One lie we tell ourselves

We are stronger when we are together. We tell ourselves that’s not the truth, we fight hard to make that not true, but it is. When we finally give in to the reality that we aren’t fully our best without others, we finally start becoming all we were meant to be!

Needing others doesn’t mean we are weak, it means we are operating as God intended — in community! Community is just what the Whisper Mountain Summer Staff have been building!

Learning to trust and being trustworthy, braving below the surface level, connecting with others where they are, leading and being willing to be lead — this is the stuff of community!

Whether the leap into community feels like the scariest thing on earth or the easiest, don’t stop building into others and allowing others to build into you.

The rewards are worth the effort. You’ll be the best you yet!

 

don’t you love it when a plan comes together?

Lots of excitement filling the grounds as we welcomed our first group yesterday! With any first group, we've got a few kinks to work out of our programming, but I'd say all in all things are going quite smoothly! The campers are having a great time, the weather is beautiful, our staff is pumped, our goal is in focus! Don't you love it when a plan comes together?

As I was bouncing down the road in one of the carts yesterday, I looked over at my mom and saw the weariness I felt reflected in her face. I said, "Everything we work our tails off for all year is underway today." We both took a long sigh and laughed a weary chuckle because all we wanted to do was crawl back in our beds and sleep! Alas, sleep shall wait a good ten weeks…there's more work to be done! We are just thankful to share the work with such a strong summer staff team!

Thanks to those of you praying for us! We await evidence of God's great work this week! 

a remedy stroll

January deadlines are feeling heavy. What's the remedy? Go for a stroll! Here's a peek at Whisper Mountain right now.

// ground awaiting its lake transformation

// playful propps (were the guys playing cowboys and Indians?)

// splashes of color growing on the barn

// fallen (dying) forest everywhere

// jus' my shoes get little wet, mom (draw out the "o" in a whine here!)

Lots of mud. Lots of messes. But just the remedy I was in need of!

Make it a point to get outside today! Always a day-changer!

our now

// Enjoying the bends in the road and piles of goodness dropping in on us, both as individuals and as a camp.

// Finding the splashes of color along the way to mean God is working rather than a mess is making!

// Being startled by the unexpected creatures previous guests have planted here and there! (and imagining them giggling while planting them!)

// Soaking in the beautiful weather and landscape that changes by the day.

Each of us staffers are enjoying, growing, stretching and walking our path along the trail in camp ministry! While different spots are more fun than others, the whole trail has us walking nearer to our Jesus, each other, and those in our world. That is what the walking is about after all!

Trail Mix // Episode 10

Speaking of stumps, Shaun's out in the field with a short encouragement for your journey! (be glad you don't have to work out in those gnats!!)

 

{if you are unable to view above video, click here}

Now go be God's MVP! Happy stHump Day to you!

pulling away

A main goal of Whisper Mountain is to offer a place to pull away from the noise in order to help people hear God's whisper. What happens when Whisper Mountain is our noise? Our staff struggles to pull away often enough, but it feels nearly impossible in the summer camp season! Yesterday I had to smile when I caught Selah pulling away! She gets it…the alone and quiet are needed to survive the chaos life can bring! I walked away from this picture inspired!

May you find the same inspiration to get a moment of quiet and alone!

Happy Friday, friends!

getting giddy

Sometimes you just gotta do things yourself.With the uninsured locals unable/willing to help us out, and because of a generous feller, we have cranked up his piece of machinery and are beginning to get the job done! And it's so exciting!

While going out to snap these pictures I was positively giddy! We've waited and dreamed and waited! What was feeling impossible was starting to be! Woohoo!

Whisper Mountain's Lake Project has begun! Are you as giddy as us?!

When the tree fell…

When the dead tree outside our camp office fell…

   :: Ole Blue got to start her engine

   :: Marty celebrated the success

   :: a squirrel lost his home

   :: muscles flexed and backs complained

   :: Nyan found a new look

   :: a hazard was removed

   :: we thanked God for these willing hearts and able bodies

sighs

  As quiet as the fog above the river in the morning, so is Whisper Mountain after the days of summer camp have ended! As a staff we are breathing a big sigh: of relief that we made it through; of satisfaction that we accomplished the work God had for us to do; of completion (for a window of time) as we allow our bodies, minds and souls to have a little rest.

I will meet you here again next week! Until then, blessings on your days!

after the sitting

After a little time of resting over the weekend, our staff is ready for another week of camp! Whisper Mountain will be welcoming two different groups this week for a shared time of service, adventure and growth!

May your week include some growth as well!