A Prayer Request
Hello all faithful readers.
This is just a father’s request for a daughter. As most of you know, Rachel, my only daughter, is nearing the end of her boot camp in the Navy. She is doing very well and will graduate as “Honor Recruit” of her division. But today I got a letter from her that indicates she has received some distressing information which might not be true but is having a very negative effect on her. She has been told that she will not be allowed to request an overseas posting and that she will definitely be shipped to Bermerton, WA, a post that is far from any of her choices. She has also been given false information about her status as an Airman Apprentice. Since she cannot receive phone calls, there is no way for me to communicate quickly with her that none of this is true. I have confirmed it with the Navy officers here, but that is all I can do.
So, I sent an overnight express letter to her telling her to ignore this and keep pushing for excellence.
But I really am asking you to pray that she will not flag and will not let this misinformation divert her from her course. She knows God has a plan for her, but at 18 it’s sometimes difficult to keep pushing forward when you have been told none of your goals are possible. Please offer a prayer for her.
Thanks.
Skip
Querido Jesús: Te ruego que hagas tu Voluntad en la vida de Raquel. Sabemos que Tú eres perfecto, que eres Sabio y que siempre sabes lo que haces. Tú amas a Raquel y quieres lo mejor para ella. Pero ella es joven y quizá no lo entienda, como dice su padre, por eso te ruego que le hagas aceptar tu Voluntad que es lo mejor. Bendícela y dale la paz que ella necesita para continuar con su entrenamiento y que pueda conocer Tus deseos para su vida. En el Nombre de Jesús te lo pido. Amén.
I’m praying with you as a father. No doubt you feel her frustration, but as daddy you know that all this will contribute to her maturing, which incidentally, goes on and on. as mine – hopefully – is. Lord help her to endure and grow.
Good morning, Skip.
I guess we all can remember back to being 18 and having a desire to reach our goals. I would imagine not many girls or guys her age are eager to go overseas, and her desire to do so says a lot about her as a young woman of conviction and certainly a brave woman.
I pray that she continue on and trust that God will bring about her desires, for they certainly are noble.
She sounds like a very mature young lady and knows what she wants in life, and I pray that the Lord will make a way. She knows she has an earthly dad to cheer her on and a Heavenly Father to chart her course…
Thank you, Ellen.
Praying…
Dear Skip It is so true that our children keep us on our knees. I discovered the most inspiring scripture the other day. I do not have my Jewish Bible to hand at the moment but it is in Acts 10 5(b) and it reads something like Your prayers have reached the Presence of the Lord, and He has you on His mind.!!! That is so awesome because I have children who needs fervent prayers more often than most and when I got this scripture it just blew me over. Knowing that this will also help you and Rachel – be still and know He is the Lord. He has you in the palm of His hand. Even more so on His mind. Blessings to you and Rachel. I will pray with you Shalom
Hi Skip, Yes, we will add Rachel to our prayers and pray the Lord’s perfect will in her life. May He give her a spirit of confidence as she finishes her course. May her trust in Him be strengthened now, more than at any other time in her life. May His wisdom fill her young mind with truth and may she not waver in the knowledge of His faithfulness. May the Lord give her faith to believe that He is in control and may she always know that He has her in the palm of His hand. “He is the Lord, and nothing is too great for Him. We will trust Him for this. “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” In Him, Linda K. Morales
Praying for YHWH’s peace for both of you.
Praying
Bremerton is also a training facility so this is likely her ‘A’ School. Normally the recruits don’t learn their final duty station until 3/4 of the way through ‘A’ School. She is likely hearing a lot of rumor from fellow recruits that don’t know more than she does. Stay the course Rachel… steady.
Oh dear Skip. You called the recruiter? That is very, very sweet, but leave it alone dad. Our kids are always lied to by recruiters, and have been told that by dozens of people. I remember being kind of hurt when my son signed up and didn’t ask me to come with him or to look over his contract papers. Afterall, who would look out for him more than his mom?
She will be fine. Did any of us earn/been given the first job of their choice when we were 18? She has a long and productive life in front of her. This may be her first disappointment in her career path, but there are many more disappointments to come…and you can not be there for most of them.
Blessings and love to your family…
Praying that she will continue to take take one step at a time…… this is what she can do. The rest is in Abba’s capable hands. Peace of the King for you both!
