Lately, many of our staff have been working hard to be fit. Some are resisting CRC's delicious homemade breads and desserts, some are lifting weights...and yes, some of us are just thinking about it, but the fun thing is that we are all encouraging one another. We are a family that love each other and so we are happy for one another as we are trying to grow in this way. The reason that we can do this is because we trust one another. That faith in each other has been built by spending time together and sharing each other's joys and sorrows. I am grateful for our unity.

     In today's world, this comradery is hard to find. After all, in our human frailty, we hurt one another because, as people, we can be selfish and unforgiving. But, where we have an edge on the world is that we have the living Christ residing in us by His Spirit, who convicts and strengthens us to do and be what is right and loving.         

     Nonetheless, we also have a part in choosing to obey, choosing to renew our minds, and choosing to persevere when things are hard. What also helps is providing intentional frameworks that can help create this, and from there hopefully other frameworks will spring up out of our desire to be together. 

     Three days a week our staff take turns leading devotions, once a week our team comes to our house for tacos. After tacos we'll either chat, play games, or have a time of Bible study or worship. Also, on Saturdays, after lunch dishes much of the kitchen crew and a few others will take a jaunt down to the Lamppost to hang out with Lori, the guests, and each other. Sometimes, we go to each other's churches, go shopping, or see a play. We watch each other's children, go paintballing and work on crafts. 

     This summer we hope to have our first camping trip together and we are pumped. Bryan Rutschman and Naomi Arvidson  are searching out all of the ideas that we as a staff threw out on the table at our last meeting for places to go.

     These same principles work in our walk with God. Contrary to what our flesh likes, growth does not happen without effort and planning. I have never seen a room clean itself or a relationship grow without time and attention. As we put our trust in God and abide in Him, by faith He gives us life. Spending time in His word, going to church, fellowshipping with other believers, and sharing our faith are avenues that help us go to the One our hearts need and love. Creating structures in our lives will not bring us life in and of itself, but it will help us by providing ways in which we learn that we can trust God and become one with Him.

     We pray that CRC is such an assembly that when you are here, you can hear our Father, the Good Shepherd, calling you closer to Himself and that we, as a staff, are like the great cloud of witnesses Paul talks about in Hebrews, cheering you on.

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

"...that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."

John 17:3 and 21

     Exciting things are happening in the CRC Retreats department as well. Last month we had our Sweetheart Weekend with Tim and Wendy Berg. They did an awesome job communicating with us, in a transparent manner, how to encourage our spouses with how God sees them. They also shared many helpful tools for learning to hear and trust your spouse's heart so that couples can grow together rather than walking in misunderstanding and unforgiveness. They started a ministry called 'Marriage on the Rock' and if you are interested in having them as speakers at your church, we'd love to connect you with them!

 For our Valentine's banquet we went to Moscow with all of the 

 windows in the Main Lodge aglow with scenes from Russia. Good friends of CRC, originally from Russia and Uzbekistan, came and volunteered their time and talents cooking us a beautiful and delicious Russian themed dinner, all clad in matching authentic outfits. Peter Riegelmann, our chef, even got to take a break and join his beautiful wife Lori and the other staff couples on this special night. We devoured six courses of rich and attractive delicacies that night and went to bed very content. 

This past weekend, we just held our Women's Retreat with speaker Carole Noumsi, who was born and raised in Cameroon, West Africa and founded Women of Distinction Worldwide. Carole is currently studying Business Administration at Portland State University. I am excited about what God did in the hearts of all who attended through this godly woman of faith.

Your sister in Christ,

Julie Hansen

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