I saw God today

Updated with video!

So, when I originally started this blog, the goal was document all the live events of 2011. While I've been tempted to write about politics or other things that strike my fancy, I've tried to stick to that. I've had a couple of variances when I wrote blogs to remember my grandfather and grandmother, but other than that, it's been all live events all the time.

Today's blog is going to be a little different, because I did something so awesome and amazing yesterday, it must be documented.

I went sky diving yesterday. Yes, you read that correctly. The girl that is terrified of planes not only got in one, but willing accelerated to 114,000 feet and jumped out a freakin' plane.

How did this come to be? A friend of mine, Tim, from work jumps every weekend. He refers to it as stress relief and he absolutely loves it. For the last few weeks, he's been trying to talk me into doing it and I have flat out refused. I did, however, agree to go watch him jump yesterday and that's how this all began.

I watched him do a jump and was intrigued. It did take me an hour or two more of watching others and having him walk through every step for me to agree. I finally, in an uncharacteristic moment of impulse, agreed and handed over my credit card.

Because I didn't have a reservation, that lead to four hours of waiting for a plane which was definitely the most stressful part. I watched a training video which reminded me that I had signed a waiver. "Sky diving is a dangerous sport. It can kill or injure you. The waiver you just signed means that you or your family cannot sue in the event of death or injury, even if it's a result of our negligence." Awesome.

I met my instructor Andrew, and got geared up. I got to wear a medium sized suit, which was purple, so I knew it was meant to be! Tim made an arrangement to be on the plane with me, and I am glad because I am not sure I could do that without someone I know beside me.

Before I knew what I was doing, my plane had arrived and it was time to board. With his hand on my back, I boarded the plan with Andrew and Tim, along with about 10 other skydivers. This, to me, was the most stressful part as the plane kept getting higher and higher. I watched my indicator to see how high we were and really started to question my sanity. I hate heights. I hate planes. What am I doing?

At about 12,000 feet, Andrew strapped himself onto me and we got ready to go. In the video they shot, I look pretty calm. Everyone else on the plane was pretty quiet and calm and that helped me stay quiet and calm, although Tim did tell me later once we got on the plane he thought that would be the moment I backed out.

Before I knew it, people started jumping out of the plane. Then it was mine and Andrew's turn. I would like to say I prayed and made my peace with God, but honestly, I was just focused on what was happening next. And then like that, we were off!

I know it sounds incredibly corny and cliche, but I have never in my life felt so alive. Everything was so vivid and colorful. After about 10 seconds of holding my breath, I was breathing air so pure and refreshing, it was intoxicating. The sun was starting to set in Chester, South Carolina and it was beautiful. God was closer than He's ever been.

As we passed through the clouds, the ground started to come into focus. Once Andrew pulled our parachute, there was such peace. Everything was quiet. There wasn't a sound to be heard. And I was just flying.

Landing, to me, was the funnest part. Andrew asked me to pull up my legs and knees to bring us to the ground. It was amazingly gentle and fun. We just glided onto the ground. "So," Tim asked. "Do you want to do it again?"

The answer is yes.

Me, with Tim, who talked me into this craziness.

And finally: The video

An additional video taken from Tim's perspective. Watch as Mr. Crazy climbs onto the side of the plane! You can also see my awesome videographer Terry