GTD "MASSIVE ACTION" UPDATE... ... EX"SIDING" PROGRESS ..... GETTING A LITTLE "CAULK"Y!! ........ A COMPLETE "TRIM-ECTOMY" ......... & A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

It has taken several weeks of slow moving plodding progress, but the renovation of the exterior of the house & GTD office is continuing to move forward.

The title above and the attached pictures pretty much say it all. The days have been full of removing, repairing, & replacing old termite damage, wood rot, compromised studs, decaying siding, and all the old trim.

Thankfully I've had a little help along the way =)

Now all the damaged studs, posts, & siding have been repaired. It's caulking time... sanding time... pressure washing time... priming time... and painting time.

Slowly but surely it's coming together =)

GTD "MASSIVE ACTION" UPDATE... LOCKING IN OUR PPP!

One of the biggest tasks I've been able to tackle over the past 6 weeks is applying for & locking in GTD's PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) forgivable federal loan.

I'm happy to report that GTD was approved for and has already received our PPP.

Once it became apparent that several of our groups were going to have to cancel their upcoming group adventures specifically because of the government shutdown of public gatherings I began the application process for the PPP.

I put a lot of research into finding out what the best approach was for increasing our probabilities of getting approved for the PPP. I started with prayer and God reminded me of the book of Nehemiah and how God funded the rebuilding of the walls through the government.

I went on to follow the advice of many news articles, bloggers, and even my bank by applying for the PPP through several small banks, credit unions, & lenders. While the banks took the applications on a first come, first serve basis it was the lenders who could pick & choose which applications to service first... and some lenders were caught favoring bigger businesses to increase their own bottom line. Since our PPP was less than $12,000 there was a good possibility that we would be overlooked by some lenders. So applying through multiple banks & lenders became the prudent choice. It was time consuming, but that advice paid off.

My original application was through an account I rarely use at Achieva Credit Union. After 3 days I received a voicemail that Achieva was overwhelmed with applications and wouldn't be able to service my PPP request. Good thing I didn't put all my eggs in that basket because I would have lost 3 days in the race to acquire the PPP before the funds ran out again. I applied through 3 other banks and lenders. It was a great thing that I had just completed updating all of our finances for the past 7 months because they needed most of that data to move forward with the application.

Each application took about 3-4 hours to complete, and then the waiting game began... as well as the silence. Since the SBA is trying to field the equivalent of 14 years worth of loan applications in a matter of a couple of months it's understandable that communication will be scarce, but that makes the entire process borderline brutal. The applicant has very little to work with... usually just a confirmation email that your application was received. Then silence, more silence, and even more silence. It becomes crucial to check your emails, voicemails, and lender websites at least every 2 hours so that when that rare movement happens you are ready to respond. Usually they are seeking more data or information to move forward with the application process. It's very time consuming and intrusive to the momentum of the work day, but it's a small price to pay in order to lock in your organization's PPP.

From start to finish it took 13 days from the initial application to receiving the funds. All in all our PPP journey was very positive. The lenders I worked with were very helpful as the process progressed. It was all done electronically online. It took about 3 full days to get the initial applications in and follow-up with the initial requirements. After that it was just a constant checking up for any movement. Once there was movement then the momentum picked up until the closing happened and the funds were transferred.

For us the PPP is one part of navigating the setbacks to our events. Hopefully it will fill in the gaps from the revenues lost from the events that were lost.

All in all we are doing good, and much of that is because of our incredible faithful supporters  - which is the subject of an upcoming update.

Thank you for following GTD and our journey through COVID-19 in our 24th year of ministry.

We are thankful and full of faith & confidence in Christ =)

More updates to come.


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GTD "MASSIVE ACTION" UPDATE... ... DEALING WITH A "ROTTEN" SITUATION!

I've been in my fixer upper house / GTD home office for 2 years now and I haven't been able to tackle one MAJOR renovation project... until now, that is!

I've collected A LOT of supplies (mostly good deals off of Offer Up) and I've amassed a good collection of tools & equipment since I was a teenager... aaaaaand I've watched a ton of home improvement shows as well as YouTube videos about the specific projects on my to-do list.

(I had my roof replaced last year, but that was done by a roofing company.)

I've completed a handful of smaller projects, but I just haven't had the chance to tackle any major renovation projects... and that has been killing me for 2 years now.

GTD originally had April open on the calendar and we were lining up a bunch of GTD volunteers to help with the work projects for April & May... but then the Coronavirus hit.

The social distancing prevented getting a bunch of volunteers, but the self isolation afforded me the opportunity to tackle MY FIRST MAJOR HOME RENOVATION - the exterior of the house (and GTD home office).

Prior to purchasing the house I had it treated for termites. I knew there was some damage, but there was no way of telling the extent of the damage without getting inside of the walls.

