"What have I gotten myself into?" I thought as I scribbled my initials for the thirtieth time on the longest waiver I'd ever seen. I hadn't been nervous at all in the week leading up to my first tandem skydive, until the moment I read through the extremely thorough legal document that forces you to acknowledge over and over again how your decision to jump could result in your injury or death. It was a little unnerving to say the least.
I've always wanted to try skydiving, so when my cousin, Savannah, told me she was going for her birthday, I eagerly agreed to jump with her. Our first appointment was canceled due to cloudy weather, but we rescheduled for the next day and I'm so glad we did. It was a beautiful, sunny day with blue cloudless skies and perfect visibility.
Dallas Skydive Center is about 45 minutes northeast of downtown Dallas. We arrived and checked in at the hangar, where we met the staff and our instructors, the people we were ultimately entrusting with our lives. They helped us into our harnesses and quickly went over the rules and instructions for executing a safe jump. My mind was hardly in a calm enough state to remember the order and timing of each thing I was supposed to do in the air. But there was no time to hesitate or back out. We were both ushered into the back of what looked like a miniature toy plane.
My instructor looked very young, like he could have been 29 or 19. His electric blue mohawk made me wonder if it was the latter. As we ducked into the plane, I asked him, "So Ben, how many times have you done this?"
"How many times would make you feel comfortable?" he replied.
"I don't know, somewhere in the triple digits at least."
"Well then let's go with exactly 100."
Dallas Skydive Center is about 45 minutes northeast of downtown Dallas. We arrived and checked in at the hangar, where we met the staff and our instructors, the people we were ultimately entrusting with our lives. They helped us into our harnesses and quickly went over the rules and instructions for executing a safe jump. My mind was hardly in a calm enough state to remember the order and timing of each thing I was supposed to do in the air. But there was no time to hesitate or back out. We were both ushered into the back of what looked like a miniature toy plane.
My instructor looked very young, like he could have been 29 or 19. His electric blue mohawk made me wonder if it was the latter. As we ducked into the plane, I asked him, "So Ben, how many times have you done this?"
"How many times would make you feel comfortable?" he replied.
"I don't know, somewhere in the triple digits at least."
"Well then let's go with exactly 100."
Okay, cool. He might be new. It's totally fine. I'm totally fine. It's gonna be fine.
The plane took off and we began to make wide circles as we climbed to higher altitudes. My cousin pointed out downtown Dallas far off in the distance. I smiled and nodded, trying not to reveal how much I was freaking out internally. Once we reached 13,500 feet, it was time to jump. The door flew open to a deafening rush of cold wind and I watched as Savannah and her instructor stepped out and disappeared. That's when the reality of it hit me. This was really happening!
As we prepared to go next, Ben turned to me and said, "I was just messing with you earlier. I've been doing this for nine years and have over a thousand jumps logged." Oh, thank God! We scooted to the ledge. I put on my goggles. Ben placed his left foot on the rail and I followed suit. I then couldn't remember whose right foot was supposed to go out first, but I didn't have long to think about it. The next thing I knew, we were jumping and falling at hundreds of feet per second. During the 50 second free fall, the wind pushed against my face, giving me massive chipmunk cheeks and chapped lips and I knew there was no way any of the GoPro photos that were being snapped were going to be flattering. And I was definitely right about that.
Suddenly the parachute released, bringing an instant sense of relief. I thanked God as we slowly drifted back to safe ground. The houses and backyards and tiny swimming pools moved in slow motion like a film sequence beneath my feet. It was surreal and exhilarating and I felt fully alive in that moment.
I can't help but marvel at the timing of this skydiving experience. On the Tuesday before my jump, I received some pretty big news about my company that ordinarily would have caused me to stress and worry and be anxious. But if I've learned anything in the last three years, it's that God is good and His timing is perfect and I can fully trust in Him. When I reflect on other times in my life that were marked my uncertainty and doubt, I'm able to now see God's faithfulness in bringing me through those situations and out of fear and into greater joy.
I know that I could very well be in for a bumpy road ahead. Between job searching and preparing for a big trip abroad, a lot could go wrong in the next month or two. But I know that there are good things in store for me and I've been blessed with a wonderful community who will help support me along the way.
For God doesn't give us a spirit of fear, but one of power and love and self control (2 Timothy 1:7). Beginning a new chapter may be terrifying, but as I step out into the unknown, I know that the parachute will eventually open, the clouds will part, and I'll land safely on my feet again.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
As we prepared to go next, Ben turned to me and said, "I was just messing with you earlier. I've been doing this for nine years and have over a thousand jumps logged." Oh, thank God! We scooted to the ledge. I put on my goggles. Ben placed his left foot on the rail and I followed suit. I then couldn't remember whose right foot was supposed to go out first, but I didn't have long to think about it. The next thing I knew, we were jumping and falling at hundreds of feet per second. During the 50 second free fall, the wind pushed against my face, giving me massive chipmunk cheeks and chapped lips and I knew there was no way any of the GoPro photos that were being snapped were going to be flattering. And I was definitely right about that.
Suddenly the parachute released, bringing an instant sense of relief. I thanked God as we slowly drifted back to safe ground. The houses and backyards and tiny swimming pools moved in slow motion like a film sequence beneath my feet. It was surreal and exhilarating and I felt fully alive in that moment.
I can't help but marvel at the timing of this skydiving experience. On the Tuesday before my jump, I received some pretty big news about my company that ordinarily would have caused me to stress and worry and be anxious. But if I've learned anything in the last three years, it's that God is good and His timing is perfect and I can fully trust in Him. When I reflect on other times in my life that were marked my uncertainty and doubt, I'm able to now see God's faithfulness in bringing me through those situations and out of fear and into greater joy.
I know that I could very well be in for a bumpy road ahead. Between job searching and preparing for a big trip abroad, a lot could go wrong in the next month or two. But I know that there are good things in store for me and I've been blessed with a wonderful community who will help support me along the way.
For God doesn't give us a spirit of fear, but one of power and love and self control (2 Timothy 1:7). Beginning a new chapter may be terrifying, but as I step out into the unknown, I know that the parachute will eventually open, the clouds will part, and I'll land safely on my feet again.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
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