THE WATCHES OF THE NIGHT

The Watches of the Night                                                                                                       November 30, 2010

Last night we began getting into some rough waters around twenty-two hundred. We found out very quickly how well we secured for sea, as things that were not secured properly went crashing to the decks. Throughout the night I would wake up, fearing that my laptop would fall off the shelf I had placed it on. So I tossed and turned and did not get much sleep. The loneliness and distance of loved ones back home seemed very great last night as my heart struggled with contentment. As the waves of the sea rocked our boat my own doubts and fears swirled around me causing m heart much turmoil. Yet Jesus is greater than all my fears and He is mighty to save and to sustain me. As I lay awake in my rack, listening to everything banging and rolling around, I had to surrender once again to God’s perfect and beautiful plan. The Holy Spirit comforted me with verses from the Psalms, bringing to my mind Psalm 23, 91, 130, and some others. He is my Shepherd, under His wings I find refuge, and His promises shine brighter and stronger than all my fears and doubts.

I went to watch, feeling very sea sick for the first time. With all the rolling and pitching out boat has been doing, my stomach was all in knots. The mess deck was a wreck as I got my cup of tea. Coffee grounds covered the floor and as I walked by we hit a roll and I went sliding across the deck, knocking a pan of oranges off a table in the process. I did finally get my tea though. Watch was long and we nearly lost MID II which is one of our small boats. The pin had come out of the cradle it was secured to, which caused it to dip and snapped one of the lines. So I had to round up some people to take care of that.

Up on the Bridge it is something else to watch the waves crash over the bow of the boat and the water was reaching up all the to the Bridge where we were at! All the weather decks and outside decks are secured to everybody because the waves and rolling is so bad. So it has been sort of exciting this morning. It is almost sunrise, which is nice because throughout the night it was so dark we could not see how high the waves are so now at least we can see what is going on, but it is all cloudy and gray outside, but one thing I know for sure even though I cannot see the sun shining, it is beyond the clouds that surround us.

November 29, 2010

November 29, 2010



This morning the USCGC Midgett set out on a patrol, heading down south; and so begins the start of my third patrol. It is hard to believe that we are already heading out again because it feels like we just arrived back here Seattle not so long ago. I am excited about this patrol because I know that God is going to do mighty things and teach me many lessons, stretching me in my faith and reminding me to ALWAYS trust in Him.


We had a few delays this morning that caused us to leave a couple hours later than we had planned. Our engineers had to work on fixing a major lube oil leak before we could start our cruise down the pacific. Things cleared up and we pulled out of Seattle after lunch. I finished the work day with some odd jobs here and there: securing things for sea, searching for a flag, velcrowing a thermometer so it will not fall out of its box, and other fun things of that sort. After sixteen hundred, I studied a little of my boat crew packet, worked on learning French (Bonjour! Ca va?), and ate dinner. Tomorrow I have 0400-0800 watch, so I’ll be getting up around 0245 to get ready for that…so an early morning for me! I enjoy the early morning watches though, because the boat is all quiet and everyone is sleeping.


So now I am having my cup of tea before bed, and I am going read my Bible.


So my new adventure has just begun, and I do not know what God has in store, but I know that His hand leads and guides me forth as He sustains me by His grace and mercy.

Birthday Reflections

Well, I welcomed my birthday in today at the stroke of midnight as I stood JOOD (Junior Officer of the Deck) watch. It is hard to believe that a year has passed since I turned twenty, but as I look back over this year, I am amazed by all that God has been teaching me. I have spent about six months of this year underway, living side by side with unbelievers without a way of escape (or perhaps they were the ones who did not have a way to escape me…it is all a matter of perspective). God has taken me through valleys, and He has also leaded me to the heights as I have experienced both spiritual highs and lows. I feel as though He has been putting me through His own course of Evangelism 101.




Now (as everyone here is sure to inform me) I have reached the age of ultimate freedom…I am no longer constrained by age limitations (for the most part) and I can live and party it up big time. But little do they know that they are not free themselves, but rather they are slaves to their sin. I am no longer a slave to sin because I have been redeemed by Jesus’ blood. So I press on as Christ’s slave; His ambassador here. I am His light in this darkness, reflecting His beauty to the people here. And at times my heart is burdened and I feel like I cannot go on one more step, but Jesus gives me strength. His love is so great that He does not hesitate to hold my soul in the fire to refine and purify me to be made like Jesus. He etches His character into my soul, and it hurts but He fills me with a greater joy in knowing Him that far outweighs any pain.



