First "Out of the Dirt" Activity

Hey ITD Family!

We are going to be having our first "Out of the Dirt" activity at our house on Saturday, October 25th from 5:30-9pm.

We are going to be doing a pot luck dinner at 5:30 and will start the movie right at 7. We will be showing the Disney movie "Cars." A favorite among kids and adults!

Please RSVP to Jessica O'Connell at jd.oconnell@gmail.com if you WILL BE coming!

We are going to be doing a pot luck, and we are asking each family to bring one thing for the pot luck as well as drinks for your family. We need casseroles, salads, sides, and deserts. Please let Jessica know what you would like to bring so that we can make sure we have a balanced pot luck. We will provide plates, napkins, and utensils.

Also, don't forget your lawn chairs as we are going to be eating out front on our drive way/street area as well as projecting the movie onto our garage door.

We can't wait to have everyone over and get some time to fellowship out of the dirt!
Dan and Jessica O'Connell

Our address for directions:
21115 Cedar Lane
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Coming from the North:
5 South
exit El Toro
when you get off the El Toro exit the first light will actually be Avenida De La Carlota
make a Left on Avenida De La Carlota
Your next light will be El Toro
make a Left on El Toro
You will go all the way up El Toro until you hit Santa Margarita Parkway
Make a Right on Santa Margarita Parkway (it is the next light past the light Normandale)
At the next light you will make a Left on Los Alisos
Make your first Left on Boxwood into our Neighborhood, Evergreen Ridge
Make a Left on Sweetbrier Lane
follow Sweetbrier until it curves to the right and becomes Cedar Lane
We are at the end of the street on the right, red house, 21115 Cedar Lane

ITD Season 5 Opener

The season opener always promises to be an exciting ride and this was no exception! With an ambulance ride on Friday; a lost rider, Jack Rabbits, a ride of attrition and a petrified coyote on Saturday; and a picnic on Sunday how could you go wrong? Oh, and don't forget about the wind. Thursday started off with the Murrays, Northrups, Kearleys, Richters and Shermans arriving early and the wind followed them in. Friday morning brought about cooler temps than many had planned for but didn't stop anyone from having fun! Russ Beard is officially the first injury of the year when a berm jumped in front of him and bucked him right off his quad! The ITD medical staff, John Northrup, was quick to the scene. Thank you John! After a brief stay at St. Mary's hospital, Russ joined us with only major bruising. More families began to trickle in throughout the day and the camping area was filling up nicely. Friday night brought more of, you guessed it, wind. Saturday morning calmed down and the weather was again, cooler than many planed, but that didn't keep any of us from doing what we love. The morning gather brought everyone out of their trailers and we had 29 families in all, 5 new families and 3 day riders. A total of 100+ people! I would like to take this time again to welcome those new families. It was great to have you join us! God is constantly blessing this group! A big thank you goes out to Cathy Sujishi for taking over the welcome bags. The riding began shortly after that with Robert Murray leading the "Fast and the Furious" as I hear they have been coined on a ride of attrition. At one point Robert was heard saying, "this is as bad as it gets, promise!" Then it got worse. The ride that left with ten, returned with nine. One rider got separated and had mechanical difficulties and the search was on. He was found shortly thereafter and returned safely to camp. Lisa Kearley and Wendy Northrup led the Jack Rabbits on a Verse for Treat hunt through camp. After having to repeat their verse "Let your light shine before men." Matthew 5:16 in order to get candy...they had that verse nailed! The kids were good and sugared up to ride after that! We had various other group rides on Saturday taking off in various directions throughout Cougar Buttes. Saturday nights fireside game was Taboo. Everyone enjoyed their time playing, especially team five who won. The nights talk was on unlikely messengers and how God is constantly talking to us, we just need to be open and willing to listen. After the campfire talk, we gathered together to pray for the Colburn family. It was a true blessing to have Steve join us for the weekend as we continue as a group to pray for Steve and his girls, Joni, Faith, and Grace. Please continue to keep all of them in your prayers! The night ended with one of the fullest dessert tables I recall seeing! We awoke Sunday to a perfect day, sunny with a slight breeze. As many packed up to head home and prepare for the next ride, the Richter clan embarked on what I hear was an adventuresome picnic ride to finger rock. As Matt and Josh searched for the Geocaches, Steve and the twins went to work on the picnic basket! Only Robin would bring a picnic to the desert...what a great idea! I also saw a group led by Karin Murray leave camp to head to Anderson Dry Lake. It is awesome to see a group of riders, all different levels of riding, do a destination ride all together, just because they love to ride and they love to be together!

As the last few trailers packed up and drove off in a cloud of dust, I was reminded of what a family this group has become. I have seen more support for each other and more love for a neighbor each and every time we are together. I would like to thank everyone who was so supportive of Jess and myself this weekend. From encouraging words and compliments to helping us with our children and our monster puppy. I must admit, me and the microphone need to become better friends! Thank you all so much, we truly are blessed to have this family. I look forward to seeing you all at our next ride in November at Matt's Place (Randsburg). Don't forget to check out October's pictures on the Gallery page of our web site!

In His Service

Dan O'Connell