Discover life: Providing warmth

Was I alive today?

Yes.

I was perhaps happiest when I saw the result of Miri’s work over the last couple of days. She has insulated almost the entire starboard side of the area where the guest rooms will eventually be. There was almost nothing I was more worried about than whether we’d get the insulation finished in time before the harsh winter sets in – once it gets really cold, you can’t stick it on anymore. I’m sooo relieved and grateful that things are progressing quickly, mainly thanks to Miri’s help.

What new things have I discovered about life?

Coarse sawdust is ideal for lighting a fire. Fine sawdust can cause explosions in the fireplace and is therefore not recommended. Fine sawdust that has been firmly pressed into a cardboard box – ‘pressed sawdust’, so to speak – burns wonderfully well, however.

What new things have I discovered about myself?

I’m happy when I don’t have to throw things away but can still put them to good use. I’ve started collecting old tea boxes to fill with sawdust. I also keep mandarin peel – once dried, it makes great kindling.

And it does me good to keep reminding myself of my greatest wish for the ship: that it becomes a place where Jesus feels at home and can work. As I sat by the fire today with Miri, who’s been helping me a lot at the moment, and prayed for this, my heart felt all warm – not just because of the fire, but also because of all the response I sensed from Jesus.

And: Every now and then, I need some roses….