Happy Thanksgiving from Half Pipe Harry

Home Again, Home Again!

First of all, I’m sorry that we have been so poor at updating the blog and letting everybody know what has been happening in the K-World the last few months.  We have been on the road since October, but are back home and blogging again.

For the last 7 weeks, Mr. Tig, Kara, Rachel, and myself have logged thousands of miles as we have criss-crossed the country visiting so many of you.  We have traveled thousands of miles to Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.  It has been a blast to see so many K-Kountry friends from all over the country.  We are counting down the days until summer.

It is good to be back home for the holidays though.  Like they say, there is no place like home…and we agree!

Emily Chilson Heads to Afghanistan

Former K-Kountry kamper and staff member, Emily Chilson, is currently serving in the Air Force as a Public Affairs Officer and is headed to Afghanistan sometime this month. 

Emily is originally from Memphis and graduated from TCU (Go Frogs!) in 2008 as a Second Lieutenant in the USAF.  For the past two years, Emily has been stationed at Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC.   For the last three months, she has been at Camp Atterbury in Indiana receiving training in counter insurgency, consequence management, and urban operations.  She has also spent time at Indiana University learning to speak some Pashto, the most prominent language spoken in the Paktika Province where Emily will be.

At K-Kountry, Emily was better known as “JetStream” for her role in the 2007 RocketSquad Gospel Skit.  We are huge Emily Chilson fans and pray God’s blessing and protection on her while she serves our country. 

Proud of you Emily!

Emily with her two interpreters.

Emily playing “JetStream” in the 2007 Gospel Skit at K-Kountry.

McLaughlin / Storms Wedding

On Labor Day Weekend, two long time K-Kountry staff members (Brett McLaughlin and Joey Storms) tied the knot in Oklahoma City.  It was such a blast to see so many K-Kountry friends and families celebrating Brett and Joey’s marriage.  The K-Kountry crew was definitely in full effect on the dance floor!  Congratulations Brett & Joey.  We love you guys.

It’s The Kamp Life

A little video of what our summer staff does each summer….

Baby Sparks is Here!

After surviving all summer in mommas belly (and a ride on the blob), baby Sparks is finally here!  Beckett John Sparks was born last Thursday, August 26th weighing in at 9lbs 2oz and 22in long…and a whole head of “rock star” hair.  He is already requesting a ride down the zipline…but we thought he might wait a few years!  Everybody in the Sparks family is doing well and enjoying the new addition.

Sarah Bishop Gets Married

Longtime K-Kountry Leadership gal, Sarah Bishop, got married last weekend to Brad Ashby (K-7 Leadership).  Sarah interned at Kanakuk last winter and met Brad when she did the Kanakuk Institute in 2008.  Both old and new K-Kountry staff were there to celebrate with Sarah and Brad. 

Thank You Session 2 Staff

This summer, we were so blessed with such an incredible staff who gave and gave of themselves to help further the Kingdom.  The Session 2 staff pushed through the mid-summer heat and were awesome.  We are so thankful for you guys and already miss you greatly. 

The Finish Line

Anybody that has run a long race knows what it feels like to cross the finish line. You plan, strategize, train, and then run with everything you have.  It is just a great feeling to cross the finish line knowing that you ran the race with everything you have!

Well, we have officially crossed the finish line for Summer 2010.  Looking back at the summer, it was the best “race” we have ever run.  Summer 2010 will go down as one of the best summers that K-Kountry has ever had.  The Lord was so faithful to us and we are so thankful. 

Thankful for safety, protection, an incredible staff, awesome kids, millions of memories, countless friendships, and most importantly, so much life change!  The Lord just continues to use this place to change lives…and for that we are so grateful.

Thanks for an awesome summer!

Super Sunday!

We had a great first day of camp and it also happened to be a Sunday.  Sunday’s are filled with lots of traditions, including Koffee Kake! We started kamp right with a day packed with with tons of Wet ‘n Wild water and pool activities.  Then we concluded the night with tribal Indain ceremonies.   Between shaving cream hair dos and seeing Big Chief arrive through the fog of Taneycomo, it was an all around magical day.

 

Thanks to Alec Vanderboom for the above tribal pictures!