Friday, December 21, 2018
1 WEEK REMAINING FOR YEAR-END DONATIONS!! ... 73K RAISED (PRAISE GOD!) ... 27K LEFT TO GO BY JAN 31st!!
We have a couple of matching gift challenges left as we head into the final days of 2018:
1) We have about $5000 left for a matching dollar-for-dollar any one-time donations up to $5000 cumulative
2) We have about $195 per month left for matching dollar-for-dollar monthly pledges for 1 year up to $195 cumulative
(That's close to $7350 remaining in matching donations that ends at 11:59pm on Dec 31st)
We are pressing on towards our $100k goal by Jan 31st. GTD turns 23 years old in Jan and it's time to repair or replace a lot of our adventure equipment. Now would be a great time to make a lasting impact in & through GTD!!
To help us hit those matching donation challenges and double your impact by the end of Dec 31st click on the links below to make a one-time donation or sign up to be a monthly partner for the next 12 months. Both ways are great ways to make a difference in this ministry and the lives God touches through GTD!!
Don't underestimate how impacting a one-time donation or monthly pledge to GTD can be, especially when it will be matched by some pretty awesome donors!
AND REMEMBER >>> FREE GTD T-SHIRTS TO ALL DONORS WHO DONATE $100 or more (or PLEDGE $10/mth or more)!!!
And most importantly, thank you so much to all of our incredible donors!!! God bless you guys!
To donate to the cause or sign-up to be a monthly partner click here: https://gtdbullhorn.blogspot.com/p/monthly-partners.html
To track our progress click here: https://gtdbullhorn.blogspot.com/p/fundraising-tracking.html
To follow the GTD Blogsite click here: https://gtdbullhorn.blogspot.com/
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
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FEASTING WITH FRIENDS OF GTD =)
In recent weeks (and some from a few months ago) we've been able to start doing something we've wanted to do for years - spend some quality time with our awesome friends & supporters of GTD.
These are some of the phenomenal people that God uses to make this ministry possible. (Some we forgot to take a picture with.)
(And there are many more that we can't wait to feast with in the coming months.)
Since we are on the road up to 5 months each year and then playing catch-up for the other 7 months it makes getting together with friends & family a daunting, but cherished task.
We only wish it could be more often and more regular.
But we are excited to be making all sorts of progress in all sorts of areas that we are finally getting to spend some quality time feasting with friends of GTD and expressing our eternal gratitude for the role each person plays in our life and the countless other lives that are impacted through the work of this ministry =)
GTD wouldn't exist without a small army of big hearted supporters, volunteers, prayer warriors, and encouragers. We are honored to call them friends and partner with them in ministry.
We are looking forward to many more gatherings in the weeks and months ahead!
GTD's Feast w/ Friends may be coming to a town near you in 2019 ;)
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK TO IGNITE A FIRE! ....JOIN US FOR GTD's ANNUAL IGNITE CAMPING RETREAT IN MARCH!!
Every fire must first start with a spark and we want IGNITE to be that spark in your rekindled passion to follow Christ. Like a match being struck, IGNITE can inflame your heart with a renewed passion in your walk with God and fire you up in your daily devotions!
Incinerate your fears & burn up your burdens with these adventurous activities at IGNITE 2019 (all included for only $23/person!!):
- Tent Camping
- 2 Morning Devotions
- High Ropes Course
- Climbing Wall
- Zipline
- Low Ropes Course / Team Building
- Team Sports (dodgeball, volleyball, ultimate, basketball)
- Camp Games
- Swimming Pool & Hot Tub
- Nightly Campfires, Bible-Based Messages, & Smores (a perfect combination!)
- Outdoor Movie (with family friendly editing)
>>> ADD-ON OPTIONS (EXTRA COSTS):
Paintball (Optional Add-On).... Add $30/person
Bunkhouse Cabins (Optional Add-On).... Add $30/person ($15/night per person)
In our time together you will grow closer to God, make new friends, and build new memories!
Don't get burned out! Instead, get fired up by joining us on IGNITE and watch God do something "ablazing" in your life!
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Click on the link below for more details and/or to register.
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Event: Ignite Camping Retreat
Date: March 8-10, 2019 (Fri night - Sun afternoon)
Location: Word of Life Camp (Hudson, FL)
Cost: Only $23 includes meals, camping equipment, & most activities (in celebration of GTD's 23rd year of ministry)
Website Link: CLICK HERE
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"For our God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:29
Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (Est 1996)
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Monday, December 17, 2018
ON THE PROWL FOR A WEEKEND ADVENTURE? .....JOIN US FOR PADDLE PROWL 2019 (FEB 16-17)!
