Fun at Summer Sailing Camp 2022

Our oldest grandson, Harry, joined us in Jacksonville, Florida, for a week of Summer Sailing camp in June 2022. A full week jam packed full of fun!

My husband and I love each other much, and we have loads of fun-filled adventures together, but I’m telling you, our boat is filled to the top with laughter when Harry is here.

Harry often asks me about my volunteer activities, and because he needs to complete three significant service projects this summer for Cub Scouts, we started our week at The Nest, A Women’s Center. It happened to be National Donut Day, so Harry and I showed up with donuts. When seeing the donuts, Megan said that Harry is welcome at The Nest any day! Lisa and Megan answered Harry’s many questions about The Nest. Then Harry and I then spent two hours cleaning the sign by the road and sweeping, mopping and arranging the classroom. The Nest was very appreciative of Harry’s service and even featured him on their Facebook page.

We bought a dinghy and outboard a few months ago (which is no easy feat during Covid) and Harry was very much looking forward to learning how to drive it. Harry is tall for seven, even so, starting and steering the nine foot inflatable dinghy was a stretch for him, but he did it! And he loved it!

On the second day of dinghy lessons, Harry picked me up and drove us to the park! The combined look of seriousness, accomplishment, and fun really looks handsome on my grandson.

Harry has been studying sailing with Grandpa Bill for several years now, but this summer he chose to learn and practice how to use the radio (and call the bridge tender to open the bridge), anchoring, weighing anchor (after lunch onboard) and continuing to perfect his driving skills.


We all love the beach, so we spent one day at Huguenot Beach. Harry loves to use the stand up paddleboard to surf on the waves with grandpa, and I love to watch and listen to them laughing. Harry said this was the most fun activity of the week. Watching him concentrate on surfing, hearing him laugh whether he stands or falls, and then seeing him going back for more, was my most fun!

Harry also spent time playing chess, playing cards, learning to cook on the propane stove (“best rice ever”), practicing snorkeling in the pool (and learning to dive down with the snorkel), learning to raise a flag on the boat, and walking the docks every morning with grandpa greeting the neighbors and talking about boats.


To wrap up the week, we met up with the rest of the family at Great Wolf Lodge near Atlanta, Georgia. We all had a very wet, wild, and exhausting time!

Harry earned a Certificate of Completion with Exemplary Performance!

We are so looking forward to the next sailing camp, which will include sailing a Hobie Wave and more math problems (because Harry requested them both)!

Joy Through the Storms of Life

People search for happiness in a variety of ways; buying things they want or doing certain activities are two common examples. All too often, the happiness people find is temporary and dependent upon their circumstances. Joy is different. The joy we have found in Christ fills us with a quiet confidence; a steady peace that is not dependent upon our circumstances. This joy changes how we handle the storms of life.

Angie and I sailed to and around the Key West area from January through March, 2022. While there, we experienced gale force winds several times during the day and at night. A gale is a wind storm of 34 knots and greater. These are just words until you experience a gale yourself. Violent forces are at work. Preparation is required and oddly, like love, it requires choices and actions. Knowledge is just the beginning.

How do you prepare for life? Who or what guides you each day?

Before our first gale of the season began, Angie and I found a temporary place to anchor based upon chart information. Selecting the right ground tackle and proper place to anchor is a significant factor in surviving a gale without loss. We set our anchor alarm and went to bed.

Our faith is in God who guides us through life. Christians experience joy because they put their faith in God. We are continually learning to live and love according to His will. We were at peace.

Just after midnight, Angie and I awoke to the awful sound of our anchor alarm. Our first anchorage here proved inadequate! Thankfully, our faith-our full trust and reliance in something or someone-is not found in a navigational chart! Thank God we set our anchor alarm, He knows our needs and is always with us.

We spung out of bed and began the process of moving to another location in the dark of night with no moon to help. With water spraying over the bow and the boat pitching and rapidly yawing from side to side, we raised the dragging anchor. I worked at the bow of our pitching vessel while Angie worked the helm following my instructions…so I thought. Since she could not see my hand signals or hear my verbal instructions, she began praying. Without incident, we got the anchor up, guided Liberty through the dark past other vessels and re-anchored in gale force winds. During the next 12 hours, our anchor held for two to three hours in violent winds before it was time to go through the process of re-anchoring again. On Saturday at 10:57 we finally found a firm foundation which allowed our anchor to hold within the gale.

He gives us strength and endurance in our times of need! Philippians 4:13 says I can do everything through him who gives me strength. We persevered without fear and acted as a team; Angie, myself and God as our guide. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. We were at peace and never worried despite hearing reports of distress that night and throughout the next day as we rode out the gale. The joy we have was on display for each other to witness.

Angie and I have joy in our lives because we can count on God to be with us every moment of every day. He gives us courage, strength and the ability to endure. Our joy increases as we grow closer to Christ. It grows with our assurance that we are in God’s hands.

Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The winds calmed to near 20 knots early Sunday morning; well before serving as the weekly on-line worship service host for LifeSpring Church of Bellevue, Nebraska.

Our hope is in the Living God. We have a confident expectation He will fulfill His promises. Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at you right hand.

Joy comes from God. It is based upon God’s presence in our lives.

