Navigation

On our previous ocean travels, we had a handheld GPS which told us our latitude and longitude.  Using these, we plotted our location on a paper chart using a pencil and a splitters and a ruler.  When near land, we plotted our location more frequently than when further away.  Using these marks, our own reckoning, cruising guides (books with diagrams and instructions how to enter an anchorage), and our radar (to see our situation in relation to land or other boats), we navigated to and from, in and out and around. 

This time we only plotted our location once our twice in the past 6 weeks of sailing. Instead we have technology which shows us our location on a digital chart.  We continue to use our own reckoning, cruising guides, and radar.  I still prefer the paper and pencil.  Partially because on our first trip we had a variation of this navigation software which we could not trust.  Sometimes we would pull in to an anchorage , get our anchor down in a safe location, and then look at our navigation screen, it placed the location of the boat on land!  If it could be that wrong, we certainly couldn't rely on it.

Of course, when navigating, there are islands, rocks, shoals, shipwrecks, reefs, poor weather, etc. to avoid. Harbors, islands, anchorages, to aim towards.  We must always have a willingness to change course, extend our time at sea, shorten our time at sea or our time in an anchorage based on any number of variables.  For example, even if we really wanted to achieve an highly desirable anchorage, and we were nearing it, and the weather changed, or we realized we would have to be anchoring in the dark, we might reroute and navigate to an anchorage we could reach in the day time, or that protected better from current weather.  In other words, part of navigating is routing ourselves toward a desired/planned destination.  Another part of navigating is routing around or away from unplanned hazards. 

On this current sailing journey, we have had more to navigate.  Sailing with one child and a teenager, managing more things which we left behind in Santa Cruz (property, home, charter business).  Added to these, a beloved family member in Kansas was just diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer.  

Given some of the above navigational hazards, we are finding ourselves seeking a different "harbor" so to speak.  We are re-routing our original plans and asking God to guide us.  Should we sell Skagua?  Should we return to Santa Cruz?   How can we best pursue our vision of Family, Mission, and Adventure?  Please pray as we consult our "charts", our "cruising guides" and other life navigational aids.