Skip, I will be praying for your daughter. I have been there. I was in the Navy and while in bootcamp there are many rumors that fly around. I agree with Shawn in that I had no idea of my final duty station until most the way through ‘A’ school. That said I had requested a east coast duty station and ended up in San Diego. I was so disapointed at first, but God had other plans in mind and it was because of those events that I began a true journey with Christ and realized that God is bigger than anything I can imagine. The greatest part of our walk with Christ is that which we don’t see as we walk in obediance to his will in faith….for HIS Glory. Blessings
Robert
Skip- when I read this I felt as if she was my own daughter. I will pray and believe Gods plan for her. I pray that she trusts his plan even when she can’t see it at the moment.
Dear Skip:
I will pray about this now.
What comes to mind immediately, and as I recall from Dr. Robert Clinton`s Book “Making of a Leader.“there might be a few things here:
1. A faith check – do I firmly believe that God is in control?
2. A motive check – will my service be conditional to posting or unconditional to the Navy?
3. Obedience check may-be? – Am I willing to go where God leads me?
It must be difficult for as you say, an 18 year old but we know that God is in control and the outcome will be good.
Best,
Gustavo
Oh to be 18 again & know what we know now – HANG ON RACHEL – you are just beginning the wildest ride of your life at 18 – so many many things to come but rest assured if you are in the Father’s hands you will not fail – you may think you are but you are not. His plan sometimes is not our plan & His ways are higher than ours but one day you will look back & know that it was His plan after all. Right now you can’t see the forest for the trees but eventually the trees will clear & you see all before you through His eyes for sure… ♥
Ms. Jan Carver
“God’s will be done.” I pray.
Skip,
Prayers going up for Rachel. Prayers that she will continue to run the race set before her and that the attempts by the enemy to thwart that are futile. Praying that she has the peace that surpasses ALL understanding…thy will be done Father.
Prayers too for a concerned daddy…
Peace,
Lori
Good morning Skip,
Isn’t it interesting that this would happen at this particular season. The Israelites were examining their Pesach lambs. Would their faith save them? Would they really march out of Egypt? Or would Pharaoh prevail? Who’s report would they believe?
We know lots of Torah loving believers (ourselves included) who are going through similar trials at this momemnt. Resisting and pressing through doubt seems to be the test.
And what did our precious Yeshua pray for Peter in this same week before the cross. That his faith would not fall.
Am praying the same for you both.
Shalom
please forgive the typos I’m in a hurry this morning.
Skip,
Done. Our daughters are often stronger than we fathers think.
What immediately struck me about Rachel’s situation was that she is having to face the “death of a dream.” Oh, how painful that can be! But who knows how God will resurrect it? May you and she both find peace, looking to God’s faithfulness in the past, knowing that His path is sure!
Praying for Rachel and Yeshua’s peace. Our own granddaughter joined the Navy over a year ago, and after promises that she would be able to choose Japan or Bahrain as intelligence locations, she ended up in USA — at Ft. Gordon Army Base in Georgia. She was devastated. However, with the recent news from both Japan and Bahrain, she can see God’s hand guarding her. 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing. Of course, His hand is covering Rachel, especially with so many praying for her.
I am reading this late in the day.
I am praying
The Lord’s plan will prevail!
Your love for your daughter Skip, shows me ABBA’S love for us !
God is good. He will accomplish His purpose with this precious young woman. I pray that she will remain steadfast in her goal even though she is hearing negative information.
For me it was lining up on the little yellow footprints at Paris Island at zero-dark thirty after a bus ride through the swamp to get there (purposefully) in the middle of the night. G-d has a plan Rachel, for every life, including yours. Stay faithful- stay true- stay the course.
We were (purposefully) isolated from the outside world, but allowed to read (precious) mail from home. How I did love those letters, (especially the perfumed ones)- my D.I.’s had to, of course, make a big deal of this, and sniff my mail. Trials, tribulations and testing are part of the plan- G-d’s plan- the making of a man (or in this case)- a woman, Rachel.
Now is the time for all good men (a few good men) to pray. My faith blossomed inside of boot camp. I saw (up close and personal) the value of a good book and the worth of the words of G-d. I was allowed my Bible and was allowed (praise G-d) to attend “church” with a Chaplain on Sunday mornings- a “day of rest,” and may I say- “amen.” By the time each Sunday arrived, I was “rode hard, hung up wet, and pulled through a knot-hole twice.” All part of the plan- not only the Marine Corp, but the bigger picture, the G-d Corp. G-d is looking for a few good men. Stay the course. Remember the things you have been taught, since a youth, was Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy.
