My dis-likes and likes...

I'm thinking about our going to the ship a lot lately (fancy that, I mean d-day is tomorrow) and I wondered what I was looking forward to and what, uhm, not so. Somehow often it is so much easier to focus on dis-likes, on the uncomfortable, the not so nice, the things one hates:

• the travel to get there... okay it is very short compared with what we have travelled before, but still, this time we have two kiddos
• not being able to cook myself
• living in a small cabin
• lots of noise around
• Ben being gone from Saturday until Wednesday and I have to deal with two kids on my own in a new environment AND a voyage (okay, I do know the ship, but it'll be so different now, e.g. having two kids, living there only temporarily, many new people)
• food with tuna in it
• chicken and rice (or hopefully they don't have that on Logos Hope..???)
• not being able to go out by myself
• having to wear cultural appropriate clothing (long sleeves and long pants and high neck line)
• and last but not least, still having to finish packing

BUT, I do NOT want to focus on the negative aspects, I want to be positive, encouraging, rejoicing, radiating joy and the love of Jesus, humorous, flexible, teachable, open.

• My friends... man, I'm SO much looking forward catching up with you guys, uhm, girls :o)
• Christian input every day
• being able to go down to deck 4 and just have a chat with people
• fundeck (hahaha) he hasn't had to many opportunities to play with others his own age
• experience new cultures and people
• Adventure
• Seeing God at work in my life as well as in the ministry and in people around me
• the library
• great photography opportunities and maybe being able to learn from others
• seeing God's amazing creation, His signature
• international community
• English worship
• having many babysitters at hand, hahaha
• unique food experiences (uhm, I hope I can cope)
• seeing the changes of the last year... I'm sure there must have been many changes, hopefully more positive ones than negative ones
• catching up :o)
• the voyage
  (hopefully it'll be smooth)

See?? There are many more positive points, and I'm pretty sure there are many more which I've forgotten. I am very grateful that we have this opportunity to visit the ship again, once I see beyond all the things which still needed to be done before leaving, that is:o)))). Well, I should go now and get done those many hundreds of things I have to get done before we'll be picked up by my brother tomorrow at 1430h, sigh... it'll be a late night once again....