This weekend I’ll be leaving Charleston to go to a CFO up in the Virginian mountains. This quiet, intimate place called Orkney Springs has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember. Along with a lot of the families who will be there they have seen me grow and become the young woman I am today. I as well have seen some of them outside of camp; blessed to call my best friends, change and branch out into different paths such as graduations, work opportunities and weddings.
CFO means “Camp Farthest Out”. I have always been amused by the reactions from people whom I have explained this place to. Literally, it’s a camp-farthest out. Sorry AT&T, Sprint and Verizon all of you are a pretty much guaranteed fail during this one-week out of my year. Finally being familiar with what hill will give the best reception and the best time during the day to try this (sometimes hopeless) mission.*Keeping in mind.... if I do get back to you consider yourself important ;)
Located in the Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by the essence of lush green hills, hiking trails, fresh air, blue lakes and ponds this little area called Shrine Mont is in the middle of an old southern town, Orkney Springs (merely a collection of a few buildings; two of the most important includes a post office and ice cream shop). One of the most beautiful hotels called "The Virginia House" is located on the meadow where the yearly Fourth of July Blue Grass festival plays. The detailed woodwork and never-ending wrap -around porches accompanied with forest green Adirondack chairs have become known as the social gathering place for us kids as we have gotten older for internet use, and daily status gossip from home.
For different reasons (mostly work related) I haven’t been able to attend for a few years. Always having thought the most exciting year of camp would be the year my group of friends and I graduated college. But because of my move last year l wasn’t able to attend it was heavy on my heart. Yet, thinking more about this year, knowing we’re all out of college and some have gotten married, others have had travels and adventures to eagerly share I am anticipating a wonderful week of catching up and celebrating all of the many accomplishments. My CFO community has always been a backbone in my life. They are people who have never discouraged me from doing anything, with unconditional love for my family. My sister sadly, won’t be there next week (because of work through Campus Crusades). But I will be able to spend time with my mother which I’m looking forward to our morning walks, coffee and conversations, prayer and the beauty of the simple things we all can easily take for granted in our wonderful-sometimes crazy-always- fast-paced lives we live.
The Virginia House
(Lower right corner is where I'll be blogging next week) ;)
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