Life on the Ship..Continued

I would just like to update everyone and see if you will be able to sense the chaos that has just begun!

Well, today I was the special receptionist that was scheduled to work this morning when all 170 new crew came onto the ship from Applesbosch. HA if only you would've seen the look on my face. Embarking new crew is a huge process. We have to update MSSS (the software program we use), key log, phone list, muster list, and lock up their passport. Yes, it takes a lot of patience..which I lack. Yet, it went smoothly and now the whole family is on board.

Also, I have now moved into the 10 berth. Ah it's been so much fun! Right now there are only six of us in there. Once we arrive to Sierra Leone our room, 4418, will continue on with the nickname "the revolving door". Why? The ten berth is where most of the girls who only stay for a very short amount of time live so, many are coming and leaving quite often. Considering they are all forced to live with me, the well known loud laughing and extroverted blonde Cali girl (supposedly my identity here on the ship), I feel it's necessary for me to tell you a little about them.

Erica:(25) Canada- She was actually my bunk mate in my old room and will be here for 6 months as well. Erica is quiet but a very sweet friend.
Adele:(18) Canada- One of the craziest girls ever. We're great friends and I'm planning on visiting Canada someday soon!
Julie:(32) Washington D.C.- Julie is great and loves to have fun and has given me many semi-practical tips about life.
Sophie:(30) Switzerland- Sophie is the little "pixie" of the crew and always makes me laugh with her hidden attitude.
Bobbie Jo:(26) New Zealand- She just moved in a few days ago, still getting to know her but seems like a very nice roommate to have.


For the first time ever, I actually got the goosebumps yesterday, YES, the air conditioning is working!! It's funny because last night I woke up shivering and actually had to close some of the vents :) What a fantastic feeling ha.


Lastly, we plan on shipping out of Durban and setting sail on Tuesday February 8th! I cannot tell you how excited I am to sail for three weeks all the way to the west coast of Africa. It's going to be amazing, as long as I don't experience miserable sea sickness. Why the heck did I chose to live on a ship and sail when I grew up throwing up in peoples cars? Yea, ha I have no idea..you only live once :)


Love you friends and thanks for everything!

A Quick Look at Ship Life

Welcome! This post is mainly to just visualize where I am and what the ship looks like because I know you all are very curious! To the left is our logo on the outside of the ship on Deck 8.

Above is the view from the shipyard. The ship has been in the shipyard process since September 2010. Many adjustments and replacements have been made to help us have a smoother sailing experience. 

 To the left is a small glimpse of the amazing Starbucks cafe that we are all so thankful for. Starbucks actually donated all of the coffee that we use so the prices are very cheap. You can bet that I visit it at least once a day considering its only .50 for a coffee :)

So, now we have moved down to Deck 4 and entered room 4339 :) For now, I am living in a 4 berth (4 bed) room with only two other roommates, Erica and Maaike. Sorry in advance Mom for not making my bed correctly, just thought I'd show everyone the REAL me. As you can see I've posted all of my magnetic photos to remember you all back home. You are dearly missed. Honestly though, since we've been without air conditioning I've been sleeping on the floor trying to stay as cool as possible!

 As you can see this here is my closet where my 6 months supply of clothes lives at the moment. Honestly, It's just like college life I suppose. But, then again how would I know ;) I would like to comment and just like to say that these pictures do not do justice. For some reason the pictures make it seem like everything is bigger. "Fear not" (as Chrissy Harper would say) ship life is very, very interesting!

Lastly, I feel like it would be necessary to end with the lovely bathroom. Again, the pictures really don't give you a good glimpse but, oh well. Although It's tiny, we've made it work and I thank the Lord that neither of my roommates are messy. I guess I should end telling you that yesterday I was told that I will be moving into my permanent cabin next week. I guess that means these are the "before" pictures and as soon as I move into my 10 berth I'll post "after" pictures :) Yes friends, I'll be living with 9 other girls! Speechless. Yes. It's going to be amazing, really. Thankfully majority of the girls I'm all really close with and we are all generally staying for the same amount of time.

This is it for now folks! I would really love if you would pray for the ship and that everything will continue to move along so that we can get to Sierra Leone as soon as possible! Everything will come along perfectly but, only in His timing.


"As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:12-17

Feels Like Home For Now

HELLO FRIENDS!