So many people live for this fleeting moment in time, but soon it shall fade away. However my heart is set on eternity….so they fill their lives with comfort and pleasure now, but I press on for something greater for that which is unseen. We all expend ourselves for something. I will be spent no matter what I live for, but what I am spent for shall make all the difference in my life. I want to be spent for Jesus…I want my life to be consumed by an undying passion to glorify His name all the days of my life. I am now 21, and my mind is set, my purpose solid---In Christ I press on in faith, His praise is the theme of my life.

A Most Awesome Thanksgiving!

November 26, 2010

Yesterday, I had a most wonderful Thanksgiving on board my boat. I missed being with family, but God blessed me with good friends to celebrate the day with. I give thanks to my Mighty God who has placed me upon the Midgett as His servant and ambassador. Oh how I love Him all because He first loved me!

So me and my friends started the morning off by watching The Passion of Jesus Christ. My friend Jackie who committed her life to Jesus recently (praise Jesus!), wanted to watch it and a lot of others on board joined us on the mess deck. I also enjoyed some reading, and I was so happy to call my family and talk to everybody! I also got to help in the kitchen, making Thanksgiving dinner...it was so fun! We made apple pie and turkey with all the trimmings. I wish I could put up pics, but my laptop that has those capabilities is at the doctor's right now)-: Soon!!!

But it was an amazing day and I thank God for blesssing me so tremendously!!!

#11 GOFAST~ Midgett Adventures #3

September 1, 2010

This morning began, well not so bright, but definitely early as the Bridge (You could call the Bridge the center of operations where we steer and run the boat) piped the boat lowering detail to the starboard side boat deck at 0400. We all know what that means---GOFAST. Now so you keep up on speed with me as I tell you all that happened today, let me give you the run down on what a gofast is. Gofast is our term for a boat that appears to be suspicious of illegal drug trafficking. So needless to say all of us on boat lowering detail jumped out of our racks and hurriedly got dressed. I pulled on my coveralls and boots, grabbed my hard hat and took off only to turn around once I climbed the ladder to the mess deck because I forgot my PFD (life jacket). So I got that and made my way to the starboard side main deck. Some other seaman had already made it out and soon we were manned and ready. I was on the sea painter, but once they piped to set Law Enforcement Phase I, I had to go back to my berthing and get in my uniform because once they set phase II, I am billeted on the Bridge where I keep logs, work the Engine Order Telegraph, or whatever else needs to be done.

As it turned out, nothing much came from our early morning wake up call---just another fishing vessel. We were all disappointed to say the least. However as always we received new intel of another suspicious vessel 76 nautical miles away. So we went on turbines and sped across the Pacific. About 1430, As I was sitting in my rack studying, the GOFAST alarm goes off. It is a loud pitched flat line sound, “GOFAST, GOFAST. A GOFAST has been reported 10 miles (give or take) from Midgett. All hands man your GOFAST billets.” So once again I jumped out of my rack and quickly made my way up to the Bridge. The Bridge was hectic with officers at every turn. The Commanding Officer and Executive Officer analyzed the situation at hand. Boarding teams were manning up on the boat decks and the boats were beginning to be lowered. MID I was away to Starboard first and raring to go, but MID II was having radio difficulties. It took several minutes to fix the problem and lower the boat into the water. Things did not seem to be going very well…just to many little mistakes and too many mechanical problems. Even though MID II had a late start they were making it to the location of the GOFAST before MID I because MID I had steered a wrong course due to a gps failure. So we had MID II stopped two miles in front of us waiting on MID I which was way off our port quarter. So finally we had both boats together, we finally spotted the GOFAST and the GOFAST spotted us and bolted. But it appeared that it did not see the small boats because of the size of the wakes. So here it was running from us but running right into our small boats!

Spirits on the Bridge were soaring for once we might actually have something. As our small boats were in hot pursuit they could see that the GOFAST through overboard two bags, which we recovered. Finally after getting permission we boarded the vessel and found drugs.

So as it stands we have three detainees on board for an indefinite amount of time until we receive further orders on what to do with them. At the present the vessel is being thoroughly searched and so far we have found at least a hundred huge blocks of cocaine, and we still may find more. So all in all it has been a very successful and rewarding day. We found bad guys, got to go really, really fast, and we may even be able to shoot some guns and sink this boat…we’ll see. Our Captain says any day is a good day if you have a combo like that.

So I end this night thanking God for how He works and gives us exciting times like this---opportunities where we can make a difference in other peoples lives by stopping something bad like this from going on. It is a good reminder that we do have a purpose being out here in the middle of no where surrounded by  a whole lot of water! We do have a mission to accomplish and it is within our reach.

