Olympic Refuge

Over the past several weeks we’ve been privileged to have a number of volunteers out here at The Refuge helping us in various ways. They range in size from 50 lbs to 500 lbs and from age 4 to who knows how old. Most of our volunteers are very helpful - but some of them (the 500 lb variety) are often less than helpful.

They mean well, I’m sure, but they can be downright destructive. As soon as some volunteers plant, these big (and smelly) volunteers arrive to pull-up what has been planted. They usually come late in the afternoon or evening, and hang around all night. We could do without this kind of volunteer “labor” - I think you know who we’re talking about - the “Elk-qaieda.” (They do bestow one benefit. They help fertilize our grass - if you like that kind of fertilizer).

But enough about them. Recently we had a family commit to spending the better part of a day (in the rain) pulling weeds (oregon grape & blackberry thorn bushes) and then planting small fir trees. From the youngest to the oldest, spirits remained high - though we all were a bit soggy by early afternoon - so we went inside and played games.

The past couple of weeks Chaplains Jan Friend and Ted Roloson have been out here staying at Duckabush House and helping with a number of projects - to include the staining of the hundreds of logs needed for the exterior siding. They also installed guard rails along the road over our culvert and replaced our meadow fence. (The elk had pushed down some of the fence posts and cross rails). They (Jan & Ted - not the elk) have been a tremendous help to us in so many ways.

We thought you’d like to see the latest pictures of the main lodge. Note the new balcony under construction. We call this our “Romeo & Juliet” balcony, since it is high enough to preclude any climbing up. Seriously, it will provide additional light on the upper stair landing. We can already see the mass of beautiful hanging geraniums cascading down in the Alpine style.

Well, getting back to the subject, the bottom line is - we can use volunteers - all ages, all sizes. Come on out to visit. We’d love to have you.

That’s the latest from The Refuge. Thanks for stopping by.

Robbie & Jim Edgren, Hosts

Dear Friends:

Greetings from the Duckabush Valley where, believe it or not, the sun is so bright it tends to be “blinding.” Yes, Spring may have finally arrived - or at least a harbinger of Spring - here at The Refuge. And just in time. What with its yellow sheet-rock sheathing and bright forest green roof, the main lodge reminds us of a field of yellow daffodils amidst fresh greenery.

Our first trillium has poked through the forest floor and daffodils are springing up all over. Reminders of the Resurrection are all over the place. And, as we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus on Easter Sunday, we give thanks for all that God has done for us - in so many ways.

Recently we got together with our neighbors the Muellers, George, Kathy & Marjie (Peggy was unable to be with us) for supper and fellowship. Some of you may know that it was this family who sold us the first parcels of land upon which The Refuge is now being developed. Their generosity in selling to us at a very reasonable price, was part of the miracle God worked in getting us started. They were able to share a good deal of the history of the valley with us. We enjoyed getting together.

Early last week Jan Friend and I spent two days staining logs. We’ve got a lot more yet to go, but we did make a dent. We plan to have a workday (for men only) on Saturday, 21 April, devoted to staining.

Our next full-scale work day will be Saturday 12 May - 0900-1600 hrs. Bring your own lunch - we’ll provide beverages, snacks, etc.

Well, that’s it from The Refuge. We hope you had a Happy Easter celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.

Robbie & Jim Edgren

Last weekend (23-25 March) we were blessed to have members of the Q family, the D’s, the R’s and Nathan & Amy B with us for a work day weekend. The crew consisted of four men and their wives and 10 children of various ages - 18 folks in all, occupying Duckabush House. (It can be done comfortably, if everyone in the party gets along with the others).

Amy, Desiree & Daniel catching a ride back to the burning pile.

Even though it rained off and on all day Saturday, this crew managed to get our trails cleared and cleaned (groomed) (the girls handled that task), the upper parking area cleared of trees and brush (men & boys on that project) - and still had time for a hike to Murhut Falls.

“And who is this feeding the fires?”

Three teenage boys, James D., Daniel Q. & Gabriel R. took turns driving the tractor and hauling load after load of cut-up logs to the firewood pile for future splitting - (guess who’ll do that).

Daniel & Gabriel hauling logs.

Meanwhile the menfolk (Nathan, Mike, Dennis and Doug) were busy with four chainsaws, dropping trees, cutting slash and cutting up downed trees (from previous windstorms). By Saturday evening, so much progress had been made that it looked like a swarm of locusts had swept through.

Here are some pictures of the gang in action:

Mike, Nathan & Denis burning slash.

Doug cutting up firewood.

