Whatever you are aiming for this week, may you find yourself surrounded by people who care, your sites clear, and a little fun along the way!
Happy Monday, friends!
tegan
summer staff are here
We've officially kicked off the summer camp season with the arrival of (most of) our staff! Some returning, some new — we are excited about who God has brought to serve with us at Whisper Mountain!
Throughout staff training this next week, we are having a little fun, Duck Dynasty style! The Camp Commander Headquarters will be filled with work, play, connecting and preparing to greet those campers with excitement, love and Jesus!
Aren't they beautiful?! I think I say this every year, but this group of people is awesome! Such variety in personality, skills and backgrounds! I look forward to introducing you to each one throughout the summer weeks!
Hey, have a happy happy happy day, won't ya?!
can we say CRUNCH?
On many levels, we are in crunch time here at Whisper Mountain. While we all feel it, I'm pretty sure Marty is bearing the greatest pressure just now. In a week's time this volunteer cabin needs to be ready to welcome our summer cook! Let's just stop there for a second–we have a summer cook! Can you rejoice with Patti please?! (We are down some helpers in the kitchen, so if you'd like to volunteer, contact us!)
Marty has been giving his all during the day, and paying for it during the night. Pure exhaustion these days and summer hasn't begun! Do pray for him!
Standing on the front porch, the creek can be heard, as can the chorus of birds and countless other creatures of the woods. Quite peaceful and restoring! I'm already making plans for a personal retreat here this fall!
There will be much to share as time allows! Thank you for understanding the quiet of this space lately! Though you can't tell from where you're sitting, much is going on here and still much more to come! We hope you'll journey with us along the trail!
January in Pictures [2014]
[the following pictures are a combo of iphone + camera to highlight our month for you!]
Ringing in the New Year | Celebrating Snow | Hearing God's whisper
Hiring New Staff Member Manny | "Seeing" Kyle
Marketing WM | Welcoming First Campers of 2014
Sunshine + Palm Trees for 2 Staffers | Staying Warm
Togetherness | Unending Work | Slippery Driveways
Winter Crazies | Pecking Crows Problem | Sharing Work with Friends
January has already brought some hiccups, frustrations and stress, but strewn throughout all of that are the moments of delight, togetherness, and purposeful living. Whisper Mountain is in full gear prepping for our summer program, expanding and improving our facilities, and filling the calendar with many people coming to escape their noise and encounter God's whisper! We are thrilled!
Have you planned a getaway to Whisper Mountain yet? Now's a great time to gather some people and make some plans! We would delight in serving you!
we are flipping out!
We've pressed on through the exhaustion, the fun, the struggles, the God-workings and we've crossed the finish line! Celebrate with us as Summer 2013 has been completed! I look forward to sharing more about the summer and a couple more staff in the days ahead. For today, we hug the last of our staff goodbye and begin to exhale.
We thank our Daddy for caring us through and allowing the adventure in the first place!
Have a great Monday!
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!
while Bossman was away
<<< on a completely irrelevant note — it's 12/12/12! What?! >>>
Bossman is back from his trek down. Though we felt lost without him (!) we were able to carry on in his absence!
A rainy day allowed for attention to be turned inside for the guys! Ramsey cleaned his office and kept up with our Ebay selling (we are decluttering around camp! awesomeness!). Shaun caught up on his camper/youth pastor connections and worked on things for summer 2013. (Also worth noting: Our morning meetings were shorter without BossMan around! He can be such a hoolagin sometimes!) Of course, this same rainy day caused some frustration for the normal office folks (the ladies!). smalltown woods + rain = blotchy & slow internet service. We survived though!
Kinsley & Company (aka: screaming, giggling teen girls) were found all over the camp property filming scenes for their third full length (for English class) feature. Oh yeah. Getting serious now. Even wrote a script this time!
Selah was able to host her annual cookie party during the above mentioned filming day (yeah, I killed two birds with one stone here!). She was (mostly) delighted. Being pulled away from the kitchen to be "an extra" in the film is a tough life, you know?! And it was sort of a bummer to have to share the yumminess with a bunch of screaming, giggling teen girls Kinsley & Company (who has completely outgrown the traditional party! sniff.)
Boss Jr. gives us a thumbs up for surviving the week successfully! He's pretty glad to have the pressure off his shoulders and things back to normal! *Normal* meaning running around in his underwear, a replenished stash of candy and sneak gulps of Mt. Dew. Oiy. What's a mom to do?
Happy Hump Day, friends.
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!
whooped!
{phone pics=poor quality!}
I happened upon this scene last night while doing the usual checking in on each sleeping angel before collapsing into bed. I first let out a chuckle at the cuteness of his sleeping position, then I felt the longing for such a position myself. We are only days away from the chance to rest our bodies. As it is with every summer's end, pure exhaustion blankets us in every way. We each are looking forward to a big exhale. A little folding of hands. A measure of rest.
Until this exhale comes, I have hours of editing before me, late nights completing work, and early mornings requiring me to peel myself from the bed! But with all this said, I LOVE being in camp ministry! The eternal impact far outweighs any piddly little exhaustion! So, I plug on with joy!
How are you holding up with your part of the world?
“Ohhh Mannn!”
Many people don't get the sacrifices made to begin and run a camp ministry. And that's okay. We don't need everybody to get it. When people do get it, they tend to find creative ways to keep us recharged and encouraged! (and for this we are grateful!)
Each year for the past few years, a certain group of Romanian bikers travels our way. Usually they stay with us then drive the area for a few days then head back home. Each year for the past few years this certain group of bikers tends to get the big guy a bike rental and *forces* him to hit the road with them for a day!
He always feel there's too much to do to leave for a little joy riding, but after it's all said and done, he comes back refreshed and glad he went!
Of course whenever there's a vroom-vroom around, little man is in on the action. In fact, his new line seems to be "Are you ready for this action?"
Finding the right words to try to get you to understand how blessed we feel by people who remember us and share with out-of-this-world generosity is a task I have yet to be able to undertake. God's timing, vessels, and means always catch us off guard. And always speak of His love for us! (Thank you to those of you reading this who are among the blessers!) As Tegan would say, "Ohhhhh, mannn!" You are awesome!
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