What a great gathering! This was the
first CPNC organized gathering in the Northeast/Midwest region. God
saw fit to change our original camp reservation plan into a more
homely gathering, and we are grateful for it.
October 1st, Wednesday:
Thursday was the official start of the
great VA Cathering (more on that title later), but due to some
logistical shifting, people arrived the day before. Carrie and Amber
Thompson picked up Faith Burnside and I in their truck. College Plus
road trip! The only incident we had with the trip was picking me up,
there were some construction going on which confused Garmin, our GPS.
Everything else was smooth sailing to the McFarlands. We had a
surprise on arrival. With God working behind the scenes, He directed
the Stotts' planes from Florida after some airport shenanigans.
Previously, they were supposed to arrive at the Charlotte-Abermale
airport hours away, but instead they arrived at the nearby Dulles
airport a day early, as well.
Our host location was one of the most
inviting places I have ever been in, to say the least. You could see
that this wasn't just a quick backup location alternate the camp,
this was meticulously planned and prepared for us. We even had
personal questionnaires that we hung on the wall when we were done.
We had a devotional where the ground
rules were set, a time of prayer, and all of us headed to a good
night's sleep. The girls were up talking - we boys could hear them.
October 2nd, Thursday:
The official start of the gathering was
supposed to be only a laid-back planning day. It was more of a random
game playing time. Games of Apples to Apples, Settlers of Catan,
pool, and whatnot. We also had a bit of dancing in the basement and
the culdesac. We learned the Virginia Reel, the Electric Slide, the
Golden Slipper, the Broom Dance, and the California Waltz.
Evan Strite and Elyssa Ranck arrived
during dinner. We were expecting them much later, so it was a very
nice surprise.
October 3rd, Friday:
Time to head to DC! After we were
dropped off at the Fraconia-Springfield station of the DC Metro, we
got our tickets and boarded the subway.
The security at the attractions are
overbearing, but understandably so. We shed our belts, devices,
wallets, etc. into TSA-like conveyor belts... to get into a library!
(Well, it was the Library of Congress, but still.)
In the Library was a Civil Rights
exhibit, and Thomas Jefferson's personal library exhibit. In the
center of Jefferson's library was the best echo/amplification chamber
under the dome, and we started lowly humming, and the hum got louder
and louder. Needless to say, we entertained ourselves quite a bit.
I've always wanted to see the inside of
the Capitol. One must usually make a reservation to do so, but
luckily, Faith had her Congressman Todd Rokita on call, and we got a
staff-led tour! Highlights were the Magna Carta, the Rotunda, and
various statues of the Presidents and patriot heroes. Our tour guide,
a staffer from Congressman Rokita's office, guided us through the
underground tunnel and all the rooms.
The Holocaust Museum was a sobering
experience. No photography was allowed inside the exhibit, which lent
to its pensive atmosphere. The very next day was Yom Kippur, the only
time the Holocaust Museum closes in the year, so to have gotten in
was a treat. To see and hear the horrible stories of God's chosen
people, it truly put our lives in perspective.
October 4th, Saturday:
Another day traveling to the Capital.
Carrie proceeded to teach us the "signs" game. Basically,
it uses hand gestures in a subtle manner to pass signs around, as in
code.
Right after we came to the entrance of
the National Air and Space Museum, Carrie notified us that she has
lost her phone in the subway. After some panic, her phone was texted
just in case someone may find it. We gathered in a street corner to
pray so we could find it. Right after praying, someone texted back.
Our group split off so that Carrie could retrieve her phone, and we
stayed at the museum. And a couple hours later, they come back, phone
in hand.
The National Air and Space Museum was
definitely filled with aviation and airplanes and things. One of the
CPers in the group, Bailey, is going to be a helicopter pilot, so he
was the focal point of the trip. We didn't get to see much of the
space part, because by then, it was time for lunch!
After the museum, we walked the
National Mall of monuments towards the Lincoln Memorial. We passed
along the Washington Monument, some of the World War (I and II)
memorials, and the Vietnam War memorial. Since apparently there was
no love for Lincoln in our group (bunch of Southerners, I tell you),
we just posted for our group picture facing the Washington Monument.
October 5th, Sunday:
All things must end, even gatherings,
even the great VA Cathering. Evan proceeded to cook us one last
breakfast. Packing our things, we gave our goodbyes and hugs, and we
rolled out. The others headed out throughout the day .
There were so many stories and inside
jokes and mannerisms and conversations and little things that only
those that attended could understand and cherish, like all gatherings
do. The Kiss & Ride, the Aaron Theme, Mommy Cat, monkeys in the
brain, slap happy theology, the cube of Rubik.... Things that
wouldn't make sense. But that's okay.
I want to thank the McFarlands, and
especially Catherine, for hosting the gathering. If you didn't
notice, the Cathering title is a reference to her. I want to also
thank fellow CPNC organizers Faith Burnside, Evan Strite, Cassie
Porath, Bridget Proffitt, and especially Jillian Heersink, who sadly
couldn't make it, but was instrumental in everything. I also want to
thank the Thompsons for the transportation and going out of their way
to pick some CPers up, including myself. A thanks to everyone that
came, and most of all, to our Father in Heaven for guiding us and
making this a reality.
