yardsale of the year + video

About a week ago Ramsey, Shaun and I had the opportunity to fly to Florida to witness first hand the body of Christ in action!

 
An adult Sunday School class put together a large scale yard sale in an effort to raise money for Whisper Mountain! The only word that keeps flashing through my mind is overwhelmed. The amount of items donated, the amount of volunteers giving up their time and energy, the amount of work put into this, the amount of money raised, the enormous amount of encouragement we received from the sacrifice of others–all of it overwhelming!

Everything under the sun seemed to be at this yard sale! The faces you see above are only a few of the volunteers who worked the event. These people, who have their own busy lives with work and family, put in hours upon hours of their time. Late nights getting ready, early morning setups and sale, loooooong day of selling and organizing and keeping up with the buyers, overnight guarding of the tents, preparing and serving of food for all the volunteers, helping customers load their treasures, clean up at the end…the work seemed endless. But I never heard anyone complain–they were all cheerful and just glad to be a part! Folks, that's humbling!

Even with a rainy day, this simple group of people sharing a heart for Jesus raised over $15,000 to benefit Whisper Mountain! In case it's not registering–this is a BIG DEAL! An overwhelming gift, both financially and spiritually as they continue to allow us to invest in lives for eternity! 

We've put together a short video capturing a little more of the event for you. 

 
{if unable to view video, click here}

Thank you to each of you who gave your unwanted items, who worked until you were bone tired, and who came and bought goods or gave a donation. And thanks to all those who stopped by to see us! Each of you is such an encouragement! It was a beautiful thing to witness the body of Christ in action! To God be all the glory!

[A few more photos can be found on our Instagram feed.]

#bicflawless + cybermonday + whisper mountain

Have you noticed that link over there to your right? The BeYOUtiful In Christ community link?! A few of our Whisper Mountain summer staff started this instagram/facebook community this past fall. With a focus on teen girls, they offer daily encouragement to find their beauty and worth in Christ alone. Awesome, right?

They now have t-shirts available for sale! Get one for you or another girl in your world by visiting our camp store to make that purchase! Supplies are limited so I wouldn’t dilly dally!

It just so happens to be cyber monday, so while you’re there, shop around! You get awesome goods, 15% off your purchase (with the code “cybmon”) and warm fuzzies knowing you helped support a Jesus loving non-profit! Win-win wouldn’t you say?!

Okay! Now go spread the word…we rely on you for that! And have an awesome day!

Awesomeness Takes the [2013] Stage // Hope

Hope is with us today on the Awesomeness Stage! (remember her from last year?!) We are very thankful to have her with us this year because she's getting to spend her time in the place of service of her choice…the kitchen!! She's been a great help to Ms. Patti and putting that food out for all the campers (a humungo job…now accepting applications for a camp cook!)

Aside from her enjoyment of cooking, Hope loves to have her a good time! Who doesn't, right?! Give her some boots, chai tea and a day of adventure and you'll see Hope grinning ear to ear!

And she's always looking to learn new things. Summer 2013 marks Hope's new-found love for picking…strings, not noses!! Sheesh! I mean every country girl ought to know how to pick, right!?

Seriously though. I find Hope to be quite thoughtful and generous with folks, always looking for a way to boost them up. Whether it's a note of encouragement, a gift of clothing, a specially made treat or simply a hug, Hope is ready to give of herself as much as she is able! I appreciate her willingness to work through things when they seem tough, her ability to make a stranger her friend, her sincere pursuit of Christ and her love of life, whatever it's dishing her!

I'm excited for her as she soon begins a journey toward a life in ministry!

You can catch all sorts of random happiness on her instagram @hope_rogers. Happy Day to you, folks!

see for yourself

We've been enjoying the company of some Minnesotans the past coupla days! On a journey to visit other family they stopped in to see the camp they hear all aboat. The same camp they help support through their Team 10 membership!

You know those times you hear a story–funny, touching or whatever–and the storyteller is doing the best he/she possibly can to convey all the emotions and details, but you sorta stare at him/her with a look that says, "I'm just not getting it"? They reply with "I guess you just had to be there."

As staff, we feel like this sometimes. We share pictures and stories, progress and projects, but unless people come and see for themselves, they don't really get all that Whisper Mountain Youth Camp is. To put it in our Minnesotans' words, "This is quite a beautiful place. We see all your pictures and keep up with all the updates, but it's just not the same as being here and seeing it for ourselves."

I am unashamedly promoting your involvement in our ministry in a very tangible way. The start of a year is the perfect time to make plans to visit us, serve with us, support us. We know how great it is! Won't you come see it for yourself?!

Upside Down & On His Way Down

We've been dragging ourselves along in some areas and feeling upside down in details the past few weeks (mostly Patti) as we prepare for the annual Whisper Mountain Board meeting. Last year's board meeting was held here at WM, but this year Marty will be traveling to Florida. The point is to reconnect the guys with all the happenings of the camp and then to help direct the moving forward of the ministry!
I know there will be a little breathing happening the next few days…a sort of dignified flopping in Patti's case!

If you would, please pray for Marty heading down to FL (and truck to hold up!), wisdom and great sharing of ideas, and a reigniting of excitement and passion for all the camp is about! These guys are awesome! We're glad they are on our team!

