Monday October 13

My day started early as I just couldn't sleep. Having watched sunset last night I saw an unspectacular sunrise. The dock became increasingly busy with people walking and running in the vague coolness of the morning. I spent some reading my bible up on the 7th deck. It can be quite difficult at times to find quiet places to be on one's own but I managed this morning. I started reading Mark's gospel which summarises the first 30 years of Christs life into a very short space. The remainder tends to focus on what he did. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it in a short space of time and seeing what God wants to teach me through it.

I was back in the eye theatre (OR) again today and I suspect I'll be there all week. It's really quite fun as both the surgeons have a good sense of humour. working with a specialist eye nurse is great. Anneli is brilliant at explaining things so I can understand. We had a new nurse join us today so we were both teaching too.

This evening I was invited to attend the Toastmasters Meeting. It's an organisation set up to help people with public speaking and a level of leadership too. There is an official Toastmaster group on the ship. The speakers for the evening can choose the subject and are then assessed by others. I had been invited to attend but was a little surprised to be asked to speak too!

During the meeting they had 2 people speak as part of their assessment and then had "Table Top Topics" where people have to speak for no more than 2 minutes with little notice. I was asked to speak about a person who had influenced my life. I spoke about Uncle Dick - not a real uncle but someone who was very dear to me, had a huge influence on my life and who prayed for me regularly. I actually tole a couple of funny stories to illustrate my points.

Banana cake had to be made ready for a little celebration tomorrow as 2 crew members leave to return to Oz. They live in the same town as my grandmother lived and I thought Australia was such a huge place!

I have been sent 2 lovely photographs of my grandaughter - hockey stick in hand. Her aunty Boo is getting her ready to play early in life by the looks of it.......