#11 JESUS LOVES ME~ Midgett Adventures#3

August 28, 2010

Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed by life, and loneliness and homesickness overwhelm me, threatening to conqueror my heart with fear. Just like a boat tossed and thrown about by the waves, I also feel tossed and thrown about by the challenges and fears I face. The great many miles that separate me from home, from my loved ones, and being unable to reach them, my heart grows faint and my soul weary. I suppose it is easy to start out any race strong, but it is once you are passed the starting line, passed the crowds of people cheering you on, passed everything that was familiar---that is when endurance and perseverance are tested. And now I feel my own endurance being tested and I find myself lacking---an utter failure. But I do  not give up because I find encouragement from the verses in Romans 8:37-39. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…nothing, absolutely nothing in the whole wide world, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus loved me…this is the reason I can keep running when my legs and muscles burn with pain. Jesus loves me…this is why I do not give up when I am overwhelmed by fear and failure. Jesus will always love me…this is the reason I rejoice in my suffering, in my struggles, in the challenges I face because I am held in the hands of a God who has shown me mercy---who loves me because of who He is and not because of who I am. I am loved and I must live as one who is loved by God. So I rejoice though I am sorrowful, I sing for joy even when I am sad, I press on when the way is tough, because Jesus is with me and He loves me.

#9 Sanctuary ~ Midgett Adventure#3

August 18, 2010

Yesterday I enjoyed some time playing my guitar up on the mess deck. I am always so nervous and hesitant about playing and singing my songs up there because of what others will think…maybe say. I hold back and shy away from singing songs to the Lord. But God is working and stretching me in this and continues to give me courage to declare and sing His truth.

So as I was struggling with this, it struck me that whether the others who heard me singing liked it or not I was singing the truth and they need to hear it. And not only that, but I was struck that the mess deck---where we live a lot of our down time underway---and at times can be a discouraging place because of the darkness of these people who do not love Christ was transformed into a sanctuary of praise to God.

#8 Clouds~ Midgett Adventures#3

August 14, 2010

I watched the sunset this evening. The clouds glistened and shimmered as the last rays of the sun reflected off them. The sky came alive with shimmering silver-pink clouds, vibrant orange ones, purple and blue ones. By themselves the clouds are but vapors in the wind, vanishing into the air almost as quickly as they appear. Yet during a sunset, they are arrayed in the beauty of another. They are simply reflecting forth the beauty of the sun as it sets below the horizon.

As I was thinking about this, it made me think of how this should also be the way Believer’s live. We are but vapors in the wind and our lives disappear in the wind, but we should be reflecting the beauty of Christ---“the Son”---we are clothed in His righteousness, His beauty, and we should live our lives reflecting His beauty to the world. I want to live my life in such a way that Christ is glorified in all I say and do and think so that when others look at me they would not be seeing me but the beauty of Jesus reflected in me. Glory be to the Lord Jesus Christ!!!!

Midgett Adventures~#35 Watch

March 3, 2010

Another busy day down…I think I keep making my bed time earlier and earlier. I used to think ten was a good time to call it a night, but now six is sounding like a good time to hit the hay (seriously!); I must be getting old or something(-:

Today I had watch from 1200-1600. It was such a beautiful day with the sun shining. It was not too cold and the breeze felt really good. We have left the calm waters of the Puget behind us and are heading out into the straights. So we have picked up some rolling and rocking today that we are not used to. I was keeping an especially sharp eye out for whales. I guess one of the lookouts saw some today, but I did not end up spotting any. I had fun looking out for them though.

Let’s see, what else did I do today? I got my laundry done, helped do some inventory, finished up making a slide show of my journey so far, and some other little things here and there. God continually teaches me to rely upon Him for strength for each day and He truly is my strength.

Midgett Adventures~ #33 Watch

March 3, 2010

Another busy day down…I think I keep making my bed time earlier and earlier. I used to think ten was a good time to call it a night, but now six is sounding like a good time to hit the hay (seriously!); I must be getting old or something(-:

Today I had watch from 1200-1600. It was such a beautiful day with the sun shining. It was not too cold and the breeze felt really good. We have left the calm waters of the Puget behind us and are heading out into the straights. So we have picked up some rolling and rocking today that we are not used to. I was keeping an especially sharp eye out for whales. I guess one of the lookouts saw some today, but I did not end up spotting any. I had fun looking out for them though.

Let’s see, what else did I do today? Ii got my laundry done, helped do some inventory, finished up making a slideshow of my journey so far, and some other little things here and there. God continually teaches me to rely upon Him for strength for each day and He truly is my strength.