Sorry for slacking it's been a whirlwind of a week. But, I've made it through. I have been living here on the ship for exactly a week as of yesterday. It still feels surreal yet, I've never felt more sure that this is where I'm supposed to be and am really blessed for this time away from home. After being raised all my 18 years in a cute little beige house on Amanda Drive, I've finally realized that there is a whole new world out there. It's amazing and my passion for travel has been raised to a whole new level.


I know you're dying to see pictures so I just may surprise you with some!


First, as many of you know I am a receptionist here on board and have been training all week with Murray(boss), Heather and Leah who are also receptionists but are professionals considering they've been here on the Africa Mercy for over a year. My job may not be as physically hard as the others but I can tell you that I've never learned so much and had to obtain so much important information.


Some of my general reception duties consist of:
-Answering phone calls
-Sending beeper messages
-Updating the phone directory every Tuesday
-Overseeing the vehicles/transportation and giving out the vehicle boards
-Maintaing the contents in the safe and keeping them organized
-Overseeing the public mobile cell phones
-Laminating/printer responsibilities
-Embarkation & disembarkation of crew, day guests, volunteers, and visitors
-Making badges for everyone
- Making overhead announcements
-Monitoring the fire panel
-Updating the notice board
-Sending emails


Those are just a few but mainly one huge responsibility for me will be just trying to stay awake during the overnight shift! Many of you know I love my sleep :)


Well, after a full week of training I actually took my Reception Test today and....PASSED! I received my "wings" to be placed on my uniform blouse. Very exciting, I know! Yes, I'm still in Durban and at this rate we will probably not set sail until beginning of February. The ship still has a lot of work to be done. There is currently no air conditioning so yes, I've been given the true African experience! After enduring these 90 degree weather days without AC, I feel like I can conquer the world :)


God bless!

PLANES..It's a Love/Hate Relationship Kinda Thing

After a very long journey I made it here, Durban, South Africa, safe and sound! After spending a lot of time in and with planes I felt like it would be necessary to tell you how I feel about them :)


I LOVE the exhilarating take off and landing.


I LOVE starring out the window for hours.


I HATE smelly foreigners sitting next to me.


I LOVE that I'm not obese because when I have a window seat I can still climb/slide around back in-between the plane wall to get to the "washroom" without disturbing anyone! Brilliant, yes :)


I LOVE opening letters on the plane from my amazing friends.


I HATE jet lag.


I HATE plane food.


I LOVE memorizing my journey on the map on the screen.


I LOVE observing other people's cultures and accents.


I HATE that U.S currency isn't near as pretty as a pound (London) or a Rant (South Africa).


I LOVE the sound of my ears popping.


I LOVE arriving to my final destination!


Lastly, I wanted to share with you something that I read while on the plane to Heathrow:London in a book given to me from my best friend called, "Through Painted Deserts" By Donald Miller


"And so my prayer is that your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer and some winter, some roses blooming out like children in a play. My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside of you, about learning to love a woman or a man, about learning to love a child, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God. We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime to not venture out, wouldn't it?


It might be time for you to go. It might be time for you to change, to shine out.
I want to repeat one word for you: LEAVE.


And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back It is you who will have changed."


I can not even express to you what sort of peace came over me as I read that. I hope that encouraged you as well. My adventure has begun and I already have had life changing moments that I'll never forget. I can only imagine what's in store for me in the next 6 months! Thank you all for the prayers as I traveled!

Humble Hearted

First things first: I serve with Mercy Ships. Everything here, however, is my personal opinion and is not read or approved before it is posted. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships.

THANK YOU. I cannot even begin to explain how amazing this journey has been. If it wasn't for, Chrissy Harper, who encouraged me to write my own support letter, I honestly think my mindset going into this journey would be noticeably different. Every time Stuball would call me into the kitchen I knew right then that I had received  more support and my heart began to soften with happiness and joy! Of course...Sara would just be balling her eyes out. So.. all of this to say whether you have supported me financially or just by prayers it means more to me than anything and I know that you will be blessed as well.

As I approach closer to the date of departure I have found myself more stressed than ever, having meaningful heart-to-hearts with my amazing friends, tears actually falling from my eyes, friends laying their hands on me and praying for me, taken advantage of showing my knees, and lastly kissed my big bed goodbye for a little while.

Happy New Year friends! Please know that I will update my blog as much as possible and will soon be uploading photos :)

Much love!