Prayer request!

Hello, everyone. Last night just before our first show, my friend Jennifer (the A/V technician) took quite a fall, and she has broken her collarbone. The doctors believe that is the only part of her that is very badly injured, but they aren’t completely sure. She’s in pretty bad shape, and I spent the morning with her and helped the nurse bring her to a doctor on shore today. I also packed all of her things, because it is certain that she’ll be going home, and staying there at least a month, hopefully returning after she’s healed. Please pray for her as she’s on her own now, and traveling with that kind of an injury can’t be fun. Also, she wasn’t planning to return home so early, so pray that everything will work out when she gets back – that she will find somewhere to stay, and that the ship’s insurance won’t be a problem. I appreciate your prayers for her healing and her spirits (possibly the worst part about this whole thing is that today is her birthday), and I am going to miss having her here. I’ll let you know when I have more news. It’s a bit scary how quickly things can change.

On a lighter note, right now we’re on our way to Istanbul again for our overnight. I’m pretty excited because this time around not only am I not on in-port manning (1/3 of the crew always have to stay on board – it’s a rotation) but we actually have the night off as a band! Usually we’re playing jazz sets or big band and can’t get off the ship until late, but tomorrow night we have off, so we’re basically free from the time we dock in Istanbul until the time we leave the following day. I’m taking a tour in the afternoon and early evening of the first day, and then I think Marie and I are going to go out and see a movie. Exciting! It will be so nice not to have to rush back to the ship.

Tonight we play for Nicola Loud again, the violinist whose show and whose personality I really like. Our rehearsal went really well, and its always nice to have likeable performers to work with. A lot of the singers can be a bit diva-ish. But not Nicola – she’s wonderful, sweet and down-to-earth. And a darn good violinist. Well, off I go!

I got mail!

Today was a wonderful day! It started out alright - I had planned to go to Rome and spend the day with a girl on Activity Staff named Donné, who I recently discovered is also a Christian. Unfortunately, the ship has been put on Yellow code, and then Red Code (I know, kindof like red alert and yellow alert on Star Trek...I think they stole that idea from real ships) due to people on board getting sick and quarantined. Being on Red Code means that we can't eat anywhere upstairs - we can only eat in our mess hall, and the mess hall gets rid of all tablecloths and sanitizes constantly, and you can't get your own food, someone with sanitized gloves has to serve you (so it takes a long time for everyone to get food). Plus they take away the salad bar completely. Also, teams of people can knock on your door at any time to bleach and sanitize everything in your room. You have to be careful when walking 'round the ship not to rub up against the walls, or the bleach will ruin your clothes. And finally, on embarkation day, no-one is allowed off the ship until everything has been deep-cleaned and sanitized. Since in order to get to Rome it is necessary to leave early in the morning, Donné and I weren't able to go.

So, I slept in a bit, and then got off the ship around 11:30 when things were alright again. Things are now back to normal, and the Red Code has been cancelled. Hooray! Anyway, I ended up going out in Civitavecchia with Jennifer, a girl on A/V. We ate some interesting pizza (potato and mozarella) which was incredibly good, and then wandered around the city for quite some time trying to find the grocery store. We were lost for a while, but I didn't mind at all. It was nice to walk around and explore the town. There's a lot more to it than I realized. We came back to the ship and had a couple hours before boat drill and then dinner. Our call time for the welcome aboard show was at 7:30, and someone called me just before to tell me I had mail!! I could have waited, but I wanted that mail so badly that I ran down there right then and almost made myself late for rehearsal. I got it, and brought it all up with me to the theatre. After the run-through, instead of taking a break I stayed on stage and opened it all. It completely made my night!! So, thank you's go out to my mom, my wonderful family, Grandpa and Lola, Sheena, Chris, and Abraham! Thank you all so much for reminding me that you care and that I am not forgotten! It lifted my spirits more than I can say. I was in a great mood all night, and all those letters came at just the perfect time. I love you all so much, and I am reminded again that I'm not alone out here or forgotten - I have a wonderful family at home praying for me and "counting down the days." Again, thank you all so much for taking the time to send those letters. It means so much to me. I love you! Thank you!