Camp David of the Ozarks

Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, you can see God’s handiwork all around you. It is absolutely beautiful here. Good thing it is so beautiful, it helps me keep my focus and mind off the steep and narrow roads. Most of you know how much I dislike roller coasters and heights. Well, we’re in the midst of what feels like both of those and we’ve taken several road trips to explore some well known and not so well known caves.

We spent one afternoon on a tour of Meramec Caverns which was pretty incredible but not too frightening (for me). After all, there was a guide leading the way down a well maintained walkway. Then there was the opposite experience but, honestly, just as incredible (even more so), only different (and frightening).  Miller Cave is located on the base at Fort Leonard Wood and is open to the public as long as you have your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of vehicle insurance so you can obtain a pass to go on base. Oh, and leave your weapons at home

Here’s a condensed description from the website about the cave. The cave can be accessed by way of a narrow, but well maintained (that’s very debatable) trail that winds down the steep slope and into the cave. It has a total of four entrances. The primary entrance is located in a bluff approximately 150 feet above the Big Piney River. Two more openings face the river and provide a spectacular view of the Big Piney River Valley. The bluff below these openings is nearly vertical, making it a deadly drop-off.   (Oh yeah!).

Getting to and from the different cave openings was waaaaaaaaaaaaay out of my comfort zone but Bill was right there with me to give a hand and an encouraging word. Going inside the cave was incredible. So very beautiful. The pictures don’t give the depth and detail we saw, but I’ve included them anyway for you to imagine what it was like. If I hadn’t been there with Bill, I know he would have crawled through many of the smaller openings further into the cave. I begged him not to; and, thankfully, he obliged.

We continued our explorations in the foothills of the Ozarks each weekend where we also found a few good wineries, a brew house, and a place called “Just a Taste.” First time I’ve been to a place where you could taste just about everything on the shelf (for a fee, of course) and there was plenty to choose from. So much so, I didn’t choose anything.  Bill tried a few of the spirits. We enjoyed lunch at one of the wineries where I experienced the best quiche ever. (Meremac Winery - Bistro d’Vine in St. James along I44.) So good, I can’t begin to describe it.  We’ve also discovered a new favorite restaurant…we love the Colton’s House & Grill (Southwest Chipotle Tips & Chipotle Chicken Nachos). We checked it out, honestly, just because of its name (in honor of our dear friends, Jason & Jessica Colton). We’ve been back there three times.

Another one of our explorations was in search of a handgun for me. (Obviously, we did this before we went to any wineries.) Now that I have my conceal carry, Bill thought it would be a good idea for me to actually have and practice shooting a weapon. Initially, I was not at all comfortable with the idea, but we found an excellent gun shop and range in a nearby town where you can rent a gun and use their range. I was doubly blessed with a few lessons from a very knowledgeable and understanding female. (No offense to the men who have tried to teach me about gun handling, but working with this woman helped me tremendously not only get over some of my nervousness but better equipped me to handle one.)

The project is going very well. I’m loving the ladies’ first work assignment. Organizing the Princess Room. Let me tell you a little bit about the mission of Camp David, so you understand the purpose of the Princess Room. The
camp is specially designed to bring hope and healing to children and youth who have a parent that is incarcerated as well as equipping them to succeed. Week long summer camps are offered to these children and one of the activities is a Princess Party for the girls. The room is filled with gently used formals, shoes, jewelry, make up, and tiaras for the girl’s to dress and primp for the Princess Party. It’s quite a formal affair! We’re having lots of fun going through all the dresses (yes, I admit, I tried one of them on; would have tried more but there were just too many to choose from), seeing if they need to be mended or cleaned, putting them in size order, and; well, you get the picture.

Our next ladies assignment was preparing (making beds and cleaning) some of the cabins for a special weekend retreat. The camp is branching out and doing retreats for the women of those in prison. The kids bring sleeping bags but the women get nicely made beds and, as an extra treat, breakfast in bed. We were praying for a mighty move of God for these ladies and after talking to the camp directors we can Praise the Lord for answering our prayers.

Really, Bill? sitting down on the job!

Our men have been working diligently on a new shower house. The walls and roof were done before we arrived but the men have been working hard on the interior. They built some false front walls, did a ton of staining and sealing tongue and groove boards for the ceiling and walls. And, Bill gets his kicks being the guy on the scaffolding installing the ceiling boards. There has also been a few odds and ends, like laying an electric line from the emergency generator to the water pump.

We had a wonderful Easter celebration. First we watched the sun rise as we drove through the foothills to attend a service at a local church and then shared in the yummy breakfast that followed. Our group was invited to Easter dinner at the camp directors’ home where we enjoyed pork, turkey, and ham plus lots and lots of trimmings. We were all asked to share our favorite part of the Easter story. Mine was “He is not here.” After cleaning up the dishes (and there were plenty of helpers), in the tradition of our host’s growing up years, we sang Easter hymns. Ya gotta know, I loved that!!! What a blessing to spend Easter in a family setting. 

Although the project officially ends on Friday of this week, we'll be staying through until Tuesday. Our next project is only about four hours away at Little Galilee Christian Camp in Clinton IL. So, we're staying here a few extra days (maybe we'll get to go to Colton's again) and arriving at our new project a few days early. What a blessing that everyone is so accommodating. 

So grateful for this journey. Glad you're along for the "ride." Be blessed & be a blessing!