My first name is Ashley. I am a transplant to this area from Northeast Arkansas, and (when no one is listening) I'll admit that the Ouachitas are a much more beautiful place to live than are rice fields, which have an aesthetic appeal all their own. I am one half of a new volunteer couple, living here on-site, and we are to be responsible for hospitality and security duties after-hours and on weekends. I was an English major at UCA (some years ago), and I have also earned a master's degree in American Studies from the University of Iowa. That's just to say that I can't do much more than read and write and interpret, skills which I hope to put to use for Ferncliff by writing this blog. However, this isn't my first tour of duty here at camp; I was the Disaster Assistance Center Coordinator a few summers back, and I had a great time juggling mountains of kits and wagonloads of campers. I even got to pinch-hit as a counselor for Heart 4 Art Camp! These days I work for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, running the call center that is housed in Ferncliff's Main Office (I know, I know, what a commute!). I get to help volunteer teams from all over the US and Canada schedule their mission trips and join in the recovery of the Gulf Coast, Iowa, Georgia, and other sites in the wake of various natural disasters that have occurred in the recent past.
My last name is Gill. Yes, that's right. I am the daughter-in-law of Ferncliff's fearless leader, Rev. David Gill. My husband, Joel, has been a Gill all of his life, and he inherited his father's love for the outdoors and for working with children. Joel is the Coordinator of the Arkansas Outdoor School programs at 4-H, just on the other side of the hill named Luke. We were married at Ferncliff--which, by the way, is completely against the rules--so it's an especially special place for us.
Photo by Waynette Traub
Our nine-month-old daughter Marjorie, who we call "Margie," has agreed to come along for the ride. She mostly hopes to feed the ducks every day and listen to her own echo in the tunnel.
We feel incredibly fortunate to live at Ferncliff, and we are honored to have the chance to serve its many ministries in any way we can. Please stop us and introduce yourself the next time you're at camp!
But enough about me. Back to the blog!
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What a wonderful blog. I love that you love Ferncliff. Our family has had a long relationship with Ferncliff. I can't believe marrying at Ferncliff is against the rules. My husband and I were married there in the little chapel 40 years ago, in the rain with no electricity. My dad walked me across the field with a borrowed golf umbrella and as we walked to the reception area we passed by a cabin filled with girl scouts on a camp out. I will never forget their faces pressed up against the window screens.
ReplyDeleteI would hope others would have that experience at such a wonderful camp.
I'll be reading your blog with expectation.
Tanya Beverly Jackson