R2R (Rim-to-Rim) Is Tomorrow!

Aaron Walp, Paul Williamson, & I are in route to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's a 4 hour drive. Tomorrow we attempt an intense one-day 26 mile hike from Rim-to-Rim. Follow our GPS updates all day long tomorrow on the GTD Facebook Page. Prayers appreciated!!

---

At The Canyon

Splendid day at Grand Canyon!! So much beauty =). Dr Walp taught his 2nd Session on-site right after our group picture at Powell Point.

After lunch we split into 2 groups. I'm with 2 of the guys riding 4 hours to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon so we can do our Rim-to-Rim hike tomorrow. Laurie is with the remaing participants who are hiking towards the Plateau Point tmorrow.

We are very excited =)

GC Trip (Dr Walp Kicks Off 4 Part Series)

Dr Aaron Walp did a FANTASTIC job kicking off his 4 part series on Creationism on our first day of the Grand Canyon Trip. He highlighted mile wide holes in the theory of evolution while showing several findings that support the Biblical view of creation. We are on the way to the Grand Canyon right now. So exciting!! Looking forward to seeing this God-awesome hole in the ground =) (PS: We loved our dinner at The Singing Pig in Williams last night. We had french toast for breakfast this morning.)

---

Made It!

We made it to the cabin (outside Williams, AZ) =)

The Team Has Arrived!

Everyone arrived in Phoenix around noon. Heading to the cabin now =)

Almost Time!

Finalizing the Trip Organizer this morning. Breakfast at Bill Johnson's. Airport runs now. Our Grand Canyon Trip is about to begin =)

DON'T MISS IGNITE THIS YEAR!

IGNITE FALL CAMPING RETREAT!!

Oct 19-21, 2012  /  $49

Ocala National Forest, FL

Ignite your spiritual life on this retreat!

Click here for details.

---

SUCCESSFUL PRE GRAND CANYON TRIP

When possible we try to combine our work trips with some wonderful family time. This year we flew into Phoenix, AZ 5 days early to prepare for our 2nd Annual Grand Canyon trip and spend some time with my family. My Aunt Gail opened her home & her heart to us and welcomed us into her home to sleep, fellowship, and work on our upcoming event. It was such a blessing! Below are some highlights from our 5 days in the Phoenix area:

For no apparent reason National car rental company bumped us up to a free upgrade from a basic mid size to a full size Dodge Charger. I love being confused for Brad Pitt!! I've decided this will count as my midlife crisis ;). #suffering4Jesus

Attended an AMAZING church service with New Vessels Ministries in Mesa, AZ with our good friend Pastor Robby Culbreath & his beautiful wife Sheila. They also told us that they want to send a mission team down to Costa Rica next summer. We are humbled & blessed for that opportunity. PS: One of the best sermons ever!!

One last gear run before our GC trip. Cabela's!!

Laurie got to stay in Aunt Gail's guest room where she enjoyed plenty of privacy & was able to get some work done.

I got to stay on the comfy mega air mattress in the front family room and used the cozy back patio for a peaceful work station. I loved it!

Diamondback game with my awesome cousins & awesome Laurie =)

We switched out the Dodge Charger for a 12 passenger Chevy van... the group arrives tmw morning!

Laurie gave me an early birthday present to help with my genetic disorder of Directional Dislexia! Its a Garmin GPS!!! I love it! But now she is using it & won't give it back!!!!!! It's an awesome present... for her! LOL =)

During the 5 days we got to spend some great quality time with several family members. We had a wonderful family time on Sunday night at my cousin's, Paula & Mike's, house. We got to see Mike & Paula's 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 2 new grandchildren. The family also put together a cookout at Aunt Gail's on Monday night. In addition, we got to spend time with our miracle cousin Allison who recently received her 2nd complete lung transplant and is doing great along with her husband and 2 kids. Uncle Jim & Aunt Eloise are always a blessing to see, as well as Aunt Gail's sister-in-law, Nancy. Darrel & Jarrod cooked up some delicious hot dogs & hamburgers to cap off the night.

It was a great visit and we can't thank my family enough for their incredible hospitality & love. THANK YOU FAMILY!!!

---

Now it's time for the Grand Canyon Trip to begin. The group begins to arrive in 10 hours!!!!

---

GTD BLiTZ UPDATES

We are honored & thrilled to announce that the following churches, schools, and organizations have already committed to being a part of GTD's Mission Trips to Costa Rica or Adveture Trips to Tenneessee during the summer of 2013:

• Harvest Church (Watagua, TX) - July 2013
• Harvest Christian Academy (Watauga, TX) - May 2013
• Family Worship Center (St Augustine, FL) - June 2013
• The Seed Church (Savannah, GA) - June 2013

 

• Calvary Chapel St Petersburg (Pinellas Park, FL) - July 2013
• Family Center on Deafness & Pinellas Park High School ASL (Pinellas Park, FL) - July 2013

With expectant spirits we can't help but celebrate what God must have in store for each one of these groups. We look forward to see how God works in and through each team.

Thank you Jesus for the blessing and honor of being entrusted to host these events with such incredible groups of people. We pray for God to make an impact in them and make an impact through them! To God be the glory =)

---

8 DAYS TILL OUR GRAND CANYON RIM-TO-RIM HIKE & PLATEAU POINT HIKE!!

The Rim-to-Rim (R2R) hikers will begin on the North Rim and descend 5600 feet over 15 miles to the Colorado River then ascend 4460 feet over 10 miles to the South Rim. The Plateau Point hikers will begin on the South Rim and descend 3100 feet over 6.1 miles to the amazing Plateau Point before turning around and ascending 3100 feet over 6.1 miles back up to the South Rim (12.2 miles round-trip). All of this in 1 day.

