A history lesson.

I was privelege to share this during the Friday night service @ the Culloden Campgrounds a few weeks ago.)

Culloden Campgrounds…

In 1969, my parents dated on these grounds.

In 1976, at this very altar, my dad, with my Mom by his side, was ordained as a minister of the gospel of Christ as part of the Wesleyan Church.

My entire childhood was spent in parsonages within the state of WV. My parents moved a few times, but the one constant for my sisters and I was the campgrounds of Culloden Camp. At least 3 weeks each summer were spent here (Youth Camp, Kids Camp & then District Conference & Camp.) Even now, when we are together, we spend lots of evenings staying up late, laughing and recalling good memories of people we loved & knew from our summers here.

In 1984, I was introduced to the Poppa at a youth camp. Truth be told, I didn’t like him very much at the time.

In 1985, that same young man at a youth camp service, was called into ministry here at this altar. Because of the workers at the camp, he then went on to attend United Wesleyan College & Southern Wesleyan College.

In 1993, the Poppa & I dated on these campgrounds. In fact, it was during Family Camp at the Milton Dairy Queen, he gave me his infamous marriage proposal.

In 1994, at this very altar, the Poppa, with me by his side as his new wife, was ordained as a minister of the gospel of Christ as part of the Wesleyan Church.

In 2001, at this same altar, with the Poppa by MY side, I was commissioned as a Lay Worker of the gospel of Christ as part of the Wesleyan Church.

And then in 2008, we brought our miracle babies to Family Camp for the first time. I wish I could fully describe to you their excitement at just being here. I wrote in my journal last August….
…10:15 pm and the boy just fell asleep. There is just something special….. dare I call it holy ground….. here at this place, this camp. Instinctively, without knowing any of the important history this place has played in his life, he feels safe & loved here. Life has brought us back full circle to these grounds. Through my children’s pure joy at being here, on the campgrounds, with these people, in this little house, I am being renewed & reminded of God’s faithfulness in my life……”from generation to generation” has been fulfilled in my life tonight……. My prayer is that this place will always be a place God uses to bring me & my family closer to Him……