Awesomeness Takes the [2013] Stage >>> Luke & Jake

Let's kick off the week with some more awesomeness in the form of a duo! Mostly because I'm behind and running out of time, but also because they kinda go together anyways!

Jake and Luke, The Dangerous Duo. At least that's what the weeds say as this duo immerses themselves in chigger infested lands where the grasses grow tall, the snakes slither, and the stinging insects harass! With weed-whackers in hand they face opposition at every turn, defeating the army of overgrowth trying to conquer the camp! (hee, that was fun!)

Jake started his summers at Whisper Mountain several years ago as a camper…a very shy, hardly said two words all week camper! Two years ago (I think!) he spent his first summer on staff as a weed whacker! He keeps coming back for more and we were thrilled! Jake's a hardworking fella! I can't speak for everyone else, but his life encourages me. His life is such a picture of how God patiently grows us, transforming, shaping and molding us into something bringing Him glory. As I see Jake around the property working his little tail feathers off (weed whacking acres of property isn't for the faint of heart mind you!), I see a quiet confidence growing in him, a charisma making him quite enjoyable to be around.

Jake drafted his pal Luke to join this summer's weed whacking crew. As I was thinking about what to share about Luke I kept chuckling to myself. An outgoing chap, Luke comes up with some pretty random stuff. All I can do is laugh! As much as he is random, he also loves Jesus! His hard work and positive attitude was definitely an asset to our team! Sadly he had to leave us recently, but we are thankful for the time he was able to spend with us! Thankful for all the blood, sweat and tears (well, I never saw those!) poured out to help make Whisper Mountain look as well-groomed as it does!

You can keep up with Luke's randomness on instagram @lukeskywalkerjr

I'd love to have you experience moments with Jake too, but he never posts pictures. In case my harassing inspires him (unlikely!) you can find him @turkey_thug96.

Let's make Monday awesome, friends!

a ninja has been hanging around camp

(last two photos taken by Tricia!)
All this week Whisper Mountain has been enjoying the presence of the three beauties you see above! And we get them for another week! You may recognize them from their recent trip or the video they were in! Aside from their general awesomeness, this is why I'm excited Tricia is here:

She's a PHOTO NINJA!!! Armed with her two cameras and a whole lotta spunk, Tricia has been helping to capture the camp week for campers and future marketing of WM. How awesome when someone's talent becomes a blessing because it was offered as help to others. Just how it's supposed to be done. (That whole pulling together thing we were chatting about the other day!) I personally have been blessed because it's a whole lotta work keeping up with the clicking, editing, sharing for ten weeks each summer! Second man on the job makes a world of difference!

(two pics above were taken by Tricia!)

Gracie and Lydia have been enjoying long days of roaming the hills, tasting some of the adventure and stealing tootsie rolls from the awesome jar!

If it weren't for a very generous couple donating their pop-up camper to Whisper Mountain, Tricia and the girls might be sleeping in the clubhouse!! Whoa…did you see that? The whole team thing just kicked in again. We are all thankful they have a place to rest their weary heads for the two weeks they are serving with us! The quarters are tight, but that's all part of the adventure, right?! (their dad will have to sleep in the clubhouse when he comes next week!)

Tricia, thank you doesn't cut it, but there's no other words to say. We appreciate your willingness to give up two of your weeks to serve with us and offer your talent to bless us and the work we are on mission with. You are a gift! True story.

Dolly wasn’t there!

The Whisper Mountain Staff adventured to Dollywood for a day of roller coaster riding fun! Rather than waiting for the end of summer for our “celebration/thank you/let’s play” staff event we found a pocket of time last week! I gathered a few pictures from everyone’s instagrams to give you a peek into our day! (somehow quite a few guys never made the pics so just imagine them trying to suppress their little girl screams on the wild eagle roller coaster!)

After all the walking around and adrenalin exhaustion, we caught a show to end our day. The Gazillion Bubbles Show! Have you ever heard of a bubble artist? Me either! It was amazing! I was very impressed and I couldn’t stop smiling! Such fun!

When we work as hard as we do, play becomes appreciated! I’m thankful for this group of people we work with and for the gift of play we found at Dollywood! If you’ve never been and you are in the Pigeon Forge, TN area sometime, it’s worth a stop! Might as well stroll a short ways through the forest and visit us at WM after!

May your Monday be an un-Monday!

Awesomeness Takes the [2013] Stage >>> Kaleigh

The summer 2013 edition of <<< Awesomeness Takes the Stage >>> will begin today with the lovely named Kaleigh! (see Kaleigh in 2012!)

We were pretty impressed with her last summer! (Seriously, go read about her!) We are equally grateful she wanted to spend more of her time giving, loving and serving with us at whisper mountain this summer!

One thing that stands out to me about Kaleigh, aside from her tender heart…and willingness to reach out to anyone who is in need of being reached…and her inner beauty that permeates into her outer beauty, is her ability to see the best in people and keep others focused on that as well! That's hard to do, you know?!

She's pretty much loved by all (and patient with my boy…bless her!). I'm excited to see how God continues to use her and guide her steps beyond her summer with us!

She's no longer #instagramless…follow her @kaleigh_adkins for a peek into her days…when she's not with campers, that is!

(If you know Kaleigh, feel free to leave some love in the comments!)

Super Staff have arrived!

Well, most of them anyway! A couple of them are not pictured above, but we had a great time blaring the "Rocky" theme song into the valley and pounding each one with a little love!

Expect to "meet" the crew when awesomeness takes the stage again throughout the summer weeks! For now, we are off for some training!

Enjoy your weekending!