Swimming Ministry 2014

Some 30 years ago, the church my husband grew up in founded a ministry to teach swimming. Lessons are one hour a day for five days in a row; each day they begin with group prayer and a rousing rendition of Philippians 4:13. My husband taught lessons as a teen, and his mother still does (though not this year).

Both Levi and Owen took lessons this year. The week before their lessons, we took them to the pool at my husband's office, and it was a complete disaster: Levi screamed in terror half the time, and Owen wouldn't even get in the pool. I braced myself for a loooong week. The transformative week in pictures:

Monday

Two scared little boys holding hands for prayer.

Not excited about getting arm bands on.

Hard to see, but that is not a happy face.

Tuesday

Clinging to the supervisor.

Both boys. Owen's calm, but whenever Levi is on his back, you can be sure he's crying.

Wait! Is that an almost-smile I see?!

(Once he realized his feet could touch, Owen was content to walk up and down the pool.)

Wednesday

Talking through it.

HE'S ON HIS BELLY!!

Cold but happy.

Thursday

Contemplating some kicks.

Kicking around the pool.

Still can't convince Owen to move his arms in the water.

Friday

On his back and not screaming!

Thinking about jumping in. (The answer was "no.")

Remember that the week before swimming lessons, the boys either wouldn't get in at all or cried the whole time? Here are pictures from Saturday's trip to the pool, the day after our week of swimming lessons:

Levi's kicking away, and Owen is completely alone in the water.

Look at that glee!

A successful week, to be sure! :)

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