Goodbye Malaysia!

Malaysia has been a special time. With it's beautiful landscapes, amazing people and yummy food. It really has been an enjoyable 3 months.

I took these two photos this morning. Simply stunning!

I would like to visit again one day....if the opportunity arise.

We will see :-)

What do I need to do??

Today has been unexpectedly but a much needed great day off. It started off pretty average...got up...went for breakfast.....THEN got invited out for lunch!

I was initially a bit hesitant as I knew they were meeting local people and I wasn't sure if I had enough energy to smile, be polite and make small conversation with people that I am sure I won't see again. But I also didn't want to see any more shops today, so I went.... and was pleasantly surprised! 

We were picked up from the ship, taken into the mountains to this guy's weekend home. His family, extended family, friends, neighbours and anyone else who happened to be around was there! We ate a huge BBQ, amazing fruit, toasted marshmallows :-) and had some great conversations. I didn't really feel like I had to make a big effort. We just seemed to click and yes I could relax :-) I am still sure that it is possible that I won't see these people again but it was such a treat to be with them for the time that I spent there. The mountains were amazing. So beautiful and reminded me of the Lake District...just on a grander scale!

It just reminded me how much God know's me better than I know myself. He know's exactly what I need and when I don't fight to do what I think is the best plan for me...he blesses me with much needed treats!

I went to our weekly worship night tonight and was blessed again by being able to get in a zone with my creator and just spending time with Him. I am so at peace when I am in that place. 

Recently I have been thinking about a few different big things...

• What will I be doing this time next year. Am I to stay on the ship longer, am I to go to a new country or am I to go home. I just don't know!
• Will I find my Mr Right and get married.....

• Needing friends around me who I can completely be myself with. To know I can be honest and not feel judged. People who just understand me without trying.

But after today I feel like He was reminding me that HE knows what I need and WHEN I need it.

What do I need to do?? Rest in Him and enjoy the ride :-) 

Is it only me who has day's like these?

I started this post about 3 hours ago....then our lovely golf ball (also known as the internet thingy ;-)) on top of the ship wouldn't work and let me post this...

I'm not sure if it's tiredness or what but today I am having one of those day's where I lack confidence. Confidence to join a group of friends for a meal, the confidence to go out exploring...that seems like too much effort. Today I prefer to just hide in my cabin (my safe space). 
I may brave it and go to worship night tonight. It's a time where I can connect with my creator, bring all my failings, frustrations, unrest and just rest in Him. I am thankful He loves me on the down days as well as the happy days. I am thankful that He accepts me me just as I am. I am thankful that He doesn't judge my character but loves it more than I understand.
We sail out of here in the morning to go to our last Malaysian port. I pray that it is a sail of quietness and a chance to recharge these weak batteries.

 Some people made this 'sign' when we arrived here in Kuching! I like it :-)

Worship night helped lot's! I got some time with God....just me and Him....no distractions. It's always good to get in the zone with Him :-) 
Right, I gotta go and move some life jackets ;-) Life is surreal at times!

Lot's of good things are happening this week....

...First being that we set sail tomorrow for our next port. I LOVE sailing. It is the time when the ship is quieter because there are generally only ships company onboard. We can relax (while still doing our jobs!) and enjoy each others company without being watched by a tour group of local people going past in the dining room! I also love the creation that we see during sails, Dolphins, Whales and Flying fish! It makes me wonder if there could be a whole other world under the sea! The sunsets are just magical :-) I love sailing. I just hope it's a smooth one. I don't get sea sick, but friends of mine do, and so if they are ill then they are not happy....I prefer happy friends around me :-)

The other good thing is that I get the cabin to myself!! Now don't get me wrong, I really get on well with my cabin mate...but it is also nice to have a few days 'space'. To be able to get back to my cabin and not have to worry about my things being in the way of others. To just sit and be still, to have music on when I want or to watch a film without ear plugs in. These are simple things but things I have come to appreciate.

So as I am allowed to drive the ship vehicles, tonight we booked a van and I went with three of my friends out to a shopping mall for dinner :-) We ate steak! Nice juicy steak! The port we are in at the moment has no taxis or buses near by. It is in the middle of nowhere and hard to get out to go anywhere. As I can drive now, it was very nice to have the freedom to do this. We had a very nice relaxed evening of eating tasty food and shopping for bits and bobs.

Our internet is RUBBISH when sailing so I might not be able to blog again until the weekend. I will try though :-)

Ship driver! ;-)

I am now an official ship driver! I found out on Tuesday that I have passed my driving test and so now allowed to drive the ship vehicles...No, this doesn't include the actual ship :-)
So last night I drove to the airport in Kuala Lumpur to drop off a friends parents who were visiting the ship. I really enjoy driving. It is an escape from the day to day things and I feel like I have a little more independence. It will also help if we want to take the Children anywhere. There are now two of us in the school who are allowed to drive ship vehicles. Makes life a little easier. As long as the country we are in has civilised roads and drivers! I have noticed that here in Klang, they don't like to use their indicators. It is a real game for me to try and judge/guess what the vehicles around me are going to do! But as I like games, I enjoyed it :-)

The photo below is of the ship in our current port. A friend of mine took it two or three nights ago. I think it is just beautiful and a real reminder that our Creator keeps His promises always. We can always rely on Him....no matter how bad our day gets. We just have to remember to talk to Him.