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?
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]
As my husband, Bill, and I walked through a quiet neighborhood in Key West, I was struck by the care taken in the landscaping of these tiny front lawns. And I really do mean tiny front lawns! The yards were maybe five feet deep and barely wider than the small homes themselves. But they are eye catching for their beauty-the kind of beauty that makes a person stop and ponder.
We paused in front of one house so I could look closer at an orchid. While I was commenting on it, the homeowner came out into her yard and engaged me in conversation. I told her that her orchids were beautiful and she jumped at the opportunity to tell me all about each of her individual orchids. She knew them all by name and and knew what environment each one needs to thrive.
Interestingly, she also told me that there is a little bit of a competition in her neighborhood regarding beautiful orchids. I chuckled at that. She went on to say that although she takes great care of her orchids, she does have a helper who finds specific beauties and brings them to her personally so that she has the best of the best in the neighborhood!
As my husband and I continued our walk through Key West, I kept thinking about how pretty all of the trees and flowers are, and don’t even get me started on the beauty of the water in South Florida.
God clearly took great care to create such a beautiful world for us to enjoy. I know I appreciate beautiful things! They catch my attention in a way that “ordinariness” doesn’t.
That short conversation about orchids reminds me about my relationship with Jesus. Jesus knows my name and He knows that I best thrive in fellowship with Him and His church. Jesus knows that there is a very real competition here on earth for the souls of all people, so He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us to Himself. I’m so happy about that!
God created the whole world and everything and everyone in it, so that we could live in relationship with Him. Unfortunately, sin entered the world and separated us from God. But God loved us so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. Jesus was born, was crucified, died, was buried and rose again. By accepting this and agreeing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we can be accepted into God’s very own family! Now talk about Good News!
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior years ago. That doesn’t mean that my life is all roses and sunshine now. But it does mean that I am free. Free from bondage in this life and the next. And free to spend eternity with my Lord and Savior. The only question is: Does my life reflect the beauty of God in a way to catch the attention of passersby who long to hear about the One who calls them by name?
The first week of March 2021 found Bill and I enjoying the quiet luxury of Stock Island Marina Village as well as the lively fun of Key West.
Our intention was to stay another night in Key West and celebrate Bill’s birthday there before heading back to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida. Because I’ve never sailed at night, our plan was to sail Key West to Marathon, Marathon to Key Largo, then Key Largo to Key Biscayne. That works out to sailing about 8 hours for three consecutive days and anchoring out each night. Doable, right? After all, one day at a time is how we got to Key West, and that was fun.
Well, an updated weather report disagreed. Basically, the weather forecast predicted that we could either cut our stay short one day and sail 24 hours continuously from Key West to Key Biscayne in nice weather with one to two foot seas, or we could stick to our plan and sail back in high winds with four to six foot waves. Yikes! What to do, what to do? Hmmm…am I afraid of sailing at night? Maybe, I don’t know because I’d never done it. Do I love staying up late into the night? Nope. Do I tend to get sea sick in high waves? Yep. And I have proven that more than once. OK, then, decision made.
My husband is a captain and has spent many nights at sea. He claims to actually even like it. I love him and I trust him, so we said a prayer together, filled up with diesel and water, and headed out at 8:30 am.
I know I wore this shirt yesterday, but think I might need my “fearless” shirt for this voyage!
Bill sailed the first several hours, well, I guess he sailed most of the trip, but this is a picture of me actually at the helm while Bill was asleep. That’s a first!
Bill sleeping-he must have confidence in me, huh?
This next photo is me on my second watch-life jacket on, tethered to the boat, hair getting messy-in the open ocean now!
My hair is messy, but seriously, isn’t this water beautiful?
While Bill was sleeping, I sent a picture of the navigation multifunction display to my friends asking if anyone really understands this stuff and whether or not it’s important. My friend, Crystal, who is a pilot, insisted that all those numbers actually do mean something and that ignoring them just might get us blown into the Bermuda Triangle. I’m guessing that Crystal actually knows what she’s talking about, but then my daughter, Becky, assured me that simply following a dolphin would probably be just fine. Decisions, decisions…as it turns out, there is quite a bit more to this First Mate stuff than I had originally thought! Well, I’ve known Becky longer than I’ve known Crystal, and her plan seemed easier, so…
Really, this is just too much for me to process…
I was still at the helm when the sun set. It was beautiful. I’ve got to admit, Florida has some of the very best sunsets I’ve ever seen.
And it just kept getting better!
As the sky darkened, our flag seemed to be the only thing shining, until the half moon made its appearance.
I have to admit that maybe I had been avoiding night sails for far too long. Because my husband likes it, and since I didn’t cry, I suppose that if sailing at night really makes the most sense next time around, maybe I won’t resist. But that’s a hard maybe, because I so love watching the dolphins, turtles, manatees, and even the jelly fish, as we sail along in these unbelievably beautiful waters.
Bill and I are both still smiling on hour 23 as we approach Key Biscayne!
Many, many thanks to my husband (who let me sleep in the cockpit most of the night), and to my family and friends who prayed for and encouraged me. And, a special shout out to my 6 year old grandson who texted me in the morning and referred to me as a “Fearless First Mate”! That means a lot coming from a Student Captain!
