With a contagious smile, 88 year old  Marjorie Carper reminisces while  enjoying a favored childhood pastime. Photo courtesy of Candid Carper "A Story 2 Tell Photography"

Yesterday, I found a fresh jar of honey that some good friends left for us on our dining room table. Life is too short to hold on to our lives. It's so good to give and to be generous with our time, talents and treasure. In return, we reap a blessing. 

     Often, in today's world, it is easy to feel spent, so we begin (if you are like me when I sometimes feel this way) to withdraw. We think that in hiding we will be refueled. Today, I was reading about the prophet Elijah. He was at the end of all that he thought that he could give. He had just battled the hundreds of prophets of Baal and now Queen Jezebel was after him. Understandably he needed a break and God did send angels to attend to him, but after 40 days Elijah still wanted to seek lodging in a cave in Horeb, the 'mountain of God'. The Lord came to Him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Elijah was holding onto his life. He had had enough. As crazy as it is though, it is as we spend our life on the things that God has given us to do that we truly are filled. It would be great to be on perpetual vacation, wouldn't it? And perhaps heaven will feel like that when there are no more tears or sin, but until then God has more for us to do. Jesus said in John 4:34 "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." 

     As autumn approaches and we see the camping gear go into the closet and we begin to feel the brisk air, the call of the school bus for some and the office desk beckoning others (such as myself), I hope that we can remember that God has a purpose in these moments. I have faith that we won't hide away in these times that are given, as ordinary as they sometimes are, but instead give extraordarily in small ways.

Peter, Rianna, Catherine, Lori, Noah

     For me, I'm blessed to see examples of our staff doing this all the time. Peter, CRC's chef, and Lori, CRC's barista, took in ten year old Catherine Li, a homestay student from China, for several weeks this past summer, even in the midst of CRC's busy season, and loved on her. Through God's grace, of her own will, this young girl gave her life to Christ during her time with them. We were all hugely excited!

But, even in small things, I see our staff giving to one another as well. 

Becky, our registrar, draws little pictures on the envelopes she gives me each week that hold our guests payments for the weekend. One had a beach scene, another a forest, and it always bring me a smile.

Time is short and we only have one life, "Carpe diem Christi"- Latin for "Seize the day for Christ."

In our Father's great love for you,
Julie Hansen

Assistant Director