15/08/2026
Sail with me.
WE DID IT! Nathanael and I have officially completed three separate US Sailing-certified courses through Bluewater Sailing Academy in Punta Gorda, Florida! Three courses. Three written exams. A whole lot of time on the water. And more information than I ever imagined my brain could hold in six days.
We are tired, but we are SO excited and proud.
Captain Kevin was incredibly patient with us as we learned everything from working as part of a crew to taking the helm, docking, navigating, and understanding what it truly means to be the helmsman and skipper of a sailboat.
For Nathanael, this was so much more than a sailing course. It was part of his 18th birthday gift and a chance to connect with the legacy of his great-grandfather. Now he understands firsthand the joy his great-grandfather found in sailing—and there is something incredibly special about watching that connection come alive.
And this mama learned a few things too! I now know how to be a helmsman, a skipper, and part of the crew…and I think I make a pretty great First Mom!
I did MUCH better on our third written exam than I did on the first two, while Nathanael absolutely rocked all three exams. Watching him absorb all of this information and put it into practice made me incredibly proud.
We both stretched ourselves this week. There were moments when our brains were exhausted, our bodies were tired, and we wondered how we could possibly absorb one more piece of information—but we kept going.
It reminds me of this:
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” — Philippians 2:13 NLT
I highly recommend Bluewater Sailing Academy and loved the unique experience of actually staying aboard the sailboat in the marina while we trained. If I could offer one piece of advice, though, it would be to take the courses one two-day class at a time if your schedule allows. Give yourself time between courses to absorb and practice everything you’ve learned. You definitely don’t have to fast-track it the way we did!
But now comes the really exciting part…
Where do we sail next?
The Bahamas? The British Virgin Islands? Somewhere else in the Caribbean?
Now I’m dreaming about chartering a sailboat, bringing Jermiah and JadonPaul along, and letting our family chart our own adventure together.
Maybe that’s part of living your purpose—being willing to take the helm, leave the safety of the dock, catch the wind, and discover where God is leading you next.
Our sailing school adventure may be complete, but I have a feeling our sailing story is just beginning.
Visit FlameofPurpose.com and follow me for more adventures on my journey toward living my God-given purpose.
US Sailing