Meals were provided by Grace, Bonnie and Cheryl. The women and girls also helped Robbie in various ways. Robbie & I were invited to dinner both Friday & Saturday nights and shared in their group devotions as well. Of course Grandpa Edgren read the traditional stories to the group, which have become a part of these group experiences at Duckabush House.

Our special thanks to these dear friends for all their hard work. It is folks like these who are making The Refuge dream come true.

Until next time, Jim (& Robbie) Edgren
Your hosts at The Refuge

Dear Friends:

Perhaps some of you may recall a famous painting of Jesus, standing at the door (our heart’s door) and knocking. The door in that painting was a Roman-arched door with no handle on the outside. That painting was the inspiration for the south entry door of The Refuge, which arrived on site today (20 February). I had drawn up a rough sketch of the kind of door we wanted, and Mark, our craftsman-contractor had said, “I can build that door”. Since we wanted a uinque design - a raised cross - the door had to be hand-crafted. No such door was comercially available. And so, for the last several months, working on it little by little, Mark finally completed the door just in time to be placed in position as the south stairwell is installed.

Robbie & Jim “standing at the door” prior to it being installed at the south entrance.

This door is no ordinary door. First it is wider than most doors (42 inches) and far heavier (over 300 lbs). It is made from one of the large Douglas Fir stumps that we saved when we excavated. The wood is more than 225 years old. It was that old when it was felled, which we think was about 80 years ago. The raised-embedded cross is made from beautifully figured big leaf maple, also from a tree that we felled a couple of years ago, and likely over 150 years old. The Black Walnut wood on the outside (and cross on the inside) was obtained locally but we don’t know how old that is. It took our boom truck to lower the door into place.

The door, being one of the three entry doors into the lodge, with its embedded crosses on both sides, will be a reminder to all who pass through it, that this lodge is dedicated to the service of Our Lord Jesus Christ - and a further reminder that our spiritual life was made possible by just such a cross.

This shot shows the door being swung into place by a crane. Alan is steadying the door.

Since the door will be surrounded by stone facings, this southeast corner of the main lodge will have a decidedly medieval European look. The window will be barred (in medieval fashion) but with stained glass. Wrought iron lanterns will hang on either side of the door.

Mark (who handcrafted the door) and Alan about to set the door into place.

So, the arrival and installation of “the door” was kind of a big deal around here. We thought we’d share it with you.

A warm & sunny day in February - Dave & Diane Gibson & Robbie on Refuge balcony

More next time, from The Refuge. Robbie & Jim Edgren

Robbie with Dave & Diane Gibson on the balcony of the master suite

I am writing this, Sunday evening, 11 Feb 07 after experiencing a wonderful afternoon - given as a gift to The Refuge. Diana Walker, the organist-pianist at Main Post Chapel, Fort Lewis, approached me several months ago with a proposal that she do a benefit concert for The Refuge. It was her way to use her God-given talents to bless others and give a gift to The Refuge at the same time. Of course Robbie and I were delighted, and after obtaining the necessary permission and support, the date was fixed.

Normally, we write to you in these “blog” pieces about progress on the physical plant, but this time it’s about the way in which God has used a talented professional to bring a blessing to The Refuge while presenting a program of music which was both inspiring and entertaining. Diana performed a “Beethoven Sampler” of his piano sonata music. Robbie and I have never heard better playing on the concert stage. Diana’s handling and interpretation of several of Beethoven’s most challenging works was superb.

We also wanted to offer refreshments after the concert that would leave a “good taste” in everyone’s mouth. Reminiscent of Vienna in the days of Mozart & Beethoven, there was a long table spread with 10-12 varieties of cakes, tarts & assorted fruits, snacks, finger foods and cookies. We were blessed with help from Friends of The Refuge, to include help with clean-up. We wanted folks to go away feeling “filled & fulfilled” so that no one need go away hungry.

The net result - about 75 people came to the concert and gave a handsome offering to The Refuge, for which we are thankful. Our special thanks go to those who helped in so many ways. Among them, Daniel & David Edgren, who handed out programs, Rachel & Sarah Edgren, who presented the flowers to Diana at the end of the concert, those who brought cookies, cakes & assorted goodies, the Bridwells, Coles, Websters & Nancy Ham who stayed to help clean up. And special thanks to SFC White, who assisted in many ways. Our thanks also to anyone we might have failed to mention.

Well, that’s the news from The Refuge for this week. We’ll include an update on construction next time.

In the service of The King, Robbie & Jim

PS. Once the main lodge is finished, we’ll be presenting concerts like this one in the Lodge Great Room.