A cruise in the Caribbean

 

Yes, we were on the largest and newest cruise ship on the planet !

        MSC   World America 
           ( more to come, but first...)

The people

Bruce and Cindy... they came to our house last summer and told us about the cruise.... and we said, Yes !
They are on staff and were busy, but we chatted with them a few times
Then we saw their wedding photo
   ( we thought we sent ours, but..)
AND:  answered many questions and even left a "sweet" package at our door 

James and Margaret Lau, friends we have known for about 8 years and we knew they would be on the cruise.   It was great to spend time with them and enjoy two amazing meals with them.  We also walked about and attended some of the sessions together. 
AND:   A great encouragement to me, as well as several treats and gifts.

 

This deserves a story.... We had been ashore at the second port and when you get back on the ship you go through security.  While we were in line, I turned around and ... that face, I said " Do I know you?"   He smiled and I said, " Are you a Boettcher?"  He said yes, and then admitted that he recognized Darrell but could not remember his name.   So, we made a date and had lunch with Tim and Tracia the next day.   Probably 10 years since we had seen them, but long before Tim was at Shallowbrook camp, with maybe 4 other Tim's.
AND:  fun memories from the past 

Those are the older faces.... now to the new.

I wish I had taken a picture at our table.... the dining time was unusual.  We were at a table set for 8 ( 4 couples ).  One night we were alone,  one night all 8 were together...that was the formal night.
Each night was different. 

 Tony and Obi Oji...

Tony... possibly working with oil in Texas, father of 3 children 
Obi,  introduced herself as a business women, with her own company and a registered nurse.  They have a daughter named Michelle and they call her Mimi!

She asked if I was retired.   I said I am a homemaker.  She said, retired homemaker from your business?
I said, I was a homemaker for all our 50 years of marriage

Her hubby said  " That is the best profession, to stay at home and train up your children for the Lord"

( Lesson to me, I can say... I did not have the privilege of a college education, but I had the privilege of staying at home with my children )

AND: sharing God's word with genuine love and concern.

Another story:   Darrell was standing in line for the men's session and turned around and introduced himself to this happy "giant".   ( it is easy for Darrell to talk to just about anyone ).   This gentleman is a missionary with a group called.. One Nation 
 Oh, we know someone who is with a similar group... Every Nation.. Warren and Lydia... 
He said that sounded familiar, looked on his phone and there was a picture of Warren! They had been at a missionary conference just a couple weeks ago.  

AND: a small world among Christians 
and the Lord puts you in line where He wants you

Another story:   While gathering places are huge ( some accommodate 500 people ) there are no hand rails going down to the seats... maybe 30 rows and no hand rails.    Darrell experiences  an "unsteadiness" and was struggling to balance the stairs.  Jared came right up and took his arm and helped us to our seats.
Later, Darrell was in line with Jared and they chatted.
And again.
It will be hard to forget that helping hand... and smile.

AND:  an example to follow 

A few other conversations...
A lady was helping her husband who was in a wheel chair.
She said,,, 4 weeks ago, he had a nightmare that someone was attaching his granddaughter...He lunged out of bed and landed hard, breaking his hip.

...oops, will have to write more later.  Too much to remember for now

I live an exciting life

.