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Sunday Morning Worship

I reserved a room for this occasion shortly after we got on the ship the previous day.

This will be a morning that Cerwin and I will treasure and remember for a long time.

We asked each person to participate in the service by reading a story or Bible verse, singing a song, memorizing a favorite verse, or doing anything creative.

Cerwin opened with a few words of welcome and prayer.

Mark and Diane’s family led us in a song at the beginning and end of the the service. When their family sings, it makes the rest of us sound good.

Jesse wanted to do his part first so he wouldn’t forget his memory work.

Jeff (our oldest son)

Chris

Jordan whistled a song.

Nathan also whistled.

Jenna

Diana

Gloria

Mark & Diane’s family singing

Diane is our second child and oldest daughter.

Diane read a story.

Hannah signed while she, Lydia, and Elizabeth sang.

Josiah

Hezekiah

Nathaniel (Mark and Diane’s son-in-law)

Abigail

Jere (our third child)

Kristen shared about the death of her mother last year.

Josh (Jere & Kristen’s oldest child) and Deb (our youngest child) did a reading together.

Jana

Ian

Jared

Roy (Deb’s husband)

As you can see, I was rather emotional as I shared how much this time together meant to me.

Cerwin played his harmonica.

Then men may know from sunrise to sunset that there is no God besides Me.

I am the Lord, and there is no other.

Isaiah 45:6 (New Life Version)

Sunrise at Sea

Sunday Morning, January 29

It is difficult to find anything more delightful than having coffee on the rear deck of a cruise ship and watching the sun rise on the ocean.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

Psalm 139:15-16 (The Message)

Happy Birthday

To Our Favorite Josh

We Love You

Grandpa & Grandma

(I love sharing birthdays with you. Grandma)

First Evening in Stardust

Saturday, January 28

There was a show in the Stardust Theater every evening at 7:30 and again at 9:30.

The auditorium seats 1,100.

Tonight’s program was a Welcome Aboard Variety Show led by the Production Cast.

I did not use a flash, so the photos will be soft focus.

The Captain and Senior Management on the Norwegian Jewel.

Captain Lars (on the left) introducing his senior staff.

I will have a few good photos of him later in our cruise.

This is a Nickelodeon Cruise, so these characters could often be spotted.

I think this was a pie in the face happening.

What a fun evening.

Be happy because of the hope you have.

Be patient when you have troubles.

Pray all the time.

Romans 12:12 (Easy-to-Read Version)

Dinner at Tsar’s Palace

Saturday, evening, January 28

We were surprised that this classy restaurant was one that was included in the price of the cruise.

Mark and Diane ordering their meal.

Alambre Trio, a Filipino band, entertained us during the meal.

We enjoyed the nice variety of breads on the ship.

Someone’s appetizer

My lobster meal

We took the anniversary cake (from our stateroom) along to the restaurant.

We gave the strawberry to Nathaniel and Abby, since they are the most recently married. Later we gave the remaining chocolate covered strawberries (from the plate in our stateroom) to our four children and their spouses.

Jared asked if he could have a chocolate arch.

We said, “Yes.”

Our children arranged for these servers to sing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”

I love being Cerwin’s sweetheart!

I will speak with the voice of thanks, and tell of all Your great works.

Psalm 26:7 (New Life Version)

Leaving the Harbor & Our Stateroom

Saturday, January 28

A photo that was taken just before we entered the ship.

Our empty dock.

It was a beautiful evening for cruising.

Behind the ship.

I expect this is a ferry.

New York skyline in the evening sun.

This is what we saw when we first entered our stateroom.

It appears that our children had done some preplanning.

We have the best children and inlaws. We love you more than you can imagine.

We had a funny thing happen early one morning. One of the balloons popped, waking both of us. I didn’t know what happened until the next morning when Cerwin asked if I heard the loud pop during the night. He knew what happened, because the balloon pieces landed on his face.

There were also delicious, chocolate covered strawberries…

…and an anniversary cake.

Gloria wanted to see our room.

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More tomorrow, as our adventure is only beginning.

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