All Things are Possible

In April 2017, our friends, Steve and Susan, joined us on a sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands. Susan had never been on a sailing trip, but as her husband is fond of saying, “Susan likes to be pushed out of her comfort zone.”
As I recall, on our first night Susan said, “I can’t believe we signed up for 8 days of this.” Even on calm water I couldn’t get Susan out of the safety of the cockpit.

Before the end of that trip; however, Susan was lamenting, “I can’t believe we only signed up for 8 days of this.” We had so much fun kayaking together looking for sea turtles (and ice cream). Susan whimpered just a bit when we kayaked into a sea cave, but I could barely hear her, what with all the waves crashing into the rocks and everything.

March 2019 found us sailing together again, this time in the Bahamas. Steve and Susan are so much fun to travel with-they are pretty much game for anything, and this time Susan was loving, loving, loving sitting on the bow of the boat with me. I can’t post a picture of that because we stayed up there so long that we burnt to a crisp (and, you know, I really only want to post flattering pictures of us ladies).

Steve and Susan joined us at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in January 2021. The Covid 19 overseas travel restrictions simply made another Bahamas trip too much to think about. As it turns out, we enjoy Florida every bit as much and actually see more sea life here. (Just don’t ask Susan how close she likes to get to giant lizards and manatee.) By the way, Susan and I are rule followers, but our husbands maybe not so much…

We even had Steve and Susan out on the Atlantic Ocean!

Still on Covid 19 travel restrictions, we opted to sail to Key West in 2022. Susan, I’m so impressed with you-look at you totally comfortable on the boat, in the dinghy, and even shopping! Ok, so you’ve always been comfortable shopping, but we do it so well together that I had to mention it (and don’t we look fabulous in those hats?).

Susan and I have been friends for nearly 25 years. Our first trips together were women’s conferences with our church and Girl Scout trips with our youngest daughters. From crafts and smores to sailing and kayaking, we have grown a lot together. I love to tease Susan, but truth be told, I love her dearly and count her as a gift from God. I often like to say that it’s me stretching Susan, and as far as nautical adventures go that might be true. But, spiritually (you know-the things of first importance), Susan is the guide and I have always been the student. Thank you, Susan, and I can’t wait to see what’s next! Just remember, “All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23.

Who is your Jan?

Jan and I have been friends for going on 25 years now-which is shocking because we barely act like we’re out of our teens! Jan makes me laugh, and I generously return the favor as often as I can. My husband, Bill, and I are blessed to be able to travel a lot, as we are retired. However, for most of our friends and family, we know their vacation time is limited and we are so, so excited when they choose to spend their free time with us!

Jan and her husband, Frank, joined us in Key West, Florida, in January 2022. it was a quick trip for them, but so much fun.

During an afternoon sail, we even had Frank at the helm. I don’t think his prior military experience included any time in the Navy, and I had to take several pictures before I caught him smiling, but he did great! Jan? She chickened out, but she chickened out in the classic, beautiful Key West chicken way!

Very stylish!

I’d go just about anywhere with Jan. We’d be laughing, and I’d be scared, but I’d be going. (Ask me sometime about our terrifying whitewater rafting trip!) Everyone needs a Jan in their lives, who is yours?

The Wave


In Key West, my husband bought me this beautiful ring in celebration of our 11th wedding anniversary. I love it. The wave ring symbolizes acknowledging and navigating the ups and downs of life.

  • The waves in Costa Rica
  • Our house struck by a tornado

I’ve been through a tornado, as well as the ups and downs of ocean waves bigger than I like. A wave is usually caused by wind moving across the surface of the water. These waves can be gentle rolling waves. Waves can also be caused by storms. The barometric pressure changes of storms can cause large waves-think hurricanes. Underwater shifts like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions can cause massive waves-think tsunamis. And, obviously, the gravitational pull of the sun and moon causes waves associated with the normal tides.

  • The serenity of Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

I know that I can’t control the wind and the waves, but I can say that I know the One who does. Years ago I gave my life to Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God. The Book of Genesis records that God Himself created heaven and earth and everything and everyone in it. In fact, He formed man and woman in His own image. How do you like that? We are literally image bearers of the God of the Universe, created to have a relationship with Him! Walking alone, we have no hope of navigating the highs and lows of this world, but walking with the Savior of the world all things are possible (Mark 9:23).

Matthew 8:27 records Jesus in a boat with his disciples in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep when a storm arose. Afraid, the disciples woke Jesus, who calmed the storm with his spoken word. The men responded: “Who is this man, that even the wind and the waves obey him?”

Psalm 89:9 reads, “You rule over the surging sea. When the waves mount up, You still them.”

  • Cape Florida Lighthouse

In John 8:12 Jesus tells us that He is the light of the world. In John 16:23 He records, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I’m not here to tell you that my life as a Christian is all calm seas and smooth sailing. But I am saying that my life as a believer has been a great adventure of highs and lows as I seek to follow my Savior. He has promised that He has great plans for me, plans to prosper me, not to harm me; plans for a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).” And that’s good enough for me. So, I’ll happily wear my pretty wave ring, sleep well tonight, and get up tomorrow ready for another adventure.

If you don’t yet know Jesus Christ, I’d love to talk with you about Him. He has a joyful adventure planned for your life, too! Please, contact me at [email protected]