Mountains Green, Sparkling Streams

Mountains Green, Sparkling Streams

Recently I have found myself reflecting over past events, classes, and such. I had a realization a few days ago while sitting at closing campfire at Camp Blue Haven that I was growing up and this new reflection process was a sign of this. It was kind of a turning point moment in a sense because I hadn’t realized how much I have grown and learned this past year.

This year was my first time to be on the opposite side of Blue Haven: post camper. When we left for New Mexico Saturday to take my brother to camp it was the first time in the 19 years of going up to camp and the mountain cabin that I was slightly sad about the trip. Sunday was not any easier. Although I was not going to be up at camp for the week, I had butterflies in my stomach just being there. Leaving that day was the hardest part. I felt like I should have been heading to my cabin to start my week at camp and instead I was in the car driving home. Throughout the week I spent some time reflecting on my overall Blue Haven experience. It was hard in a sense because I knew how much fun my friends that were campers were having. It also didn’t help that everyday Timehop had Blue Haven pictures on it. While I could have spent time wallowing in the fact that I wasn’t at camp, I chose to reflect on my experience.

In 5th grade I was signed up for Camp Blue Haven for the first time. My grandparents were thrilled because they absolutely loved spending time at their cabin on Blue Haven property every summer. I never could have imagined how it would have impacted my life 10 years later. From meeting my freshmen roommate who was my bunk buddy in my very first cabin ever, to winning master camper twice, to challenging myself on the ropes course. Camp Blue Haven is where I have met some of my best friends that I will always treasure. I absolutely love this place and I am more than blessed that God led me to 5th session. I hope and pray that my time at Blue Haven is not over and that one day I might have the opportunity to give back to the place that has given me so much over the years. Blue Haven has also been an opportunity to keep my grandparent’s legacy alive. Granny and Papa loved their mountain cabin. All of their friends would spends the summers up there with each other. Papa especially absolutely loved being at the cabin and fixing it up. After they died CBH became even more special to me because of them.

When mom and I walked up to closing campfire Friday evening I felt like I was a camper again. I was so excited for mom to experience her first true Blue Haven event. As a watched my brother win master camper for the second time and listened to the singing, I realized just how much I loved this place. Camp Blue Haven is more than a camp placed in a beautiful setting. It is a place designed to be a refugee from the dark world. It is a place to “assemble on the mountain” and “[have a] mountain to climb on / a quiet place to go and know [He’s] there.” More than the people and the community built, it is a place to draw near to God and be reminded of his glory.

I could talk about my love of Camp Blue Haven on end. This past week I came to the conclusion that I could not have ask for a better Blue Haven experience. I would relive my entire 9 year camp experience if I could. Blue Haven is a beautiful place and while I am not a camper anymore, I am thrilled that there are kids just like me that will be able to have their experience. My prayer is that they are able to soak in the opportunity and take full advantage of everything CBH has to offer.

Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights that does not change like the shifting shadows James 1:17

 I am very thankful for this good and perfect gift. Bless Blue Haven Forever.

Your Favorite Redhead