Summer 2024

Boat storms

Yesterday we experienced our first storm on the water. What started out as a nice warm sunny day motoring one of the ministry’s smaller sailboats out to our favorite local anchorage for a swim was interrupted by the sound of thunder in the distance. We quickly decided that swim time was over and swam back to the boat to head home. But the distant dark clouds got darker and increasingly closer. With the clouds rolling in from the direction we needed to go, we were unsure of what to do. We initially decided to head away from home and let it pass over, west of us, but we weren’t fast enough. Things escalated rather quickly as the concern went from the theoretical danger of lightning and the discomfort of driving home in the rain to the actual danger of bigger and bigger waves and strengthening winds. At this point, the kids and I were safe and dry below deck, but Aaron, at the helm, was already soaking wet and decided to just head straight into the storm and try to get home, but the winds blew strong and he didn’t feel like we were making any headway. The waves came rolling in big. Only able to see a hundred feet in any direction he was finding it hard to really know where we were headed. He tried to look for the channel markers, only to realize the wind was no match for the sailboat’s small motor and he was getting too close to the edge. The kids and I down below all the while getting a good rocking. Luckily the boat had just had overnight visitors aboard, so the dinette booth below had been converted into a spacious bed complete with pillows and blankets. It made for a great spot to comfort three kids who were getting an unwanted lesson in storms on boats. 

Realizing it was pointless to try to get anywhere, Aaron spotted a little cove along the bank of the river and called for me to come take the helm while he threw the anchor overboard and halted our movement. It was the turning point and our biggest take away from the day. If caught in a storm, don’t try to outrun it, or against it, best to throw your anchor, and wait.

I’m embarrassed to say that it’s almost been a year since I last wrote. Our last year here in North Carolina has been really challenging. I’ve wanted to write for months but I always love to share more than the surface level highlight reel, yet at the same time when you are going through something, when you’re in the midst of the storm, it can be difficult to see more than a hundred feet in any direction. Sometimes it’s hard to know where you’re really headed.

So a few weeks ago I created a highlight reel for you guys. Fun pictures of us getting to use our boat this summer here in Elizabeth City. Finally getting that bulkhead rebuilt. The kids at sailing camp. Yay us…and although none of it is false, there was a deeper truth I wasn’t sure how to communicate until the storm. As Aaron and I reflected back on the storm the next day, it became clear that the storm was the perfect parallel to what we feel like we have experienced here.

Life storms

It started out as a nice warm fun first summer here. We were excited to learn and get to work on the boat. But slowly the clouds grew dark in the distance, as we got a sinking feeling that this was not a simple, six month project. We were quickly feeling in over our heads when it came to the amount of work the boat really needed. Unsure of what to do, we decided initially to outrun the storm. We doubted whether this was really for us to do. Maybe another boat would be better. Maybe we weren’t headed in the direction we thought. In the meantime, Aaron became the dorm dad at the college and he poured himself into the lives of the college guys here and it was neat to watch as God renewed a tender heart in him for the young men, not in a distant land, but in his own.

But the boat was still there, and slowly, little by little we realized she was still meant for us. And slowly little by little we realized our suspicions were right. She would need to be torn apart before she could be rebuilt.

And so, into the storm we went. “Ok, let’s get this boat done, let’s do this! Let’s create timelines and plans. Let’s figure this out. If hard work can get it done, then I’m your lady”…or so I thought. Days of “can do” attitude were often short lived as we stepped forward, only to find the wind push us back two steps. Discovering more problems. Thinking we’ve come up with solutions only to find they didn’t work. Bundling up in double pants and double sweatshirts, hats and boots and climbing into damp, cold boats in the winter was the worst. The winds blew strong and often it didn’t feel like we were making any headway. The waves came rolling in big. We rose up to the peak, “yes we did it. We are making progress” and then we rode down to the trough, “another problem, this is too much!” Another peak, “God what you’re doing here is so exciting. I can see the possibilities!” Another trough “God how will we buy all the supplies this boat needs, we don’t have money to rebuild this boat” 

But there’s been a turning point. We are learning daily to throw our anchor and to know our anchor. Not a thing seen and grasped with human hands, but a perfect being we’ve learned we can trust. When a storm comes, God is not asking us to use our own strength to fix it, nor does he want us to cower in fear and run. He is inviting us to learn to throw anchor and reap the rest that comes from trusting in him despite the storm. And to know that when we survived the storm, it wasn’t by our own strength, but because our anchor sustained us.

