My 5 year old has his last class today.  I've enjoyed it, the water has been so refreshing.  Just perfect.  And the weather has held out the entire 2 weeks.  We never had thunder, lightning or rain keep us from having class.  Our class is from 12:15 pm - 12:45 pm.  We've had many afternoons with heavy rain and storms, but not until after our swimming lesson.

One strange thing is that the number of students has dwindled as the 2 weeks have progressed.  I asked the teacher if that is normal, for people to drop out toward the end.  He said that there was a $10,000. scholarship grant given this year and that many children are attending lessons for free.  He said they are the one who don't finish the class out.  I said, "No perceived value?"   He said, "Exactly."   He has a Saturday class and only 3 children are still in it, they are the only 3 paying customers.  I can't believe it.  Drowning is the number one killer of children under the age of 5.  All children should learn to swim.  I've always thought that if I was a philantropist, I'd start a "learn to swim" program for the children in my state.  It always hurts when April/May rolls around I hear local news reports of children drowning. 

I know that swimming lessons can be expensive.  Believe me, I've not been able to have my children take lessons every year, even though they could have benefited from it.  We don't have a pool in our backyard so they only swim occasionally at friend's houses or when we go on vacation.  That means the younger ones pretty much have to re-learn it each year.  The older ones remember how to do it, they just aren't super swimmers.   I've been to different programs, the "mom and me" type at the local community college, private lessons in the instructor's home pool and now we're doing the county pool classes.  Money should never be a hindrance to having a child learn to swim.  I just think it's terrible that people take free classes and don't appreciate it enough to finish it out.  Next year, that kind of money just might not be available to the few who do appreciate it.   

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

G.K. Chesterton said, "When it comes to life, the critical think is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude."

And, thirdly, taken from the book, The Power of True Success, a quote..."Gratefulness is receiving all things from the sovereign hand of God and finding the benefits in each one. Gratefulness depends on the ability to see or anticipate the benefits in God's bigger program."

As a child, I learned the 10 Commandments and I always had a picture in my mind for the 2nd one.  I thought of a statue or a golden calf like the Israelites fashioned when Moses went up to the mount.  And for the 1st Commandment, I thought of the type of gods that other religions worship.  But, more and more, I have come to realize that anything that is competing for God's attention and affection can be considered an idol.  And, that idol can be a physical thing shaped like a TV, for example.  Or a computer.  Or, my family.  You see, I want to desire to spend time with God more than anything or anybody in the world.  The problem is my flesh is weak and I have other things I like to do too.  I also have lots of little children who get up early no matter what time they went to bed at night.   They have needs, wet diapers and hunger.  My prayer recently has been that I can get up early enough before the children so I can have uninterrupted time with God reading the bible and praying.   I've been reading in Ezekiel chapter 14 and it talks about setting up idols in your heart or stumblingblocks before your face.   That was convicting for me.  I don't want to put anything or anyone in a higher importance or priority before my Creator, the One who loves me more than anyone could.    Anyway, that's what I've been thinking about this morning.

On a lighter note, my friend, Mylinda has a meme going on where I have to show 5 (I think) pictures of different specific things.  I'll have to work on that later.  It will take time.  The last meme she did about a week or so ago, I missed because I was sick and I couldn't take the time to do it. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it, Mylinda.  Actually, it's true, although Stephanie took some pictures at one point, but I never got around to uploading them and posting about them. Here is the list of what is currently being asked for...

* Curb Appeal
* Junk Drawer
* Favorite Jewelry
* From Whence I Blog
* My Best Feature