Join us for a great weekend adventure on Feb 16-17 as we load up our canoes with food & camping gear and paddle out to a remote island for a weekend of God-awesome fun!
Click on the link below for more details and/or to register.
Event: Paddle Prowl Canoe Camping Trip
Date: Feb 16-17, 2019 (Sat-Sun)
Location: The Ten Thousand Islands of south Florida
Total Distance: Approximately 12 miles over 2 days
Cost: Only $23 (in celebration of GTD's 23rd year of ministry) plus food
Website Link: CLICK HERE
"They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves." - Mark 6:32
Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (Est 1996)
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Friday, December 14, 2018
BACK BY (UN)POPULAR DEMAND.... SWAMP THING!
Our least desired and most avoided adventure is back on the calendar for 2019!
Swamp Thing is the backpacking trip your mama warned you about!
Trudging through the thick swamp with a heavy backpack on your back appeals only to the hardened adventurer with a drive to overcome, a mindset to embrace misery, and a passion to run into a challenge that everyone else is running away from.
So if you like taking the hard road BECAUSE it's the hard road, this may be the trip for you. If you like something BECAUSE everyone else hates it, this may be the trip for you. If you like your badge of honor with swamp water dripping from it, this may be the trip for you.
If you've got the guts to do GTD's romp in the swamp then click on the link below for more details and/or to register.
Event: Swamp Thing Backpacking Trip
Date: Jan 26-27, 2019 (Sat-Sun)
Location: Florida's Everglades
Total Distance: Approximately 8 miles round-trip
Cost: Only $23 (in celebration of GTD's 23rd year of ministry) plus food
Website Link: CLICK HERE
"For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and love and self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
Going The Distance Adventure Ministry (Est 1996)
Monday, December 10, 2018
ADVENTURE SURVEY... WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We would love your input!
Feel free to answer any of the following questions on our Facebook Page or leave any ideas, thoughts, or feedback that you think may help us include adventures, activities, & destinations that people love.
1) WHAT ADVENTURES, EVENTS, &/OR ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ADDED TO GTD?
2) WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE GTD GO NEXT YEAR OR IN THE FUTURE?
3) WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE GTD PROVIDE EVENTS SO THAT YOU (OR OTHERS) CAN PARTICIPATE?
Thanks for the feedback!
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Wednesday, December 5, 2018
MORE BIG NEWS!! BIG YEAR-END MATCHING DONATION CHALLENGE!
WOW, we are blessed with some of the BEST supporters and donors! We have 5 donors combining to match up to $13,000 in donations and pledges!! THAT MEANS IF WE RAISE $13,000 IN DECEMBER THEN IT WILL BECOME $26,000!!!
THAT'S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR GTD!
There are 2 matching one-time donation challenges... one for up to $5000 and one for up to $2600 for a total of $7600. That means for every dollar you donate in December to GTD (whether it's $5 or $500) it will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $7600 total. In essence that $7600 gets doubled for a total donation of $15,200 to GTD!!
If that wasn't enough, we have some more donors who will combine to match all monthly-pledge donations dollar-for-dollar up to $450/mth!! That's $5400 over the course of 12 months which will be matched to double it to $10,800!
Don't underestimate how impacting a one-time donation or monthly pledge to GTD can be, especially when it will be matched by some pretty awesome donors!
AND REMEMBER >>> FREE GTD T-SHIRTS TO ALL DONORS WHO DONATE $100 or more (or PLEDGE $10/mth or more)!!!
As we chase after this $100k goal by Jan 31st we are humbled and blessed beyond measure to have the support of incredibly generous people like you!
To donate to the cause or sign-up to be a monthly partner click here
To track our progress click here
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
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Monday, December 3, 2018
DRUM ROLL PLEASE... OUR NOVEMBER BANQUET RESULTS ARE IN...
We are jaw dropped and thankful beyond measure for the outpouring of support we've received from amazing & generous donors as GTD prepares to go into our 23rd year of ministry. We can feel the love! Our gratefulness overflows!! From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! GOD BLESS YOU GUYS!
We are thrilled about all that God is doing to launch GTD into 2019 & beyond! We celebrate His supernatural power and your thoughtful generosity =)
With $70k raised that means that we've got about 60 days to raise the remaining $30,000 to hit our $100k goal.
This is a great time to make end-of-the-year donations, beginning-of-the-year support pledges, and inquire if your company matches your donation to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
We've already had 2 donors have their company match their donations which added a total of about $3650 to our funds raised. It's a simple & great way to double your impact!