Midgett Advenutures~#31 Bravo Fire

February 26, 2010

Yesterday was a very busy and full day from morning till night. A great deal of the morning seemed to be spent boat lowering and painting different projects. We also had an all-hands drill. I started plotting for the first time, which means I was the one who took roll call and then kept track of everything that was going on. We have a book board that has a diagram of the boat on it and I write on it where the casualty is and where the fire boundaries are and so on. I had fun but was glad to have the usual plotter there to help me.

Later after lunch we moored up to offload sewage and trash. We spent a couple hours at the pier and then set off again once dinner was over. Then it was time for me to go on watch up on the lookout. Since we had been moored up I did not have to stand most of my watch and only had an hour left before I would be relieved. I noticed a whole lot of smoke coming out of our port stack and thought it was a little unusual. So I reported it down to the Bridge, but did not think much of it. I got of watch and was all settled in bed a half hour or so later when the general emergency alarm was sounded. I jumped out of bed and threw on my clothes and made my way to repair locker two. Everyone was very calm but very serious as we manned up and prepared to battle it out. Things went well and the fire was out in no time. My locker was all ready in no time. The fire team was dressed out, the investigators had done their jobs, the boundaries were set, I took muster, and things went rather smoothly.

The worst that came of the whole ordeal was that one of the boatswains mates crushed his finder in a door and had to be taken to a hospital because it was a compound fracture. God certainly was with us, protecting us the whole time even if most of them would never give Him glory. It was an exciting evening to say the least.

Midgett Adventures~ #28 Not I but Christ

February 20, 2010

So I had another interesting/good conversation with one of my fellow Coasties on board the Midgett after dinner tonight. God continues to bring opportunities my way to share my faith, and lately it starts with them talking about how “good” I am. Well this certain friend of mine was going on about me having a “heart of gold”, but that most everyone else on the boat is crazy and you got to watch out for them and he went on about that for a while(this friend of mine is a real talker so it is hard to get a word in edge wise) . I felt so powerless to know what and how to share anything at all with him about my faith in Jesus Christ. I cried out to the Holy Spirit, “Oh give me words to speak to share my faith---to share Jesus.” The Holy Spirit graciously gave me an opportunity and the words to say at one point in the conversation. He was talking again about me being so good and I looked at him and said, “You wanna know why I am good? It’s not me, it’s Christ. I am no better than anyone else. It is Christ who makes me different.” I could and wish I had said so much more, but I know the Holy Spirit will continue to teach me what to say and when to say it and how to say it. He is my comforter and counselor.

So I praise God for these opportunities to share Him and I continue to pray that the those around me would not just see a “good person” but that they would see Christ. Pray for me that I would boldly proclaim the love of Him who has saved me and share the good news that has set me free.

Midgett Adventures~#21 Sunday Morning

February 14, 2010

I have been thoroughly enjoying my Sunday morning so far. I slept in to 7ish and then got up, worked out at the gym, ate breakfast, did some reading & writing, and later after lunch I’ll be going to church. It is nice just having some down time to be able to relax and do some good thinking.

I have been working on memorization again---finally after such a long time! I have Romans one rememorized and I am going to move on to chapter two next. It has been good to practice this spiritual discipline again…something a should have been doing a long time ago.

Yesterday afternoon and evening, I had my first helm and lookout watch as a qualified watch stander. I was nervous at first, but it all went smoothly. How nice it is to finally be qualified! God has graciously upheld and strengthened me through this whole difficult process…Praise His name!

Midgett Adventures~ #20 Losing Track

February 12, 2010

I think I have nearly lost all track of time and days out here in the deep. Looking back over this week, I feel like it flew by super fast. Today started as usual with boat lowering, then some more sanding and priming, more boat lowering, and then I did some studying and cleaning. I did go work out this morning before work, which was amazing! It was not easy to get out of bed at 5:30am, but completely worth it.

Now I am drinking a nice cup of coffee in my special “Africa Mug” that my family brought back for me from Africa. I love this time of day when I can relax in my rack, drink some coffee, write down my thoughts, and do some reading. I truly am blessed beyond my wildest imagination and am sad that I give in to complaining so easily. One thing I have been challenged and convicted about lately is the food situation on board. True some nights are scary with what we are served, but I am just blessed to have three meals a day---I should not resort to complaining about food along with everyone else. What is the point of sitting down, thanking God for the food, and then complaining about it?! It makes no sense at all, but the bottom line is God says in His word not to complain and so I should not complain. Instead I have been making a point to go back to the different FS’s (food service specialists) and mess cooks and thank them for their work and the meal they prepared. That has been my challenge for the past couple days.

