Life in the CG is quite interesting. I am now about 4 weeks from graduation and you can only imagine how I feel about this. Pretty excited... The Lord has definitely used this time to teach me plenty. This hasn't been a time of spending lots of time with the Lord each day like when I was in Spain... It has actually been quite the opposite, in that sitting down to read my Bible is a rare treat. But, the Lord blessed me with that time in Spain and now is gracing me for this season in my life where my time with Him is throughout my day. I have recently been blessed with the privilege of using my Ipod during morning workouts (5:10-6:10 AM). The worship music has been a HUGE blessing, very encouraging. Anyway...
Most recent on the excitement list would incldue fire fighting training & wet training (both at a nearby Naval Base), finding out where we'll be stationed (details on that to come), and my being put into a leading position as leader of 1/3 the class (30 others besides myself). The firefighting training was more of a fight against sleep than fire, but was a chance to get off base and hang out with some of my crew. The wet training is tomorrow and, from those in other groups have already done it, I hear it is fun.
Yes, I did find out tentatively where I will be headed after graduation, but one again the Lord seems to be testing my trust in Him and faith. I was told two days before officially finding out where I was to be stationed, that I was disqualified for flight school because my arms were too short. I was stunned, but after some time praying began to know peace in whatever came of this. That same day I was given 4 new options for where I might like to go upon graduation. The night of recieving our new job stations, I got my first pick from my second request list. I was stationed on CGC Gallatin out of Charleston, SC. I was fine with this and tried to reconcile myself to this planning to re-apply to flight school in the future. This was not God's plan though. After speaking with family and sharing the news, hearing others speak of their new stations, and then the next day speaking with my platoon officer, I began to sense that this wasn't what God wanted and that I had simply given up. So, with a prayer on my lips, I headed back to the medical clinic on base and requested a re-measurement. Throughout this time I was praying for back up prayer (which I later learned that at nearly that same time my beloved mother began praying and continued throughout the day). I recieved the results of the re-measurement finding that there was a HUGE discrepancy in my measurements and I was very qualified to fly for the CG. So, with this new information in paper form with signatures by the medics, I worked with a friend to write a letter to get my application for flight school re-evaluated. By that night, I had a folder of paperwork on my platoon officer's desk requesting re-evaluation of my application for flight school. Though my joy and peace were never lost, I knew a sense of right with this new turn of events. The following day I was called into another office and asked to once again get re-measured. This would be the 4th time I had been to medical to me mearsured. Smile... It's been a fight to get into flight school, this is only one of a few things that have tried to get in my way. Each time though, the Lord doesn't allow me to give up but at the last moment or even after the fact, He opens the door wide and I walk on toward flight school. Anyway, after this re-measurement I returned to speak with one of my officers and was told that this information had already been forwarded to the appropriate officials and conversations had already been taking place over the phone to get this straightened out. As of right now, I am still waiting for the final word. Though it is a challenge to wait, I am confident that God is in control. It has been interesting and exciting to continually watch the Lord open doors and show Himself in my life. Continuing to pray that He will glorify Himself through this situation, making the seemingly impossible happen. PTL!!! Would appreciate your continued prayers as the Lord continues to work in my life, open doors, and glorify Himself. Let the Lord's will be done and all barriers be broken and thrown out of the way!! Woohoo!!
So, the 4th thing I mentioned that is rather exciting is the fact that I am currently the leader of my platoon. I report daily to my platoon officer with matters of discipline, morale, daily schedule, and anything pertinent to my platoon. I am to be the platoon's liaison between them and the Platoon Officer. It is fun, though at times challenging. I am rather enjoying it. Today is a big day for us though. We had drill competition tonight, which is a bit intimidating to me as I am responsible for lead them through the routine making all the appropriate commands at the appropriate times. Hoping and praying I can do well. Practice for this event has been going well, so I'm sure all will be fine!! Woohoo!! Beyond that, I am blessed with having one of the most fun-filled, unified platoons here at OCS. They work well together, stand up for each other, and look out for each other's welfare. I am blessed to be working with a good, humorous group. PTL!!!
Well, I'll try to load some more pics on here.. God bless you all and THANK YOU for your prayers and letters. It is always very encouraging and a blessing!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Learning some and having a blast (most of the time)...
