To read part twelve of day six, click here.

Once everyone made it to where we were waiting, it was time for the rapids swim assessment. Patrick started wading through the water and told us to follow him.

We started walking along the slippery rocks. I almost slipped several times, but managed to stop by grabbing at Kayce, who was walking next to me.

We passed this spot where the water was running between two rocks, so fast that it started to sweep me away. I grabbed one of the rocks and Kayce, and managed to stay on my feet. Kayce had to pretty much push me through that spot, because I couldn’t do it. I wasn’t physically capable of getting through that spot.

And it annoyed me. I hated not being able to do things, and having to depend on others to help me. My whole life, I’ve always been the oldest. I’ve always been the capable one. And to not be able to do things, having to rely on my crew to help me, was a big challenge for me. Especially in things that I wasn’t scared to death of.

Like when we were hiking, and I just couldn’t carry the weight in my pack without stopping every two minutes (literally). I hated that I was slowing my crew down. I hated that they were all having to help me. I hated the fact that I was the weakest, the smallest, the _______.

But I think that’s one of the things God did for a reason. I think he made me the smallest and weakest because I needed to be there. Like I said, my whole life I had been at the top of the ladder, at least in my family. It was hard being at the bottom. Really hard. And it gave me lots to think about.

After a couple of minutes of walking through knee high water, being pushed along from behind when I couldn’t make it myself, and nearly slipping 8439+ times, Patrick stopped. He waited until everyone was standing on this big rock with him, right next to the big hole.

“Ok kids, listen up.”

My crewmates started grumbling – they hated when he called us kids. I never minded it, but it was kinda funny listening to them.

“Here’s what you are going to do. You’re going to swim, two at a time, into that big white spot next to the hole. Then you’re going to get into our rapids swim position, and float down for five to ten seconds. As soon as you are past that point,” He pointed at a big rock that was sticking out of the river. “turn and start swimming to shore. Katie is there with the rope to throw if you don’t make it, but I’m sure all of you are going to make it.

I immediately started freaking out, again. (Looking back, it’s really embarrassing. LOL) I couldn’t even make it past some of those little streams that joined the river. How was I supposed to turn and swim against the river??

Click here to read the next part of Day Six.

*Everything here is from my own memory and may not be correct. Outward Bound is not responsible for anything I post here. Thanks too NCOBS for letting me use their photos.*