The View From Here

The set-up is underway for the Mountain T.O.P. semi-annual YARD SALE!
Come out to Camp Cumberland Pines this Friday (Sept 30) & Saturday (Oct 1) from 8am-3pm

4 goats, 1 sheep and some peacocks

The reminder of God's goodness and the joy of working in this place reveals itself through unexpected gifts of kind words, encouragement, letters, phone calls, emails and visits.  Two days ago, we received a letter in the mail from Mr. and Mrs. James Teliha.  It reads,

Dear Mt. Top,

We would like to thank your organization for your help at our home. In the past I had to crawl up our front steps. A group of your campers build a handrail for me at the front and side steps on June 22, 2011.

Another group painted our shed (7/14/2011) for us since I cannot climb a ladder due to my disabilities. Our shed is used to house four goats and one sheep, plus peacocks in bad weather.

My husband, Jim, age 72 has Alzheimer's and wanted his barn painted. He had built the barn alone without help or a written plan approximately ten years ago before he got sick. Your wonderful group painted the barn on 7/28/11.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. James Teliha

And thank YOU to all the wonderful, willing servants of God that helped 430 families just like the Teliha's during the summer of 2011!

What is a Trader?

One of my good friends shared this video with me last weekend...  gave me something to think about...

What is a Trader?

G'bye Elsie (sniff, sniff)

This morning, we officially bid farewell to our intern, Elise. If you have never had the opportunity to met her, let me just tell you...Elise is one of those people who is always ready to lend a hand. She's the one who follows through, the one you can depend on to get the job done. She's one of those people who make work not seem like work.

This summer, Elise answered countless phone calls and made contact calls to churches coming to YSM. She supported summer staffers, helped out musically, lit candles, and drove van routes. She was the one who stayed late to wash dishes and make sure everyone was safe in bad weather.

Elise is a recent college graduate, which means, yes, she is looking for work. So for those of you who are interested in Elise's more specific skills, here are the details:

• She has an uncanny ability to stay calm in nutty situations.
  
• She was one of the only females in the office who could answer technical construction questions. And possibly build a shed with one hand tied behind her back.
• She has mad harmonica skillz.
• She drives a mini van (This fact might not be helpful in seeking a job, though how many 20-somethings do you know who drive a mini van?).
  
• She has an eye towards professionally produced videos (note: Elise's skills are professional. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the subjects in her videos).

Elise has given 4 summers in a row to Mountain T.O.P., and the ministry is so much better because of her gifts. Thanks Elise! We love you!