The Feeling of Success (Day 40/41)

Yesterday: This week I had the great privilege to teach children how to swim for charity. I was helping raise money for my church so they could buy a new and much needed bus and handicap van. The three children I taught were so precious. They rarely complained and were so willing to try new things. I will say it was extremely challenging teaching children how to swim on sort of a schedule. Most private lessons last at least five days and are an hour long. I had four days and thirty minutes. The most rewarding time of this week happened on the last ten minutes in my second lesson with a little girl named Marissa.

Marissa is about five years old and she had a pretty strong fear of putting her nose in the water. She didn't quite understand that blowing bubbles would cause the water to stay out. But in those last ten minutes, I finally had her push off the wall without a kickboard or noodle, all by herself. She sunk the first few times but then all of the sudden she came towards me. Her fears were concurred and she wanted me to keep stepping farther and farther from the wall so she could swim a bit longer. In four days I was able to teach a child how to swim! I couldn't of done it without the Lord's help. He has given me such an incredible ability to teach and coach. With my understanding of the water and how the body pushes itself through it, I've acquired some skills in instructing others. But more importantly, the Lord helped me stay patient and encouraging with these youngsters this week. There was a few times I wanted to be stern, but I knew if I did that they would never learn. As a coach I'm used to laying down the law; it's what I'm good at. Swim lessons are a completely different game. I'm thankful God reminded me of that. Without the patience those children would of never trusted me. So Thursday was for patience and for success.

(I am not using this quote for what I did. In no way to I feel like I gave that kind of sacrifice.)

Today, I was blessed with a three day weekend. Unexpectedly, all of my classes were canceled today. I already knew my 8AM was canceled but after chapel I went to Bible and my teacher surprised us with a day off! I also didn't have work because of Searcy's spring break. That means that by 10AM I was into my weekend. There isn't much to say about this blessing. I mean, I'm a college student, I'm tired all the time, and I'm ready to finish my classes forever. I think everyone gets how nice this was to me. It was nice to be able to relax for a day. Thank you Father!