"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." - Job 23:10
Now for some significant events in my life from the past year:
- In early February I graduated Coast Guard boot camp as a Fireman Apprentice/E-2 (FA) and reported to my first unit, a buoy tender on the Mississippi River who's primary mission is Aids to Navigation (ATON).
- Two weeks after reporting aboard, my Cutter transited to St. Louis, MO for a 7 week dockside maintenance period. While there I earned my Officer of the Day (OOD) qualification and my family was able to come visit me.
- In April I earned my Engineer of the Watch (EOW) qualification.
- In June I earned my Buoy Deck Rigger (BDR) Qualification and was designated as a Damage Control Petty Officer (DCPO).
- I was able to make it home for a visit in July and enjoyed some time spent with family and friends. Soon after returning from leave I was promoted to Fireman/E-3 (FN) and given my temporary Cutterman's Pin as a symbol of my understanding of the operations of a Coast Guard Cutter. I also was designated as the Cutter's Damage Control Investigator.
- In October a Tornado came through and broke the Cutter loose from where it was moored. I swam out in the middle of a lightning storm (not the smartest thing I have ever done) and anchored it before it drifted too far away. I also worked my first search and rescue (SAR) case when one of our crewmembers witnessed a vehicle go in the river. Thankfully no one was injured!
- In November I was selected as the Sector Lower Mississippi River Sailor of the Quarter. This was an amazing blessing because there are multiple sailors I know that I feel deserved it far more than I did.
- On December 12th I crossed the threshold of my first year in the Coast Guard. It went by so quick!
- Several times throughout the year I was called upon to give the entire crew training on how to properly investigate in the case of a fire or flooding casualty. I also gave training on the proper initial response to a Machinery Space Fire involving flammable liquids.
- I was able to visit my brother and his wife several times this past year and had so much fun with them. It has been a challenge living in a small town away from my family and friends and those visits have made a world of difference for me. I was able to spend Thanksgiving with them which was an absolute blast and also be there for a very significant milestone in my brothers career. He and his wife have been such an encouragement and blessing to me and I am so thankful for them.
- A few day before Christmas I received word that a door had opened for me to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy. This was a door that I didn't even know existed but I praise the Lord for blessing me with this opportunity to fulfill a long time dream of mine.
- I spend Christmas underway with the Cutter. I felt bad for all of the guys who had to be away from their families but we really banded together as a crew and made the most of it. I work with an amazing group of guys and it is an honor to be a part of this crew. I have had several people go out of their way to help train and develop me as a Coast Guardsman. I have learned so much in my first year in the Coast Guard.
As you see the Lord has blessed me SOOOOOO much over this last year. I have so many incredible opportunities. Now for a quick story that shows just how much the Lord knows better than me.
Before I joined the Coast Guard I had several people ask me how I chose this branch of the military. I told them "This is the Coast Guard! Pretty much every duty station will be on the coast somewhere. How bad can it be? About the only way they could give me a bad duty station is if they stuck me on a river buoy or construction tender somewhere and that is very small portion of the Coast Guards mission so my chances are slim." Well............ in week five of boot camp I received my first set of orders and they were too...............a river buoy tender! I was not super excited and to be honest didn't enter it with the best attitude. I had had several people tell me though that any duty station is as good or as bad as you make it. I reported aboard just trying to maintain a good attitude. Now as I reflect on the past year I am SOOOO thankful for getting orders here. I have had opportunities here that I wouldn't of had at any other duty station. God did NOT make a mistake in sending here and I wouldn't trade this tour of duty for anything. It has held many MANY challenges but God had a reason for each of them and I praise him for each and everyone of them. While they weren't (and for some still aren't) fun to go through but I know He has a purpose for each of them and know that, "when I am tried, and purified, I shall come forth as gold."
Now for a list of thing I am thankful for over the past year. I will start by saying this is a very incomplete list because I have so much to be thankful for, and there is no possible way I can list everything.
- I am thankful for my salvation. - I have faced trials in this past year that I don't feel there is any way I could have gotten through without the assurance that my time here on earth is short and I have an eternity in Heaven to look forward to. No words can ever describe the level of love that was demonstrated when Jesus took on Himself my sins and the sins of the world and shed His blood on the cross that I might be free.
- I am thankful for my family. - I have the most amazing family in the world and they have been there for me in the toughest of times. I know they are always praying for me and that is such a blessing. No matter what they have going on they always take the time to talk to me on the phone when I just need someone to talk to. This was my first year away from home and away from my family but it is so comforting to know that if I ever am feeling down, they are just a phone call away. I am so thankful for their support of my career and the the career decisions I have made. It is so much easier to go to work when you know your family is interested in and approves of your choice of career.
- I am thankful for my friends. - It was hard to say goodbye when I left home a year ago. I have an incredible group of friends that I feel are more along the lines of family to me. It is challenging at times being away from home and I so much appreciate them calling, writing, emailing, and texting me to see how I am doing. They have prayed for me and been there in the bad times as well as the good. I pray for them often and am so excited as I hear how the Lord is working in each of their lives. It is great to see his clear direction and the blessings He showers on each and every one of us.
- I am thankful for my career. - I cannot express how much I enjoy being a member of the United States Coast Guard. Growing up I knew they existed but knew very little about them. I am so thankful for the Lord using a good friend of mine telling me I should consider it to direct me to a dream job. As with any employment there are good days and bad days and the work I do is not exactly glamorous. This is made up for by the fact that I am doing our mission every single day at work rather than just training for a mission that I may or may not every get to actually do. I love that every night when I lay my head on the pillow I KNOW that the work I did made a difference. When most people look at the ATON field it seems very unappealing. To be honest the work itself is but what people tend to misunderstand is how rewarding it is when you come to realize just how vital of a mission it is. I am very blessed to be a member of the military's best kept secret! (I may or may not be a bit biased!)
- I am thankful for the gift of prayer. - It is such a blessing as I am faced with trials to know that no matter what is going on I can always pray and KNOW THAT THE LORD HEARS ME!
- I am thankful for a church family. - Unfortunately there isn't a church here that I can in good confidence join but my church family back home is such a blessing. I can't put into words what an outpouring of love and support I have felt from them.
- I am thankful for my Pastors. - They have kept me up to date on what is happening with my church family and I know that they are praying for me.
- I am thankful for the Lord's direction. - As I have mentioned in the past where I am now is not where a year ago I would have thought I would be. The Lord truly knows better and I am thankful for His direction in the past as well as His continued direction in my life.
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