As Alyssa opened the heavy lid to the fridge she announced that we had two dozen eggs from Samoa that still needed using up. Although the eggs had only been in our fridge two weeks who knows how long they had been in the store before we bought them. Carefully cracking each one into a separate container allowed us to see that they were all still usable. Before long she and I were frying up a pile of crepes with all the fresh tropical fruit toppings and crème we could whip up. Eli was happy because we made his “Eli Friendly” egg-free pancakes first and he had a huge stack all to himself. The smells from the galley brought the boys from their cabins faster than calling them could have. Big smiles and satisfied looks were directed at the double batch of steaming crepes placed on the table. As we were all seated Dad brought up the subject of selling our boat. Everyone got quiet as this topic was discussed realizing that all too soon our journey would be coming to an end. As we finished our breakfast everyone had input about what kinds of things we would need to do to get the boat ready to sell. We felt a little worried about the whole process but we knew from the beginning it would be hard at this point. Our family prayer included fervent pleas to help us do what we need to do and find the right buyers for our floating home.

Later in the afternoon a couple from an Aussie boat came by to chat. As they were sitting in their dingy tied to our stern we began questioning them about the Australian boat market. They were not very encouraging. This was the third set of people that informed us that things in Australia have really slowed down. Earlier in the week we engaged a couple of brokers and sent off photos of the boat. Thanks to hints from Dad we  had taken some great photos of the boat in Raiatea. One day when everyone was off playing with Captain Dad, Jaeden and Alyssa and I tidied the boat and took photos complete with the bowl of pineapples and papayas.

I did not want to be negative so I tried keeping to myself my feelings of dread at the thought of all we would have to do to get our boat ready for sale once we arrived in Australia. I knew the hardest part would be detailing Far and Away with all the many bodies on the boat. Just keeping footprints off the white deck after it is freshly swabbed is difficult enough. I envisioned trying to empty cupboards and drawers with little hands rearranging all my work or food on the table after it had been scrubbed or fingerprints on the hatches, water in the shower pump or even redoing the heads time and time again. With so many people in our family the task seemed impossible. I mentioned this lightly to Alyssa and she agreed that Dad would need to rent an apartment so we could do our work without backtracking. I noticed her prayers were a little more focused and she even began praying that we would sell the boat before we got to Australia. Dad liked this idea especially since that would mean saving on huge (15%) importation taxes we would have to pay if we sold it in Australia.

A couple of days ago we visited a random little marina for two nights. While there Alyssa spotted a wanted ad up on a bulletin board. A family was looking for a 45 foot Catamaran to buy from Fiji. She took down all the info and insisted Dad contact them. He was not very enthusiastic as it seemed too good to be true. Yesterday while we were getting ready for dinner at the Sonisali Island Resort we got a text message. This couple and their daughter from New Zealand wanted to see our boat first thing in the morning. We called and explained that that would not be possible because we wouldn’t even be back until noon. They agreed to wait until one pm to look at our boat and they said they would be anchored right outside the pass to the Denarau Marina where we were moored.

Thankfully we had tidied the boat before we left to the Resort. We also just had two windows resealed and our galley sink recalked. Last week while in Savusavu, Dad met a man who needed work. He hired him to detail the outside of our boat. Even knowing all this, both Alyssa and I felt like we would like a little more time to tidy up our little home. We decided to leave the boys at the Resort for one last night and leave by taxi back to the marina right after dinner. We arrived back at nine pm. I was feeling a little sad to be separated from my baby Zak for the first time in his life but I knew he was in good hands with his daddy. Alyssa and I worked two hours emptying baskets and storing clutter in the front pontoons.  We woke up early and wiped every surface on the boat. I cleaned my room and the younger boys cabin and our heads. By nine the whole crew was back form the resort and Jaeden and Dad scrubbed the cockpit until it sparkled. Most of us felt this was a long shot but Alyssa was determined that we all do our part and let the Lord do the rest if it is meant to be. We had talked a few times that we hoped to have a boat that was as good for the buyers as it had been for us.

By the time we pulled anchor and finished filling our water tanks the couple that called us to see our boat met us in their dingy as we were exiting the pass. We anchored in shallow waters and before long they boarded our boat. They were a lovely family with two teen girls. They told us they have been searching for months for a boat and they even had searched in Australia and Thailand to find the perfect boat. They spent hours looking over our boat and they seemed happy with what they saw. They want to come again tomorrow to look. Do I think they will buy our boat? I am not sure but Alyssa believes they will. Is it possible that they could be an answer to prayers. Yes, it is possible if it is meant to be their boat then this could mean a miracle. Dad is willing to put all the work in and bring her to Australia to sell but I would love to skip the whole difficult process and magically sell her tomorrow!! I will keep you posted and let you know if this is a mom’s modern day miracle.