Kathy's Mercy Ship Adventures: Finally Able to Blog!

I am finally up and running with my blog and very excited to share my adventures with everyone.

Just catching up a little..................

I GOT HERE!!! YEAH!!!...............It was a long flight, yet uneventful.......I did not even get grumpy!..........On my last flight from Frankfurt to Pointe Noire I traveled and met 30 other Mercy ship volunteers. Friends at first sight :)

Once here......WOW...very surreal!.......Am I really here?............Is everyone really this nice?.............Can I sleep in this room with 5 other girls?........Did I say..........AM I REALLY HERE??!!.........I've talked about it for so long, yet could not believe I am really here.

I AM HERE AND LOVING IT!!

Day 3.............I am convinced that this is exactly where I need to be for the next 10 months!......My mind and heart are overwhelmed by this awesome community of volunteers. Everyone is so amazing!........So kind, So accepting, So Loving...........There has been an immediate connection!

I was led to believe for the last 30 years that I thought to much, over-analyzed, had too much compassion and always felt a little different..........Now, I am immersed with 440 crew memebers "just like me"!!! :)

I was timid to make this transition as I've had so many changes in this last 6 months that I did not know if I could handle another change...........Now, from the moment I met my roommates and other crewmembers I knew this is where I needed to be!

Those of you who know me well know the drama that has occured in my life over the last few years including job changes, job losses, and the end of a 35+ year marriage relationship. Love was not in the air for quit some time......or so I thought.............What I found out before I left was that I truly did have much LOVE surrounding me.....I found that my immediate family was there for me, my sons have been so supportive and awesome and I recognized that I had a awesome group of friends!! I just want to reiteerate to all of them......THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all your love and support over these last few months!

Now, as I get here I admit I am overwhelmed with the amount of LOVE and excitement that flows through the ship. When we worhsip and sing...I have a hard time holding back my tears. I am just so amazed at the grace, love, mercy and respect that everyone has for each other..........something that was lacking so much in my marriage. Now, I recognize that abundance of love that God offers to those who ask! I recognzie that I had to go through past experiences to appreciate where I am today!!............PRAISE GOD............PRAISE LIFE..........PRAISE PATIENCE AND GOD'S TIMING.......PRAISE FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!

Enough of the mushy stuff..........now for the fun pictures!!!