Two Inspirational Homeschoolers - Review & Giveaway
Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 5:00AM 
Do you remember the stories in the news of the homeschoolers from California that were trying to sail around the world?
I watched the separate journeys of first Zac and then Abby Sunderland, as they attempted something so tremendous and unbelievable.
As fate would have it, over the past few months I have gotten to know their mom, Marianne, and have been blessed to receive the DVDs documenting the stories of two of her children's amazing journeys.
I have never before heard a story of such love, courage, faith, and determination.
How in the world does a mother, in particular, let her children embark on such a journey? You will be in awe of the Sunderland's faith in their children, as well as their determination to help their children achieve their dreams.
My entire family watched all of these DVDs without moving a muscle... we were glued to the tv to see how the stories would evolve and eventually end.
Intrepid - The Zac Sunderland Story
At age 16 Zac Sunderland set off on a solo circumnavigation of the globe. His story is nothing short of amazing. At the age of 17 he became the youngest male to sail solo around the world.
Did I mention that Zac is also dyslexic?
When Zac was a little boy, his family lived on boats. His mother recalls reading aloud to him The Boy Who Sailed Around The World Alone - the story of Robin Lee Graham. This small seed was planted in Zac's mind and heart and the rest is history.
(A cool side note: Robin Lee Graham followed Zac's trip around the globe and they eventually got to meet!)
As we watched Zac's documentary, we followed along all of the awesome places he stopped with our globe. We vicariously traveled from California to Australia, to Africa, and through the Panama Canal (I've left out a few spots, but you can watch the DVD and discover them for yourself!).
Zac even had to make an emergency stop on an island that was in the middle of a civil war. God was protecting Zac, though, with missionaries that knew of him and offered to help.
We learned about sailing terms, different types of people around the world, and most importantly, Zac's walk with God as he learned to trust HIM for everything.
It was geography, science, Bible, and many other lessons rolled into one.
Wild Eyes - The Abby Sunderland Story
Zac's sister, Abby, also attempted a solo circumnavigation around the globe.
Learning about Abby's boat and how she and her father (along with a team of others) outfitted this sailboat for a trip around the world was very interesting.
Her documentary is about how her trip was cut short by a rogue wave on June 10, 2010. The wave caused her boat to roll 360 degrees, tearing off the mast, and ending her trip.
Abby's quiet strength, her vast knowledge of sailing, and her determination were a fabulous lesson for my children.
Abby is also dyslexic and is using her struggles, accomplishments, and determination to inspire others.
Throughout both Abby and Zac's story I was struck by the FREEDOM their parents instilled in them, and the great sense of family the Sunderlands possess. They are a family driven by the love of Christ. What an awesome testimony to all of us!
Both stories have enriched our lives so much - I believe they have also inspired us all to reach higher to achieve our own goals and dreams.
Purchasing Information
All information for the DVDS can be found at Worldwind Productions.
- The Abby Sunderland Story - $22.50
- The Zac Sunderland Story Part 1 - $22.50
- The Zac Sunderland Story Part 2 - $22.50
- OR - you can get all three DVDs for $54.00
*You can use the discount code HAPPY2013 to receive 40% your purchase!
Today I am able to offer one lucky winner all three of these DVDs from Worldwind Productions. This giveaway will be open until Wednesday, January 9 at midnight.
Reader Comments (28)
Not yet...unless I'm forgetting. Well, my little girl says she wants to be a princess, which is pretty impossible =)
Please enter me! I am always looking for inspirational material to view with the girls!
Thank you for this opportunity. We are always telling our kids to dream big. Our two oldest have achieved some of their dreams, ie. Mission trips to other countries (to us this was an 'impossible' dream - but to God it was not!). I am confident my youngest will achieve his as well. Thanks again :)
Thanks...I love to find ways to inspire the family! My daughter wanted to start college classes at age 15 (near our home). She was accepted and just finished an extremely successful and fun semester!
Hmmm........ Not really yet. So far it's been more of the normal things of "I want these Legos" or other such stuff........
Keilee hasn't really wanted something seemingly impossible, unless you count her conviction that she was going to marry Johnny Depp when she was younger. She wants to be an actress and a Zoologist but those are attainable goals with hard work. I would LOVE to see these 2 amazing kids' story!
all the time! He just turned 6 and has an incredible imagination!
My daughters dream is to own a elephant.
My son dreams of being a professional athlete. At 6.5 it's impossible to know whether he;ll have the talent, drive, and opportunity needed to make this dream come true, but we're doing everything we can in the mean time to help him dream his dream!
My son always seems to be inspired to try new things. Nothing as big as sailing around the world, but since he is only ten I never know what to expect from him next. One week he wants to build a habitat for the turtles and lizards on our neighborhood and the next week he is making props to be a magician.
WOW!! these are amazing... please enter us... My kids have a helping heart. They are always giving their money to orphans' ministry and other Christian ministry. Sometimes I feel like they want to do more than what they are able... of course, it's a God thing.
My sons are wanting to be NASCAR drivers, professional football players, grass cutters, and construction men all at one time! And they want summers off. They are 6 and 4.
I don't know that it is impossible, but it is certainly a lofty goal. My son wants to be a Disney Imagineer, and he has talked about nothing else for a couple of years.
Here I am planning day hikes for the warmer weather, and these children set sail alone, to travel the whole globe! Very inspirational, for young and old, alike.
My Cody dreams of playing football for the NFL. My Chloe hasn't really expressed her dream yet, but she loves to dance like her big sis! :0)
Yes. My son wants to learn 12 different languages before he completes high school. He is 9. Scary.
My son wants to be a dragon slayer :)
My son, age 14, would like to be an Olympic bike rider. I try to encourage him in any way I can. He rides his bike all around town in the summertime. I would love to receive these DVDs to share with my 5 children. Thanks for the opportunity!!
Wow, these two young adults are truly inspirational.
my daughter is still exploring her ideas of her dreams
My kids would love to have the opportunity to watch these DVD's. I have one in particular who is an adventurous outdoors man!
My oldest son wants to be a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees!
Yes--to be a pro football player. Hmmm. . .
--Gena
One of our daughters hopes to own her own horse one day.
My kids are a still quite young, but my oldest, age 6, has decided he'd like to be a snowboarder. He has never been skiing or snowboarding and doesn't even remember playing in the snow when we lived in the north. (We live in AL and don't get much snow!)