Hey guys, just some update pics... I'm doing well and learning and slowly beginning to fit into the military world I think... grin... guess that's still to be determined. I do find out Oct 22nd where I will be going to work upon graduation. Hoping that will be flight school, but only the Lord knows that and I'm resting in Him for whatever His will is. I Graduate Dec 3rd, which will be here before I know it.. It can't come too soon right now.. Grin.. I don't have time to write much or won't be able to put pics on. God bless you all and thank you for your letters and prayers..
Thursday, October 2, 2008
"What an adventure!!"16 days afloat
Hey Everyone,
We are afloat!!! We spent the whole first day floating through the Panama Canal. Going through the locks was like a water elevator. You go in one gate, it shuts behind and the lock fills with water, then the second gate opens. The canal was lovely bordered by the Rain Forest or jungle, with alligators and other wild animals to be seen. There were beautiful little islands along the way with an occasional grass hut. It was picture perfect. Believe me, I took pictures. Part way through it started to rain, I grabbed my rain jacket and relieved someone of the watch duties, standing with five others at the large steering wheels in pouring rain. Eventually I was soaked through to my toes. I stayed to help in various capacities on the bridge (where navigation, steering, piloting takes place) for the rest of the afternoon. My fingers were prunes and finally, cold to the bone, I went below to my berthing area to change and try to mop out my shoes. A few nights on the AC and they’re finally dry. What a breaking-in experience.
I am currently sitting on a 295ft sail ship in the mess deck (cafeteria). I am so glad that I haven’t been sick even once. There has been lots of cussing, trashy movies every night (which thankfully we have not been required to watch), dirty conversations and tired, grouchy people, etc…so, it has been a challenge being on board with about two hundred people going on like this. I’ve become known as "smiles" because I go around smiling and chipper most all the time. I am enjoying myself, though I must admit, I think I am just trying to overcompensate for everyone else’s lack of enthusiasm. Ahhh We are expected to be careful with how buddy friendly we are with the enlisted crew. As officers in training, we could very well be their bosses in the near future.
We actually have quite a bit of free time. I have lots of studying to do but we are also encouraged to climb up and around the sail masts and rigging. I climbed out on the bowsprit (point on the front of the boat) and just laid in the hammock-like rigging there. I got some good pics and had a relaxing time. It has become my favorite spot so far!!
I have been praying about being a Christ-like example, being available for His use. Since then, I’ve gotten several opportunities to share with people who have asked me what I believe. There are a couple other male believers on board.. Please pray that I will find a women mentor who walks with God, with whom I can seek council and understanding from.
All this week, we are doing fire-fighter training.. Yesterday we worked with water hoses. Since it is much cooler now that we’re up North, that was a bit of an adventure. We’ve also been learning how to navigate by celestial means (mostly using the sun). I was on lookout duty the other night from 20:00-midnight. We put lights out by 07:00 typically and other than some dull lights on each mast, only have red and green lights that can be seen from the exterior of the ship. Then, one of the ship’s permanent crew brought out night vision binoculars and I had a great time playing with those. Those things pull stars out of the night sky that you don’t see/notice with your bare eyes. Cool stuff!! I am told that we’ll probably set full sail tomorrow. So far we haven’t had the right winds to do that and have been trying to get out of hurricane region before we play around. We are currently somewhere off the coast of Florida and the Bahamas. I’ve seen a few islands but not much land. Occasionally, we have a bright-colored bird on board.
Well, after sailing through the Caribbean. I’m quite tan and salty. Grin. Wind blown too. I work funky hours. Yesterday I worked 8-12 am and then had all day off before standing watch again from midnight to 4am (: Then, I got to sleep until 9:45am!! I’ve discovered the blessing of earplugs. (: Two more days and we are headed back to the Academy, normal schedules/routines, and lots of things back to back. Oh, and it'll be great to have food again. We ran out toward the end of our voyage due to a misorder, so we ate rice the last week then they bought us all pizza when we got ashore. I have a dental appt and then hopefully get new glasses. Yippee…!!
