Your profile doesn't say where in Louisiana you're located, but bicycle clubs can be very supportive. While I've seen posts claiming their club's "slow" group averaged 18-20 mph, most clubs of any size have a beginner's group and can be very supportive to beginning cyclists. Find cycling activities you really enjoy. Is there a coffee shop 5 miles away (make that a good coffee shop)? Make a goal of cycling there and back for a cup of coffee and maybe even a small piece of pie. At your level of fitness improvement will come very rapidly. For some that means riding a century 18 months into cycling, for others riding 10 miles. Doesn't matter since it's all good.