A good kind of craziness!

Sooo...two weeks from this very moment, I will be on my way across the world to join 400 other Christians--from all different countries--to live/work/serve on a ship for three months.

I feel like I have to keep repeating that sentence out loud because I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this idea!!

I've had plenty of time to think about this ministry since it's been nearly two years ago when I first found out about it from a friend. But it wasn't until a couple of months ago that I started seriously considering it, and it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that it became a reality.

I feel the same way I did when I was preparing to move to Japan--so excited and grateful for the opportunity, but also kind of nervous because of the unknowns!

I got a wonderful packet of information from Operation Mobilization--the organization that I'll be serving through. I'm very impressed by the organization of this organization, (hehe) and it's been a pleasure working with them so far as I prepare for this missions experience.

I learned from the packet that anyone wishing to support this ministry can do so by making a check payable to Operation Mobilization and sending it to

OM USA
P.O. Box 444
Tyrone, GA 30290

If you write "Dana -- 2287937" in the memo, your donation will go into my account. I very much appreciate the financial support, as well as prayer support of course!

The envelope I received from OM included a devotional journal to help me prepare for this experience, as well as devotions for when I return home, which I think is really great and helpful.

I've been doing a lot of praying/thinking, and at some point--not tonight because it's late and I'm getting tired--I may write my thoughts here. (You might notice that I've deleted the link to my more personal blog "Keep Shining" from the right side. The blog still exists, but will remain inactive since I'll just be updating this blog.) :)

Tomorrow morning I'm getting up early to meet my dear friend Sarah Fehrman for breakfast, and then going to get a typhoid shot in preparation for the trip. (I've never had one of those before.)

So I'm getting ready for this 3-month adventure--mentally, spritually and physically. It's crazy, but it's a good kind of crazy. :)

The next adventure...

Greetings! If you've popped over from my facebook page...hi, welcome to my blog now. :) It's been given a makeover and is ready to report my new, exciting news...

I've been accepted to participate in a short-term missions program aboard the ship Logos Hope!!

I'm REALLY looking forward to this opportunity since it combines three of my major passions: serving others, sharing God's love and learning about/interacting with other cultures through travel!

It's a unique ministry since it's more or less a floating bookstore of Christian literature. (books...a fourth passion!) I've been really wanting to serve/work on a ship for a long while now, and this (nearly) 3-month program will allow me to do that in a Christian setting, as part of an international community. :)

My first preference is to work in the bookstore, but I could also end up working in the galley or wherever I'm needed. We'll see. I'm going to go into this new & different experience with an open mind, as well as an open heart.

During my time on board, Logos Hope will be sailing between Sri Lanka and India--two countries I wanted to visit but didn't make it to while I was living in Japan.

Here's a link to the STEP program I'll be doing: http://www.omships.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=86&lang=en

The dates are listed on the web site as March 23rd - May 30th, but the ship's itinerary has changed, and the new start date is March 7th! (Eek!) So I have a lot I need to do in the next few weeks to prepare.

If you could please keep me & the ship ministry in your prayers, I'd really appreciate it. And if you'd like to make a donation to the ministry in support, please let me know. (My e-mail address is dana.sease@gmail.com.)

In other exciting news...
I'm going to be an aunt in June!!
I'm so glad that I'll be back home then, in time for Baby Girl Sease's grand arrival into the world. :)