And he's (really) off!

Our alarm went off at 4:30 this morning to get Aaron down to wharf in time to catch the projected 6 o'clock departure.  He woke up each of the kids, hugged and kissed them one more time, and rode with the same wonderful SITAG colleague back down to the wharf.  At 8 o'clock, our phone rang, and it was Aaron saying that he thought the ship was really and truly about to leave.  Our kids decided to try and hurry and race down to the wharf to take fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee down to Aaron, but by the time the food came out of the oven and we all headed to the car, we saw the Kosco pull away from the wharf.  You can imagine, a few tears were shed.

 

The best part about the whole delay?  Yesterday's seas were incredibly rough.  My laundry was blowing off the line.  The delay last night was caused by rough seas, something that doesn't happen very often here.  Tis morning, the sea is smooth!  In Lavukaleve, it's the word lalo, the same word for peace. 

 

Aaron plans to call in about six hours when they reach Yandina in the eastern portion of the Russells.  That's where the Kosco will make its first stop and where the only cell phone tower lives.  He'll lose phone contact shortly after they leave Yandina, so we've already planned radio times.  We have to wait until he can get the solar panels up and charging the battery before we can talk on the radio.  Thanks for all of your prayers and encouraging words!