After extensive pressure washing, removal of decorative trim boards, and picking away at rotten wood siding it became apparent that I had a pretty big job ahead of me.

Thankfully it appears that at least 75% of the house seems to have strong bones, but that's honestly a guesstimate because I lost my Xray vision when I turned 49.

That leaves about 25% of the siding and structure that has significant past termite damage and wood rot. AKA, MY FIRST MAJOR HOME RENOVATION PROJECT!!

So about 5 weeks ago I started on the renovation of my home's exterior. I honestly thought it would take me 1 week to complete. WRONG! I'm 5 weeks into this and still have a few more weeks to go.

It may sound a little weird, but I've always wanted a fixer-upper and to tackle all kinds of major renovations... so while this is a "rotten" situation it's actually a wanted situation. I'm actually living my dreams (and all while enjoying some amazing weather outside!)!

So I work from morning till early evening about 5 days per week on this project.

I apologize because I'm way behind on ministry updates and there are several people to whom (is that the right time to use "whom"? haha) I need to return calls, texts, & emails. I'm kind of knee deep in a major project that is taking way longer than imagined... and I need to complete it before rainy season & adventure camps begin.

So here are some pics of the damage I've encountered... I'm currently right in the middle of the biggest repair to date which is on the last section of the house. I intentionally left the worst for last so that I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so glad I didn't start with the worst section because I think it may have slowed my momentum.

Stay tuned for more pics & updates... and hopefully the "after" pictures of Phase 1 of a newly renovated exterior =)

Living the dream... one rotten board at a time ;)

Thank You Jesus!

Stay safe! Stay healthy! Advance your position!

GTD "MASSIVE ACTION" UPDATE... ... 7 MONTHS OF EXPENSES ENTERED IN 7 DAYS!

During the first week of social distancing I was able to tackle the past 7 months of expense entries. One of my ministry responsibilities is being the GTD Bookkeeper. And yes, it's just as glamorous as it sounds ;)

Because I'm on the road up to 5 months each year running events I have to enter the receipts during openings in the schedule. I stay on top of all of our income (donations and event revenues... as well as physical deposits to the bank) on a weekly or monthly bases.

Since almost 100% of our monthly, quarterly, & annual bills are set-up for auto-pay every bill gets paid on time. But I still have to enter those expenses (plus our constantly occurring trip receipts) whenever I get opportunities. Oftentimes it takes months before I can tackle the pile of receipts.

Last August & September my parents had health issues that required daily care and I had all types of immediate issues to deal with (flea infestation in my house, drying out wet summer gear during the Sept rainy season, broken down washer & dryer, blah, blah, blah). I wasn't able to enter the receipts at that time. Then came the Annual Banquet, fundraising season, & the fall trips. I wasn't able to enter the receipts at that time. Then came Christmas and I needed a couple of weeks off. Then came the January thru March camping trips. I wasn't able to enter the receipts at that time.

Time flies when you're having fun =). All of sudden it was the end of March and I had 7 months of receipts to enter for the ministry as well as my personal finances. Between the 2 of us (GTD & me), we have 19 different accounts (checking, savings, cash, credit cards, etc). 7 months x 19 accounts = 133 statements! Ouch!! That's a whole lot of data!

Basically, on average, it took me an entire day to enter 1 month of receipts & statements... and over the course of 7 days I was able to enter all 7 months of expenses. PRAISE THE LORD!

That's how I spent my first week of lock-down from the Coronavirus pandemic.

I'm happy to say that we are all caught up with the bookkeeping... aaaaaaaaaand that will actually come into play with my next update! (Cliff hanger for nerds!)


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GTD UPDATE... "MASSIVE ACTION" IN APRIL (CONTINUING ON THRU MAY)

GTD UPDATE...
... "MASSIVE ACTION" IN APRIL (CONTINUING ON THRU MAY)
.... PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER & FALL
..... MORE MINISTRY UPDATES EVERY DAY OR TWO

Over the past month I've had several friends & supporters message, text, and call to see how GTD is doing in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. We love our awesome supporters!! Thank you for your love, support, & care!

I spent all of April focused on what's referred to as "Massive Action". The term is pretty much self explanatory. It's the idea of setting aside concentrated amounts of time, effort, and resources in order to get a lot of things done.

Let's just say that I made the most of the COVID-19 Stay-At-Home orders. I would have loved to have had several volunteers helping out with our GTD work projects & my home/office renovations over the past month, but social distancing made that impossible.

Because I threw myself into a month of MASSIVE ACTION spending a lot of time on work projects & GTD responsibilities I fell way behind on social media, blog posts, and updates.

Soooooooooo every day or two I will be posting GTD updates, highlights, news, plans, upcoming events, our response to COVID-19, and much more.

