Intentionally Uncomfortable

Some of you may be surprised to know that I like to be comfortable. Although I'm rather outgoing, I like to be outgoing within the confines of my comfort zone. Does that make sense?

As the school year was ending I knew I wanted the three oldest girls to take swim lessons. Everything within me wanted to take them to the pool I grew up using. This pool is about 15-18 minutes from our home. However, there is a pool in my own community which is only a 7 minute drive. It seems like a no-brainer, but I so wanted to take the girls to MY pool.

Maggie tends to be the "pet" in every class she is a part of. :)

Since the girls are homeschooled, I feel it is really important for them to get to know people in our community. At some point I imagine they will go to public school or play sports or be involved with others in the community, and I want them to have prior experiences to build on these future relationships. They will not have that opportunity if I take them out of our community for extracurricular activities.

Snacks were the way to keep Caroline contented during the hour we were at the pool.

So we went for it. On the second day I struck up conversation with a mom with six children - she had a child in a class with Maggie, and a child in the class with Anne and Abbey. She was really wonderful and kind. There were several other moms who I had the opportunity to chat with and who my girls made friends with their children. We were able to reconnect with one of the helpers from the VBS that the girls attended, and also saw some of the families from swimming at the grocery store. Small things, for sure, but it really made me start to feel a part of our community.

Abbey was hesitant in the beginning but worked hard and was such a great listener!

Sometimes, what may feel uncomfortable at first turns out to be just what was needed. I'm looking forward to more ways to build relationships within this wonderful community in which I live.

Anne jumping off the diving board. By the end of the second week she could jump off with no one there to catch her and without a floatation device.