Adventures of Tyler Brantley

It’s not that I hadn’t forgotten to post but that I was having a hard time trying to figure out what I was going to write. So much has happened in the last month that I felt it was best to wait and compile all the memories into one post.

Oct 17-19 Windy Gap

It had always been a dream to visit Windy Gap and serve where my mom went to camp in 89. A place of connection not just a link in time but a moment of faith that struck both my mom and I . To stand on the ground she walked 30 years ago and experience how God was still moving through it was a blessing given by God. Windy Gap needed so extra help that weekend and I volunteered to help out. I was on ropes and was trained for the zipline. I enjoyed watching all the kids step up in trust and faith that they were going to be safe.; that we would let them fall like God. Another blessing for that weekend was that my dear long friend, well rather now seen brother, Jonny was able to tag along. Jonny was one of the guys that co-lead with me at the VCU Young Life. We became really close and would say was one of the closest guy friendships I’d ever had. So, him tagging along made the weekend even better. The most memorable moment of the weekend was that I was able to recreate a picture of where my mom stood 30 years ago. Windy Gap will always have a place in my heart now and will be a place where I can continue to serve when needed.

Oct 20th NC State Fair

Today we went to the state fair. My first one ever or at least consciously known. It was such a blast to experience a deep-fried snickers bar (I’d give it a 5/10 only because it wasn’t crispy), a giant turkey leg, and great conversations and laughs. I really did have such a great night and loved how close we had already gotten in over a month and a half. Looking back now it seems so far that this night happened, yet it became a core memory that will cherish forever.

Oct 24-26 Men’s Retreat

Every year the church goes on their annual men’s retreat and it happen to be the guy fellows first time. I wasn’t expecting it to be as big as it was. My old church in Richmond on had 30 people show up where this weekend there was 108 men. That’s a lot of guys. IT was a great weekend to get connected with many people. I really appreciated how they set up the groups. My group had someone in their 30’s, 50’s, 70’s, A great range of age groups to get different perspectives in life. This weekend also helped me get closer to the other guy fellows. It was a very restful weekend and much needed.

Oct 31 Halloween

This year I went as Willy Wonka and feel it was my best one yet. I actually had such a fun night in quite a while in regard to Halloween. Spending the night with the fellows at a spooky house party and around a fire. have drinks and conversation about what we were all doing. Everyone looked so good too. I’m so proud of how we all planed well according to the night. Another core memory in the bank for that night will stick with me forever.

Oct 6-9th The fellows take on DC

This weekend we took a trip up to DC for the annual fellow’s conference and man was that a blast. We were probably one of the goofiest groups there. Cracking jokes and making connections with the 36 other fellow programs. I mean I kid you not, we rented out scooters for the day in dc and were zooming through the streets yelling “Breaking” when we had to stop, hoping it would help inform others from crashing into each other. Those bikes had a little horsepower to them and were so fun. I had another great weekend, and this one actually grew us closer together. Spending late nights talking and connecting on a deeper level really deepened a bond between us all. I was also blessed with seeing my parents and brother that weekend. I really did miss them and saw something I hadn’t noticed before. I saw the love and joy my parents had for each other. I guess when you live with them for so long that type of thing goes over one’s head. In three weeks, I’ll be home for thanksgiving and will get to spend some more quality time with them.

Oct 14-16 A weekend at Lake Waccamaw

This past weekend I got to reconnect with one of my past professors from NOVA community college. It had been a good 3 years since we last saw each other and only found out this past Aug that she moved down the NC. It was perfect with where she was located for it was only a 2 1/2-hour drive from Raleigh, NC. That weekend we spend the early morning catching the sun rise to watching it set. Chasing the light to all the abandoned buildings and places along the back roads to Florance, SC. Trix was my old Photography professor and taught me a lot back then, so it was nice of them to allow me to stay the weekend and really rest in getting back into what I love, Photography. I had missed the art of actually going out and capturing places due to having a busy schedule, but this weekend really gave me some energy back. I had such a wonderful time and as excited to see all the places we stopped. I’m even more excited to edit said places and visit more in the coming weeks.

God has been so gracious in the blessings He’s given to the people He’s connected me with. This past month has been full of so many memories and lessons that will stick with me forever. Even as this month comes close to the end, I’m struck with how much more I have with the program and how little time it truly is. But what I can say for sure even now I know these Fellows will not just be known as friends but as family from now on.