CSU Staff Connections

We’ll be in Colorado before we know it! For some of us it is a great time of spending time outdoors, getting poured into from great teaching, and connecting with friends. For other staff it’s a time of feeling lost in the crowd or a time when Satan attacks our weaknesses. Are you aware that some staff REALLY STRUGGLE during this time?

As believers together we are a family of faith. A family that cares for one another, encourages one another, prays for one another. I would like to invite you to do just that in the coming days. Look for others who may need an invitation to hike or play disc golf. Look for others who may need a ride to an event or activity or an invitation to join your group for dinner.

Maybe you could take time today to call your newer staff who have never been to a CSU Conference and give them a heads up about a few things... Most dorms don't have A/C, dress for the conference is casual, maybe suggest renting a car or getting a bike from the bike library. I remember arriving at CSU the very first time, only knowing a handful of staff, and wishing someone had shared tips like these.

I know that we care for one another and desire to help others in times of need. Many of us do just that! At the same time I think that many of us miss opportunities to serve others because we are distracted and busy with our own plans. Let's put some of those things aside and really love each other like a family!!!

I am praying for the Lord to open your eyes to be aware of the needs of others around you. For you to open your heart to make others feel more comfortable and included. I am praying for you to live out the following verses:

24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
1 Corinthians 10:24

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[e] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 Andthey were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 
Acts 2:42-47

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 
Ephesians 4:1-6

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 
Philippians 2:1-4

 

I look forward to seeing many of you in Colorado and I look forward to seeing how the Lord can use us to encourage one another!

Looking for someone’s cell number or info about the conference, check this website https://csu2013.cru.org/ It has info on the speakers, schedule, and even a tab to “Find-a-Friend.”

Erin Mullis
Cru Staff serving on the MidSouth Regional Team

Fun Activities for Kids in Fort Collins

We have done so many fun things as a family here in Fort Collins the last few weeks. Getting outside has been such a special treat.

Hiking at Poudre Canyon- We have a family tradition of going hiking in Poudre Canyon. We always stop on the way and eat breakfast at Vern’s in Laporte. This year we found the best hiking trail for kids call Hewlett Gulch. It is a rather easy trail with very little elevation increase and it crosses a creek a few times. Brennan really enjoyed splashing around and also looking for the old home sites.

Info on LOTS of Hiking Trails: http://www.coloradohikingtrails.net/wiki/Category:Hiking_Trails

 

Water Fun at Spring Canyon Park- This park has an amazing splash area with fountains that are motion activated. It also has 2 larger playgrounds for kids of all ages. In my opinion it is the coolest park we’ve ever been to!
To get there drive down Taft or Shields and turn right on Horsetooth. It dead-ends and the park is on your right.

Info here: http://www.fcgov.com/parks/finder/spring-canyon

 

Indoor Pool at CSU REC Center on campus- This place is like a mini water park. It has a lazy river, small splash fountains, a climbing wall, lap lanes, and a 30-person hot tub. We went there last week on a rainy afternoon and it was a blast! One tip for you… they do not allow you to use any of your own flotation devices, but they do provide tubes, life jackets, and noodles. Hours are also limited and sometimes they have to limit the number of people in the pool if they do not have enough life-guards.

See pics here: http://campusrec.colostate.edu/Home.cfm

 

Outdoor Activities at the Children’s Garden- Last weekend we were looking for something low key to do Saturday morning. We ended up at this garden off of Spring Creek Trail. The Children’s Garden was designed as an interactive place for kids to learn about plants and nature. There are lots of fun activities to do from pumping water to fill your water pitcher to playing in the Dr. Seuss Playhouse to petting fish in the pond. The garden is divided into a few different sections and each section has a sign with directions for a short activity.

The address is: 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80526
Info can be found here: http://www.fcgov.com/horticulture/children-garden.php

Have you been to Discovery Science Museum, Cool Beans, a Farm, a Zoo, or other fun places for kids? PLEASE share some ideas here!

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Here’s a few ideas of fun events and places to visit in the Fort Collins area.

Events in Fort Collins this weekend:
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20110630/UPDATES01/110630005/Top-things-do-Fort-Collins-three-day-planner?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews 

A calendar of Fort Collins events, search by date:http://localsearch.coloradoan.com/sp?skin=&aff=1000

CO FREE DAYS- Several places around Denver off a few free days during the year. One website mentioned that you may need to show a CO I.D. to get in free so you may want to call to confirm this.

