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"To God be the Glory, Great things He has done!"
There is something magical about Greystone. Something that can't be put into words. It can't, in fact, even be captured by a photo. And, no. I truly don't even believe that it can be digested via video...for the magic of Greystone is in its spirit. I was honored to "toast" the Spirit of Greystone my Senior Year there---an honor that will not diminish even as I age, for the profound meaning of it runs through my veins like little else.
The Spirit of Greystone has nothing to do with top or bottom bunk assignements or if one's counselor teaches "the BEST" activity. It has nothing to do with passing levels in riflery or trying fencing for the first time. Whether you are deemed "Blob Queen", or "Summer Reading" is your favorite block has no bearing. Sunday School is your favorite hour of the week? Graham crackers and milk in the dining hall at "Call to Quarters" is the time of day you savor most or getting up early Sunday to run Stumblers or read your Bible on the dock? Nope.
The Spirit of Greystone is wrapped up in an invisible package that Jesus gifted us all: Unselfishness. Rather than wrap it in ribbons and bows, he provided us the character traits of Sincerity, Courage, Honesty, Kindness and Truth to pursue. Demonstrate these and we will live in His ways. Accept Him, follow Him, adore Him, believe Him and we will receive the very greatest gift---the unimaginable gift that we can't even fathom. This, this is the Spirit of Greystone.
To be able to experience this understanding with your peers, in a gorgeous setting, with perfect weather, and a staff that wants nothing more than to see you grow in Christ----this is one of few gifts we can give anyone we love.
Who knows when these thoughts will be completed, but as I write, Margaret is in the overly decorated dining hall that's been transformed into some amazing theme following a tremendous multi-scene play all over campus put on by the entire staff. What an unbelievable feat for a completely exhausted group of college kids and adults of ALL ages! While she is all smiles, I can't help but have tears in my eyes. I remember SO very well how conflicting banquet night is----the most fun night of the entire YEAR with friends you've made for life, but simultaneously realizing it means that you have to leave the Christian "bubble" tomorrow and re-enter the real world, often driven by people overcome by confusion, fear, anger and hopelessness.
Of course Margaret doesn't understand this reality, but even at age 8, she does most definitely understand that her world feels different when she's at Greystone than when she's not. It's a beautiful thing. What can we do to help make unselfishness the true desire of all? Christ in your heart or not, that seems like something we could encourage ALL of humanity to embrace.
There are more 550 alumnae already registered for the reunion in October. We are literally going to FILL camp - the dining hall is going to be overflowing! And it's going to be simply unbelievable. Laura Hollowell told me on Closing Day that the reunion is awesome, but the only problem is that "we" don't listen--- She can blow all of the bugles she wants and ring the bell endlessly, but we all just keep on gabbing:-)
A friend sent this....from the team fire I was elected Lt. of the Evens. 1994 or 1995, I think? Crazy!
The dining hall has been expanded to hold 600 campers PLUS staff (and, apparently, alumnae, too!)!
Does she look comfortable??
A few glimpses of the 100-year-celebration tidings put into place in White Hall.
"The" Jacket that we used to always decorate....Can you say Heidi and Muff?
Our beloved Council Fire Ring, home of the "Me-Me Bird" story, has been expanded to accommodate the increasing enrollment.
She sat front and center, right on her own---in Libby's seat!
The beautiful new parking area outside of the Hostess Cabin.
MARG!!!!! Margaret ADORED both of her 2018 counselors. Janey, a UVA student, we were fortunate enough to have for dinner several times and Marg...who is back again in the cabin next door!
?!?!?! Are they Evens or Odds??? Either way, they look ready to go!!!
From Jimboy's Blog:
"Council Fire and Closing Vespers were wonderful last night. The girls were absolutely silent as they heard the “Me Me Bird” story and mesmerized by the lighting of the candles...quiet even as we ended the evening singing Taps… The beauty of so many candles was an image we will always remember. We link the light of the candle with the light of God’s love… it is beautiful and resonates in a powerful way."
"Today we heard out last Breakfast Club story (The Frog and the Scorpion), our last Morning Assembly (Luke 17, the Ten Lepers), and our last classes (1st-4th periods only). These moments are memorable, they put a "spin" on the lessons of camp that we hope the girls remember. Camp is much more than "fun"...life lessons learned that pay dividends for a lifetime."
