The Challenge

As you recall in the post entitled “Fear” I shared with you a fear of mine, the fear of heights. Although many people have phobias, a natural occurrence, fear can be crippling thereby controlling. I wanted to face this fear.  I decided to face that fear by jumping out of an airplane. It’s easy to challenge yourself in your head but feeling it’s okay to back out later because no one heard you say you would do it. So I put myself and my word on the line and told you that I would go skydiving.

Booked!

I finally got up the nerve and booked the flight for the morning of November  23rd. I began to get myself mentally prepared. I was actually excited and quite ready to get it over with at the same time. The exhilaration was much like going on a thrilling roller coaster ride while a dentist is drilling out a cavity in your mouth –both excitement and anxiety.

The forecast wasn’t looking so good. A 79% chance of rain was predicted. I was holding onto hope that it would not. My flight outfit was ready, I was ready…then the call came. Cancelled. Rain storm coming in from Charlotte. All that buildup up seeped out like a slow leak in a helium-filled balloon.

Rescheduled

I needed to get this done before Thanksgiving so I could relax the holidays. I rebooked for the following Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. It looked like a good day. I had finally received permission to release the names of my family during my flight down. So I thought maybe this cancellation was a good thing and perhaps I needed to release more names in the atmosphere. My original intentions were to inspire my my children and grandchildren to let nothing stop them from achieving their dreams but in my spirit it became more. I needed to take more people with me up there. Not only to represent achievement but to symbolize overcoming challenges in their lives. So I began soliciting names in person, through word of mouth and Facebook. I collected over 275 names of individuals and families. This was becoming bigger than myself.

Bigger than Me

Immediately I went on a three day fast and employed fellow prayer warriors to pray with me for the names represented. We  prayed for your health, your mind, your provision and your spiritual well-being. I prayed that you would come to know God in a way you have not known Him before.

This is Going to  Happen

Wednesday wasn’t looking good by the time Monday rolled around. There was a 70% chance of rain. No, absolutely not! I have to jump, I have to! This is now becoming a sparring match between my jump and the weather. I called the company and told them I needed to move the jump to Tuesday since there was no rain forecasted. It was booked! I’d jump the following day in the afternoon.

Another Roadblock

About an hour before the jump my soon-to-be 90 year-old mother wound up in ER. She received a call from her doctor instructing her to go to ER immediately because they saw something in her blood test from the day before. I was out at the time but once I arrived home and heard she had driven herself to ER  I went there dressed for the jump. My mom was anxious about the doctor’s concern but still hoping she would be released in time to watch the jump. Funny thing is, although I wanted to be there with my mom, I knew I had to keep this appointment. I had to go; she told me to go. Having mixed feelings about leaving her alone, I left.

God always has a ram in the bush! Much to my relief when I returned to the hospital after the jump I find my sister and niece with my mom. They are not local to Charlotte. They had been on their way down from Connecticut and reached ER in time to be with mom while I did what I had to do.

It’s Time

My husband, daughter and five of my grandchildren were at the jump zone with me. I had the names in my fanny pouch around my waist. I had filled out all the paperwork which essentially says if you die it’s on you, they can’t be sued. I was okay with that.

It’s time. I had watched the excitement and nervousness of those who went up before me. They made it down fine and were smiling at that! Okay, I’m pacing and jumping around saying, ‘when is it my turn, my turn people? It’s getting cooler and the sun is setting.’

Staying Pumped for the Jump –Eye of the Tiger!

Watch my sparring, preparations to jump and words of advice from my grandchildren.

Next Blog! The Jump