I usually blog after an exciting weekend or a new adventure or something exciting on the ship. What is most exciting in my life these days is the new adventure I am experiencing with the Lord. Living in a diverse, international Christian community certainly has its challenges, but it has made me stretch and grow in ways that I wouldn't be able to on my own. My departmental devotions have been especially meaningful to me. I am surrounded daily by some of the most mature leaders and prayer warriors I have ever been blessed to learn from. We have prayer meetings on Wednesdays and we watch DVDs from Francis Chan's Crazy Love series on Thursdays. I love our Wednesday prayer meetings, these men and women have trusted their finances entirely to God and some have spent decades volunteering for Mercy Ships. They have the ear of the Lord, and I am continually blessed just to be sitting beside them as they pour themselves out in prayer.

I highly encourage everyone to go out and get a copy of Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love. It is incredibly challenging and some might consider it very controversial. He challenges not only the modern church, but the modern Christian, to know what it really means to love God. I am constantly being reminded of the Crazy Love that God feels for each and every one of us, and the pathetic, half hearted love that I give back to Him. I want this Psalm of David to be my prayer

"O God you are my God; I earnestly search for you.

My soul thirsts for you and my whole body longs for you

in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upong your power and glory.

Your unfailing love is better than life itself;

How I praise you!

I will praise you as long as I live,

lifting my hands to you in prayer.

You satisfy me more than the richest feast,

I will praise you with songs of joy."

Psalm 63:1-5