ShipSHOTS #14 Heavy Fuel Project

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Life on a Ship

Just an average sailing day on Logos Hope...

We are sailing North around the west corner of Africa on our way to Monrovia, Liberia. At the moment we're watching The Iron Lady a documentary/movie about the recent wars in the country; I'm multi-tasking. :)

Today I learned what soft wax is and got to use it on the natural fibre hemp (adds a little more protection coating) that we fixed the van lifting gear with. We had to pull those whippings so tight my hands are red and sore, but regardless ropework is one of my favourite jobs!

There was a Man Overboard drill at 4pm... The whole ship did a Williamson turn as we all pointed and shouted at the poor unfortunate cardboard box.

There is a sign on the elevator door, right under the 'Out of Service' sign, that says:

"God just gave me ONE LEG THIS WEEK! Go Go Go Electricians! I miss my Buddy the Elevator. -Matthijs" (on crutches from playing sports)

I popped into the library and opened a book and happened across a really cool bit...

"When someone asks you how you are and you say you're fine, do you actually mean the acronym for that word - 'Feelings Inside Not Expressed'?" [DNA of Relationships, Gary Smalley]

Yeah, most of the time... How did they read my mind???!

Today it is FUN to have a long distance relationship! (Wow, I'm being optimistic...!) If we were together, we'd miss out on the packages to look forward to, letters, e-mails and phone calls and bragging on my man when he's not here! Every other day it really SUCKS, but for some reason I'm in a good mood today! (Still, I'd trade it if I could-!) Maybe it's because I finally wrote in my journal again last night. ;)

Our families - though oceans apart - brought us together

Ben and Naomi July 2010 MV Logos Hope Atlantic

Our story began almost six months ago when a certain Benjamin Sahlstrom came aboard the Logos Hope with the Short Term Exposure Program (STEP) and rocked my world more than any rough sea ever had! Due to ship rules, we were not allowed to officially be in a [dating] relationship until the last two weeks he was onboard. However, we became good friends and found out a lot about each other in the time in between. And almost always, our conversations ended up centered around our families. Because you see, we're both the oldest of large families - Ben's the oldest of 10, I of nine - both from Christian families, American families, home schooled, the way we were raised, values, beliefs... you name it, we've probably discussed it -- and it's very similar! The only difference? We grew up on opposite sides of the world.

So about Ben. HE'S A PRETTY AMAZING GUY!!!! But I guess you'd like more details than that! ;) Ben is from Minnesota, a photographer/plumber - on his way to two great careers! His many practical skills come in handy working for the Sahlstrom family Heating/Air business. He rides motorcycle and is up on all the latest gadgets and technology. He's a hard worker with a great attitude and good at relating to people. He's humble and most of the time a behind-the-scenes man, except when it comes to being the ringleader for a get together with a bunch of friends! He's really thoughtful and also a good gentleman. What I noticed first was his amazing smile (and almost constant optimism)! And then when he said he had a red pick-up truck, Cupid's arrow struck my heart... I've always just had something for a RED pick-up truck!

His first job onboard the ship was working in the International Cafe, serving ice-cream and popcorn, coffee and cakes to the thousands of visitors who come onboard to buy books. The cafe is an area where crew members can meet with the visitors and hopefully direct conversations to spiritual things. Then they found out he was a plumber! Of course, the engine room figured they needed him worse than the I-Cafe, so he moved departments to help the maintenance team as a plumber. It was such a help, they found a way for him to stay on longer; for 4 more months as a Project Worker (short term person with practical skills).

Our song is "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys, because it is all the places we were when we met and fell in love. :)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine..." Eph. 3:20

You can read Ben's side of the story at http://www.bensahlstrom.com/2010/06/sp.html

Many thanks to the Sahlstrom and Nelson families, who - though oceans apart from us and each other - were the thing that brought us together.

To be continued...