Saturday, December 31, 2011

White Sulphur Springs



The first time we went to White Sulphur Springs in Manns Choice, Pennsylvania was in 1986. It was just before we moved to our new assignment at West Point. It "just so happened" that several families from West Point were at OCF's family conference center that week ~ and the adventure began. We spent many weeks at WSS ~ with cadets, at tennis camp, on vacation. Aimee attended the first Allegheny Outback way back when. Lots of memories....lots of time on the wrap around porch of the old Harrison House talking and catching up on one of the handmade rockers.


This year we made a trek back to WSS with the Marx Family (who also have a long history of times at WSS as their boys were growing up and now as they bring their granddaughters to spend the week each summer as they are growing up) the week after Christmas. It was a great time...seeing old friends, meeting new ones, horseback riding, hiking, bowling, square dancing and line dancing in the old barn, and trying out the climbing wall. Never a dull moment. We enjoyed the worship and great sessions with meaningful, challenging, transformative teaching by Greg St. Cyr.


Just this summer the new facility, Heritage House, was dedicated and opened. What a beautiful facility ~ so nicely done, spacious, and modern. While most of us miss the quaint old Harrison House, the new facility is fabulous and allows lots more families to come each week.


Happy Birthday, Oma!




I celebrated my 64th birthday at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, eating pizza for lunch and tubing all afternoon with Andy, Aimee, Gary, Faith, and Avery! What a great birthday party! Weather was mild with no wind ~ the sun was out part of the time and a few snow flakes came down through the afternoon.



Tubing is Avery's favorite winter activity ~ she just loves the wind in her face and smiles and/or giggles all the way down the mountain. Faith would have liked to ski but we weren't sure there would be enough snow. Both girls went non stop up and down the mountain for the full 2 hours ~ never asked for a break.



On the way home we stopped at the moving Flight 93 National Memorial. It was simple and beautiful, a fitting tribute to 40 people who made the ultimate sacrifice. "A common field one day. A field of honor forever."