IGNITE TO BE RESCHEDULED!!!

IGNITE TO BE RESCHEDULED!!!

One of the other events that was effected by the government shutdown is our Ignite Camping Retreat originally scheduled for Nov 1-3. Since Ignite was being held in a National Forest (which were also closed as part of the govt shutdown) we had cancel our reservation & begin looking for a new location. We also didn't have time to work on the new Ignite plan or promote it because all of our time & energy had to go into the re-planning of the Grand Canyon Trip that was also impacted by the govt shutdown. The bottom line is that we didn't have any time to promote the event so we only had a couple of people signed-up and we didn't know when the govt shutdown would end so we had to cancel our reservation in Ocala. That means that we are changing the dates & location of this year's Ignite. We are looking at Dec 6-8 at Word of Life in Hudson, FL. but are waiting for final confirmation. As soon as we have the details we will update our website & social media. Thank you for your patience as we adjust to some circumstances that were out of our control.

[Ignite Website]

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Banquet Response!

Our first response to our banquet invites came back in the mail today and we are so excited and grateful for people who love and support the ministry (GTD)!  -L

XFL POSTPONED!!!

ALERT:  THE XFL (Cross Florida Bike Ride) IS POSTPONED!!!

Over the last few weeks most of the bikers had to back out of this event due to scheduling conflicts, injuries, and various reasons. That drops us down to 2 people. Because of this we will attempt to reschedule this event in early 2014, probably in late February. Our sincere apologies to anyone that we may not be aware of that was planning on doing this event and is now finding out it is postponed. 

POSTPONED (NEW DATE TBA - PROBABLY IN LATE FEB 2014)

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SAC Was Full of Liquid Fun!!

Enjoyed our SAC (Sunday After Church) canoeing trek yesterday on the Seminole Canal with the young adults from First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. Good times with fun people!!

Introducing Cartoon DUG & Cartoon Laurie

Looking fwd to our SAC (Sunday After Church) canoeing trip with 33 young adults from Smiley's tmw!!

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Cartoon DUG & Cartoon Laurie invite you & your church crew on a God-awesome GTD camping retreat! www.goingthedistance.org

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FL Bound!!

At the airport savoring a God-awesome GTD trip to the Grand Canyon with 23 fantastic people!! Looking thru pics now... boarding flight home to FL in 1 hour. I love God's amazing playground =)


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God's Greatest Passion

"He knows what the mind is, how it operates, and what makes us tick He sits at the edge of the universe and He waits, hopes, and earnestly seeks the adoration of His chosen being...you." 

These words from our guest teacher, Dr. Aaron Walp, as he taught his fourth and final lesson atop Bell Rock in Sedona, AZ. 

God's greatest passion is the commencement of His creation, His people. This week as we gazed at His created splendor, Dr. Walp reminded us that it all points to the One who is the lover of our souls and desires our love in return.

Keep going the distance.

Havasu Falls

AMAZING 20 mile hike & camping trip to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon!! Thank You Jesus!!

Check-in/OK message from SPOT GTD (GPS Alert)

GTD (GPS Alert)
Latitude:36.15991
Longitude:-112.70917
GPS location Date/Time:10/13/2013 19:19:49 EDT

Message:Quick update from GTD: All's good! Everyone is safe & sound. Click on links to see our location. God bless =)

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/EDbuu/36.15991N/112.70917W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.15991,-112.70917&ll=36.15991,-112.70917&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

GTD (GPS Alert)

You have received this message because GTD (GPS Alert) has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Ready for Adventure
FindMeSPOT.com

Check-in/OK message from SPOT GTD (GPS Alert)

GTD (GPS Alert)
Latitude:36.18901
Longitude:-112.71342
GPS location Date/Time:10/13/2013 17:02:20 EDT

Message:Quick update from GTD: All's good! Everyone is safe & sound. Click on links to see our location. God bless =)

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/EDWdh/36.18901N/112.71342W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.18901,-112.71342&ll=36.18901,-112.71342&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

GTD (GPS Alert)

You have received this message because GTD (GPS Alert) has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Ready for Adventure
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Check-in/OK message from SPOT GTD (GPS Alert)

GTD (GPS Alert)
Latitude:36.18872
Longitude:-112.71227
GPS location Date/Time:10/12/2013 16:27:46 EDT

Message:Quick update from GTD: All's good! Everyone is safe & sound. Click on links to see our location. God bless =)

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/ECmAb/36.18872N/112.71227W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.18872,-112.71227&ll=36.18872,-112.71227&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

GTD (GPS Alert)

You have received this message because GTD (GPS Alert) has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Ready for Adventure
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Check-in/OK message from SPOT GTD (GPS Alert)

GTD (GPS Alert)
Latitude:36.15986
Longitude:-112.70955
GPS location Date/Time:10/12/2013 13:54:11 EDT

Message:Quick update from GTD: All's good! Everyone is safe & sound. Click on links to see our location. God bless =)

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/ECepq/36.15986N/112.70955W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.15986,-112.70955&ll=36.15986,-112.70955&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

GTD (GPS Alert)

You have received this message because GTD (GPS Alert) has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Ready for Adventure
FindMeSPOT.com

Slot Canyons!!

