For about ten years Jewel and I participated in “Treasure Mountain Camp” at Higher Ground Christian Retreat Center along the Blue Ridge Parkway– just over the Virginia border north of Mt. Aire, NC (think Andy Griffith). We were introduced to the camp by Lori Webster, one of the home school moms we had met after being catapulted into home centered education due to Jewel’s mysterious difficulties with reading and math. [Later we found an eye doctor who diagnosed her with “convergence insufficiency.” The year of therapy for this condition was difficult for Jewel and expensive, but this hardship opened up a whole new world for us.]

As the years went by, we moms settled into our roles at camp: each one assuming the role for which our “gifts” suited us. One might begin to think: “Oh, those poor kids never got away from their moms!” Well, although it was a relatively small camp, I rarely saw Jewel during the week as she was off with her group led by fun, energetic teens. This became Jewel’s favorite place, and when we told her we were moving to Virginia her first question was: “Will we be closer to Higher Ground?”

My role at camp, among other things, was to lead the worship. Each year we would have a theme: “Fruit of the Spirit,” “Armor of God,” etc. My friend Angie’s role was to do the devotional/teaching time after breakfast and there was no one more suited. Angie has the heart of a child, so it was not a stretch for her to communicate in a way that was clear and fun! As she prayed for camp in 2008, He gave her four scripture references (Genesis 1:1,31, Psalm 139:13-14, Psalm 119:105, & Revelation 21:23). Knowing that singing the Scripture is the best way to memorize it, she gave them to me and asked me to write a song. Initially, I was skeptical, as I had never been challenged in this way. However, as I studied and prayed over the verses, the Lord wove them into one song: “Lamp.” (To hear it, press the cloud icon on “Marilyn’s Music” in the right column or below).

Each one of us had a part to play: the Body of Christ “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in Love.” Ephesians 4:16

Our kids have all grown up now so we have all moved into roles like participating on the board of directors for Higher ground. Other than hosting them in early February for a board meeting, I miss partnering together with my friends at Treasure Mt. Camp! It was hot; we had 45-75 kids, teens, moms, and sometimes dads together for 5 days: sometimes there were problems, sometimes we didn’t get much sleep. But it was wonderful, and I wouldn’t trade those years at camp for anything! I can still picture our kids singing, clapping, jumping, and laughing as the music carried God’s Treasure –His Word– deep into their hearts !