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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Jeanne to pilot... Hey, are we going down????

First, let me say... Yay! They cut the grass on the grassy runway!

We had a really quick flight last Tuesday evening, August 19th. Like up for a few and right back down! When we took to the air our windsock was nearly flat. Perfect! And our radio, which we always have dialed into our airport's AWOS broadcast before we take off, indicated the winds were blowing around 3 mph. Couldn't be better for ppc-ing! However, winds are unpredictable. On the ground they can be barely blowing, and just a few hundred feet up, if that, they can be entirely different. Thermals, air density, all kinds of things can factor in.


Our take off was great! I even had my eyes open the entire time this go 'round!! And, on our way up I was able to lean down low to the left behind my foot as far as my harness would allow me, and dangle my camera to snap a few shots. Of course, I'm not looking through the viewfinder. I did it kind of freehanded, not knowing what my camera was seeing. Just hoping it was picking up something good! And, not distorted or blurred. By the way, it's always strapped around my neck -- cameras flying into props DO NOT mix! Anything flying into props is bad news! Well, in no time (at 800 feet) we discovered that the air wasn't smooth at all. Not one bit! We tested it at a few different altitudes, but I told my pilot through my headset... "I don't like this -- AT ALL!" while death gripping the back of his seat. He told me he didn't like it either.


Hmmmm... soooooo, it wasn't just a "me getting adjusted" thing. That got my attention, as if my attention needed to be gotten! A few moments later he radioed to me that we were going down. I thought for a sec or two, looked above and below, then radioed back, "are you telling me we're about to crash? You need to be specific when you tell me stuff up here! Okay!!!" I was almost sure everything was fine, but I wanted to be sure of my sureness.


Obviously, my pilot is going to have to adjust to having a back seat driver again. ;)


Once on the ground again I was happy. I was happy we flew, too -- even though it was a brief up and back trip. From the ground, I took a few shots of our friend in flight. He came down shortly after us and agreed it was rough up there. He thought at first he was running into our prop wash. It wasn't so though.

A flock of geese popped by out of the blue. Literally, I had to dash for my camera... I caught a few shots, but barely! And...


the sunset was magnificient...


our God and his paint brush, again...




Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God knows pink gets my attention, it worked with the Crocs shoes He picked out for me and had waiting for me at Dicks. The shoes that started all of this! So, I'm taking every bit of the pink clouds, pink skies, pink sunsets as confirmation that I'm doing what God wants me to do... as well as the scripture a friend here posted to me. I do not believe at all that He afficts people, but I do believe he can use our afflictions. First to bring us closer to Him, second to give us a testimony... He's working on my testimony. Until now, I had no idea I had one. Even though, I've truly been through some difficult circumstances in my life... I see a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, that He has a plan for me.


I've put together a slide show of our evening. You're welcome to...



Forgive the blur on the lower righthand side of a few of the pictures, there was something on my lens.


1 comment:

Gigi said...

Jeanne - your post today...wow. No words. I will tell you it made my Sweet Hubby cry. God Bless you honey. I don't think you need the ppc - you have wings of your own!