Life and ministry are each a wild adventure! One of the essential aspects of adventure is the great unknown. And two essential aspects of something that is wild is that it isn't tame nor is it predictable... which means life, ministry, and wild adventures can be harsh just as much as they can be thrilling.

These are unprecedented times. Thankfully our God isn't a resource; He is THE SOURCE! He isn't a drifting boat in stormy seas; He's an anchor. And He isn't paralyzed by a virus; He's an ever present help in our time of need.

Thank you awesome friends and supporters!

Stay tuned for several upcoming updates as, just like you, GTD navigates these crazy times.


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THE TOMB IS EMPTY! HE'S ALIVE!!

HAPPY EASTER!!!
... HE IS RISEN!!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16


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HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!! ....AND HAPPY SIBLINGS DAY!

Thank you Jesus for enduring & embracing the brutal crucifixion process, death on a cross, and taking on my (and the entire world's) sin in order to offer the free gift of salvation and the ultimate freedom that comes with it!! YOU ARE MY HERO, MY LORD, AND MY BEST FRIEND!!!

And Happy Siblings Day to the ultimate sister in the world - Traci !!! Sista, you are the best!! I'm so blessed to have you in my life, to have your support in all my endeavors, and to not only call you sister, but also my best friend =)

We have so much to celebrate!


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FIGHTING BACK!

As we are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic I think about the importance of having a FIGHTER'S MENTALITY. In life, if you haven't already, you've got to LEARN TO FIGHT, LOVE TO FIGHT, and LIVE FOR THE FIGHT! There is no other way to overcome in life. There is no other way to go the distance. You have to FIGHT for it! Whether that's through prayer, praise, or punching back you've got to FIGHT the battles that ambush you.

Here is a link to one of my favorite 2 minute motivational speeches by Eric Thomas. It's oftentimes the first thing I listen to in the morning... I guess you could say it's my FIGHT "SONG" (although there is no singing). It's about the greatest upset in boxing history when Buster Douglas defeated Mike Tyson. I hope it inspires you to FIGHT BACK like it does me.

One of my favorite words over the past few years is the word "fight". The dictionary defines FIGHT as a verb in which we "engage in battle or in single combat; attempt to defend oneself against or to subdue, defeat, or destroy an adversary; to contend in any manner; to strive vigorously for or against something." Examples of the importance of fighting are all around us. The doctors & nurses fighting AGAINST a worldwide pandemic. The parents fighting FOR their children's opportunities and full potential. Our immune system is ALWAYS fighting AGAINST things that are trying to destroy the body. And our hopes, dreams, & aspirations are ALWAYS fighting FOR something we believe in and long for.

When you become a Christian your eyes are opened and you see this much more vividly. Instantly you have 3 opposing enemies that wage war against you everyday: the devil, a corrupt culture, and selfish & prideful inner desires. These 3 adversaries are constantly FIGHTING to kill, steal, and destroy us. But we are not without defense... or offense. We are given tools called "The Armor of God" to FIGHT BACK AGAINST the adversaries that ambush us as we also FIGHT FOR God's calling in our lives, FIGHT FOR God's Kingdom & Righteousness, FIGHT FOR God's glory, FIGHT FOR God's promises, FIGHT FOR the abundant life. We don't fight against people. We fight against spiritual forces of evil. The apostle Paul called this "fighting the good fight of faith".

The problem isn't that we have constant brutal battles. The problem for many people is that they've never learned to FIGHT... they've never learned to LOVE THE FIGHT... they've never learned that they were designed to be a FIGHTER. When you don't learn these things you are never ready for the FIGHT. You become what the Bible describes as an easy meal for "the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour". When we naively think that life is supposed to be sugar and spice and everything nice then we get ambushed. When this happens you live in a constant state of defeat. That's a miserable way to live! There are worse things than dying. Living in a constant state of misery is one of those things.

But when you realize that YOU ARE A FIGHTER and that you are (like your immune system) made & designed to FIGHT BACK... that, in fact, YOU HAVE A ROAR TOO... well, then you'll LOVE TO FIGHT... you'll RUN TO THE FIGHT... you'll find that you CAN'T WAIT FOR THE FIGHT! There's VICTORY on the other side of the FIGHT!

As we approach Easter we are reminded of our great example of what a FIGHTER looks like. Jesus FOUGHT FOR US and FOUGHT AGAINST EVIL! He took on the debt of sin, the devil, the corrupt culture, and the sinful nature. He RAN TO THE FIGHT! He was BLOODIED IN THE FIGHT! He WON THE FIGHT! And He invites us on a journey of victory down the path of THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. I encourage you, if you haven't already, embrace faith in the finished work of Jesus. Become the FIGHTER you were designed to be. And run to the battles that lead to the greatest victories of your life!

LEARN TO FIGHT, LOVE TO FIGHT, and LIVE FOR THE FIGHT!

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2 MINUTE MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO.