From Guam - requests and praise!

[bkilbour]

Happy Easter everyone!
And long time no see.
I started out this deployment a few weeks ago by flying (with the rest of Ohio Gold Crew) to Guam, an American territory between Japan and Australia. Sorry I haven't been able to contact anyone - it's been a long, long few weeks. I've been pulling hours every day that range from 12 hour to 21 hour days....so I haven't had much time to talk to anyone, especially when I'm on duty, and can't leave the submarine. Thank God I got Easter off (especially Easter! Praise Christ for the resurrection - Hooyah!)

I don't mind the hours or the hard work; but if it's not a problem, I'd like some prayer on a couple things.

First, please pray for my relationship with God. I've been witnessing like never before while here on the island, but there isn't much time for me to sit and simply pray, read Scripture, etc. What's worse, for those of you who have watched Black Lagoon, this place is just like Roanapur... but with a few military bases installed. I don't leave the Navy base simply because behind every "massage parlor" is a whorehouse, and behind every alley is someone waiting to mug you. There's a lot of temptation going around, but I know that with His help, God will make me strong enough to be an example in Christ.

Second, as a Navy submariner, I have to qualify in submarine warfare, which has been a long, frustrating process. A "new underway buddy" or NUB like myself is a second class citizen on the boat until he qualifies. I have to finally get them this underway or I'm in a lot of trouble; please, please, please pray that I am able to qualify this deployment! Work has been getting in the way for about 7 months now, and even though I'm not being lazy about it, I'm seen as something of a dirt bag for not being done by now... I've got a couple months longer (please pray for me!)

I also have a lot of praise to offer, though. I thank God for the opportunity to start seeing new places, to witness to my shipmates more than I ever have, and that I haven't given in to the temptations around me. I may be weak, but the Lord is showing me every day that He is strong for me, and with Him, I know everything will be alright. I praise God that I'm gone for long enough, not spending money, so I can pay my bills and pay for the car I need to buy when I get back. I thank Jesus Christ for giving us salvation, and for teaching me not to worry; how bad is hard work when Heaven is ahead of you? I know that it's gonna be alright, and I am grateful to the Lord for it.

I go back underway in a while. If there's anything I can do to help or pray for you, feel free to PM me.

-Blake

[Atria35]

Praying for you- hoping you stay safe and pass your tests!

[shooraijin]

Hey, glad to see you surface (so to speak).

[TopazRaven]

Glad to hear you've been doing alright! I'll definitly be praying for you!

[ABlipinTime]

will be praying for you!
and Happy Easter