Pray for me about what I am to do after my training and all of this is all over. I would really like to get into flight school. There are only 4-6 spots open out of 22. I’ve had my interview. I am not sure of the outcome yet. I am looking at a couple other options on board ship in case that doesn't work out. Pray also for the conversations I’ve been having with young people expressing their desire for truth, solidity and need for Christ’s saving grace. This is my mission field. (: Please pray that I’ll know the words to say to people and be bold and know how to communicate openly and clearly, in love.
Love to you all…..Jonna
We are afloat!!! We spent the whole first day floating through the Panama Canal. Going through the locks was like a water elevator. You go in one gate, it shuts behind and the lock fills with water, then the second gate opens. The canal was lovely bordered by the Rain Forest or jungle, with alligators and other wild animals to be seen. There were beautiful little islands along the way with an occasional grass hut. It was picture perfect. Believe me, I took pictures. Part way through it started to rain, I grabbed my rain jacket and relieved someone of the watch duties, standing with five others at the large steering wheels in pouring rain. Eventually I was soaked through to my toes. I stayed to help in various capacities on the bridge (where navigation, steering, piloting takes place) for the rest of the afternoon. My fingers were prunes and finally, cold to the bone, I went below to my berthing area to change and try to mop out my shoes. A few nights on the AC and they’re finally dry. What a breaking-in experience.
I am currently sitting on a 295ft sail ship in the mess deck (cafeteria). I am so glad that I haven’t been sick even once. There has been lots of cussing, trashy movies every night (which thankfully we have not been required to watch), dirty conversations and tired, grouchy people, etc…so, it has been a challenge being on board with about two hundred people going on like this. I’ve become known as "smiles" because I go around smiling and chipper most all the time. I am enjoying myself, though I must admit, I think I am just trying to overcompensate for everyone else’s lack of enthusiasm. Ahhh We are expected to be careful with how buddy friendly we are with the enlisted crew. As officers in training, we could very well be their bosses in the near future.
We actually have quite a bit of free time. I have lots of studying to do but we are also encouraged to climb up and around the sail masts and rigging. I climbed out on the bowsprit (point on the front of the boat) and just laid in the hammock-like rigging there. I got some good pics and had a relaxing time. It has become my favorite spot so far!!
I have been praying about being a Christ-like example, being available for His use. Since then, I’ve gotten several opportunities to share with people who have asked me what I believe. There are a couple other male believers on board.. Please pray that I will find a women mentor who walks with God, with whom I can seek council and understanding from.
All this week, we are doing fire-fighter training.. Yesterday we worked with water hoses. Since it is much cooler now that we’re up North, that was a bit of an adventure. We’ve also been learning how to navigate by celestial means (mostly using the sun). I was on lookout duty the other night from 20:00-midnight. We put lights out by 07:00 typically and other than some dull lights on each mast, only have red and green lights that can be seen from the exterior of the ship. Then, one of the ship’s permanent crew brought out night vision binoculars and I had a great time playing with those. Those things pull stars out of the night sky that you don’t see/notice with your bare eyes. Cool stuff!! I am told that we’ll probably set full sail tomorrow. So far we haven’t had the right winds to do that and have been trying to get out of hurricane region before we play around. We are currently somewhere off the coast of Florida and the Bahamas. I’ve seen a few islands but not much land. Occasionally, we have a bright-colored bird on board.
Well, after sailing through the Caribbean. I’m quite tan and salty. Grin. Wind blown too. I work funky hours. Yesterday I worked 8-12 am and then had all day off before standing watch again from midnight to 4am (: Then, I got to sleep until 9:45am!! I’ve discovered the blessing of earplugs. (: Two more days and we are headed back to the Academy, normal schedules/routines, and lots of things back to back. Oh, and it'll be great to have food again. We ran out toward the end of our voyage due to a misorder, so we ate rice the last week then they bought us all pizza when we got ashore. I have a dental appt and then hopefully get new glasses. Yippee…!!
Pray for me about what I am to do after my training and all of this is all over. I would really like to get into flight school. There are only 4-6 spots open out of 22. I’ve had my interview. I am not sure of the outcome yet. I am looking at a couple other options on board ship in case that doesn't work out. Pray also for the conversations I’ve been having with young people expressing their desire for truth, solidity and need for Christ’s saving grace. This is my mission field. (: Please pray that I’ll know the words to say to people and be bold and know how to communicate openly and clearly, in love.
Love to you all…..Jonna
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