About a year into our time here, I began to realize this whole thing was just as much about Aaron and I’s hearts, as it was about a boat. My cry of “God, please let us work on this boat. And get this done and behind us” was always met with the reply of, “Laura, please let me work on you, because you can’t move on till I’m done with you” It’s rather difficult and in the end very humbling to realize that the obstacle between where you are and where you want to be, may just be you. “Can do” Laura has realized that she can’t do. This whole thing should have fallen apart a long time ago. A lot of what we have done doesn’t make sense, and didn’t make sense. And yet God has moved us forward. The fact that God has sustained our finances alone is an amazing testimony (that I hope one day to share with you). But he’s also provided places to live, opportunities to travel and take a break when we needed it. He’s provided fellow boaters who’ve had the knowledge we didn’t. He’s supplied building materials in fun ways. Free lumber in the form of old dorm beds and old church pews. He’s sustained our emotional needs as well, with our ministry community here who shares our dream of ministry and sailboats. He’s given us people to encourage our hearts and people who could relate deeply to our struggles. He’s perfectly provided for our kids’ needs too – with great friends and homeschool groups, soccer teams and church groups, and yard space, as they journey and grow with us. 

It feels very brave to say, but I think the storm is clearing. I’m seeing some sunlight in the distance. In July we sold our RV and temporarily moved aboard a larger motorboat the ministry owns. But the ministry has plan to sell this boat soon, so we’ve been given till November to get our boat ready for us to move aboard. Don’t miss understand me, I cherish deeply these last two years, and hold all the lessons learned here dearly. But I long for the day when we get to leave port with our anchor leading the way, fastened to the bow of the boat, ready for the next storm.

We need you!

Will you join us in praying that the Lord will help us make our fall deadline? The majority of our financial needs and supplies appear to be met. But we are continually reminded of our need for the prayers of God’s people. You are reading this blog because our lives have touched in some way. God sends no one on a journey alone. And we are honored that you are still here with us and we ask that you consider joining us deeper in this project by asking God to give us success in making our November deadline. Please pray for physical energy to keep going at it day after day, especially in the heat. God has provided a couple men from our local church who have volunteered their time to help build cabinets and run wiring, but we could still use more hands, as often it’s just Aaron working alone. We would also love prayers for good, quick decision making skills as we are making a lot of finishing detail decisions (how high to build the bunks, how many lights to install and where).

We would love to hear from you too! We would love to answer your questions, talk more about what we hope to do with Selah, or even have you come and help if you’ll be in the area! Thank you for following along. Your continued readership as we journey, is an encouragement to our hearts!

Okay, Now for some Fun Pictures

The highlight of the summer has been being able to use our boat (after working on Selah for 1.5 years, we were able to go sailing on her as a family for the first time this June) As the bulkhead is now rebuilt, she is structurally sound again and sailable!

Over the course of the summer, Selah took out over 100 people, including several youth groups and some family. Laura’s mom and Aaron’s parents made the list of passengers.

Rielle working on her Captains License

Laura and boat building friend, Rachel, geared up for fiberglass work

The shop vac is a must have for boatbuilding. The kids vacuum up sawdust after mom and dad reinstall the salon floors and create hatches to access the old water tanks below that will now be used as dry storage.

It’s been such a blessing to make friends with other families with kids who also want to use sailboats to share the love of Jesus. One such family came to visit this winter and it was so cool to be able to play with stuffed animals with other 5 year olds

Our local docks continue to bring the world to us. We spent a lovely afternoon early this summer with a British couple who sailed across the pond. They gave the kids a lesson in knots, and even shared a spot of English tea with us! T’was delightful (can you hear my British accent)

A video I made to share with our home church at the beginning of this year…

Miss our last update? Read it here