Saturday, April 30, 2011

Meet the Team 2011: Brooke...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, this one I placed here because Brooke is in my top 9 list. Way to go Brooke! I'll make sure to send you all the important top 9 people in my life information through a really funny video. Be ready!

Girls, meet Brooke Roberts. She loves reading the Word on microphones or anytime really. She is obsessed in a very healthy way with her family and her bro is her best friend (pic below). She works in Oklahoma City with K-Life and is incredible with teenage girls, moms and really every person in the world. She is a unifier and is the glue (or goop as Steven Tyler from Idol would say) to a lot of groups in her life. She is sassy and obviously loves to read God's Word with a microphone and pretty dresses. I mean who doesn't?

She will be hanging with the girls in Backwoods as the Co-Director and also getting a chance to pour into our staff. Brooke is constantly bringing us so much joy and really my life aspiration just behind being a great wife and mom is to be more like Brooke. I take notes and practice daily. Here's to you Brooke Roberts...may you dazzle us forever...yes, you heard me...dazzle! Brooke, you are for sure in my top 10...maybe higher!
Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photos: Brooke's facebook page

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Meet the Team 2011: Tanya...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
I am not sure I will be able to type as I'm laughing hysterically at the picture below. Seriously Tanya! This is what she wears on first dates...yep, she gets them all the time. Not sure what happens to 2nd dates. I kid. 

Welcome Tanya Beardsley. She is going to be one of our Special Programs Director and hang out with kampers. She is funny. She has been adopted this year into our family as she has been living here and going to the Kanakuk Institute. She is really smart and getting her master's degree. She studies and is really really really into organizing....anything. She is a great babysitter and loves to wear costumes. She loves to support the USA and the military. That love has been a recent discovery but she has jumped into truly being a REAL AMERICAN. We are so proud.

She is going to live in Branson next year too to (haha...tutu!) to finish her master's degree. She sadly graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and we pray for her salvation often. Again, I kid...well, mostly kid. She has great cardigans and loves storing her stuff in people's basements. She loves her family which includes her 2 siblings. She loves Jesus and has energy and joy that oozes (horrible word but yet can't think of a synonym) the Lord in her life. She.LOVES.the.USA.
Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: Tanya's facebook page

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Meet the Team 2011: Steph...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Steph, Stephanie...I wonder which one she prefers? Stephanie, please comment and let the world know. Thank you. 

This gal is becoming a Branson local soon. Her and the hubs TOGETHER are starting the Kanakuk Link Year. She once worked alongside of my hubs in Branson K-Life and so I got to hang with her then. She then got swept off her feet and headed to KC, holler, to ya know be where her husband is. Makes sense. Yes? Good. She is so relational as 99.999% of all the staff desire to be her not only because she loves Jesus but she has great hair, great fashion and owns a small dog that truly gets treated better than my daughter. And we treat our daughter great...you figure it out.  She apparently has tons of funny, but rather horrific, stories from teaching at a school in KC but now loves her kiddos there...and I'm sure will love the link year kids but probably not as much because they are cute 2 foot kindergartners. It's tough to compete with that...it's just truth future link year attendees. 

She graduated from Ole Miss, so therefore feel free to say hotty totty to her at kamp...really because I just think that is somewhat funny and awkward. She can be seen walking the aforementioned dog, max, all the while doing aerobics with Fitness and Nutrition. Steph is amazingly funny, although she might not think it. She loves Jesus and has a sensitive spirit to His Word and His spirit in her life. She is so great with people and LOVES her family to the core. She likes to pray too. Which is a great quality. 
Be Awesome & Love Jesus,


kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: Steph's facebook page

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Meet the Team 2011: Rachel...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
The Nobel Prize winner is...Rachel Nobel....Congratulations Rachel! You invented the Nobel Prize...or at least your last name was the IN.SPI.RATION. I just know it. 

Girls, meet Rachel (Raquel to some) Nobel. She is coming back this summer to continue to legacy and it is truly a legacy. She is in charge of all things dining hall...our kitchies, cooks, and discipling those girls. She.equals.the.delight.of.Andy's.custard. 

She is a graduate of Truman. She lives in St. Louis. Works with K-Life kiddos. Is quite the crafter, seriously, she is really good. She loves on folks at Michaels and shares Jesus through her life. She has cut her hair all kinds of way but the one below is her favorite I think as right now it is shorter but she wants it longer so I thought I would use hopefully her favorite. She lives in truth no matter what. She is so fun but the girl does like a good to-do list. She is amazing at kamp and her job. I offered her one of my children if she would come back. Our lawyers are now working up a way to cast lots to see which child she gets...that obviously is a complete joke. I had to do what I had to do. She is stu.pen.dous! And she has the fever...which I respect. 
Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 


kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: rachel's facebook page

Friday, April 22, 2011

Meet the Team of 2011: Sarah...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
She's new, she's a dancer, she's an aggie...It's Sarah Schwandt (did you get the superman type intro I was giving her! No? Oh, okay.) 