Wonderful experience touring the slot canyons on Navajo Territory yesterday!! Beauty beyond words!! Today 16 of us will hike 10 miles into the Grand Canyon & camp out overnight near Havasu Falls while the remaining 7 people visit Skywalk!! So excited!!

Grand Lessons

Incredible creation teaching by Dr Walp on-site overlooking the breathtaking Grand Canyon!! Blown away by an amazing God :)

Wow!!

Wow!! Amazing location!! Horseshoe Bend and the Colorado River with an awesome group of people. Grand Canyon Trip 2013!!

There Here!!!

Grand Canyon bound!! We have 19 people & are meeting 4 more at the cabins. Exciting!!!!

Here we go!

AZ, Here We Come!

Laurie & I are about to board our flight to AZ. The Grand Canyon Trip starts tomorrow!! We are looking forward to what God has in store :)

New Grand Canyon T-Shirts!!

Special thanks to J & L Shirt Designs for this year's GTD Grand Canyon T-Shirt design. We love the way they look!! This year's participants (as well as past participants) will be able to reserve one (or more) of these shirts as soon as the trip ends. Shirts will cost $12 each =)

Grand Canyon 2013 - PLAN B

PLAN B! Despite the government shutdown and the great lengths they've gone to in order to block access to the Grand Canyon, GTD is set to deliver on our 3rd annual trip to this amazing natural wonder of the world. Over the past 7 days I've put about 100 hours of work into re-planning an event that took one year to build. With the exception of a few hours of sleep each night I've been spending every second on creating "Plan B" so I sincerely apologize to those I haven't had a chance to call back, text back, message back, email back, etc... I've been on a mission to overcome the literal barriers that have been placed before us. And I'm so excited to announce that Plan B is ready to go, and may even be better than our original "Plan A". We have 23 people eager & ready to embark this Thursday on a "grand" adventure!! I can't tell you how blessed I've been to see the Godly and encouraging reactions from those who are signed-up to go on this event. They have invested time, money, energy, training and altered their lives in small and big ways in order to go on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure only to come face-to-face with an obstacle last week that threaten to block this event. For a few days it looked like this was going to be called "The Grand Canyon-LESS Trip". They all responded with a great level of maturity, understanding, and support. I love working with Christians, especially when they are living out what they say they believe. In the midst of disappointment and potential loss they were ready to roll with the punches and laugh about it the entire way. I've been so impressed and encouraged by their response!! Thankfully the government shutdown doesn't affect Indian Reservations located in the Grand Canyon. They were the first place I started looking for hiking access, but they were already booked up. But I kept calling back, and praise God, some permits became available and we were able to get 23 of them!! We also found some other amazing locations (mostly on Indian Reservations) that we will be visiting as well. In many ways this trip is becoming a trip to all the other places we've wanted to go visit in and near the Grand Canyon, but haven't had a chance to. And our group of 23 couldn't be more excited. I've actually heard several people say they are so excited about Plan B that they now want it to become Plan A even if the government shutdown ends. Our journey begins this Thursday and I invite all of you to venture with us through our Facebook Page & blog on this 6-day Christ-centered God-awesome once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the Grand Canyon. Thank you for all of your prayers & support!! I also want to thank Jason Lazzaro for his immense help in finding some of these new destinations!! In addition, I want to express a special thanks to Dr Aaron Walp who had already put hundreds of hours into preparing to teach on this trip and who has gone out of his way to adjust his lessons based on some of our new destinations. He is an amazing man who has volunteered his time to teach us more about God's incredible creation. We can't wait!! God bless! -DUG <><

Bike Accident Sidelines XFL Participant

Praying for Natalie Evans... who crashed on her bike this morning in Jensen Beach while training for GTD's XFL Cross Florida Bike Ride.

She sustained 2 broken ribs & a broken thumb, but avoided potentially worse injuries. I know she is very disappointed. She was the reason we put the XFL on the schedule this year because she wanted to celebrate turning 50 by biking across the Florida. Here is her post from the hospital:

"Well, bike ride started off so well but ended badly... Going over the bridge on bike lane/shoulder, when it ended abruptly (sun had not risen yet) and I lost control & crashed. 2 broken ribs & broken thumb. I feel VERY fortunate though. My Bike Across Fl is cancelled or postponed for now. Staff at MM south were amazing. Deeply disappointed but also thankful, as it could have been much worse."


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FCD Staff Day Trip = Wonderful Time

GTD loved hosting a Staff Day Trip for the Family Center on Deafness (FCD) yesterday. It was a perfect day for paddling to a nearby island for a picnic lunch and team building games!!

