Catching Dreams

About a year ago Jacob had damn near given up on his dream of running a dive operation.  We were both bartending in Vegas, making good money, great health insurance, and job security.  We owned a home, had weekly family/friend gatherings, Joie was a sophomore in high school and involved in a few extracurricular activities, and Jayden your average video game playing 11-year old.  We were living the "American Dream".  Unfortunately, that wasn't Jacob's dream.  

He was finally settling into the idea that we would live in Las Vegas until at least Joie was out of high school.

BUT THEN...

An old friend called him out of the blue and resparked his flame of desire.  Jacob got our business license, networked, and started searching for a boat.  As soon as he found this boat he proclaimed, "This is our boat!"  We didn't have the money to purchase it right away; we were waiting for his friend's investor.  We put our house up for sale planning everything to move forward.  As the month's passed our house didn't sell and the investor and Jacob's friend fizzled out.  Once again we were back to square one, well two; we did have a business license. 

We took our house off the market and continued living the "American Dream" with a bit more remorse.  The kids and I were content, but not Jacob.  He fell into a bit of depression witnessing his dream once again fall through.  A few months later he lost his job.  Though we couldn't afford to continue our lifestyle with him unemployed I wasn't worried.  I actually encouraged him to put all his efforts into making his dream a reality instead of looking for a new job.  I didn't like idea of what our lives would look like in 10 years if he got another bartending gig.  He started setting up dive trips and  traveling back and forth to St.Thomas.  He was able to supplement his income with diving easing the stress of his recent job loss.  "Our Boat" was still available and waiting for us.  So we decided to put our house up for sale.  With the sale of our house we would be able to purchase the boat on our own with no investors or loans!  Talk about a blessing! 

And NOW here we are...

We officially own and live on a boat!  Her name is Dream Catcher in honor of making our dream a reality. She's a 38 foot custom Newton-style dive boat.  If you woulda asked me at any point in my life if I would live on a boat, I would have chuckled and responded with a bold ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Its funny how life works, hahaha.

 

For the last two weeks while we've been working and living on the boat getting her prepped for our trip to St Thomas, USVI we've been staying in Slidell, Louisiana.  It's about 30 minutes away from New Orleans. The people down here are absolute gems, blessing us with their southern hospitality!  There is so much kindness, culture, history, and great food- po'boys, shrimp n grits, fried catfish, and boudin balls!  I know I'll be back to visit!  

 

Yesterday, we took Dream Catcher out for a run fully loaded and ready to go. Oh my GOSH!!!  This trip that we are about to take is one of the scariest things that I could ever do!  I am much more comfortable being on land.   It's scary, but also exhilarating! We are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime.  Not many people can say they have traveled from Lousiana to St. Thomas on a 38 foot motor boat.  I am even more thrilled that our kids will be experiencing this journey with us as well.

Our new Yukon

We bought our semi-new truck!!!  This truck was absolutely meant to be ours!  On our first day of shopping we found a beautiful SUV, but it was a 2005 when we were looking for a car 2006 or newer.  It had low mileage but because it was an 05 our financing wouldn't take it so we had to continue looking. For  3 weeks we searched high and low for a truck fitting all sorts of parameters and couldn't find anything we really felt was right.  Luckily, we when went back to the dealership and our car was still waiting for us.   We LOVE it!!!!

Where did this come from?!

My garden is growing!  Not much but it is.

My cucumbers

A few days or so ago I posted a picture of my very first cucumber.  That one has since wilted away (sad face), but out of nowhere this little guy grew!

GOD giveth and taketh away.  I am extactic!  I wanted to get one cucumber to eat and here she is!  God is so good!  Without HIM this would not have appeared.

My basil

We made Caprese salad with our homegrown basil!  It is so neat to be able to eat food from seeds you have sown.  

 Thank You YHWH

Our Stay-Daycation

Inspiration:

We have to take each day and live it to the fullest making sure to accomplish things on our bucket list, doing the things we HAVE to do more efficiently so we have more time for the things we like.  

So we went to East-End Grand Cayman to see the blowholes and on our way we stopped to see the old pirate caves.  Check out the photos below to see a glimpse of our Stay-Daycation.

THE BLOWHOLES...

...brought smiles to our faces and cooled us down.  The laughter that filled the air was magical.

One more item crossed off my bucket list!

East-end fish market pictured near the sea on the left.

We bought an extremely fresh barracuda to fry up for dinner.  These fish are aggressive and have extremely sharp teeth, but the fish market fellas were very kind.  We all agreed that the barracuda was delicious. 

A cool art piece created with an array of things like tree branches, shoes, strings, bottles.

I couldn't resist...

I left my mark ;o)

Then Joie and Jayden made this a photo opportunity.

We made it to high ground!  Because the land is relatively flat it's rare when you can see the land going on for miles.  I totally had to capture the moment. 

My hunnie and I...

Squirrel Fish

Marine Butterfly Fish

Jacob and Joie released some fish caught in this trap.  Sorry Mr. Fisherman but the little reef fish were calling to be free.

Goodnight Day.

God is our Provider

By Him alone are we surviving.  God has been gracious to provide Jacob with new divers.  In fact, today a woman called interested in diving.  Her family is arriving next week on a cruise ship and was led BY God to contact us!!!  At this point we are relying primarily on diving for income,  so you can imagine the blessing this phone call was.  It's not the first one we have had, but it was the first to confirm God's hand at work.  We have seen HIS hand moving everyday.  It is beautiful how He has chosen us; how He is displaying how mighty and in control HE IS.  At one point, I was anxious thinking what if, but then I remembered..

• There is no need for what ifs, what ifs are fear and doubt. 
• To truly trust God is to let go of fear and KNOW that HE will sustain us no matter what.

Sometimes things that happen in are life appear to be bad, but they are really blessings.  Sometimes what we want to happen isn't always n line with God's plan.

I do pray that God will continue to bless us as we carry on this journey of establishing our own diving business.  It is amazing how opening up a new business on a small island can create tension between other similar business owners, I know that it is just fear in their hearts and it will subside.  

God and my husband are calling me out of my comfort zone as well regarding JJDivers, I am going to have to step up to help Jacob.  EEEEE...God I need Your help.