Of course Margaret doesn't understand this reality, but even at age 8, she does most definitely understand that her world feels different when she's at Greystone than when she's not. It's a beautiful thing. What can we do to help make unselfishness the true desire of all? Christ in your heart or not, that seems like something we could encourage ALL of humanity to embrace.
There are more 550 alumnae already registered for the reunion in October. We are literally going to FILL camp - the dining hall is going to be overflowing! And it's going to be simply unbelievable. Laura Hollowell told me on Closing Day that the reunion is awesome, but the only problem is that "we" don't listen--- She can blow all of the bugles she wants and ring the bell endlessly, but we all just keep on gabbing:-)
A friend sent this....from the team fire I was elected Lt. of the Evens. 1994 or 1995, I think? Crazy!
Margaret literally squeals in delight whenever we see this sign! Her Mom, might, too:-)
Ready to go, 8:30am bunk run can't come soon enough!
Her swings!!!
The NEW Psalm 23 Shepard's Gazebo has been rebuilt after snow weight collapsed it last winter.
That's "her" blob in the background! Blog Queen as a 6-yr-old---LOL---what I would have given to see her that summer.
The dining hall has been expanded to hold 600 campers PLUS staff (and, apparently, alumnae, too!)!
Does she look comfortable??
A few glimpses of the 100-year-celebration tidings put into place in White Hall.
"The" Jacket that we used to always decorate....Can you say Heidi and Muff?
Our beloved Council Fire Ring, home of the "Me-Me Bird" story, has been expanded to accommodate the increasing enrollment.
She sat front and center, right on her own---in Libby's seat!
The beautiful new parking area outside of the Hostess Cabin.
Margaret's sweet cabin, and Elena, on day 1. Who is front and center?!?
Niece Sarah passed her Expert Marksman at Main Camp. Love that I have my old card. I hope they still do something similar that she's able to get her hands on. So proud of her. It's an awesome goal to pursue!
First day picture I received...any questions?!?!?
MARG!!!!! Margaret ADORED both of her 2018 counselors. Janey, a UVA student, we were fortunate enough to have for dinner several times and Marg...who is back again in the cabin next door!
?!?!?! Are they Evens or Odds??? Either way, they look ready to go!!!
Proof that having multiple children does nothing but distract you from the things you "knew" you would never forget....I have a precious pillow case that was signed from 1985-1996. That's a LONG time and a LOT of signatures!!!! And it didn't dawn on me to have Margaret ready to replicate this experience when she first went at age 6...or again at 7! But, thankfully, I sent her well prepared this year with some previous names documented and pray this is just the beginning for her and her life-long pillow-case. Greystone friends TRULY do last a lifetime.
From Jimboy's Blog:
"Council Fire and Closing Vespers were wonderful last night. The girls were absolutely silent as they heard the “Me Me Bird” story and mesmerized by the lighting of the candles...quiet even as we ended the evening singing Taps… The beauty of so many candles was an image we will always remember. We link the light of the candle with the light of God’s love… it is beautiful and resonates in a powerful way."
"Today we heard out last Breakfast Club story (The Frog and the Scorpion), our last Morning Assembly (Luke 17, the Ten Lepers), and our last classes (1st-4th periods only). These moments are memorable, they put a "spin" on the lessons of camp that we hope the girls remember. Camp is much more than "fun"...life lessons learned that pay dividends for a lifetime."
My "Donut and Dinner" date Thursday night before pick-up.
Same restaurant, same order, same servers, same kisses:-)
The sweet girls of TU6...
"Reunited and it feels so good!"
A walk across camp can't exclude my favorite reading spot.
These see-saws have been adored for decades, literally.
Laura! Some things at Greystone quite literally never change.
Thanks to "Where's Waldo", we got some fun daily shots of Margaret.
She won an award at Banquet for creative writing - who'd have thought?!
A girl after her Mom's heart!
I LOVE that she voluntarily sang in front of 500 campers PLUS 100+ staff!
"It's gonna be a GREAT day and I feel TERRIFIC!"
she has grown more confident, more kind, more thankful, and more helpful. We hope that she has more resilience in difficult situations and is a better team player with her peers. Most of all we hope she will carry a bright light of love that warms her heart and blesses others for a lifetime.
At this point we look at God’s provisions with misty eyes and joyful hearts.
They know that they will always be friends but it might be years before their friendship is renewed face to face. They are deeply connected by shared memories that will bring smiles to their lips and light to their eyes many years from now."
"To God be the Glory, Great things He has done!"
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