What team(s) are you a part of serving alongside of? Isn't it great to be a part of something with others who care about the same thing?! Happy Serving & Happy Day to you!

Blessings of the Brown Boxes!

I mentioned that we were given blessings while at the mission conference in Florida! Well, today I bring to you the Blessings of the Brown Boxes! Each year, the church holding this conference invites missionaries around the globe to come and be a part, and those who accept (there were 29 this time) are asked for a list of some of their practical needs. The church body then receives the needs lists all compiled and they are given the opportunity to help stock the Blessing Mart…the "store" the missionaries walk through to select what they want boxed up and sent home with them. A great idea, both for the giver and the receiver! Being the receivers yesterday, we felt like it was Christmas all over again!

Each staff family/member filled a box or two to take home and the camp kept some items for camper needs that arise! As we use the goods we will be reminded that God provides for our practical needs in many ways; we will feel loved by those generous givers; we will be encouraged to keep walking this road of camp ministry!  Who knew Brown Boxes could do so much?!! Blessed indeed!

the blessings don't stop there! more tomorrow!

Shaun’s Top 5 List :: #1

I know, I know…you haven't gotten any sleep all weekend because you were just dying to know what Shaun's #1 favorite thing about working at camp is! (hee-hee!) Plan to sleep tonight! (Drumroll please)

Without further delay, Shaun's #1 reason why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream:

#1: pay day is big on the last night of camp On the last night of camp everyone gathers around the campfire one last time. In the light of the flickering flames, hearts are opened in a way that isn't done in everyday life. Teenagers take the time to offer verbal encouragements to one another. They pray for each other. They pray for their youth pastor. Teenagers, and at times their leaders, become raw, spilling from their hearts all God is doing in them, all He is calling them to, all they hope to apply to their walking through life with Him.  Shaun's payday, as he calls it, is knowing that all the energy, lack of sleep, time and heart that is poured out throughout the week is worth it when the evidence of God whispering into lives is seen. This is the heartbeat of camp, the very life of the ministry…God encountering His people so they will know Him, they will know peace, new life, restoration and hope.  Now, that's a beautiful thing!

 

**Note: If you are just joining today, you can go here, here, here, and here to learn about the other items on Shaun's Top 5 Countdown on why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream!

Shaun’s Top 5 List :: #3

We are back to Shaun's countdown of why working at Whisper Mountain is living the dream…

#3: summer staff relationships

Developing leaders for the future is an exciting aspect of ministry for Shaun!With the coming of summer camp is the coming of summer staff! Helping to train and then oversee summer staff is one of Shaun's roles at camp!  For a man who loves to invest in others so that they will invest in others (multiplication pyramid!), this is a beautiful work to be a part of! Sure he loves the goofing off, the dramas and rules videos.  

 But walking with the staff through their spiritual discovery, helping to equip them for ministry, observing them spiritually invest in others and keep up that investment even after the campers have gone home…that's where the energy, the joy, the reward of ministry is found! 

Two things campers remember from camp: the food and the staff!  Building into the upcoming leaders is a beautiful investment.  Oh, and while we are on the subject…if you know anyone (or you yourself!) that would like to be on our summer staff, have them contact us. (Our information will soon be on the web!)  Our hunt for quality people with a love for God and people is about to begin! 

Shining in the Spotlight Today!

     I believe we, as a camp, would be sinking in details if it weren't for this lovely woman!  Patti has given herself the title of Paper Shuffler and Chaos Coordinator and she excels at both…and then some!

Some of her other titles include (but definitely not limited to) Kitchen Help, Laundry Maid, Director of Oh-So-Much (though she never claims it!), Event Planner, Problem Solver, Humming Bird Feeder Restocker, Closet Cleaner, Building Decorator, Receptionist, Accountant, Organizer of Staff & Projects & Everything Else, Mom, Grammy, Wife, Chai Tea Drinker, Friend, Daughter and Woman after God's Heart!

Bottom line…Patti serves. Always. Even when it's the last thing she'd like to be doing; even when she can hardly stand on two feet; even when the founder and director of WM (aka: her husband) drives her batty; even when her head is spinning so much it hurts; even when she'd rather be sitting in a chair at the beach and not in front of that bless-ed computer screen!!

It does so happen that she is my  mom (in case you are new around here!).  But even if she wasn't, I would still want you to know that Whisper Mountain has God's favor because of people like her giving everything to proclaim Him!

Thank you, Patti! (thank you, Mom!)

Still Walking

They have given up the comforts and security of the American dream: their wages and retirements were cashed in for a life of frugal means dependent on the giving of others; their beautiful home was traded for a storage unit and a rental that holds most of their things still in boxes; their shoulders once carried light-hearted living but have now been weighted down with the world. Laughter doesn't come as easy as it once did, rest is harder to find than before. 

 These folks have given it all up for a calling into camp ministry! I'm sure it's harder than Marty and Patti ever imagined, but I am grateful to be walking the camp ministry road with them.  These are two of the most generous people I know, quietly blessing and giving when no one is watching or noticing.  When the days get long, the tasks become tedious, discouragements try to pull them under…they keep walking anyway (even when Marty's knees are protesting!!!)  

The life-change that has taken place in many individuals at Whisper Mountain can be linked to God using a man and his wife following obediently the difficult road He's asked them to!

I find that to be

inspiring :: encouraging :: beautiful