On the Waves

Today has been a day of travel and getting used to life on the sea. Let me say: I think I could get used to life like this! Wonderful, constant food, great people, and beautiful weather. We’ve had two great lectures by Dr. David daSilva, from Ashland Seminary, as we’re exploring what Paul taught us about working out our salvation. He’s also been getting us ready to visit some Biblical sites. Today he focused on Ephesus and Patmos.

We passed a couple of great sites along the way. One was an active volcano, called Stromboli, where people were also living. Would you want to live at the foot of an active volcano? I don’t think I would…and I’m sure there’s a sermon in there somewhere! The other was as we passed between the bottom of the “boot” of Italy and the island of Sicily, a passage called the Straits of Messina. Rachel and I spent much time on the deck, talking to each other, enjoying the breeze and the Mediterranean sun, and getting to know others on the ship.

The food is wonderful. Last night, we ate in the main dining room, which was so good and much fancier than I am used to. For lunch, we enjoyed a “jazz brunch,” which all sorts of food imaginable and a wonderful jazz quartet playing in the background. I am hoping we walk enough over the next few days to work some of this fantastic food off!

We have much to look forward to, but it’s been nice at this point in the trip to have a day of rest and preparation.