Sarah Schwandt will be joining the 2011 Leadership team for the girls' side. Wooohoo! I had Sarah as a kamper in dance specialty (side note: she could have run the specialty as a kamper, like I could teach her diddle-e-squat). She is overseas right now and so was not at leadership weekend; therefore, I don't have much random current information on her presently. BUT...never fear. I will make some up.

She loves meadows and dancing. She is a be.aut.i.ful dancer. Seriously. She obviously likes sequins and tassles from the pic below. She has an awesome family and cool mom who takes her on cool trips. She is an Aggie (please don't everyone woop at me...i hate that). She is a sorority girl and just so happens to be a Chi Omega...we therefore are sisters. She is a texas girl and again I forgive her of that too. (just kidding, sort of, but please don't leave comments about my knock on texas. For goodness sake you get to fly your flag even with the USA flag isn't that enough). Her religion on facebook states: He died for me. I love for Him. Yep, she's legit. She likes peanut m&ms. Because of that I like her even more. 
Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 


kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photos: Sarah's facebook page

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Meet the Team of 2011: DJ & Diane...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, if you know these 2 ladies you know that I had to "intro" them together. They are legends at K2, not in any way connected to their ages, they are living legends. They.ARE.HYSTERICAL. I promise you so many memories from our Sunday leadership meetings are from these 2 ladies. Hands.Down.
Debbie Jo White is the Vice President of Kanakuk and the K2 Czar. She basically runs the operational side of K2. She is also lovingly referred to as Budget Betty and is a fireball. She is an amazing example of the Lord and stands, lives and breathes GOD'S WORD. She is not afraid to PREACH. She loves Inductive Bible Study and lives her life according to Truth. She.is.phenom.
Diane Harmon (hello, i had to use the picture of her with a president...have no idea what the baseball is about but how cool of a pic!). She is in charge of the 3T's. Trips. Tribes. Tower. She runs our high ropes course, handles all things tribal/princesses, and all the K-Wild and K-Wet trips she is in charge of on the girls side. She's a multi-tasker (i just had the movie Sweet Home Alabama go through my head when the mom says that to Reese and ends with "least that's what Oprey (meaning Oprah) calls it). She has 4 kids and 3 grandkids. She is an amazing grandma (and I'm sure mom but I have really gotten to see her as the grandma). She also knows all of the Bible, I'm pretty sure. She is a protector of people she loves and I love that in her. 
Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 


kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photos: facebook

Monday, April 18, 2011

Meet the Team of 2011: Betsy...

 Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Part 3...I'm somewhat sweating as I type this because I'm nervous (which this person does that too when she is nervous). Why am I so nervous? Well, because there is so much I could type on this person but I'm nervous she will call me with a good 'ole Boone, North Carolina whoopin'! Here goes...

Betsy Bolick is our Office Discipleship Leader this summer. She.is.super.cool. She actually has a ministry that YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT HERE.  She speaks around the nation/world about the 785.67 miracles that the Lord has truly done in her life. She also speaks on the Word, Jesus, hope and being awesome (like how to be awesome!). If you need a D-Now speaker, church guest speaker, girls weekend, staff retreat speaker...CALL HER. She.IS.A.MA.ZING.

She is small but sassy...hence the "Small Enough" ministry title. She can whip any guy staff member into shape that needs it and she is one of my heros and dear, dear friends. She has a twin who coaches 8th grade boys basketball but the twin is a girl. Good luck figuring that one out. She has a dad who loves Lambert's and the throwed rolls. Her mom was a nurse the summer K2 got hit with the H1N1 swine flu stuff and so therefore now has never been back. Don't blame her! Haha! All in all...Betsy Bolick you are the wind beneath my wings.

You can email her at betsy@smallenough.org if you would like her to speak at anything.
Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 


kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photos: betsy's facebook page

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Meet the Team of 2011: Kristen...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, part 2...by the time I'm done I am confident I will forget which part I am on with medium size team. But today, I remember it's part 2. 

Girls, meet Kristen Knoth. She.is.tall.AND.FANTASTIC. I simply went to facebook and found her latest pictures and this guy seemed to be in pictures so I deemed him important and therefore thought I should place him on her welcome announcement (that sounds funny because welcome announcements are usually for babies...not that they are having babies I meant she isn't a baby...that was complicated but very entertaining to, well, just me.)

