiences…oh those were the days! Just kidding!

I am glad I’ll be arriving to the Midgett with other rookies like myself. One sad note on my journey so far when I was back at the airport---I have never spent so much money for such a tiny cup of OJ before! The price was so bad I can’t even write it down, but I’m trying to move past such aggravating memories.

Snug As A Bug # 1

Snug As A Bug~
November 3, 2009

I woke up bright and early this morning and finished some last minute packing. I rolled my sleeping bag up as tight as I could and then my roommate---FS3---and I pushed and shoved and squeezed until we finally latched my sea bag. Of course then I realized I had not packed my towel---so we had to start all over again!

Next we lugged our bags downstairs and laughed when we saw the car we were about to pile into. I would be traveling to the Midgett with four other Coasties---OS3, FS3, FN Harps, SA Jeppesen. So we maxed out the trunk with sea bags, boxes, and backpacks. Next four of us piled in the back and OS3 stuffed two more “sea bag” size bags on top of our laps. It was a little snug to say the least! We did end up making it to the airport without popping out of the car on bumps, and we all managed to somehow unfold ourselves out of the car once we arrived. So that’s how we kicked of our adventure to the Midgett!

And so it begins...

November 1, 2009

And so it begins…my life, living on the United States Coast Guard Cutter Midgett. I’ll be flying down to San Diego, California bright and early Tuesday morning to catch my boat! I am one of three other Coasties checking in on the Midgett, which is nice because I won’t be the only new person on board. I am getting all packed and ready to head out. I am excited, but nervous. God is sending me to the Midgett for a reason---to be His witness, bringing Him glory by what I say and do. This will be an amazing opportunity not only to gain invaluable life experience, see new places, and grow closer to the Lord, but also to be a missionary to the lost sinners aboard the Midgett. Pray for me…yes, pray for me.

God blessed me with another wonderful day at church, transshipping with fellow Believers and worshiping the Lord.

Precious Lord, I press on for You, through You, and in You
My heart may be weighed down with loneliness, weariness, and difficulties;
But You are the One who raises me up and carries me.
You care for me, love me, sustain me, and comfort me;
I may feel alone, but I am never alone. I may feel lost, but I am hidden in You. I may feel overwhelmed, but you are holding me by Your grace. I may feel like quitting, but Your hand keeps me on this path…Your faithfulness upholds me…Your grace sustains me…You are my all in all.