We've got more BIG NEWS coming your way tomorrow so stay tuned! Thank you again donors!! We praise God for you!
Click here to track our fundraising progress (or to donate to the cause)
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Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Support GTD today - Nov 27th >>> #GivingTuesday!
IT'S #GivingTuesday !!!!!
Support GTD today - Nov 27th >>> #GivingTuesday!
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.
This year, you can double your impact as Facebook and PayPal will match donations on Nov 27th up to a total of $7 million!
To have your contribution doubled you need to donate online through this Facebook link on Tuesday Nov 27th (TODAY!) before the $7 million dollars is all used up.
Matching donations begin online PROMPTLY AT 8am and expire as soon as all $7,000,000 is used up across the globe. The funds will go fast!
The earlier you donate the better chance you have at doubling your contribution.
BE PART OF SOMETHING BIG! CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
HELP GTD RAISE $100,000 BY JANUARY 31, 2019!! ($50,000 RAISED SO FAR!)
GTD TURNS 23 YEARS OLD IN JANUARY AND IT'S TIME TO REPLACE OUR GEAR & EQUIPMENT!!
Thank You So Much! God Bless You!!
Donation Link: https://www.facebook.com/donate/513781489129686/?fundraiser_source=external_url
Thursday, November 22, 2018
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Regardless of circumstances and life situations we have so much to BE thankful about. Don't wait to be thankful until you feel thankful. It doesn't work like that. Feeling thankful results from being thankful. It's an intentional act of the will that, in turn, affects your emotions. Emotions follow thought patterns. Find the silver linings in every dark cloud and you'll find that the silver is a reminder that "there is sunshine on the other side of those clouds" (as my best once said). Being thankful in harsh circumstances is one of the greatest acts of faith we can display. That faith pleases and glorifies God... and it renews your mind... and that transforms your life. I'm so glad we have a day set aside to focus on the profound importance of being thankful. It's not only a great way to live one day each year, it's a great way to live everyday of the year! And, it just so happens to be God's will for your life. As my pastor once said, "God takes complaining personally." I think God also takes the act of giving thanks personally. In that moment you make God's heart rejoice!
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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Tuesday, November 20, 2018
WE ARE STILL SAVORING LAST WEEK'S ANNUAL BANQUET!
Lord willing, we are looking forward to kicking off our 23rd year of ministry in 6 weeks!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Glory to God!
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Wednesday, November 14, 2018
SPECTACULAR NEWS!! $50,000 RAISED SO FAR!
God blessed us with an incredible banquet last night which included touching testimonies, inspiring speeches, delicious food, beautiful ambiance, special moments, great highlights, amazing volunteers, special awards, overflowing attendance, and magnanimous donors!!! Thank you to everyone who helped make last night an astounding success!
We finally completed the tally this morning around 3:30am and the preliminary results are in. We are at an abounding $50,000 raised!! That is a total of $19,000 in donations and $31,000 pledged over the next 12 months. Wow! We are jaw dropped!!
All 3 of our Matching Donation Challenges were achieved last night!! $15,000 was literally double to $30,000 through these challenges!! Thank you so much to our 3 anonymous givers that leveraged their generosity into an overflowing blessing to GTD!! And thank you so much to the many donors last night who met the challenge with executing generosity! We are so blessed and honored to be among such caliber of quality human beings! We praise God for each and everyone of you!!! We are eternally grateful.
So we are off to a miraculous start at our goal of raising $100,000 by Jan 31st (Praise the Lord!). We have several Ministry Partners that weren't able to be there last night that may sign back up for another year of generous support. We have "Giving Tuesday" coming up in 2 weeks. We have end-of-the-year donations coming up in December. We have new budget donors coming up in January. So, with 2.5 months of fundraising to go we are beyond thrilled to be half way to our goal!! Lord willing, that 100k by Jan 31st is within sight and we are pressing on towards the goal!!!!
Thank you so much everyone!
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
HUGE NEWS!!
- $7000 & $2000 in One-Time Donations
- $500/mth in Monthly Pledges
You don't have to be at the banquet to donate.
Help us hit our goal of raising $100,000 by Jan 31st!!
Support the GTD cause... click here to double your donation
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PRE-RELEASE! TONIGHT'S 2018 HIGHLIGHT VIDEO!!
With only a few hours until our Annual Banquet we wanted to pre-release our 2018 GTD Highlight Video titled: "Welcome To Camp!" This was my 16 year old nephew's first GTD highlight video and I think he did a fantastic job! It gives you a small glimpse into what a GTD adventure is like. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Music by Crowder =)
Video by Carson =)
Video Link: https://youtu.be/maG79nq3HhA
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Monday, November 12, 2018
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO - DONE =)
Late night video editing with Director Carson... one GTD highlight video ready to go for our Annual Banquet! Thanks CarsO =)
Buy Christmas gifts from the comfort of your own home and bless GTD!
