Activity - First time Swimming

I had never swam as a child.  My first experience swimming was on a family holiday in Egypt.  We visited some pools near the Red Sea in Alexandria.  First we went to the beach, there were many people swimming but I was too scared to go into the huge sea, but further up there was a smaller pool that looked nice.  I changed into my swimsuit, my friends were doggie-paddling in the water already, so I jumped in!  At first I could touch the bottom with my feet, and we were playing a game with a ball in the water.  I went to catch the ball in the water and I slipped into the deep part of the water where my feet couldn't touch.  My friends thought I was practicing but I thought I was drowning.  Somehow I made it back to the surface with God's help! I've been in the water since!

Parenthood - My LIfe Before and After Children

Before my first child Mary was born, I lived in Ethiopia.  My life was very nice, because I had little responsibilities.  I lived with my family in my parent's house until I was 22 years old.  We had a lady living in our house to do the cooking and cleaning, which is common in Africa for a family who is well off.  We have a large family with 10 siblings total, and I loved it.  My brothers were very gentle and I was close with all of my siblings.  I moved out when I was 22 after I married my husband, and I had my first child, my daughter Mary when I was 22.  Life was very different because I had to start budgeting for food, the bills, the help's salary - everything so that was as big change.  Shortly after Mary was born, political problems started in Ethiopia and I left to find a new home in Egypt.  3 months later, my husband and daughter Mary  joined me in Egypt.