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We Are Here To Pump You Up!

The GTD gym is now fully functional!! (all equipment was personally funded... no gtd monies ...or laboratory testing of animals... went into the creation of our gym.) :)

9 Miles of Training

Just finished 9 miles on the elliptical in an hour & a half.
I love this machine!! I signed up for an iFit membership which allows you download hiking & running locations form all over the world then watch a slide show of pictures from that location on your tablet or laptop.  The elliptical automatically adjusts the resistance & incline to match the terrain. It's awesome!

So I just hiked 9 miles down the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River. Intense!! Sweat machine! Hanging out with Mr Shiatsu right now (massage chair) ;)

New Exercise Equipment

So thankful for my new elliptical machine & stationary bike. Getting some great training in for our upcoming events.

I'm coming off one of the healthiest summers I've had in years. I was able to maintain clean eating & regular fitness for a majority of the summer. But once we started increasing the travels & running non-stop camping trips it was nearly impossible to sustain consistency. It wasn't perfect, but it was great progress! I will have to make a few more adjustments to stay consistent during the summer months (our heaviest travel schedule of the year). - DUG =)


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New Grand Canyon Hiking Map

Just finished creating a new elevation & mileage map for our Grand Canyon hike. Only 3 weeks to go!!!

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Banyan Resources Banquet

Last night Doug and I joined the owners of Banyan Resources (Rancho Arbol De Vida Costa Rica) at their very first fundraiser in Stuart, FL!  It was a great night for people to learn more about the ministry and to get involved!  We also got to spend time with one of the original founders Lou Ritchie and their Vice President of Operations Stephen Swain, who did a great job speaking!  Thanks Phil and Durley Hogan for the invitation to join you!  We are so excited to see what God has in store for the future!

PRODUCTIVITY

I've been putting in some major hours in the GTD office for the past few weeks... usually starting at 7am and going till 2am the next morning. I've been able to get some social time in for lunches with friends each day as well as church on Sat night / Sundays and sporadic dinners with family & friends. So excited to see the major work getting accomplished over here. So thankful for a lifelong mission to wake up to everyday... and so thankful for the drive to get caught up on piled up work from the past few years as I strive to not only get caught up, but also get ahead of the game. It has been a long time coming, but it is starting to happen... still got a long way to go, but not as long as it used to be =).   - duG


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Dr Walp Says...

Some pastors step on your toes, but Dr Aaron Walp goes straight for your head!

One month until our Grand Canyon Trip... 24 people signed-up and only a few spots left!!

Here's what Dr Walp has to say, "Lest someone think this trip is based on circular reasoning and thereby unscientific and lacking empirical data. I do not teach, nor do I claim, that the evidence suggests that the flood caused the canyon. Instead, a global flood, as recorded in nearly every ancient historical culture, could have set the stage, via stored kinetic energy caused by earthen dams, to create a catastrophic event carving the canyon (similar to the Channeled Scablands of Washington state caused by a ice dam break leading to the Missoula Flood). This trip studies flood geology and how viewable geological features of the canyon and surrounding regions support the audacious claims found in the Bible. It is fact based, not conjecture and will not disintegrate into circular reasoning."

Click HERE for the Grand Canyon link.


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Let The Training Begin!

A few days ago I started training for this year's Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim hike (25-miles-in-1-day). I hiked up & down 3 flights of stairs 30 times... which equals 90 flights uphill and 90 flights downhill. It wasn't even close to Jason Lazzaro's 52 times or Heather Lazzaro's 47 times. Team Lazzaro killed it! But still it was a decent first day back and a good gauge of where I'm at right now. Let the training begin!! - Doug


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SAY YES TO THE SOBER-LICIOUS LIFE!!

Hey youth, don't be drawn into all the glamorous pictures your friends post while holding a beer. That picture doesn't tell the whole story. You don't need alcohol to have a great time. In fact, more lives are destroyed by alcohol than ever blessed by it. There is a lot of pressure on you to conform, but I want to encourage you to dare to live a sober-licious life!! Check out some of these stats from the NCADD and see the other side of alcohol...

<> 2.5 Million Alcohol-Related Deaths Worldwide - EVERY YEAR!!

<> 320,000 young people aged 15-29 years die annually, from alcohol-related causes.

<> Alcohol is associated with many serious social and developmental issues, including violence, child neglect and abuse, and absenteeism in the workplace.

But here's the encouraging news young people, the NCADD reports that 50% of men & 66% of women don't consume alcohol... so don't feel like you are the only one taking the sober road. I've been fortunate to travel that road my whole life & I've never felt like I've missed out on anything. A lot of times people drink to try to fill up empty spots in their life or because they need a crutch to feel confident in social situations. Don't feel like you're the only one without a beer in your hand... there are millions more... Save your money and save your life for bigger & better things. =)


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