Buy Christmas gifts from the comfort of your own home and bless GTD! ...Win! Win! Win!
Click (or copy & paste) this link to shop some pretty incredible items on "thirty-one" (Proverbs 31) for Christmas gifts or personal use. 100% proceeds go to GTD! (Please choose direct shipping). Deadline ends Nov 30th.
Thank you Jeantette Dunham and Joy Weeman for putting together this shopping spree fundraiser for GTD! You guys are fantastic!!!
thirty-one online shopping link: https://www.mythirtyone.com/us/en/11039383/shop/Party/EventDetail/10972993
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Steve-O!!
We are honored, privileged, and blessed to have our dear friend Pastor Steve Ringelspaugh - the Student Pastor of Skycrest Community Church - as our main speaker tomorrow night at The GTD Annual Banquet!!
This guy is AWESOME and SO MUCH FUN! We can't wait!
Join us for a special night of celebration, challenge, and preparation!
$2000 DONOR MATCH CHALLENGE!
NOW we have a $2000 Donor Match Challenge issued by one of our great Anonymous Donors!! Thank you Mr & Mrs Anonymous!!
Mr & Mrs Anonymous is matching every dollar you donate up to $2000!! What a great way to literally double your impact!!
Help GTD hit our goal of raising $100,000 by Jan 31st!! That's $33.4k each month for 3 months (Nov, Dec, & Jan)... or about $1000 per day! In Christ, we can do this!!!
It's time to replace (or, in some cases, repair) our adventure equipment & gear and launch GTD into our 23rd year of ministry!!
We've already raised nearly $10,000 in 12 days!! Praise God! Keep us on track to hit that $100,000 goal!
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To donate, sponsor a table, and learn more information on how to support GTD click on these links:
GTD Donation Link
GTD Banquet Link
GTD Funds Raised Tracking Link
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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! GOD BLESS YOU!
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Saturday, November 10, 2018
GTD SWAG DONOR GIFTS DEBUTING TUESDAY NIGHT!
We're excited about this year's gifts for our donors debuting at Tuesday night's banquet!! The more you give, the more you get! It's just a small way for us to show our gratitude and for you to represent, promote, and have a prayer reminder of the ministry you support.
(We are still distributing last year's donor gifts so we are surrounded by a lot of GTD SWAG.)
Thanks for supporting GTD!!!
GTD Banquet & Donation Website
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$1000 MATCHING DONATION CHALLENGE!!
We are just a few days from our Annual Banquet... what a great way to kick off our fundraising quest to raise $100,000 by Jan 31st!
If you love what GTD does and the impact it makes then this a great opportunity to invest in the cause!! We are preparing for our 23rd year of ministry and it's time to replace much of our adventure gear & equipment.
Let Go Green double your donation and double the impact in & through GTD!!!
And join us at 6:30pm this Tuesday night (Nov 13) at Largo, FL's Central Park Performing Art Center for our festive Annual Banquet! (Catered by Carrabba's!!)
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To donate, sponsor a table, and learn more information on how to support GTD click on these links:
GTD Donation Link
GTD Banquet Link
GTD Funds Raised Tracking Link
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GTD is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.
(Thank you Mark & Terezia Smith of Go Green Reglazing!!! And thank you donors!!)
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Go Green website
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Friday, November 9, 2018
NEW GTD THRiVE T-SHIRTS!!
Thank you Chuck Stewart, AxCelMark Corp, & Heather Williamson for our new GTD T-shirts!! Just in time for our Annual Banquet!
We love them and we know our donors will too! =)
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This year's shirt is based on Psalm 1:
" Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a treeplanted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches overthe way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction."
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The deeper the roots, the more abundant the fruit! Go deep in your relationship with God and watch the fruit naturally produce. =)
Monday, November 5, 2018
6 WEEKS --> 308 STATEMENTS --> $350,000 OF RECEIPTS --> ALL FINANCIAL ENTRIES UP TO DATE FOR 2017 & 2018
Wow, this was a major task that had built up over the past 22 months. It took me 6 weeks to enter $350,000 worth of business & personal expense receipts, but Hallelujah, I completed the task today.
