The "Take Away"

"On a day when the wind is perfect, the sail just needs to open and the world is full of beauty. Today is such a day." - Rumi

Captains Blog 4/26/2015
Life at sea, day 17, somewhere near 0828S 13146W.

Today is a lot like yesterday was. Also, a lot like the day before that, and before that…  Sea Angel is performing so independently and beautifully I made a joke a couple days ago; we could have just pointed her in the right direction, hopped on a flight to Hiva Oa, got a hotel room for 3 weeks, and then gone out in a launch to intercept her when she arrived. She doesn't need sailors aboard.  We have proven that the name "milk run" across the ocean is appropriate. Nobody has gotten hurt (recently) and we are all still speaking to each other, so I can categorize the voyage so far an awesome success!  The fish out here have been successful too. They manage to identify our lures as tricks (or if it is a not so bright fish, it tastes it, realizes there is a sharp pointy thing that hurts, and then spits it out). They might be smarter than I think. They may too enjoy watching Weston's hyper-speed rod snatching, reel-cranking reaction, along with the loss's appropriate punctuation.  We all read a lot.  Teri Jo sleeps a lot.  Weston eats a lot.  Rick laughs a lot.  I just make dots with circles around them on the chart.

We all knew the great distance this leg of the voyage would be.  We knew about how long it would take.  We expected the weather we have sailed through, and we had a good idea as to what the days would be like.  We knew with the cooks aboard we would eat well, but it wasn't until we were out here did we really understand how the isolation, the alone-ness would make us feel, and what would rise up out of that quiet alone-ness.

We talked about the "take away" of this long transit yesterday, and all of us, being of faith, agreed that we are closer to God out here.   There is room for Him in our heads and our hearts because the clutter, the random business of life in society is markedly absent.  I know the magic number for being alone with God in the bible is 40 days, but three weeks seems to work pretty good too.  I personally have learned the great value of prayerful listening.  I can speak up a storm real fast when I prayerfully talk, but to listen it takes time, and I frequently didn't make enough room for it in my normal life. In my listening I had a vision of a passageway inside my heart that lead to everyone who is, and has been, but I couldn't see all the way to the end.  I think maybe there was eternity, with no end.   Maybe I have been at sea too long, but the message I'm finding is a connection of love within the heart that has us all intertwined, that leads and connects us to He who is Love.  I also reflected at great length on a sermon Pastor Mike did at Port City Church several years ago.  At least I think I remembered it.  I will have to look it up in the archives when I get back to the internet.  The gist of it was, make a list of all that is of ultimate importance to you in your life.   Then ask yourself, do you trust God enough to hand each and every one of them over to Him.   It was in my prayerful listening that God reminded me of that sermon.  Hmmm.  I have turned my entire life over to Him, but there is a love that I want desperately, it seems like there is a mountain in the way, and I want to climb over it.   I gave it to God.  If it is to be, He will provide it and it will be by His will, not mine.  I don't know if I am in shape to climb a mountain now anyhow.

That's it I guess.  There is nothing really to write about.  Or was there?

Sorry we have no way to post pictures or videos out here at sea, but when we make landfall within a few days we will undoubtedly seek internet to get some posted.   Thanks for following along with us!

-DL

Sea Angel is sailing for a cause.

Sea Mercy is a benevolent program developed for disaster and critical care needs for remote islanders. Sea Mercy is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) charity with a simple vision and mission to "stand in the gap" with a service delivery vessel, trained health care volunteers, support equipment, and critical care services as island nations develop their "outer island" health care infrastructure, when critical health care need opportunities are present, or when disasters occur. We welcome you to consider donating on our behalf to Sea Mercy - they have several ways to get involved and are so grateful for your support.

Sea Mercy's Corporate "We Care" Program is designed to help organizations attract and engage clients, vendors, and employees in the spirit of social responsibility and provide a wonderfully enriching partnership. There are several ways to participate with "We Care". Visit Sea Mercy's website for additional information. If you know of an organization or would like to involve yours, please share this information forward.

Sea Mercy is now working to raise funds to assist with the sheer devastation from Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. You can learn more here, and please consider a donation or even a medical rotation if you're able. The people of Vanuatu can use help and prayers at this time.