And now for the update... Amherst ATF '07 So amid all the caos and confusion of the past few weeks, we make it to the hotel in Hadley Mass... A few setbacks with the Airport, them loosing luggage and one of ours getting checked in without I.D... I get appointed as one of the drivers...and I'm now in charge of one of the Ford SUV's Setup the next day was rather calm...just a few food runs and some time to go shopping at the local mall... Then the next day; load-in. Being that I am a driver and we have a lack of runners, I pick up the ATF staff from their hotel and bring them to the venue. Later that afternoon I visit again and the ATF team is setting up. I now have to trasfer my script to a new script for Josh since his old one went missing. Do I really have all the needed notes...I guess we'll find out at rehearsals tomorrow... ...which usually start at 9 should the ATF staff get to the venue at 8...but not this time, rehersals is unexpectadly starting at 8am sharp...and who should call me to wake me up for this event? The one and only person you probably don't want to hear from first thing in the morning; Josh Marrano. I rush over to the venue, no time to shower or even grab breakfast. Rehearsals go off, well, pretty badly. A few more kinks that need to be worked out with video world...and so starts a small snow ball that will soon roll into a giagantic snow beast! One mis-communication after another, followed by not having things in on time, on top of Those in leadership wanting to run through it all on the spot, and most of them wanting us to get it right the first time...let's just say by day three everyone's nerves were shot. But never the less, friday night came...and it all went off pretty well for a first event. The opening moment, completely different worship feel, interactive message points; I think this year's ATF is sure to soar...and then we had the live baptisms... an part of the event most didn't think would work the one thing that a lot had spoken out against mostly for the sake of effort and simply giving their own oppinion ...and it worked and will quite possibly be one of the most powerful and memorable parts of this year's event. so there you have it...struggle strife...and even me getting yelled at a few times, and the event still happened, it still got sent off... I think this year's ATF got more conflict than any I have been apart of...I don't know if this applies to all parts of the event, but with new greeters and roles for swat support, i'm sure it was quite a dfferent experience for everyone... and with all the conflict how can we even think we aren't doing the right thing...because it is obviously trying to be stopped...or tear everyone up in the process. I had to deal with a few of my own issues this past week, and maybe I'll write about that a little later... | 
