Life sometimes is a TDA.

   

So if you've ever been Summer Staff at BLC you know all too well what at TDA is. =) For those of you who don't know, it stands for Team Development Activity. (A.K.A. doing really hard & intense activites to make individuals become a team) I had/have a like/dislike relationship with TDA's. In other words I like the results that they bring, just not the "blood, sweat, & tears" it takes to get to that place. So even though it's been a few years since I've participated in an official TDA, life has a way of doing just that. I find myself doing "TDA's" without even realizing that I am.
   Like this past week for example. Spending a week with around 400 some teachers from all over the U.S. & elsewhere was definitely a really good, yet sometimes challenging TDA. Learning how to find my way to class included getting help from others. Making conversation and getting to know complete strangers took getting out of my comfort zone. Not being afraid to ask questions was a necessary part of learning. Of course there were times of debriefing and processing what was being learned as well. =) Along with lifting my voice in song to our awesome God with the great big chorus was an inspiring "TDA."
   Also going on adventures to another country, (my feet have once again walked on Canadian soil =) and the beautiful PA Grand Canyon. That in itself is a TDA. (stay away from rattlesnakes 101 =) (make sure to not lose your friend in the crowd) (take the road less traveled) (it's the "little" things... that make the world more beautiful. Like loons, fresh baked bread, a shooting star, a black squirrel & making memories while on the road =)
   I know the TDA's will continue to come. The times where I'll have to learn to trust more. Surrender more. Press on more. Fight harder. Stay committed. Choose to see the good in the hard. Cheer on those around me. Lean on God & others. I don't know about you, but as hard as they can be I'm grateful for Life's TDA's. For they remind me that I can't do this on my own.

         Here are some pictures of the highlights of last week...

How could I say there is no God? When all around Creation calls!

Riding the boat up to the Falls was just an incredible experience!

On our way back to the car we heard the excited cries of a child.. "A rainbow! A rainbow!" =)

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur...

Mr. Rattler himself... ↓

So just a week ago when we left it was definitely summer & now it's already beginning to feel like fall. Summer always goes by so swiftly! The countdown til school has begun, & in the meantime I'll try to enjoy each day as it comes. 

til next time, God's adventurer =)