Our Promise Verses:

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40: 29-31

Follow our Grand Canyon adventures daily on this blog.

GRAND CANYON TRAINING

12.5 mile hike in 4 hrs at Ft DeSoto with Paul Williamson & Laurie Finger... absolutely awesome!!

---

FWC Costa Rica Pics Uploaded!!

Laurie is in the midst of uploading all of the pictures from our summer mission trips in Costa Rica. Click here to check out 994 God-awesome moments from Family Worship Center of St Augustine's mission trip!! 

Enjoy =)

---

THE BLITZ

FULL SPEED AHEAD IN THE GTD OFFICE!!

It's fall football season which means it's also GTD's "Blitz" season. "The Blitz" refers to the 3 months (Sept-Nov) that GTD sets aside to proactivly pursue 100% of our event booking goals for the upcoming year.

We invite you to partner with us in prayer as we seek God for the filling up of the 2013 event calendar. Our prayer request and goal for 2013 is to run 25 God-awesome Christ-honoring events (8 mission trips, 6 adventure trips, 6 retreats, 4 day trips & 1 exertion event). We are excited about several groups that have already said they are planning to come back to do another GTD event next year!!

All glory to God =)


---

HOW SPONTANEOUS R-U ?!?!

Once-In-A-Lifetime EPIC 6-Day Grand Canyon Trip starts in 2 WEEKS!!! We only have a couple of spots left!! Come see 1 of the 7 natural wonders of the world and experience the great teaching of Dr Aaron Walp as he shares insights into God's amazing creation. Check this incredible trip off of your bucket list for under $1000!!!

Sept 20-25

$599 (plus airfare & a few meals)

Priceline.com has round-trip plane tix from Tampa to Phoenix for only $291 today!!!

Details on the GTD website.

---

PADDLE PROWL CANCELED DUE TO ISAAC!

EVENT ALERT!!!!!

PADDLE PROWL CANCELED DUE TO ISAAC

DUE TO THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF TROPICAL STORM / HURRICANE ISAAC PADDLE PROWL HAS BEEN CANCELED.

Paddle Prowl was scheduled for Sept 1-3, 2012 (Sat-Mon) (Labor Day Weekend). A new date will be announced soon.

---

Cheap Flights to AZ!! 1 Month Until Grand Canyon Trip!!

ONLY $228 for round-trip airline tickets from Tampa to Phoenix for Sept 20-25!!! Go to the Grand Canyon with GTD for under $999!!! Join us on a 6 day God-awesome trip to one of the 7 wonders of the world! Go to www.priceline.com for the airline deal asap before it's gone.

---

5 WEEKS UNTIL THE GRAND CANYON MEGA HIKE!!

I'm lovin' my new mountain running shoes by La Sportiva (a rock climbing shoe company). On Sept 22nd we will be doing a one-day 26.2 mile rim-to-rim marathon hike thru the Grand Canyon!!! 

WE'RE SO PUMPED ABOUT THIS TRIP!!!

Click here for GTD Grand Canyon Trip details.

---

THANK YOU JESUS!!

Praising God for a fantastic 17th Annual SLAMMED Adventure Trip with 30 wonderful people!!


---

Thank You and See You All Soon!

The SLAMMED group has departed and are on their way home. The GPS says 10 hours to go!

SLAMMED 2012

Turtle Back Here We Come!

Yesterday was a blast, and last night was crazy fun!!! 14 of us made a late night run to Sliding Rock with flash lights in hand. The water was like ice but within minutes laughter and joy had the group running back for more! The excitement lasted about an hour as people rode down in twos, threes and then the whole group together! Everyone played like they were limitless kids again! Now after pancakes and devos out of John 15:18-27 we are on our way to Turtle Back and Rainbow Falls for some waterfall riding, cliff jumping and hiking!

Rafting The French Broad

After a good rain storm yesterday and last night at camp we have dried up just in time to go rafting down the French Broad River today! Despite weather conditions everyone is upbeat and enjoying themselves!
Today's devotions were out of Roman's 8:1-17, and again we had a wonderful sharing time together.
Here are just a few pictures from yesterday, enjoy!

Rock Climbing Day (SLAMMED)

Things are going great today! The day started out with French Toast and devotions. Devos were out of Daniel chapter 3. We spent about 15 minutes in prayers and quiet time before meeting together as a group to share with one another what we learned out of Daniel 3. Group devotions are always a favorite part of my day when it comes to GTD trips! It's absolutely incredible how all 25 of us can read the same verses and have God show us all something different. Currently the group is doing some rock climbing on site and exploring the area. We've got two small sliding rocks at the campsite that make for a God Awesome adventure! It's Wet n' Wild God style!!! Little Chris, who is 8 years old told me last night that he didn't sleep at all the night before coming, he said it felt like Christmas he was so excited for this trip!!! Merry Christmas Christopher!!!

17th ANNUAL SLAMMED ADVENTURE TRIP HAS BEGUN!!

The SLAMMED group arrived safe & sound at 8pm last night. The camp is almost done being set-up. Our first adventure is rock climbing (in a few hours). It looks like a great group of people =)

CHICK-FIL-"YAY"!!

YESTERDAY: 

HUNDREDS & HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS!! Wow, I was blown away by the amount of people eating at Chick-fil-A for lunch yesterday. The lines wrapped around the entire restaurant, the drive thru was like rush hour traffic, and the parking spilled over to several other business' parking lots. I was happy to have GTD's Grand Canyon meeting there with 2 great pastors (Aaron Walp & Ron Cooney)!! And I'm happy to show my support & appreciation for this great God-honoring business!!