July 1- Denver Botanical Gardens at Chatfield
July 2- Denver Art Museum
July 5- Children’s Museum of Denver
*We took our 4yr old there and he had a BLAST! I recommend going early in the day and also wearing play clothes since it can get messy.
July 19- Denver Botanical Gardens at York Street

You can find more info here: http://scfd.org/?page=home&sub=4

Free things to do in Denver listed by date:
http://www.freetripstoday.com/denver-free-days

A list of free things to do in Denver:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/money/18941291/detail.html

Helpful Websites about Fort Collins

City of Fort Collins Website- Info about Parks and Services, also has a calendar of events
http://www.fcgov.com/

Just for park info
http://www.fcgov.com/parks/

List of where kids eat free, calendar of events, coupons
www.parentpages.info

Wide Range of Info about Fort Collins and surrounding area’s activities
http://coloradoinfo.com/fortcollins

Specific Info on Hiking in Poudre Canyon
http://coloradoinfo.com/fortcollins/poudrecanyon

Do you know about more good websites? List them in a comment below!

Closings and Detours in Fort Collins

There are so many things here under construction or getting repaired. I have noticed a few but I’m sure there are many more. Here are a few notes for you…

Elizabeth Street is completely closed from Skyline to Taft Hill Road. Look for signs that will send you on a detour.

The Train at City Park is closed until 2011. Everything else at City Park appears to be open.

Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza just off campus is officially CLOSED for good. CSU will be bulldozing it and building some dorms in the near future.

The Goodwill downtown is closed. There is a brand new one off JFK Parkway. The address is
315 Pavilion Lane
Fort Collins, CO 80525

The Target at 105 West Troutman Parkway is just a regular Target. It does not have much of a “Market.” There are only a few cold groceries there. You may want to try the new Super Target at
2936 Council Tree Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Are you aware of any other detours or closings that would be helpful for people to know? Post them in a comment here. Thanks!

Exercise in Fort Collins

You should have gotten REC Center passes at registration. The new REC Center is great. It even has a 30 person hot tub!

Would you like someone to join you in a class, bike riding, running, or some other form of exercise? Do you have suggestions for places to play tennis or other sports? Please leave a comment if you have any tips or requests regarding exercise.

Doctors/Medical Care

OB
We actually confirmed our pregnancy with Katelynn in Colorado 2 years ago.  We went to The Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado and had an ultrasound performed.  They sent the results directly to my “home” OB and were wonderful.  I will probably use them again if we need a visit while out there this summer.  The office in Ft. Collins was pretty full with appts when I called, so I went to the Loveland office instead.  Not a bad drive at all and worth it to get a better appt time.  I’m pretty sure they also take our insurance or I wouldn’t have gone there.  Their website with office address/phone/etc is:  http://www.fcwc.com.

Hope that helps you and any others needing an appt this summer! 

Jenn Comer

 

Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado----me, too.    I saw Dr Maude Vance and really liked her….wanted her to move so she could be my regular OB. :)

 

Pediatrician
Associates in Family Medicine is the popular choice. They have multiple offices in the area. I called this week and the closest office on Shields was booked until August so you may need to try one further from campus.

Associates in Family Medicine has a good urgent care (3519 richmond dr. Fort Collins, CO 80526) Phone: 9702040300, Mon-Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 9am-9pm

We took Anabelle here http://www.afmfc.com/ when we thought she had an ear infection. They were great and they have an urgent care office. Hope you don't need it though.
Rene' Foth

Fort Collins Library

The local library has a great Summer Reading Program. Children and adults can get rewards for reading. The Library also has fun programs for children throughout the summer from story times to petting zoo’s.

You can find more info on the library website:
http://www.poudrelibraries.org/
*You can find a calendar of events at the bottom of the page.

Here’s a note from Angela Corrova about the library:
If you are a fan of the library…you will need a piece of mail from your Fort Collins address to get a card.  You can mail a letter to yourself so that you can get a card your first few days there.  The library has lots of good kid books, many videos and DVD’s.  They also have a summer reading club that I always sign our kids up for.  Lots of freebies for reaching certain bench marks of reading.  They also have an adult summer reading program where you can win prizes!  I actually won once!  Woohoo!!

Any other library tips? Leave them here under comments!

All about Fort Collins

There are a ton of us out here in Fort Collins for the summer. We’ve already been eating at some great restaurants and enjoying the beauty of the mountains.

We’re trying to round up info about Fort Collins to share. Do you have a favorite place to eat? Do you know about a great place to take kids? What about the best hiking trails?

A series of posts will be coming with various titles. We’d love for you to take a few minutes to submit any ideas or tidbits that you have to share with others. Please leave a comment under the appropriate topic.