My Life at the Y

Greetings from YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado! The stunning beauty is life to my soul. It’s a happy place — people are either here for a holiday or because they want to work here.

It was raining when I arrived and by the following morning, we gladly welcomed nine inches of new snow! It was beautiful and melted within two days. The mountain peaks at higher elevations are still blindingly white.

During our orientation, I learned a few new things about this YMCA campus that you may find interesting:

• 860 acres
• 314 buildings
• Beds for 5,400!
• The largest group we’ll host this summer will be 2,600 high school students from the Dutch Reformed Church

I get to serve in a variety of ways; every day is different! A few of my responsibilities include:

• Meeting weekly with our two Chapel-staff young adult interns
• Coming alongside the young adult LT and Navigators’ internship programs and their leaders
• Leading communion once a week
• Serving clients at Crossroads, the Estes Park food bank
• Attending and sometimes leading staff prayer times, movie nights, hymn sings, Bible studies, etc.
• Helping facilitate Sunday morning church services

So far, so good ~ I’m loving it! I have a tiny little room off the beaten path. About 20 retired, single women live in this little “neighborhood” of four buildings and we each have our own room and bathroom. It’s rustic, but lovely. The dining hall accommodates my dietary restrictions, and I’m elated to report that I do NOT have to plan a meal, shop for a meal, cook a meal, or clean up after a meal! WooHoo!! I’m very happy to be here and have so much peace.

Additionally, I have the flexibility to drive home for my days off, continue to teach at Friends in Faith Community Church in Carpenter, WY on Sunday evenings, disciple leaders, work on writing projects, and debrief pastors and missionaries! It’s a win/win, all ’round.

Thanks for your prayers, your friendship, your words of encouragement, your financial support, and just for being who you are in my life. We’re all in this together! I’m so grateful.

Mary Jean :)

Ways to partner: Give online at getthewordout.cc/give · Venmo: @Mary Jean Powers / Get the Word Out · By check: Get the Word Out, 4210 Vulcan Creek Dr. Unit 208, Loveland, CO 80538.