That time I said "no" to going out into the ocean.

We don't go to the ocean a lot.

Less than I thought we would.

I have been to the north coast 4 times this school year,

for 1 or 2 nights each time.

And for me, that is pretty much perfect.

Not too much, but often enough.

I found myself on a very tiny island a few weeks ago.

[it's about the size of large house]

Two of my closest friends, Curt and Alicia, invited me with them 

to Punta Rucia for a one night trip with a guest they had in town.  

I said yes and we were in the car and on the way!

The trip was wonderful,

but that is not the point of this story.

I knew we were going to be snorkeling on this trip,

and I was excited.

Bring on the adventure!

We put on our masks, snorkels, and fins 

and into the water we went.

After the first underwater breath

anxiety hit me quick.

the waves…

the hugeness of the ocean…

the speed of swimming…

the breathing underwater…

the bravery of everyone else….

I panicked.  

"Alicia!  Wait for me!  I'm really nervous!"

The waves were tossing us and 

we were treading salty water to keep our mouths empty of it.  

After lots of encouragement and several more tries

I felt defeated and swam to the tiny island.

I sat on the sand

with waves rolling into me and my snorkel gear

from 3 directions,

and I thought about a lot.

I was basically living out the song "Oceans" by Hillsong.

"You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find you in the mystery 

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

And I will call upon your Name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace 

for I am Yours and You are mine"

I felt so scared.

I wanted to trust my friends and my equipment 

and my God,

but I felt so scared.

It was an adventure I said "no" to.  

Thankfully I can say that I said "yes" to a big adventure 

God had for me in moving to the DR.

BUT I still think I struggle with this.  

I like safety.

I like comfort.

I like the known.  

I do believe that adventures include these things sometimes,

but it's the ones that pull me into the unknown

that I fear.  

I'm going to work on saying "yes" to 

adventures more often.

After taking some time to gather courage 

I did go out into the beautifully scary ocean.

It was a wonderful adventure in a whole new world,

a world I would not have seen up on the sand.

What adventure is before you?

Will you say "yes" or "no"?