Tomorrow I am back on schedule for helm and look out watch (not a break in this time though!). So I will be a little more busy. I just hope I remember how to do it all!

Rejoicing in the Living Spring that satisfies my thirst within.
Forsaking all to follow Christ to mortify sin and find true life.
Marked with the Name that is above all names
Called to suffer while darkness reign.
But someday soon I’ll be at my Savior’s side---finally home with Him who died.

Midgett Adventures~ #19 Line Handling & Heart Handling

February 10, 2010

We moored up to Cherry Point, Canada again today to offload trash and sewage. I got a lot of practice with the lines today. I was secondary heave line thrower---one of the BM2s was the primary. We were having a hard time making it to the dock so when they gave the order for us to put over line two; we were still a good ways off with the wind against us. He threw his over but it did not make it---so I threw mine over but it did not make. We quickly pulled both heaving lines back in and made them up. He threw his and it made it but the people on the pier did not grab it in time and the wind rolled it right off again. So I threw mine over and roped the mirror of a truck! Next, I filled in as bit man for line one, making up the line on the bits into figure eights. I sure had fun even though it was a little stressful at the moment.

I began reading in Acts this morning. The joy and encouragement I receive from God’s Word is beyond words. He strengthens me for each new moment and reminds me that He is always at my side. He has me and He is not letting go! I have also been encouraged by a book I am rereading, “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret”. Awesome book! It definitely is a must read kind of book.

Today I was thinking about all the things I am looking forward to when we arrive back in Seattle. I think a trip to Seattle’s Best would be amazing. Sit down with a nice tall cup of coffee, free wi-fi, face book, and get caught up on some blogging. Sounds good and I cannot wait! Yet I am so thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to be underway. I have been learning so much practically on the job as well as spiritually. God’s Word has become so much more precious to me these past several weeks, and I truly have been forced to rely upon Him in new ways. All the crutches I lean on for support have been knocked down. I do not have my Seattle’s Best to retreat to, my phone does not work so I cannot call home, I am stuck on this boat without a place to escape to, I do not have wi-fi. God has taken me back down to the basics…meaning that all I have to turn to for comfort and strength and help is His Word, which is the only true source of comfort and strength there is! And what amazing help and comfort I receive as I read the Bible! My soul is refreshed and replenished.

My challenge to myself, to all who read this blog, and to Believers everywhere is this: do not lose your first love! Do not get so busy with life that you forget how precious Jesus is, do not get so busy serving Christ that you forget to spend time with Christ, do not fix your eyes on earthly treasure when Jesus is the greatest treasure, and do not lose sight of the One who gave His all so that we can know Him. My prayer is that God does whatever it takes to make me like Jesus. He is my all, my treasure, my greatest good. I will and must be spent in this life for I am not my own. May I be completely and thoroughly spent for Jesus; poured out and broken for my Lord.

Midgett Adventures~ #18 Qualified!

February 8, 2009

Today has been a momentous day. This afternoon after we got underway again from a weekend at anchor, I took my helm and lookout practical and board. I was so nervous as I took my practical, and I made so many mistakes. I had to keep telling myself not to give up, but to keep going even though I felt like I had completely blown it---but I passed! Basically the practical comprised of me taking and executing helm commands, going through steering and gyro compass causality drills, and answering certain questions. My oral board went much smoother. A Boatswains mate third class (E-4) and two senior seaman gave me my board and basically just went through my packet and asked me questions about flags, light configurations, how to repot a contact during lookout, what I’d do in certain situations, what I’d do if there was a man overboard, etc. I am qualified now! I am so excited. No more double watches anymore for right now at least! All praise goes to the Lord!

I remember back three months ago when I was completely overwhelmed when I found out what I would have to get qualified in. I did not think I would get it all done, but God has sustained me every step of the way and now I am qualified and can put my name on the advanced training school list. What a God I serve who does not leave me alone but helps me through all of life no matter what I am going through. He brings the joy, trials, troubles, stress, fun times, and everything for His own good purpose to bring Him glory and us joy. He draws us closer to Himself by showing us that we are not enough---only He is enough. These past three months have been crazy! Through it all the Lord has held me by His grace and sustained me with His love. The peace He has filled my heart with can not be explained and it is beyond comprehension. All I know is that a quiet, joyful peace abides in my heart because I serve the Almighty God who is over all. I see everything about my life differently than everybody else---I see the hand of God in everything, and it fills me with joy.

God’s lessons are hard and they hurt, but the joy He gives is deep and it does not run out. I am not living for this life, which is a vapor that will not last---I am living for eternity; I am living for the Almighty God who has saved me.