Last Friday the girls in navy shirts graduated from STEP and the ones in the brown shirts graduated from Advanced STEP.

Now we can start planning, preparing, and looking forward to the next STEP in 2011.

Today we got to learn all about survival skills and also got to cook our own dinner over a camp fire.  It was pretty hot so we ended up swimming a bit in the lake as well.

It’s sad that STEP is almost over until next year.   We’re all not looking forward to the end of this week when we have to tell each other good-bye.

Taylor smiling in CPR class

Last week the green girls had some hands on experience in auto class. They learned basic auto maintenance skills.

In the garage ready to work on some cars.

Capt Pendergast teaching the ladies about changing tires

The girls each had a chance to change a tire.

Changing a flat

Checking the tire pressure

Abby and Rebekah about to jack up the van to change a tire.

Jacking it up!

More tire changing

Capt. Pendergast explaining more skills to the girls.

Taylor jacking up the car

Red team had fun on their stress hike.

Ready to hit the trail

The girls had many challenges along the way including “injured” team members.

Alayna & Rebekah carrying Mary

Some other challenges included blind-folding, 3-legged hiking, no speaking, and best of all RAIN!

Hiking

Leading blindfolded girls

Hiking up the bluffs

On top of the cliff

Emily made it to the top

Team leader, Hayley, keeping the girls in line

Heading over the bridge

Taking a water break

Red Group on top of the cliff

Each day a different team of STEP girls clean the kitchen and do the dishes.  Here’s the Blue team having fun doing their respective jobs.

The dishwasher is especially fun!

Last week this same team learned about auto mechanics.

We got several inches of rain last week which caused all of us to be very flexible.

We also learned how to cross a river without getting wet and got to put into practice some of our ropes and knots

All got safely across

One morning we had a introductory class on diving and we got to have a little fun and free time at the lake as well.

Then in the afternoon, we learned how to punch holes in drywall and then fix them

We also got to practice some plumbing and learned how to manually flush a toilet

Blue Team 1

Blue Team 2

The Green Group did some more team building while practicing different skills on the confidence course.

Abby on the tire swings

Teamwork on the tires

Trusting each other while balancing on cables

Naomi balancing a teammate by using the rope

Hannah holding her ground while her teammate moves on the cables

Ashley getting ready for her turn to move to the next tree on the cable

Hannah moving her way along the cable

Ultimate team work while cable crossing

Cable crossing- the object was to get all of the girls on one side of the center pole to swap sides with all the girls on the other side of the pole.

Taylor was all smiles while out on the confidence course

Trust fall

Taylor falling

The trusty green teammates ready to catch their next falling friend.

All smiles from the green group as they study their verses

Navigation

Alayna, Christa, Kristin, and Emily in navigation class

Capt. Rowe taught the girls map reading

Class Time

The girls practiced using grid readers

Leah and April had fun finding points on the map.

Rebekah and Emily plotting points on the map

Alayna and Ruth doing map work

Capt. Rowe showing the girls how to use a grid reader

Andi and Tabitha having fun with the maps

Emily and Susan plotting points

Nicole, Kristin, and Mary

Emily in navigation class

Andi and compass

Search and Rescue

Col. Tanner taught the girls search and rescue techniques.

The girls practiced their compass skills outside

Alayna compass sighting

The girls lined up to begin a grid search

Ruth sighting her compass

On a grid search

Lining up to search through the woods for "missing" team leaders

One of the "missing" leaders

Heading back after a search well done!

The girls have been having devotionals every morning….

Scripture memory of Philippians has also been keeping us busy in our spare moments.

The Blue group last week also learned all about ropes and knots

The girls on the blue team last week had their stress hike where they had to work together as well as rely on their teammates to guide them.

Testimonies from the Green Group:

“STEP has been a great opportunity for me.  Not only have I been able to learn valuable life skills, but it’s been a time for God to work in and through me.  God has been showing me how much more I need to put my full confidence and trust in Him; that He is all I need, all that matters, and that He’ll take care of me through every situation.  These are some things that God had begun to teach me back at home before I came to STEP, but it has renewed the passion in my heart and given me a time to practice and root my faith with fewer of life’s distractions.”

“When I came to STEP, I was a Christian growing up in a Christian home, but I didn’t really have a deep relationship with God.  I didn’t read my Bible every day, and I only prayed when I needed something.  But since I’ve been here, I’m learning how amazing it is to pray and read my Bible every day.  Just to be with God; He really love and cares about us.”

“Coming to STEP I really didn’t know what to expect, but I was excited to meet the challenges that awaited me, whatever they might be.  The greatest lesson I’ve learned at STEP has been to rely on Christ for my strength.  My biggest challenge turned out to be simply maintaining the schedule and accomplishing what was expected of me.  I’ve never had such a busy schedule filled with so many worthwhile activities.  I’ve been pushed beyond what I thought I could do, and had to rely on Christ in many different areas: completing each day’s memory work, running two miles, or even just waking up at 5:00 in the morning. It’s been amazing to see what can be accomplished when God is working in and through us.”

“God has really been teaching me to love whole-heartedly. Along with loving, comes rejoicing in all circumstances, not judging, and being full of grace, mercy and forgiveness when mistakes are made.  I am still learning all of these things, but the joy in learning it all is wonderful! I am so happy!!”