Convertibles, Wet Noodles, and Banana Bread

I think I can, I think I can...

In my previous post I shared that I am now taking swimming lessons because I am an adult who never learned.  And I promised to update on my progress.

I have successfully completed my first lesson and I did feel very much like a kitty in a pool at first.  I felt like the water wanted to lift me up and make me float whether I was ready or not.  :)

My teacher was very kind and friendly.  She did a great job keeping me calm and focused in the water.  At first we just squatted down to see how far I could comfortably go in the water and I was fine up to my neck. Next came learning how to kick while hanging onto the edge of the pool. This too I could do with no problem.

Then my teacher brought out two floatation devices that looked to me impossible to keep anyone afloat.  They were swimming noodles.  I had never used one before so I was skeptical when she said I would be swimming with them by the end of the lesson.

I decided to try and do everything she suggested no matter how impossible it might seem to me.  She  put two swimming noodles under my arms and had me hold on to the ledge and kick.  Then she asked me to try doing the same thing but with only one hand holding on.  And once I was comfortable with that she asked me to let go completely. Shortly afterwards I found myself swimming from one end of the shallow end to the other.  Just me and my new noodely friends.

And then my teacher decided to take away a noodle and see if I could do the same with just one.  I was a little nervous but I tried anyway.  And I could do it!  I was lower in the water but I was still able to kick and paddle my way around.  And I was having fun!

Swimming noodles are awesome.

I have since been to the pool by myself, in the presence of watchful lifeguards, and practiced with success.  In fact I was so comfortable that I even got my whole face under the water several times. I also experienced my first swimming muscle aches.  Mainly lower back pain and a bit of neck pain too.  But I was able to correct what I was doing wrong.  And the last practice I had was much better.

I imagine I was a funny sight to see with goggles, a swim cap, and a noodle splashing and bobbing around. But these were the first times I ever felt so comfortable in water so it didn't bother me when people stared or when little kids swam better than me.  I was in the pool! By myself! :D

Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.  Next lesson I will be getting my head underwater a lot.  I don't know what will be asked of me but I'll be willing to try anything at least once. :)

And when I returned home and got cleaned up an uncle dropped by to have dinner with my family and I.  He brought a new convertible. It had always been a dream of his to own one and now he could.  He was so excited that he gave my grandmother a ride around the neighborhood while mom and I prepared dinner.

A beautiful lady.

I think my 93 year old grandmother looks good in a convertible, don't you?

Go grandma! :D

Shortly after returning from their trip he handed the keys to me and said I should take the convertible out for a spin. So... I did.  I have never driven one before and it was fun.  I received several surprised stares from neighbors as I passed by and all I could do was shrug and smile.

We had a wonderful time at dinner but my uncle had to go before we could eat desert. So when he returned the other evening he finally had some. And I was a little-bit nervous because I had decided to try my hand at baking home-made banana bread by myself.

I was concerned it would burn but thankfully it didn't.  The inside was very moist and tasty and I served the bread with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. I don't believe it tasted as wonderful as how grandmother used to make hers but it was good so I'm happy.

 

Yummy home-made banana bread with ice-cream.

And as I reflected on this post I remembered things I used to believe.  Things like I have to be serious as much as possible or else my faith could be seen as fake.  Or God wasn't interested in the "insignificant" little things I wanted to do.  Or I should never want to do or have anything that anyone else had or could do because that would be coveting.

Yeah,  I was a confused.

But God is a patient teacher and he delights in seeing us enjoy living.  It isn't a sin to have fun if its not contrary to the Bible.  And it isn't a sin to dream big and push out of your comfort zone as long as you are not harboring jealousy for the things you don't possess. 

We all have a personal journey to take.  Its just that life is so much more beautiful and exciting when we let God lead us.  And we shouldn't be embarrassed to try things that might make us feel silly or awkward.  God has a great sense of humor!  I mean just look at all the creatures He has made!  And even people can be funny by the way they laugh or sneeze or... just are.

So here is a thought. Is there something you have always wanted to do but never did because you were too worried you might make a fool of yourself? Try it anyways!  If God is with you He'll be smiling and soon you will be too because your life lived to the fullest delights Him.

Blessings to you fellow journeyers.

" For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, He will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

~ Zephaniah 3:17