“Find your partner,” I said once all the kids had exited the van. I took the hand of one of the younger kids. We headed toward the sky ride. I took two-year-old Arianna and four-year-old Wyatt. We sat on the bench and slowly rose into the air. Held by a thin, steel wire, the bench rocked back and forth unless we sat perfectly still. Our feet dangled in the air as we glided across the park. Heights scared me, but I knew I had to act brave for the younger kids. Once I stopped thinking about how we could plunge to our deaths at any given moment, I felt better. I just put my trust in God. We got across safely, only to discover a sign that said “No Round Trips.”  I decided to regard that as more of a suggestion. We had to get back on to return to where my friend, Karen, and the rest of the kids waited. I felt much more confident this time. I knew that God would not let anything happen to me or the kids. An amazing feeling of safety and the love of God filled me with an intensity I had never experienced before.

            We stayed at Adventure Land until two o’clock. After we delivered the kids safely to their parents, Karen and I went back to Adventure Land. When we came upon the Log Ride, I decided I would take a chance and try it, since I loved water rides. We got on and I realized that this ride had no seat belts or safety bars or anything. I started to panic as we rose, slowly, up the hill–too late to turn back now. We made it to the top of the hill. A split second passed, but it felt like forever as I looked down at the water. The log plunged down the hill and crashed into the water at the bottom. I looked at my hands and realized I had made it.

            We got off the ride and Karen decided that we should ride the roller coasters next. Terrified of roller coasters, I went pale and had a hard time breathing. I started repeating a Bible verse to myself: “I can do anything through the Lord, who strengthens me.” It worked. I got on the roller coaster and kept my eyes open the whole time. Once I got past the fear and trusted in the Lord, I realized I actually enjoyed roller coasters. I thought riding on that sky ride felt amazing, but it seemed insignificant compared to this. It reminded me of the day before the last day of Camp Redcloud earlier that summer.