We are quickly coming upon the one year anniversary of our adventure’s very beginning.  A family cruise January 2017 clinched our desire to one day pursue circumnavigation.  Stepping aboard a Fountaine Pajot catamaran at the Seattle Boat Show later that same month confirmed our decision to pursue this live aboard dream. Remembering all the nuances that needed to happen to bring us to where we are, only confirms God’s hand so perfectly, peacefully and beautifully orchestrated the events of last year.

Why then, at the dawn of a new year do I struggle with Fear vs Faith?  I hold onto our dream of living aboard a catamaran, but do not perfectly understand how the events of attaining that dream will unfold.  We are photographers….and have a serious passion for what we capture through our lenses and the professional quality product we produce!  Providing our photographic or cinematic expertise, and our fun professional photobooth through our company, Ryan and Jacy Photography (www.ryanandjacy.com), to waterfront venues around the Pacific Northwest, is our desire while we learn how to cruise and work in the Puget Sound.  Honestly, then FEAR creeps in.  “How will this work?  Who will refer us?  Are we willing to take the risk?  Why should it work for us?”  FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real can keep me emotionally caged in a death grip, feeling defeated before the year has even begun.

Isaiah 40:31 (from the Message Bible)

“Why would you ever complain, O Jacob (Jacy), or whine, Israel (Taisey family), saying, “GOD has lost track of me.  He doesn’t care what happens to me”?  Don’t you know anything?  Haven’t you been listening?  GOD doesn’t come and go.  GOD lasts.  He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.  He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.  And he knows everything, inside and out.  He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.  For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.  But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength.  They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”

As I look back over my own blog, I remember how God ignited a dream inside us and turned our lives upside down in four days.  Because we continue to have a peace that passes understanding and an unceasing longing for the open water, we remain completely confident we are right where we’re supposed to be.  FAITH – Forwarding All Issues Toward Heaven makes me ponder a song from Casting Crowns about which Voice of Truth I choose to listen to.

Oh what I would do to have, the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in, onto the crashing waves.  To step out of my comfort zone, into the realm of the unknown, where Jesus is, and He’s holding out His hand.

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me.  Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed.  The waves they keep on telling me, time and time again, “Boy,  you’ll never win!”  “You’ll never win!”

But the Voice of Truth tell me a different story!  The Voice of Truth says, “Do not be afraid!” The Voice of Truth says, “This is for My glory!”  Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.

Oh what I would do to have, the kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant, with just a sling and a stone.  Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors, shaking in their armor, wishing they’d have had the strength to stand.

But the giant’s calling out my name and he laughs at me.  Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed.  The giant keeps on telling me, time and time again, “Boy, you’ll never win!”  “You’ll never win!”

But the stone was just the right size, to put the giant on the ground!  And the waves, they don’t seems so high, from on top of them lookin’ down!  I will soar with the wings of eagles, when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me!

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth!

~Songwriters: Steven Curtis Chapman/ Mark Hall

Voice of Truth lyrics Sony/ ATV Music Publishing LLC, Essential Music Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group

I don’t know the specifics of how our future will unfold so we can earn enough to buy our catamaran.  Ryan and I do our best to plant seeds of prosperity…the rest is FAITH – Forwarding All Issues Toward Heaven, waiting, and working our butts off!

Sometime ago, I had a dream about this dock cleat.  A dock cleat keeps a boat safe and secure in the harbor…but that is not where ships were intended to stay.  In my dream, I wondered about the lines securely fastened to all different kinds of vessels here at the marina.  Some lines are limber from constant use journeying out of the harbor into open water.  Some lines are stiff, crusty, and green with algae from never leaving the slip.  I love our Cruise-A-Home and relish getting off the dock.  But when the time comes, when we finally have saved enough for our catamaran and our circumnavigation dream is knocking on our door, will I have the courage to release lines from the harbor and sail into the big blue open water?

Will I choose Faith or Fear?  I’ll choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.