The off season has brought about some changes to the look and feel of the In The Dirt crew. First and probably most noticeable would be that fact that I am the one writing this and not Jim. For those of you that haven't checked the web site lately or missed the picnic, Jim is stepping down and in turn, has passed the baton on to me. I will be guiding us through the next season and doing my best to continue growing the ministry with a servants heart. One of my goals for this season is to draw the group closer in between rides...more on that to follow.
That being said, on to the other changes...Robert Murray and Matt Richter will be taking over the organization and coordination of ride location and trialbossing. The schedule has been posted on the web site. Robert Murray will be giving us a refresher course on trailbossing at the first ride. Start praying now that the weather is as good as it was last year! First aide is going to be handled by Dave Kearley and John Northrup. Just a reminder, you are responsible to come with your own insurance, ITD doesn't carry insurance. IF you do require medical attention, it is being provided out of the goodness of their hearts. Our camp photography will continue to be provided by Wendy Northrup. Check out the awesome shot that she took at the top of the Blog, pretty cool ehh?? Karin Murray will continue to be our "keeper of the roster". Jackrabbits is wide open this year, a few of the rides have hosts, but the more the merrier right? If you are interested in helping out on a ride or are interested in hosting Jackrabbits at a ride, shoot me an Email and I will hook you up with the right folks.
The other noticeable change will be the web site. The new site just launched 20 minutes ago and based on preliminary reactions to it, it's going to be fantastic! It's going to be our primary source for your quick look at what's going on, what's coming up and it's going to provide a snapshot of our weekends to anyone that checks it out. The number one thing that drew new families to come to fellowship with us last year was the web site. Thanks go out to Scott Burnett for building the original ITD web site and the years of maintenance and to Robert Murray for all the window and trailer stickers! There is a new blog too, it is going to be the place to visit for messages from me to the group, ride reports and teaching notes. The forums will continue as they have before, with a general forum and a for sale forum. A new forum will be added for prayer requests. We really hope that this will help with growing us closer to God and closer to each other. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says this: 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I have eluded twice to drawing us closer together between rides....On Saturday October 25th and Saturday November 22nd, Jess and I plan on hosting a family fun night at our house. We are going to show a movie outside on the garage door (Thanks John in advance for the projector!), so bring your chairs and your dinner and we can enjoy some time together, "Out of the Dirt". We hope that this will catch on and other families will choose to host similar events.
For those of you that made it to the picnic, I had a challenge for you.... We all know families who ride, some Christian and some not. I challenge all of us to bring ONE non-Christian family to ITD this year. Sounds pretty simple huh? There will be a prize for the first family who does this one. It's a doozie,of a prize, so rush right out and start lining that friend up for the first ride, October 7-9 at Cougar Buttes.
Here's a little history on the O'Connell's and ITD...we were introduced to ITD by Scott Burnett at the beginning of season two,ride two, Soggy Dry lake if I remember correctly. Since the first time we came we have felt the warmth and love of the families that were there. We became more involved in season three by trailbossing and generally becoming more "plugged in". In season four, my wife, Jess, took over Jack Rabbits and I continued to trailboss rides. Since the first time we came that November, we have missed one ride due to my illness. We have been there in wind, snow, mud and even pregnancy! Now, it's the start of season five and God has called us to lead the group into the new year. I am honored to be in the position that I am in and incredibly humbled. I don't deserve what God has given me in the first place, but this is how I get to show my love for Him! How awesome is that! This group belongs to God and to God goes the glory, I am just His vassal.
As the first ride comes closer, I will send out an Email to let everyone know to check out the web site and the Blog for information and directions. I look forward to the fellowship that we share and to getting to know all of you better this season.
That being said, on to the other changes...Robert Murray and Matt Richter will be taking over the organization and coordination of ride location and trialbossing. The schedule has been posted on the web site. Robert Murray will be giving us a refresher course on trailbossing at the first ride. Start praying now that the weather is as good as it was last year! First aide is going to be handled by Dave Kearley and John Northrup. Just a reminder, you are responsible to come with your own insurance, ITD doesn't carry insurance. IF you do require medical attention, it is being provided out of the goodness of their hearts. Our camp photography will continue to be provided by Wendy Northrup. Check out the awesome shot that she took at the top of the Blog, pretty cool ehh?? Karin Murray will continue to be our "keeper of the roster". Jackrabbits is wide open this year, a few of the rides have hosts, but the more the merrier right? If you are interested in helping out on a ride or are interested in hosting Jackrabbits at a ride, shoot me an Email and I will hook you up with the right folks.
The other noticeable change will be the web site. The new site just launched 20 minutes ago and based on preliminary reactions to it, it's going to be fantastic! It's going to be our primary source for your quick look at what's going on, what's coming up and it's going to provide a snapshot of our weekends to anyone that checks it out. The number one thing that drew new families to come to fellowship with us last year was the web site. Thanks go out to Scott Burnett for building the original ITD web site and the years of maintenance and to Robert Murray for all the window and trailer stickers! There is a new blog too, it is going to be the place to visit for messages from me to the group, ride reports and teaching notes. The forums will continue as they have before, with a general forum and a for sale forum. A new forum will be added for prayer requests. We really hope that this will help with growing us closer to God and closer to each other. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says this: 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I have eluded twice to drawing us closer together between rides....On Saturday October 25th and Saturday November 22nd, Jess and I plan on hosting a family fun night at our house. We are going to show a movie outside on the garage door (Thanks John in advance for the projector!), so bring your chairs and your dinner and we can enjoy some time together, "Out of the Dirt". We hope that this will catch on and other families will choose to host similar events.
For those of you that made it to the picnic, I had a challenge for you.... We all know families who ride, some Christian and some not. I challenge all of us to bring ONE non-Christian family to ITD this year. Sounds pretty simple huh? There will be a prize for the first family who does this one. It's a doozie,of a prize, so rush right out and start lining that friend up for the first ride, October 7-9 at Cougar Buttes.
Here's a little history on the O'Connell's and ITD...we were introduced to ITD by Scott Burnett at the beginning of season two,ride two, Soggy Dry lake if I remember correctly. Since the first time we came we have felt the warmth and love of the families that were there. We became more involved in season three by trailbossing and generally becoming more "plugged in". In season four, my wife, Jess, took over Jack Rabbits and I continued to trailboss rides. Since the first time we came that November, we have missed one ride due to my illness. We have been there in wind, snow, mud and even pregnancy! Now, it's the start of season five and God has called us to lead the group into the new year. I am honored to be in the position that I am in and incredibly humbled. I don't deserve what God has given me in the first place, but this is how I get to show my love for Him! How awesome is that! This group belongs to God and to God goes the glory, I am just His vassal.
As the first ride comes closer, I will send out an Email to let everyone know to check out the web site and the Blog for information and directions. I look forward to the fellowship that we share and to getting to know all of you better this season.
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