tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post2155142555584585228..comments2024-03-28T17:58:26.154+00:00Comments on Are we nearly there yet? : Holding my breathHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-54131283678897056652015-01-20T12:17:41.199+00:002015-01-20T12:17:41.199+00:00Hi Susan. Thanks so much for visiting and leaving ...Hi Susan. Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment - I say go for it. I know how easy it is to be derailed, but I do hope you find the courage to join a masters team, or try again with your mile a day (wow!). This is our pool, yes, sadly only for another year when it'll be demolished in favour of a newer version. This pic was taken at a Christmas swim meet, hence the Christmas tree on the top diving platform! <br />I don't know if you'll come back to read this, but if you do - any tips on surviving the Swim Mom years? My daughter is training in the early mornings, galas for entire weekends, and we are all so tired! <br />Again, thanks so much for visiting. All the best with your swimming. xHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-1518960995744477952015-01-17T17:57:00.631+00:002015-01-17T17:57:00.631+00:00I just came across this moving post on the SITS gi...I just came across this moving post on the SITS girls Sharpest. My daughter is in her Jr year of college, and a competitive D1 level swimmer. I've been a swim mom since she was 7 years old - and can't tell you the number of times I have had your same thoughts. I have never been brave enough to join a masters team, but was pushing myself to swim about a mile a day for a while. The interruption of a cold and a vacation broke the routine. This has motivated me - maybe its time to try again!<br />What a beautiful pool in the photo - it that where you train?! Susan https://www.blogger.com/profile/15294204009310379754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-68974408926666105062015-01-12T08:15:56.209+00:002015-01-12T08:15:56.209+00:00Wrinkly? Martin, you don't know the half of it...Wrinkly? Martin, you don't know the half of it. <br />Happy biking. <br />Thanks for reading.Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-13805287425846534652015-01-11T15:11:04.585+00:002015-01-11T15:11:04.585+00:00You've been swimming for a whole year? You mus...You've been swimming for a whole year? You must be really wrinkly after being in the water that long...and tired. <br /><br />Which reminds me, I must get back on my bike...the indoors bike as it's way too cold out there for someone as old as me.Martin Willoughbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05605554706836638988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-89696238082376578242015-01-11T14:09:36.025+00:002015-01-11T14:09:36.025+00:00Well done you! Isn't it wonderful to find some...Well done you! Isn't it wonderful to find something that you can stick at and make a difference? I hope you go from strength to strength. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. xHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-22012756999984156712015-01-11T14:08:00.981+00:002015-01-11T14:08:00.981+00:00He did it indeed. There's no way on earth I co...He did it indeed. There's no way on earth I could have done it myself. Thank you, Ginger. It's been a good year. :-)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-53678006234927027642015-01-11T03:14:32.889+00:002015-01-11T03:14:32.889+00:00I can totally relate! I'm a 54 year old out-o...I can totally relate! I'm a 54 year old out-of-shape woman and I started a Zumba class about a year ago. I'm always shocked that I can barely walk around, but I can manage an hour-long Zumba class with relatively little stress. Of course, I'm almost always the oldest and heaviest person in the room (except for the teacher's GRANDMOTHER!) , but I suck it up and show up anyway! #SITSSharefestAdriansCrazyLifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-21722595701739344252015-01-10T23:09:20.486+00:002015-01-10T23:09:20.486+00:00I love, love, love this, Helen. The writing is be...I love, love, love this, Helen. The writing is beautiful, as always, but the message--the simple word that HE did it, God did this for you out of His sheer desire to bless you--that message is breathtaking. We so underestimate the gift of courage, and He gives it in spades when we're obedient. Bravo, friend-across-the-sea.Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11743890053517355404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-41567352440348349202015-01-09T10:38:03.624+00:002015-01-09T10:38:03.624+00:00Maureen, what a lovely, lovely thing to find on my...Maureen, what a lovely, lovely thing to find on my computer when I turned it on. Thank you for your kind, encouraging words - I'm so glad that my experiences might help someone; my heart goes out to your friend with the new baby. I never took my daughters swimming when they were tiny for this exact reason. I am hoping that she can find the courage to get from the changing room to the water and have a lovely time with her little one. <br />Good for you re the blog! Give it a try; it sounds as if it might just be your thing. <br />Hope your knee gets better very soon. Thanks again for visiting and taking the trouble to leave such a lovely comment. Bless you. :-)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-28568788879521317772015-01-09T09:30:23.400+00:002015-01-09T09:30:23.400+00:00elen - first of all I was reading your blog just f...elen - first of all I was reading your blog just from the email on my iPhone then decided I wanted to see the photographs - WOW - that's a BIG pool!! Your fears about your size and walking out in a cossie really resonated with me - as I have felt the same. In fact only yesterday when I met a very new mum - have a look at my blip for yesterday here https://www.polaroidblipfoto.com/entry/1999917777120399163 who was saying she would like to take her baby swimming, but was worried about what people would think and I was trying to reassure her that if she wanted to do it then she should without worrying about other people - your blog has really spoken to me about how we can get through things with God upholding us, so I am going to forward the email to her.