home

well having been home now nearly 3 weeks, i do believe its time to write another blog!
all through my time away i used this blog as not only a place to record for you all what was going on in and around me, but also for my own benefit - taking time out to put into words all that was going on in my head and heart; and a place to record things to look back upon. so here I am sitting at my mums kitchen table, sun shining in, hillsongs playing out across the room - the view out over the fields is one that you all have just got to see and try and imagine. rolling green fields, hedgerows, large oak trees, sheep grazing, butterflies butterflying, the russle of the wind in the trees is meeting my ears. there is no generator hum and instead the baaaaaing of sheep and the beauty of silence.
there has been some other exciting news too - my wonderful man has proposed. within days of my return I was taken on a GPS treasure hunt; finding wooden hearts, champagne on ice and glasses as the treasure and then as the sun was setting ontop of the south Downs the love of my life got onto one knee and asked me to do marry him.
After 10 months of being apart and waiting to make everything official it is wonderful to spend time together and just hang out with Martin. to do all those things that we haven't been able to do; share a meal together, wash up, laugh and walk. what a treat it is!
seeing friends and family is also another treat; to catch up with mum and pete, hear about everyones lives and all that you've been up to. to hug the cat, sleep in my bed - thats not a 2ft wide bunk!
the adjustment to being home has been easier than i was expecting. somehow i believe my returns from Peru and Indonesia over the years has prepared me for what to expect and just to go with the flow. God's peace is in my heart and I am content.
having been in touch with friends from the ship, there is a packing frenzy-preparing the ship for the sail to south africa in a few weeks. all of the patients have now gone, and lots of friends have flown home too. please keep the ship in your prayers as a flat bottomed train ferry sails around the Cape to Durban!