Always two sides....

To a staff.......

Our boys...

These four fellas from the South have won my heart. I love them all and I thank God everyday for the blessings they have brought me.

Laughs, Tears and God

Last night was a very special night for the Mt Rushmore SummerShine girls. We thought we were going to Denny's after a few staff pictures. However we were taken to the Reunion Hall here at the campground where we were served communion, and then we were "invited" in to see the inside of the hall.

When we walked in the boys turned on the lights, and there it was.....a table decorated with plates, disney cups, and a picture frame for each girl. We cried, we hugged, and we looked the the eyes of these boys who have blessed us eachday with thier smiles, laughs, and humor. They suprized all of us.

Thats not the end. They cooked us BBQ chicken, pasta salad, backed beans, and potato salad. We all ate laughed, and enjoyed the company of eachother for the first time as a FULL staff. As the dinner came to almost and end we got what we thought was dessert. However, they got ahold of our hearts when they brought out a piece of construction paper with a picture of some kind of thing founf in nature. That picture.....reminded them of us. Then they each wrote us a little message, and we all cried once agian.

What is SummerShine?

SummerShine is a Christian organization started in 1979 by Rev. Chris Thore in North Carolina. We work for KOA campgrounds...10 of them this year, and we are on the clock manning the Jumping pillow, Bike Shack and Water Slide. When we are off the clock we have teo-three activites a day. we also do three skit shows a week, and hold a Sunday service for the campers.

I had never heard of KOA until this summer, nor had I had heard of SummerShine.
SummerShine brings Chrisitians together, and by the end of the summer you have a whole new group of friends who love you for you and nothing less.

The Mt Rushmore group has really touched the hearts of many. Some of us get postcards from campers, and we are all prayed for by campers, and we are all loved by most of the work staffers here in the campground.

When God Created...

...the Mt Rushmore SummerShine team I am not quite sure what he was thinking. I do know that when He put all 10 of us together He meant for there to be no dull moments, lots of laughs, a few tears, but more important unity. This group works really well together, we come together when another is hurting, we talk to eachother when we are having a bad day, and we hole eachother accountiable for God stuff, life stuff, and anyother stuff we have.

I have often found myself thanking God for each one of these members. For there hearts, there smiles, and personality. I have also said this quote many, many times "when God created this group I am not sure what He was getting at." I do know that whenever we are together a a full staff God is getting MANY, MANY laughs....he created us for His own entertainment, and thats okay.

Here is the ONLY staff picture we have thus far...and we are still missing one:)

a few shots...

Just a few shots I am pretty darn proud of.....

...4th of July summerShine Style....

Our day started at 6:45 a.m. with breakfast from our fearless leader Matt. 6:45 I remind you....

Then we were off.......

9:00 a.m.

"See You At The Flagpole" were we prayed for pur nation, our leaders, our troops, and gave thanks for the freedom we have.

10:00 a.m.

"Founding Fathers Flag Kraft Time"

We colored the American flag. We had all kinds of flags when it was all said and done. Bright pink, yellows, even the Jamacian flag showed up.

11:00 a.m.

"1st Annual Independance Day Bicycle Parade"

We had decorations for the kids to decorate thier bikes, pets, parents, and SummerShiners. Matt drove a tractor at the front and we had about 75 people come out and support the kids, and the SummerShiners.

12:00-2:00 p.m.

"Red, White and Blue Pool Party"

BIG Pool Pool Party with music, pool dancing, and WATERMELON!!!!

1:00 p.m.

"George Washington's Apple Bobbing Extravaganza"

Bobbing for apples, and having a blast with it.

2:00 p.m.

"Revolutionary Water Wars"

Water guns, balloons, and buckets

5:30 p.m.

"Star Spangled Banner Talent Show"

Some singing, wild head throwing dancing, a few jokes, and lots of clapping.

THAT'S right we had an activity every hour from 9-2. I clocked in at 2, and worked till 8:30. The days was packed, the temp was 93 degrees, and I had a LOT of fun. We were all exhusted, and were dead to the world by 11:30, but in the end we all had a good time with the campers, and eachother.