Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Selah

Here we are at our final Awesomeness Takes the Stage of 2019! And we are ending on a sweet note with Selah!

Selah was our unofficial official GIT (Guide in Training!). She’s a unique situation, not having graduated high school yet, which is usually a requirement! But seeing as she’s also Full Time Staff and is around all summer anyways, we made the exception!

If we gave out awards, we just might give the Most Improved Player award to Selah. She has grown by leaps and bounds this summer, overcoming personal fears and struggles and coming into herself a little more confidently! It’s been wonderful to see!

Selah is willing to work hard, has a sure-thing attitude and offers sweet encouragement to those she’s around!

She seems to not take herself too seriously as much (ie: embrace the clumsy and awkward and work with it!!!) and she’s gotten to see that all leadership isn’t front and center!

She’s proven to be a great asset to our team this summer and we are thankful she was willing to serve in the many ways GITs do (ie: hello water coolers!)!

Thank you, Selah, for allowing God’s light to leave a trail wherever you go! We appreciate you spending your summer serving with us!

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Author | Cassi      Photography | Adrienne + Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Marshall

It’s his birthday, it’s his birthday! The one and only Marshall Grant is on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

Marshall came first as a Guide in Training (GIT) but has now returned as one of our outstanding Guides! Marshall sure brings some life to any party! Well, adventuresome spirit if nothing else!

He’s got some nutty ways about him, but his heart is to live and love life and those in it! His thrill seeking, ahem, excuse me…cough…cough...his love for adventure in the great outdoors really knows no bounds. Calculated risk is a good thing, pushing yourself to see how far you can go is a good thing. Living this one adventure of life to the fullest is a good thing. Marshall embraces life.

And he’s great about doing the hard work first, and then playing second. He’s proven to be trustworthy on many different levels and is stepping into his role as Guide naturally and with confidence!

He’s showing himself to be a strong leader and role model and remains teachable through each new experience he’s been given! He’s a great friend and man chasing Jesus! And he’s always stretching, literally!!!!

Marshall, thanks for the laughs, adding fun to the crew and loving Jesus enough to serve teens this summer at camp! We are thankful for the time and energy you pour out to help make our team stronger!

AND HAPPPPPPYYYYY BIRRRRRRTTHHHHDAYYYYY!!!

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Author | Cassi        Photography | Adrienne + Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Isaac

From Sparky vest to Minion madness, seeing Isaac grow through the years has been fun! Welcome Isaac to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today, will you?!

My favorite thing about Isaac this year is the way he helps to engage reaction from the crowd for the staff leading up front! Whether it’s an “OOOh Yeeeaaah!” or a dramatic guffaw or laugh, he adds to the scene to help create a fun atmosphere! (Which means someone always laughs at Shaun’s jokes ;)!!!)

Isaac is quick to smile, always helping people feel welcome and inviting them into conversation. He’s a big encourager too!

He leads well, enjoys having theological conversations with anyone interested, and is careful to respect the person even if he disagrees with them. In it all, Isaac sincerely wants to help others walk nearer to Jesus. In the end, that’s all that matters!

His contemplative ways allow him to carefully consider what he means to say so when he speaks its with authentic sincerity and something worth hearing. He’s had a great energy about him this summer that adds to all the relationships he’s creating, whether it’s with staff or campers or their leaders!

Isaac, thank you for giving Whisper Mountain the chance to be part of your story! We are so thankful for all the ways you add to our team through your service and heart for Jesus!

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Author | Cassi      Photography | Adrienne + Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Jessie

Jessie, Jessie, she’s our girl…on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!!

Jessie has got the sweetest nature about her! She’s never imposing and always sincere!

She’s got such a willing heart to do whatever needs to be done. Being on staff at Whisper Mountain is not for the faint of heart. The exhaustion is a real struggle. No joke! Jessie has been keeping up with all the things and smiling through it all!

Jessie has a great love for music! We’ve loved having her help lead worship with the teens each week.

Her humility, willingness to really listen to others and her love for Jesus have made her a great asset to our team this summer! She’s a friend to all on staff and we are stronger for that!

Thanks for all you’ve given up to come and serve with us this summer, Jessie! We’ve seen God use you and work in your life and we are grateful for your heart for Him!

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Author | Cassi        Photography | Adrienne and Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Carlo

The Italian you may mistaken for a 25 year old because he’s just that mature, but really he’s a GIT (guide in training)!! Welcome Carlo to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

Whisper Mountain Camp has known Carlo as a camper for a few years now so we were excited when he showed interest in being part of our summer staff!

Carlo is a natural born leader who’s shown great humility while serving as a GIT and shadowing our Guides. It’s not always easy to let others lead when it’s in your DNA to do so, but we’ve seen him handle this with grace.

He’s the perfect blend of nerdy and cool — you can’t help but like the guy!

He has a way of questioning or pushing issues in a way that challenges or sort of wakes people up who’ve become comfortable or lackadaisical in certain things. Carlo cares about living sincerely and authentically and his willingness to help others around him do the same is appreciated — at least eventually!! (ha!)