<br /><br />You are so brave and I wish you well in all your endeavours - sometimes we have to move out of our comfort zone and then we really do feel the power and grace of God and I have had to do that a lot recently because of a torn cartilage in my knee. Life is often not very easy, but when we put our hand into the hand of God, there is no end to the wonderful things we can do - together! <br /><br />Stay blessed as you bless others - having taken a photograph and written a journal for over 2 years, every day, without a break, I realise that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me - and who knows, I may even think about writing a blog, so thank you for encouraging me! M xxMaureen Ileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03800999599574015894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-2575210473425220302015-01-09T08:21:52.841+00:002015-01-09T08:21:52.841+00:00Hi Steve. Thanks for popping in. I hope things get...Hi Steve. Thanks for popping in. I hope things get easier very soon. Bless you. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-84310909392194438612015-01-09T08:19:41.166+00:002015-01-09T08:19:41.166+00:00If I had a hoard of year 11s keen to catch sight o...If I had a hoard of year 11s keen to catch sight of me in my swimmers I suspect I'd steer clear too! Thanks, Fran. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-33338949301497326142015-01-09T03:38:57.906+00:002015-01-09T03:38:57.906+00:00Nice to see you back blogging again recently. Or m...Nice to see you back blogging again recently. Or maybe you've been blogging and I've missed your posts. I've been totally swamped for the past several months and it doesn't look like it's going to get any easier any time soon. Been struggling to blog M-F, but I'm committed to that. Take care. Let's skype soon. And God bless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-40257763502137083572015-01-08T19:30:15.270+00:002015-01-08T19:30:15.270+00:00You are to be admired. It takes a lot of guts. I&#...You are to be admired. It takes a lot of guts. I'd need to be in Outer Mongolia before I put a swimming cossie on in case I met my year 11s!!Fran Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07935088780461825341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-84973336192569832242015-01-08T17:07:34.738+00:002015-01-08T17:07:34.738+00:00Thank you, Joy. You are extravagant with your love...Thank you, Joy. You are extravagant with your lovely encouragement and I do appreciate it. Bless you too, my friend. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-30819715644159258602015-01-08T17:06:09.959+00:002015-01-08T17:06:09.959+00:00Thank you, Keren, for your generous words. I'm...Thank you, Keren, for your generous words. I'm a long way from being fit, or slim, but I'm better than I was. I couldn't have done it on my own. xHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-29522688380060364312015-01-08T17:03:11.770+00:002015-01-08T17:03:11.770+00:00Thank you, Helen. I'm looking forward to it to...Thank you, Helen. I'm looking forward to it too. Bless you for being so lovely.Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-8438668651952246242015-01-08T16:56:28.719+00:002015-01-08T16:56:28.719+00:00Sweet, vulnerable, honest Helen, you are graced wi...Sweet, vulnerable, honest Helen, you are graced with a great gift of expression. This raw, open post had me smiling, tearful, aching for and rejoicing with you! You have come such a long way in pursuing the pool of life if not taking the waters of worry in your stride instead of drowning in their heavy waves.<br />I'm so proud of you and so, I am sure, is God. I can imagine Him sitting on the sideline urging you on, whispering reassurance to your faltering heart and cheering as you overcome yet another hurdle. Your courage is amazing and so is your ability to stick at hard things until they yield. Well done you!! And these words you close with truly sum up why you are succeeding so swiftly:"He's been in the water right alongside me, and he didn't let me sink." Amen! Keep on swimming and keep your head high when others are tempted to look down on you. You have every reason to hold your breath in wonder at the way God is drawing you out and making you brave. I'm so excited to see what challenges you will overcome next! Blessings and love. xox :)Joy Lentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-69835972965007988852015-01-08T15:24:05.750+00:002015-01-08T15:24:05.750+00:00Dear one, am so proud of you! I'm sure He is t...Dear one, am so proud of you! I'm sure He is too. What an amazing year you had, where you took Him at His word, trusting and being oh so brave. Nothing short of inspiring. I would love to be able to do something this physical, though I would probably choose walking or running if I were able, so to me, getting from the changing room to the pool sounds like a marathon (in more ways than one!) and I suppose some disabled/sick people might feel jealous. But that is not the emotion that overwhelms me when I read your story. I am proud. I am pleased, I am so happy that someone like you is being an overcomer and doing things others can't do, and some won't do, because you are brave and you are not taking your body or your fitness for granted. God made you amazing and tougher than you think. What a star. xxxKeren Dibbens-Wyatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13243864501780189541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-27839659545115377132015-01-08T14:09:33.360+00:002015-01-08T14:09:33.360+00:00I've followed your journey and stand amazed at...I've followed your journey and stand amazed at the new found confidence which comes through in your writing. So pleased for you and looking forward to seeing where else God leads you this year.Helennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-50944837748137454182015-01-08T12:22:32.327+00:002015-01-08T12:22:32.327+00:00He is! Not so sure about me!
Thanks, Mandy, as alw...He is! Not so sure about me!<br />Thanks, Mandy, as always. x<br />PS the cup of water is to get into the habit of keeping your head very still while rolling the body to move the arms and legs on backstroke. It makes all the difference at elite level, you know. ;-)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05559604728716256864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354279212912469509.post-33859354187832733342015-01-08T11:12:57.686+00:002015-01-08T11:12:57.686+00:00I love the way you open up so honestly and vulnera...I love the way you open up so honestly and vulnerably in your posts, Helen. You are such an encouragement. And even as someone who only sees you occasionally, I have seen some of the changes in you. <br /><br />The swimming actually sounds like a lot of fun (a cup of water on your forehead, really?!) - and I'm well impressed that you can swim a whole length under water. <br /><br />You are amazing, and God is good! xxMandy Johnsonhttp://www.mandybakerjohnson.comnoreply@blogger.com