Life at sea

Hundreds of seals swam along with us as we rounded the Cape of Good Hope and sailed into the beautiful port of Cape Town.

Cape of Good Hope

Cape Town is ringed by tall mountains on every side, with Table Mountain an imposing challenge in the backdrop...a challenge we could not refuse.


 Our brief stop did allow enough time for several of us to get off ship, and Monday morning my friend Becca and I braved the baking sun to climb what seemed an unending stone staircase with a dreamy view behind and near impassible cliff up ahead.  We reached the top parched, thankful, and exhilarated...and resolving to never mountain climb in Africa again without an entire backpack full of water.  That night we sailed out again under an orange and pink sky.

View from the trail up Table Mountain

Sunset over Cape Town

We have been sailing since then for almost a week, and all I can see is ocean in every direction...a deep cheerful blue that seems laced with sunlit smiles.  It is incredible to think that the love of God is even wider and deeper than this.  Knowing that makes it easy to trust that His plan for me is crazy and glorious and unimaginably delightful.


It's an adventure to live at sea.  It would have never occurred to me in the past that while cooking I would need to guard the frying pan so it would not come off the stove.  Or that it would be smart to bungee cord my sewing machine to the table (hopefully the table is a sturdy one!).  Nights "out" are conveniently close to home, sometimes with community organized activities like sock golf tournaments or karaoke.  We've sailed out well ahead of an expected storm, and smooth sailing has been a blessing.  I'm looking forward to sleeping soundly in my little cabin cave tonight, a bit startled to realize that it will be strange when my bunk no longer rocks me to sleep.  One more week-ish till go time!