I'm usually on top of the detailed financial entries, but the past 2 years have been a whirlwind of activity that kept pushing the entries back month after month. It started in January 2017 when we were in Costa Rica for nearly 3 weeks running a huge mission trip. Then we returned to one of our largest retreat seasons ever that lasted till May. Then it was off to run the summer camps. Then it was calling off the wedding, running our fall events, and preparing for the banquet. Then I found out I had to relocate so it was immediately on to looking for a new place, attending open houses, applying for a home loan, packing up everything, and moving - all while running our winter & spring retreats. Then it was off to TN, GA, & NC to run our summer camps. Then it was out to Utah to run our out-west trip. As the months flew by so did the opportunities to enter the expense receipts. I was up to date on entering all of our income and paying our monthly bills, and I had a working understanding of our general monthly expenses. Thankfully the IRS gave us an extension until Nov 15th to file our corporate taxes. But to file our taxes (and get caught up-to-date) I had to tackle the mammoth job of entering 1/3 of a million dollars worth of business and personal expense receipts from a total of 14 accounts for the past 22 months. That's 308 months worth of statements (14 x 22 = 308). Each statement averaged about 45 minutes to complete which totaled about 230 hours (or six 40-hour weeks) of detailed data entry. I wasn't looking forward to this at all. But day after day I kept chipping away at it, and praise God, today I finished!! I feel so liberated... so free... so caught up!! And the greatest part is that I only have 2 months left in 2018 so I will actually have this years finances completed and ready to turn in as early as January!! Man, that feels so good! And it frees me up to get to the real work of the ministry - building / maintaining relationships and running God-awesome events!
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
One of the most powerful worship songs I've ever heard! Can't hear it enough!!
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Tuesday, October 30, 2018
2 WEEKS TO GO!!
It's that one night each year that we get all dressed up and we can't recognize each other!
Join us for our Annual Banquet as GTD celebrates 22 years of ministry and prepares to go into our 23rd year!! (WOW! Praise God!)
DATE: Nov 13, 2018
DAY: Tues Night
TIME: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
FUNDRAISING GOAL: 100K
ATTENDANCE GOAL: 250
CATERED BY: Carrabba's!!!!!!!!
VENUE: 105 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL 33771
Banquet to be held in The Parkview Room of the
Central Park Performing Arts Center (formerly known as Largo Cultural Center)
DETAILS, REGISTRATION, & TABLE SPONSORSHIPS
We can't wait to see you!!!!!!!
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Friday, October 26, 2018
"QUALITY ASSURANCE"!
This is my favorite piece of equipment to set-up and test out at camp!
HAMMOCKS = Best. Invention. Ever!
Skycrest Thrive Youth Camp starts in 1 hour =)
ALMOST MADE IT A FULL YEAR WITHOUT A FLAT... ALMOST!!
We are hosting Thrive Student Ministry of Skycrest Community Church for our last camping retreat of 2018. We almost made it the entire year without a flat tire... but our streak continues haha! Let the adventures begin!
Overcome the obstacles and go the distance =)
It's only flat on the bottom. Blow out on Veterans Expressway!
THRiVE!
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
TAKE THE LEAP INTO 2019 WITH A GOD-AWESOME GTD ADVENTURE!!
Mission Trips, Adventure Trips, Retreats, DestiNATION Trips, Local Day Trips... GTD does it all!!
Family friendly... Christ-centered... Life changing!
Learn more & custom build your group event here.
STRiVE to THRiVE!
(PS: 48 and feeling GREAT! Thank You Jesus!!)
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
4 WEEKS TO GO!!
4 weeks away from our most important event of the year... the GTD Annual Banquet!! Can't wait!
Saturday, October 13, 2018
SHELF LIFE! (R.O.T.C. = Renovating On The Cheap)
Special thanks to my Dad & People Helping People of Pinellas Park for donating shelving (that they were retiring) to me & GTD.
Carson & my Dad disassembled the shelves a few months ago. Laurie & I have been reassembling them little by little over the past 2 months. And Traci & Carson helped create the overhead storage.
Today I finished stocking the shelves and decluttering the garage. This now gives us the workspace we need to move forward with the home improvements projects.
One of our goals is to reduce our storage / possessions by at least 50% over the next 6 months.
I can't express how much simple joy I now get from clutter-free open space. That's coming from a guy that has historically held onto way too much stuff "just in case". But that ship has sailed... there's a new paradigm taking hold in my life that revels in clutter-free open space. I've got a long road of decluttering ahead of me, but I can't wait to travel this route.
Thanks again to People Helping People of Pinellas Park for their generous donation of shelving, as well as my family & friends for their hard work in this project!!
Final costs: Main shelving = FREE. Overhead shelving was built 3 years ago. Additional shelving supplies to add more shelves = $100. Total current shelving cost = $100.