Blogs

May 30-June 1, 2025 Respite Retreat Summary

By Rich Packard
June 10, 2025
So. Much. Happened. Beginning Friday at 4pm with our Texas guests arriving in their Chevy 3500-HD with a Polaris RZR appropriately mounted to the top of the truck! Yes, (!!) they traveled from their cabin to the host cabin for dinner in the RZR! The Lord created an ins...

READ MORE

February 21-23, 2025 Respite Retreat Summary

By Rich Packard
February 24, 2025
We decided to hold the retreat near Winter Park instead of Estes as it provided our guests with a better wintertime atmosphere a ski town affords. The weather certainly cooperated as Winter Park received 89 inches of snow in the 10 days prior to the start of the retreat,...

READ MORE

September 20-22, 2024 Respite Retreat Summary

October 02, 2024
It’s always good to receive affirmation on the value of the retreat, so here's a quick summary: Our retreat guests VALUE the LOCATION of the retreat, as the YMCA authors a true RESPITE. A respite is a short break from something difficult. The grief and its impact on...

READ MORE

September 8-10, 2023, Respite Retreat Summary

By Kelly Packard
October 03, 2023
What a weekend we shared together! It’s always incredible to see what happens when you invite the Holy Spirit to show up and take control. As a result, Hope overflowed from our Living Hope, Jesus Christ. Just one small glimpse into the weekend...we discusse...

READ MORE

April 28-30, 2023, Respite Retreat Summary

By Kelly Packard
May 02, 2023
Our last respite retreat weekend was held on April 28-30, 2023, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Psalm 19:1 The Rocky Mountain blue skies were majestic throughout the weekend pr...

READ MORE

EVENT RECAP: FCA Coaches Marriage Retreat

By Rich and Kelly Packard
August 10, 2022
Oh, how we value your prayer support! We felt empowered and strengthened throughout the recent FCA Coaches Marriage Retreat. We received so many encouragements and reminders of your prayer support prior to the retreat and throughout the weekend. The retreat went reall...

READ MORE

Our Spiritual Opponent: The Adversary

By Kelly Packard
July 25, 2022
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” A career as a basketball coach has yielded insight about the scouting process that takes place prior to facing an opponent. One aspec...

READ MORE

Journaling=My Worship

By Kelly Packard
July 24, 2022
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The word of God is living and active. Capab...

READ MORE

Understanding Grieving People

By Kelly Packard
November 17, 2021
Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief...” There have been thousands upon thousands of books written about grief and the grieving process. Suffice it to say, then, that this short blog will represent a miniscul...

READ MORE

Hope After Heartache

By Carl Stagner
October 14, 2020
Colorado Couple Comes Alongside Grieving Parents Their world came crashing down in June 2013. Described as an “amputation” of the family’s heart, the tragic loss of Rich and Kelly Packard’s son Derek left not only a gaping hole in their household,...

READ MORE

The Great Exchange

By Kelly Packard
May 09, 2020
Isaiah 61:3 “...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair.” Here’s my ashes. I receive a crown of beauty. A Great Exchange. Here’s my mourning. IS th...

READ MORE

To Whom Shall We Go?

By Kelly Packard
March 08, 2020
John 6: 60, 67-68 “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words...

READ MORE

Finding Hope at Starbucks

By by Kelly Packard
March 08, 2020
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to be...

READ MORE

Peace

March 08, 2020
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Life circumstances, including catastrophic loss, have shown me that the peace Jesus is referring to in John ...

READ MORE

Top