I want to start this blog by saying that rash decisions are not something that I make. I have made a few like buying a keyboard piano and a camera, but usually I think things through. I weigh the cost, figure out if it is truly worthwhile, and take a couple of wee ks to decide. It took me three months to decide to get my tatoo. It took me at least 2 months to even apply for the World Race. My team and I decided that we would go to an island for an extravaganza event before our final debrief. It would be a time for rest and relaxation. So when we arrived on our island, Utila, that is all I was thinking about. I had no idea what was in store for me in the two days I would live on the island.
We took a ferry ride to the island and someone told us of a great hotel to stay at. It was actually a hotel/diving school. Right away people asked if we wanted to get certified to dive. In my head, I was thinking, no way would I ever want to do that. It is a waste of money. We went out to eat and told our waitress what we were thinking of doing and she told our hotel.
The next morning, I woke up with the intention of doing nothing. I went for a quick swim and was in the middle of my quiet time when I got interrupted. Colleen and Sarah had come back from their run and a guy, Dave, walked up asking if any of us wanted to take part in the scuba class. It was supposed to be a three day course and he said we could do it in two days. I all of a sudden felt like I should do it. I had no idea why. I knew that Colleen was thinking about it and so I told her that if she took the class, I would too. This is my rash decision of the week. Colleen contemplated it and said, why not. So we met up with Dave in a scuba classroom. I was not super excited, but I knew that it would help having Colleen by my side.
We had about an hour of classroom time and then straight to the water. I will tell you now if you ever want to get scuba certified, the first time underwater may scare you to death. As we were going down, I could not figure out how to pop my ears, you can’t yawn because you have a mask on for breathing oxygen. I panicked. I could not figure out what to do. I started swallowing salt water, about 2 cups full and ended up on the surface, coughing up a storm. Thankfully Dave came up with me and told me it was going to be okay. I think I would have given up right there if he had not decided to come and encourage me to go back down. I went back down and the rest of the time underwater went very well. I was able to do all of the requirements.
Once we got done with the first part, we were told that we were going to go to open water in a half an hour. I was shocked. I had not eaten anything or drank any water all day. I got ready and went with nothing in my stomach. We got out to the open water and the first dive went great. I enjoyed my time and started to like it. I was not a hundred percent hooked yet. Although when we got to the surface, we were a long ways from the boat. We had to drift in very choppy waters for about five minutes. It was exhausting and by the time I got back to the boat, I was not sure I wanted to scuba dive again. As I got on the boat, I felt fine. The thing is, we had a ride and then stopped for another dive. I was starting to feel nauseous at this point. I did not want to dive anymore. I decided to go to the end of the boat because I was almost a hundred percent sure that I was going to throw up. Colleen came and sat next to me to make sure I was all right. I did throw up about 3 times and I knew I still had to dive. As I was crying and saying I did not want to dive, Dave came up and rubbed my back and told me that it would be much better underwater. I told him I did not want to go. The time came that everyone got in the water. My scuba gear was thrown on me and I was pretty much thrown into the water. I did not like this, but I knew I needed to get some more skills out of the way. I got the skills down and went immediately to the surface. I sat on the boat getting more sick. Eventually we made it back to land. That night, I was wondering if it was truly worthwhile to get scuba certified. I concluded that the class was half way over and it could hopefully only get better.
The next morning I did feel better, but I still was unsure of the scuba diving. The water was calm and I enjoyed our 2 dives in the water. I decided that I could handle scuba diving. The afternoon brought 2 fun dives and then I was hooked. I cannot see much underwater because of my glasses, but it was so much fun to be able to just be there and see the little bit I did. I do not regret my decision and I cannot wait until I can go again with prescription goggles.
As I reflect on my scuba experience, I think of my year. I have had some rough times. I just knew that in the middle of hating or just struggling through something that if I just persevered, plug right on, God would show me what he wanted to teach me. I would be so thankful that I stuck it out and made it through. I look back at the year and I am glad I did not give up during the times I was struggling. I am a much better person because I persevered.
The other thought I had while getting sick on the boat is how much God has blessed me this year with my health. I had not gotten sick all year until my last week in ministry. I really did not enjoy the sickness, but I praise God that he has kept me healthy all year long.