Kristen loves Kansas. Like hearts it big time. She is a teacher...has a job for next fall as a school in the area of Kansas City. She is teaching photography, journalism and will be heading up the yearbook and I think the paper. So fun! She is so fun and funny but has a deep passion for the Lord, friendships in her life and making a difference in lives through teaching. She will be hanging with our staff this summer as she is one of our Personnel directors and also helping make the laughs come as one of the Backwoods Directors. Woohoo! So she is relational and funny...such a rarity in the world today!

I like being her friend. She loves Braums. Seriously...LOVES.IT. She.brings.joy.to.the.world. (sing song in your head...or out loud) A LOT!
Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photos: Kristen's facebook page 

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Meet The Team of 2011: Trish...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, here is the 2011 Kickoff to Meeting the Leadership Team. It's a AWE.SOME. TEAM. So be ready this summer to be surrounded with one of the best teams EV.ER. (I'm not sure why I am typing in all caps with periods...maybe for my dramatic effect of the word with a pause where the period is).

First up...the K2 Women's Director...TRISH (Trisha, the Dish, Awesome) HELSEL. Yeah, she is cool. Trish is also the Kanakuk Executive Women's Director. She has an amazing family with 3 scoops of ice cream: Bo. Tee. Shayla. Yep! They.ARE.Awesome. She reads really fast, like seriously a whole book in one night. She has Pantene hair. She loves Jesus so much and has integrity like no one else I know. She is real, honest, and is the best boss e.va. Seriously...well, she really has been my only boss but I think if I did have other bosses to compare to her she would still rank as the best boss. 

So please comment if you have any questions for Trisha Beth that you would like for me to pass on to her and find out. Seriously...anything. She is so pumped for summer as she will be heading up K2 and hanging out with the girls of Volleyball and Fitness and checking on all the other specialties too...we are cloning her. 

Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photos: Trish's facebook page

Sunday, April 3, 2011

What Every Little Girl Should Hear...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Part 4 of What Every Little Girl Should Hear Know. I once again would love for you all to check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. Just click on the words.

Part 4 of my little heart is that YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.
I pray that each of you know this. You are brave and you are made in the image of God. I know there are scary moments in junior high and high school. Moments to walk away from gossip. Moments to say, "Yes I want to be in the talent show." Moments of telling your teacher who doesn't see your potential that you will be a doctor someday. Those moments when people, whether it's parents, siblings or teachers, tell you YOU CAN'T. Well don't listen. If you have a dream, desire and vision that the Lord has laid on your heart...then do it! Don't let anyone stop you! You, sweet girls, can do anything!

In the words of a very deep, brilliant theologian of our time..."Never Say Never." Comment if you know who it's from...if you don't you are seriously out of the loop of teen culture.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 


kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: ETSY / seller: valentinadesign / Click HERE / seller: loveSugar / Click HERE

Friday, April 1, 2011

My Favorites...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, I am just a blank today with anything inspirational, serious or so super cool. So when I am at a loss I usually just share my fav things. So enjoy. 

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1. Plush Owl from Etsy. How cute is this! I love any cartoon owls right now! It might have a subconscious twist because I was a Chi Omega and owls are our mascot. 


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2. These headbands are magical! I wear them literally almost everyday...my dear friend makes these and not to unveil my thoughts but they might be seen very often on my head this summer...

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3. Kleenex. I have allergies like crazy so kleenex are the fav in our house right now. I love this little kleenex cover i found. But the favorite is the kleenexes. 

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4. iPad 2...hey bill gates...HAHA! Just kidding! I have learned my lesson! The iPad 2...sidenote: will they just keep numbering stuff and so someday (like in a month) we will have the iPhone 476. Ponder that? I don't have one but it's just in my dreamy mcdreamy world!
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5. Etsy. I. AM. OBSESSED. I love etsy with a passion. I wish to be friends with all my favorite designers/artists/creative souls.


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6. Subway Flatbread Western Egg Deal. Yum. Mey. I put honey mustard and it is delicious. I make these at home now. Actually this is what I'm going to have for lunch. Oh, I'm hungy now...

Do you have any favorites I need to know about? Fill me in girls...

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,  





kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

Chief & Princess Weekend...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Today is the beginning of a royal weekend...no not Prince William's wedding...it's Chief and Princess Weekend. This is a weekend that our chiefs and princesses come into Branson and get trained up to lead at their kamps this summer. It's such a fun time for all of them to get to know each other. They usually end the weekend with all wanting to be together at the same time because they have such a great time.

This weekend always makes me ready for summer. To get to see all of you girls running around K2, smiling, laughing and being kids with no pressure to be grown up or all put together all the time. I love to see your friendships that grow at kamp and love watching you all lead each other in your tribal time!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus, 


kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: ETSY / seller: trafalgarssquare / Click HERE to purchase this adorable owl. I have a thing for cartoon owls.