Our team is definitely stronger with him on it! We are thankful for the way God has been shaping and leading Carlo and that we get to be a small part of that story!

Carlo, thank you for choosing to spend your summer at Whisper Mountain! We are thankful to have your Italian blood walking this property!!! No, really, we are so thankful for what you bring to the team!

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Author | Cassi    Photography | Adrienne and Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Ethan

It’s his birthday! It’s his birthday! Party on now! Party on now! HEYYYYYYY!!
How fun to have Ethan on our Awesomeness Takes the Stage on his birthday!

We think Ethan is worth celebrating for many reasons, but we just love that he is equal parts goofball and man of God! We loved having him on staff last year and are thankful to have him again this year as a Guide again!

We’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again! Getting to watch our summer staff grow through the years is one of the highlights of being in camp ministry! Ethan is no exception — we’ve really seen Ethan grow in his leadership while serving with us at camp!

Since we’ve known him, he’s always been a man of character, but we see him jumping to new heights as he strives to walk more and more closely to Jesus! He’s often caught helping out with forgotten or undesirable jobs, he’s quick to connect with campers that might be on the outskirts of the crowd, and he exudes hospitality by helping all the people feel right at home with him.

He is fantastic at making conversation with anyone, he makes amazing lattes and sincerely cares about the people he’s around!

Ethan, thank you for serving with us, for allowing God to have His way in your life and for helping add such strength to the team this year! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

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Author + Photography | Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Lexi

Fun and Sass dressed in a country accent — that’s our girl Lexi! Welcome her to the Awesomeness Takes the Stage, won’t you?!

Lexi loooooves to talk which makes her great at connecting with people! She’s got a huge heart for people in general which translates to all the people want to be her frand! Her balance of talking and listening to people is quite remarkable and unusual!

Before Lexi was a Guide, she was a camper and a week long volunteer! Her heart to serve in any capacity stood out to us way back then! It was a joy to have her come and be a part of things! We kinda feel the same this summer!

Lexi is bold whether speaking the truth in love or getting done what needs doing or being so sure of who she is in Jesus that nothing holds her back. It’s refreshing and beautiful! She doesn’t shy away from being in the middle of someone’s mess with them and offering them hope along the way!

Lexi, we are completely thankful you are here with us serving, smiling, and sassing, as the need calls for! May God continue His good work in you for His glory alone!

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Author + Photography | Cassi

 

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Jake

Hey Hey! It’s Jake on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

How about that man-bun, huh?! Might not be Shaun’s favorite style, but we will still keep this guy around!

After you get past the man-bun and his one thousand “Why’s”, you will find a great guy with a great heart who wants to love people and follow Jesus! His inquisitive nature is part of what makes him a thinker and a person of understanding. He has his own idea on things, but his thoughtfulness and care has been encouraging to more than a few people!

Jake is also an adventurer and outdoor lover! He pushes the limits but lives fully and freely! There’s great joy in that!

He has a soft heart for people and shows that in a million little ways at camp. Through his music, his athleticism, his drive in life, he is able to connect with campers in eternal ways.

Jake, thanks for using your leadership here at camp this summer. And thank you for allowing God to have His way in your life! We are grateful to serve with you!

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Author | Cassi        Photography| Adrienne + Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Alex

Whhhhhhaaaat a Whhhhhomannnn! Alex Davis — you need to know her! Welcome to Awesomeness Takes the Stage!

The girl who is always smiling, always asking engaging questions, always there to lighten the atmosphere.

She delights in carrying other people’s loads, encouraging the struggler and being present with people in a way that makes them feel safe with her! You guys, people need this, am I right?!

I mean, look at the shenanigans she’s willing to get into to help her people!!!! 😂 (this was Ellie’s car — no one was breaking any laws here!!!)

People respond to life in all different ways. Alex has allowed God to heal and lead her through life in a way that makes her simply glow with joy for Him! She’s a delight and we are so thankful to have her serving with us this summer!

Alex, receive this — you are beautiful! Keep shining Jesus to all those around you! Whisper Mountain wouldn’t be the same this summer without you — we are so thankful for you and excited to continue to see God work in your life this summer!

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Author + Photography | Cassi

Awesomeness Takes the Stage 2019 | Micah

Micah! Micah! He’s our man! If he can’t do it, nobody can! Say a big “Heeyyyyyyy!” to Micah on the Awesomeness Takes the Stage today!

Micah is a gentleman with a side of quiet hilarity! He’s got this way of throwing lines out at the last second in a conversation that are so funny, but you’d miss it if you weren’t paying attention. They come quick and quiet!

He’s got a love for adventure and fun. He’s one of the guys who races around campus on their mountain bikes! Downhill, on a bike, on graveled mountain roads — yikes! No big deal for him! Can you see that boyhood ornery sparkle in his eye?! It’s what keeps things fun!

His leadership is quiet but strong. He works hard. He plays hard. He’s faithful and reliable. Micah is an all around fantastic fellow!

Thank you for being here this summer, Micah! We love getting to be a small piece of your faith journey! Thank you for being the kind of man that is worth these teens emulating! Keep at it!

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Author + Photography | Cassi