It has been X number of years since I was there, and according to the slope of deterioration I have seen in our society I am going to assume it is worse now than it was then. I am talking of “moral decay.”
After graduating boot camp- “Platoon 2062, dismissed.” (such memorable words!) – I attended my “A” school in what was known then as the armpit of the world, -(I won’t name the city out of respect for the denizens, er.. citizens within.) Pornography?- rampant. Cursing?- Drinking? Youthful lusts? Abounding and flourishing. – I’m sure, by now- things have “calmed down” and are under control–“Not.”
“Iniquity abounds.” Here is your hope my good brother for your Rachel. (I too, have a daughter about the same age..)- This is it, and feast your eyes on this, my friend- “but G-d is faithful.” Get yourself a “tat” if necessary. “..but G-d is faithful.” Skip, you know this.. “but” and you know this G-d- “experientially.” How each of us marvel at the faithfulness of the Father.
“I know the plans I have for you” (and you and you and you- Rachel (another Hallelujah!) included. G-d does have a plan, a lovely plan, for her life.
Listen again (for the first time) to the words of our Conquering King- “in this world you will have tribulation.” We all are going to be “tribulated, tried and tested..” No escaping,- no protection- it (the storm) is coming. To all men everywhere (Rachel and my daughter, Kelsey, included.) This is the promise of G-d,- in this world you will have tribulation..
And now, for the “rest of the story..” Are you ready? Are you prepared? Got your ears on-(good buddy?) lol! This is it..-these are “His words” that have proceeded out of the lips of our LORD- part “B” if you will.. First word? “But”
Remember what you wrote about this Bible “but” my brother? The incredible force of this one word. Such a blessing is this to me. This is a word of complete reversal. Everything is heading in this direction and then “but G-d.” Thank you, thank you my Deliverer for your Salvation. Oh, how I have seen this- up close and personal- praise His name.
What happened at this duty station? “I found it.” What did I find? G-d is faithful. lol!- Oh yes, He is! Hallelujah, He is. – I’m about to get happy here, folks! Blessed, blessed memories and the start of a two families.
I read on the bulletin board at the chow hall, of a bus ministry that would arrive Sunday morning to pick up “whosoever will” and deliver them to one “Bellevue Baptist Church” in Memphis, TN. I decided to check it out. (Good choice, brother Carl- you did good..)
Oh, my friends, how I wish you were there on that Sunday. Slap your momma,- oh snap! Was it good? Yow!!!- What a day! It was one of those “kairos moments” when “G-d shows up.” I’m gonna long story-short this.. (am I too late?) and say at the end of the day, when the church bus delivered me back to my barracks, I went outside of my barracks, looked up at the night sky, and cried like a baby. – Is G-d good?
Oh, draw close to me that I may laugh on your lapel,- He is good. He is good. His love endures forever!
Was this “the end of testing?” Folks, that was thirty years and several lifetimes ago. lol! “Boot camp” continues! We will have all eternity to share- “the rest of the story!” This man’s story (along with all the saints), of the salvation/deliverance of our Savior. Blessed be the name! Baruch Hashem ADONAI. Amein!
Let me tell you about my Jesus. -Rachel, if you can say it and know it, “the LORD is my Shepherd,” you, my sweet sister, are “in good hands.” “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” (1 Samuel 7.12)
I was the chiefest of sinners at 18. I cannot imagine anyone other than my grandmother praying for me at that time. No one in my family of origin was a believer and we lived as most pagans do, yet, in retrospect under the grace and mercy of YHWH. That being the case for me, as one NOT serving Christ then, how much more are we able to place confidence in our Abba for Rachel, who is covered by a believing father and most definitely an all powerful and ever present Abba who will guard her and keep her for His glory! Not to mention that He will work ALL things for her good!! May Psalm 3:3 provide the strength needed at this time:
But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Skip – what a rich opportunity for Rachel! She has a Father who hears every sigh, sees every tear, knows every disappointment, and holds her heart in His hand. My prayer for her during this difficult, even discouraging time, is that she will tell her Father her sorrows, her confusion, her trials with ‘the powers that be’, her fears, her desires, and then that she waits in assurance and anticipation as He shows her what is His good and perfect will for her next step in life. She’s already ahead of a lot of people her age because of her experience with a loving, wise and trustworthy father here. God knows to what extent she will trust Him; her part will be to experience the beauty and assurance as a result of that trust.
What He does will be for her good and to His glory! Susan