A Fear All My Own

THE BIG JUMP

I spent almost 2 weeks up in the mountains doing every activity with ease (for the most part). But, here I sat 45 LONG minutes of wanting to jump off the bridge and not being able to. I was scared of letting go and falling. As I sat there I thought about how it reminds me of how sometimes I'm afraid to give God control and just let go. I pictured myself letting go a dozen times but still, there I sat. Getting off that bridge and walking away for me was not a choice. In the last final minutes tears ran down my face.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and pushed!

The moment I came out of the water I was nothing but smiles! I did it! I overcame my fear. Thank you Doug for all your encouragement.

SLAMMED 2008

July 17th-21st, 2008

Slammed was the first ever GTD trip and is now an annual public adventure trip. This years Slammed took place in Northern Georgia. We went whitewater rafting, rock-climbing, waterfall riding, cliff jumping and rappelling. Our nights were spent around the campfire sharing our "favorites" of the day and listening to an Impact Point (a spiritual message given by a leader of the group). I took over 600 pictures of this trip and I'm sad to say I can't share them all. Enjoy!


Slammed 2008 Participants

Before each activity our participants are given instructions.

Joel Lovell (GTD Summer Intern) and his friends.

Amber is the girl bending over in this picture. She tried several times to go over the cliff and couldn't bring herself to do it. In fear, tears and determination she finally did it! Yeah, Amber!

Way to go!

Doug and I on a rappel line. This was the second time I went down. The first time I was used as an example and was the first one down. Going over the cliff for me was easy, but I was scared I couldn't control the line well. At the end of the activity I asked Doug to go down with me. He gave me one on one instruction and lots of encouragement.

Mike was an inspiration to us all. After sitting and watching he was convinced he wouldn't climb. With a bit of encouragement though he did and he made it all the way to the top!

Me taking on the challenge to rock-climb. I made it all the way to the top! I am proud of my accomplishment.

Doug and I going riding down Turtleback Falls, GA
(Yes, I'm plugging my nose!)

Turtleback Falls is a favorite of our participants.


Kevin and Ashley Starner (GTD staff and volunteer)

Entering the Rainbow Falls Swimming Hole

This is a picture of six amazing young Christian adults.
We nicknamed them the "FRIENDS" from the t.v. show.
Sadly enough some of them were to young to know what
we were talking about.

WOW!

Me being baptized at Rainbow Falls by Bobby Tripplet.

Slammed 2008 Participants

Adventure Race

June 12th, 2008

Doug and I setting up and testing slack lines.

Hammocks for participants to hang out in.

Horseshoes

Volleyball

Gear

Kitchen set up for lunch.

Doug and Kevin welcome our participants.

This was a great group of kids who we had a lot of fun with. I really enjoyed their determination.

With an adventure race teams are geared up with harnesses to keep them together.

Once the teams are geared up they are sent off with a map with locations of tasks they must complete before their time is up. I love this picture above. This team worked really well together.

Stepping Stones was the check-in point I was in charge of signing off on.

This was my favorite team of the day trying to complete the Stepping Stone task. They must have tried to complete it a dozen of times before being able to sign off. I loved their perseverance.

We Are Family! GTD Picnic For Staff & Volunteers

June 1st, 2008

Getting the GTD staff and volunteers together is important. We like to think of GTD and our volunteers as family. For this meeting, we met at Walsingham Park ate food, tossed the football around and took some time to catch up with one another. In between the all the fun Doug, Kevin and Traci updated us on all the GTD new and events.

Above is a picture of Ruth. She is a new addition to the GTD family. Her Mommy Jeanette has been a part of GTD since it first began. Jeanette and Noel were engaged on one of GTD's events last summer.

Rainbow River

May 26th, 2008
It was a beautiful day to go tubing!

Island Retreats

Below is a picture of Carson (Doug's nephew) and his friend Megan. In the background is a picture of the Island we camp on.

In order to have a successful Island Retreat it is VERY important we have working and able boats to get us , the equipment and our participants to and from the island. We are very fortunate to have several volunteers who graciously allow us use of their boats for some of these events. The pontoon boat on the left is a GTD boat. It is mostly used to hull all of our equipment. When all the equipment is loaded onto this boat we sometimes aren't sure if it will sink or float! GTD's plans are to put this boat up for sale in hope of acquiring a new one for future events. (If you or anyone you know has a boat they would be interested in donating to a ministry we would love to talk to you.)

On the boat we bring tents, a full kitchen, chairs, portable showers and bathrooms, games, giant blow up tubes, a water volleyball court, food, a generator, coolers, water jugs, hammocks, a movie projector, safety gear, lighting gear, medical kits, ect... and behind us we pull the canoes. When weather permits we will take groups over to Caladesi Island and canoe through the Mangroves. (Be sure to see my earlier entry about the Sunset Paddle)

Below are some views of camp.

We love to eat well our trips! On our trips you may be served French-toast, Scrambled Eggs, Pizzadillas, Sandwiches, Spaghetti, Chicken Fettucini Alfredo , Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, Chicken and Mashed Potatoes, Tacos to name a few!

This year we had some variable weather with each retreat that kept us on our toes. One of the great things about GTD and our volunteers and staff is that no matter what we're dealt we make the best of every situation. Rain or shine we are having fun!

Our fire pit area serves as a meeting area for morning devotions and nightly Impact Points. Morning devotions consist of getting into God's word with quiet time and discussion and our Impact Points are messages spoken either by one of our staff members or a member from the group.

Kevin and Doug (Ma & Pa)

Setting up for the Island Retreats and breaking down is very labor intensive. Each takes a full day to get done depending on the day and how many volunteers we have available.

A Portable Shower (above). The water is heated by a generator.

Giant Tubes are used for playing games, relaxing and hanging out with friends.

A view from South Beach! This is where most of our activities take place on the island.

This is called a cocoon. It is like a hammock but covered with mesh. If you look closely you can see me laying inside. This is where I slept at night. It is very comfortable.