Monday, February 24, 2014

Look Who Is Learning Spanish!

Every year when I travel down to Costa Rica I always have a translator with me because usually I need questions answered quickly and I'm not fluent in Spanish. This past January when I was going through customs the man stamping my passport shook his head at me when he realized my passport was full of stamps to Costa Rica and I didn't speak fluent Spanish. I was so embarrassed and a bit ashamed, he totally called me out!  So here it goes!  Now I have no excuse!  Help hold me accountable friends! 

WATCH A FLICK THAT WON'T MAKE YOU SICK!

GTD usually shows an edited outdoor movie on our overnight camping trips. If you enjoy watching a modern Hollywood movie, but hate all the trash (cursing, nudity & sexually explicit content) coming into your household & mind then do what we do, purchase edited movies from Good Media. They are available at the same time the normal DVD is released and are usually cheaper. Enjoy!




Friday, February 21, 2014

The RESCUE Men's Advance Weekend (March 7-8)

Real Men Don't Retreat; Real Men Advance!

GTD is excited to be a part of "The RESCUE Men's Advance Weekend" along with Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater. This event is open to all men 18 years old & older. We are taking up to 60 men through a 24-hour fire fighting rescue course that ties in spiritual parallels with our walk with God and our role in helping rescue our brothers in Christ. Men, you don't want to miss this event & the lasting impact that it will make in your life.

Date: March 7-8, 2014 (Fri-Sat)
Start Time: 3:30pm (Fri)
End Time: 4pm (Sat)
Cost: $75
Includes: Food, resources, t-shirt, teaching, training, activities, memories, & a life-changing experience.

To register click here

Thursday, February 20, 2014

ThrowBack Thursday >>> 1999 SWAMP THING!!

GTD's #tbt (ThrowBack Thursday) takes us back 15 years to 1999 when 9 brave (some would say, "crazy") souls ventured into the heart of the Everglades to do GTD's first ever 30 mile swamp hike. These nine are GTD's original swamp trail blazers. (And yes, all nine survived)

See all 20 pictures here.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Breakfast with Josh Williams

I had breakfast this morning with Josh Williams... a long time friend who I hadn't seen in many years. He volunteered with GTD for several years during the early 2000's and often sacrificed his time to serve others. So great to see him still passionately seeking God. What a great guy =)   - DUG <><

---

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Turning To-Do's Into To-Done's!

Making progress... this is half of my current stack of to-do's. It has taken me over 4 years to chip away at a huge pile of tasks that remained after we had to let our staff go in 2009 during the recession.

The fact that I have all of my to-do's compiled into a few small piles and within 10 feet of my desk feels like an incredible accomplishment.

I'm stoked... I see the light at the end of the task tunnel =). I think I'm within 2 years of being caught up & even ahead of the game. That's such an encouraging thought =)))

Monday, February 17, 2014

Time To Get Grungy =)


IT'S BAAAAAAACK!! Get grungy with GTD as we explore the adventurous underworld beneath us. GTD's annual Grunge Caving Day Trip has just been scheduled for March 22, 2014 (that's a Saturday).

Specific details coming soon.


---

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from GTD!!

As we celebrate a day devoted to love it's great to be reminded that the Bible is often referred to as "God's Love Letter" to us. The God of this universe is head-over-heels in love with you. That's something to celebrate everyday of the year.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

Thursday, February 13, 2014

R2R Patches Have Arrived

Just got our Grand Canyon Rim-2-Rim patches in!! They look amAZing!

Want one??? You can't buy it, you have to earn it... 25 mile hike across the GC in one day. One of the best hikes in the world!!

Next GTD Grand Canyon Trip: Sept 29 - Oct 4, 2014

Special thanx to JLAZ Designs & AxcelMark Corp for making these beauties!!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

New Link: "Calendar"

A new Calendar link has been added to this website.

Simply click on the Calendar button above to see the current event dates for 2014, as well as the available dates for booking a private event.

We are still working on our Public Event calendar so check back often to see what GTD Events will be open to the public this year.


---

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

35 Years Ago

Celebrating 35 years of following Jesus!! On Feb 4, 1979 I asked Jesus to come into my heart and to be the Lord of my life. Reverend Jimmy Hammond of First Baptist Church of Pinellas Park led me to the Lord. One week later I was baptized. I was 8 years old. I've made a lot of good decisions in my life, but none better than when I decided to open the door of my heart to Jesus. That one decision has positively altered the rest of my life. I could talk for hours about how much joy & freedom Jesus has added to my life as well as how much garbage He has prevented me from getting involved with. I'm so thankful for the abundat life in Christ. I want to encourage any & every one to, "Taste and see that the LORD is good." (Psalm 34:8). I did... and I'm so glad I did =)

- DUG <><