2 is Company, but 9's a Crowd!

Every Tuesday morning, the staff at Crossroads crowds around our office "kitchen table" for staff meeting. We write postcards and pray together, we learn more about our mutual callings and ministry, and we plan for future success. It's always entertaining, worthwhile, and encouraging.

But this week it felt different! This Tuesday marked the official first staff meeting with our new staff member, Nancy McNeil, who has finished raising support and is joining the team to take over Accounting and Office Manager, a role Rich is happy to give her as he transitions to a full focus on newsletters and all things graphic design.

While our kitchen table only naturally seats six, every week we slide in where we can with borrowed chairs, cramming Doug and Dawn, Jerry and Rich, Daniel and Stephan, and Katrina and I somewhere around the table. This Tuesday, we felt... full! Ready to expand! As I looked around the full room, buzzing with conversation, jokes, and new ideas, I couldn't help but think, wow. God has called each of us here specifically, and this is only the beginning!

All of this new energy came with a humbling thought: The Shed opened just over a year ago, giving us double the office space we had in the old church. But Every. Single. Desk. will be filled this summer! We're currently preparing for two new Summer Residents--two passionate, dedicated college volunteers have stepped up and are spending their summers working full time with us! More on that next week.

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A Beautiful Beginning

Last week we had the privilege to attend and participate in my childhood best friend's wedding. It was truly beautiful. I will never forget Grace's face as she came down the aisle, scrunching her face, trying not to cry, staring at her husband-to-be in complete wonder, amazement, and joy. Now, I'm not normally one for romance. My friends say I'm improving, but ask Nathan and it's still more likely that I will respond to any romantic gesture with confusion and need for a logical explanation rather than warm fuzzies and batted eyes. But, I must say, Grace and Austin's relationship is one of my all time favorites. As I said in my speech at the wedding, they exhibit the definition of love. They are selfless, kind, forgiving, caring, hard working. Grace sees the absolute best in Austin at all times. He is her rock. Austin adores Grace. He lives to make her happy. They can't stand to be apart for more than two weeks (and now they don't have to!). As Austin exp

Bridges and Breakfast

After program last Sunday, a small group of staff and volunteers met at the Finish Line, a wonderful diner with all day breakfast. It was so refreshing to meet after an exciting but long week and talk through ministry, prayer requests, good movies, and life. Today, on this beautiful Tuesday morning, I'm driving from Hillsdale to Chippewa County in the Upper Peninsula with Doug, Dawn, and Jerry. While we prep for time with local pastors and church representatives, I can help but think, wow! God has blessed us with such an abundance of opportunity--and while I know I can trust Him to provide everything to accomplish His purpose, I am actually pretty overwhelmed by the pace He is setting. In some ways it feels like last week that Kat and I joined the team. We grow more and more each week, but I still feel stretched every day. I know I said I'd talk more about our marvelous summer residents this week, but due to the U. P. trip, I'll save that for next week.

The Little Things

Contrary to popular belief, we have a life outside of work! I know, it's shocking. We love our jobs and the ministry God allows us to do, but sometimes we spend so much time describing all that God is doing at Crossroads that we forget to mention everything we've enjoyed in our personal growth and lives. So here's a small timeline of some of the significant things that have happened in the past seven months. Each event has a small description in the second picture. Enjoy!

Kat and Nate's Adventures

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