Camp Manatawny may you be a guiding light......

Last evening we went to the Annual Camp Manatawny dinner. It was a special night. The moment we stepped on the grounds of the camp we were greeted with friends we had not seen in a long time. We were first greeted by a young couple that we have known almost their entire lives. Jim had the privilege to perform their wedding 12 years ago. They have two beautiful children ages 6 and 4!!! We then made our way to the registration area and saw an old (or should I say-seasoned) college mate. We then saw friends from a local church in Delaware. All this before we stepped on the paved road!!!

What a great rush of emotions were felt as we talked and laughed and cried and hugged and caught up with friends that we haven't seen!!! Camp is such a special place. This comment is coming for a person, who as a camper, wasn't particularly a happy camper. As an adult, I grew to LOVE our yearly treks to Manatawny. It was evident last evening how camp is such a large part of our lives a a married couple. Our children grew up there during at least 1-2 weeks of the summer every year. We developed great friendships and some that have continued over 30+ years. We saw young couples that now have children the ages that we first met the young couples.

I will be honest, I wasn't truly looking forward to going to the dinner this year. We had a very full, productive week and I just wanted to chill at home. I am SO thankful that Jim encouraged me to attend. We not only caught up with friends, we fellowshipped with over 300 Christians in song as well as sharing memories of camp over the last 40 years and honoring some that were stepping down in service to the camp after many years. The evening ended with a great slideshow of 40 years of Camp Manatawny and then the finale was a concert by Express, a singing group from Ohio Valley University.

Camp Manatawny is one of those places that you can see the ripple effect, the circle of life, hopefully you see where I'm coming from. Camp was a special place for my family and it still is a special place today. How many places on earth can you truly say that!!! If you have never been at the camp, check it out, you won't be disappointed. http://www.manatawny.org/index.aspx

One of the greatest blessings about times like this weekend is that you may not have seen friends for years and with the common bond of Christ, you just start sharing and talking where you stopped years ago. The other cool thing is that you might have seen someone just yesterday at when you get to camp you start sharing old stories of times spent together there. The day was picture perfect with a slight tint of fall in the trees and a slight breeze blowing. The "camp nats" were out in full force, but that too was a memory that all could relate to and we all did the "camp wave/salute" when greeting each other. We we left I was able to glance at the sky which was breath-taking with the stars shining and the clear skies!!! I remember many nights during camp sessions taking a sleeping bag or blanket out into the field and laying down with a close friend looking at the stars and sharing our lives together.

If you have never experienced a camp session, you truly have missed a great earthly blessing!!