
Monday, January 26, 2009
Teenagers in Holden

Christmas Calligraphy

Pastor Erik asked me to do a colorful Christmas bulletin cover for the Christmas season (4 weeks beginning on Christmas Eve) and once again I was delighted, particularly in the season of much data entry with my other part-time job, recording contributions. The design above was printed on bulletin covers used for worship, and in the candle flame, I hand painted a gold flame on each, as the traditional color associated with Christmas in the church is gold.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Beatles Meet Holden Village
At last night's coffee house/talent show, many talented performers regaled us with such entertaining acts as juggling parabola fans, a Debussy-playing trio, a chocolate-spilling M&Ms commercial, 3-part harmony holiday singing, and harmonious folk songs.
And then there were these Beatles-inspired songs, which I "sang," accompanied by Nate on guitar, and the fabulously talented Doug on piano. Apologies to John and Paul....
(To the tune of: YESTERDAY)
Yesterday
Holden Village seemed so far away
From the avalanche where we did play
Oh, we hiked out on yesterday
Suddenly, bonked my skull on ice and couldn’t see
There’s a haziness inside of me
Oh, watch the ice
Out there today!
Why I had to slip, I’m a dip
I couldn’t say
Had no Yaktrax on,
Now I long for snow today -aay-ay
(Hey, Jude)
Good food
They make it here
Take plain taters
and make ‘em better
Remember, to add some butter and cheese
Then it will please
us, ‘cause we like cheddar
Good food
is what we eat
Every day here
At Holden Village
The minute
you pick your fork up and taste
the smile on your face
will only get broader
(SHE LOVES YOU)
You think you love this place
Well there’s more to it, I say
It’d-be Luther’s hang-out place
If he were alive today-ay!
It’s Holden Village
And you know that can’t be bad
We’re in the Village
and you know you should be glad!
I love it, yeah, yeah, yeah
You love it, yeah, yeah, yeah
We love it, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We love Bible and Brew
for study, snacks and beeeeer
Where else could me and you
Get that combo, but right here??
In Holden Village
And you know you’ll get to pray
With J-term students,
long-term staff and guests today!
There’s stoking hot Dante
Dishteam & garbo, too
We say good-bye and wave
‘til the bus is out of view
It’s Holden Village
where the crafts are everywhere
knitting and weaving
yes, you make the things you wear!
I love it yeah, yeah, yeah
you love it yeah, yeah, yeah
We love it yeah, yeah, yeah …
And then there were these Beatles-inspired songs, which I "sang," accompanied by Nate on guitar, and the fabulously talented Doug on piano. Apologies to John and Paul....
(To the tune of: YESTERDAY)
Yesterday
Holden Village seemed so far away
From the avalanche where we did play
Oh, we hiked out on yesterday
Suddenly, bonked my skull on ice and couldn’t see
There’s a haziness inside of me
Oh, watch the ice
Out there today!
Why I had to slip, I’m a dip
I couldn’t say
Had no Yaktrax on,
Now I long for snow today -aay-ay
(Hey, Jude)
Good food
They make it here
Take plain taters
and make ‘em better
Remember, to add some butter and cheese
Then it will please
us, ‘cause we like cheddar
Good food
is what we eat
Every day here
At Holden Village
The minute
you pick your fork up and taste
the smile on your face
will only get broader
(SHE LOVES YOU)
You think you love this place
Well there’s more to it, I say
It’d-be Luther’s hang-out place
If he were alive today-ay!
It’s Holden Village
And you know that can’t be bad
We’re in the Village
and you know you should be glad!
I love it, yeah, yeah, yeah
You love it, yeah, yeah, yeah
We love it, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We love Bible and Brew
for study, snacks and beeeeer
Where else could me and you
Get that combo, but right here??
In Holden Village
And you know you’ll get to pray
With J-term students,
long-term staff and guests today!
There’s stoking hot Dante
Dishteam & garbo, too
We say good-bye and wave
‘til the bus is out of view
It’s Holden Village
where the crafts are everywhere
knitting and weaving
yes, you make the things you wear!
I love it yeah, yeah, yeah
you love it yeah, yeah, yeah
We love it yeah, yeah, yeah …
Friday, January 23, 2009
Maya's friend arrives
Avalanche!


My friend, Liz, can be seen exploring higher regions of this mammoth slide.



But yesterday, we just soaked up the sun and delighted in the unique experience of being able to explore in person the effects of a recent avalanche. Who'd have thought we'd have the chance to climb all over such an amazing and powerful wonder of nature?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Inauguration Day!

In his inaugural speech we heard humility, courage, and hope.
We saw kindness and restraint when the Chief Justice instructed him to incorrectly recite the oath of office. We heard a president who is not afraid to tell the truth about our difficult task because he believes that we are capable of rising to the challenges we now face.
Tonight, a day later, dozens of people in the village cheered as they watched our new president assume his position, thanks to kind friends who taped the event for the TV-deprived of Holden Village! The celebration was delayed but heartfelt.
I hate to admit it, but it will actually be nice to have access to technology once again, to television, telephones, and YouTube.
We so value the experience of having been low-tech for these six months and hope the lessons we've learned from being more technology-free than we will be in the outside world will stay with us for years to come.
Even though it was not the same thing to watch the inauguration a day later, I am glad that we were able to know what it is like to enjoy--and really appreciate--watching history unfold on the big screen together, as a community.
Winding Down

During our week out of the village we accomplished a lot, from getting Nate enrolled at Bellingham High School (he is so excited!) to finding a home to rent, thanks to our generous friends. We are all feeling ready to make this very positive transition.
This week we will pack, finish up our jobs, and welcome a friend of Maya's to stay with her for the last two weeks. We are looking forward to spending time with the very special people who have really touched our hearts during our time of living in this God-filled wilderness!
Traveling Friends

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Happy Hippie Greetings!


Within a couple of days, however, these wonderful college students have gotten the idea, and have joined in on all kinds of fun in the village, as an antidote to the intense studying they are doing in the mornings.
Blessings Abound

But as we soak up the last few weeks of living in this amazing place, all four of us realize that there are wonderful people and experiences that we will always treasure. Last night there was a talent show, for example, that could only happen at a place like Holden Village. We heard a classical violin piece as well as an original song about a pear-shaped cat, a father-daughter duet, a few haiku poems from an art professor, and an unpolished, but hilarious poem about the experience of being at Holden Village by a visiting student with a group from St. Olaf College. Nate played guitar in a trio along with a college student friend from California and a 50-something keyboardist from Oregon.
Maya knitted two hats yesterday, with intricate and lovely designs, thanks to the adults and teenagers here who have shown her how to enhance her knitting skills. Several kids and adults can be found lounging on the couches in the dining hall, knitting away and visiting as their needles click. All of the kids who live here are talented, creative, inclusive and kind.
Bob has enjoyed brewing homemade beer with a very skilled brewer who serves as the village mechanic and singer of funny songs on guitar. The two of them can be heard to exclaim such things as, "It's hop-alicious!" and "Hop-tacular," as they're tasting the beer they've made in one of the chalet's kitchens.
I have been privileged to do calligraphy on banners and worship bulletins, in conjunction with a warm, creative worship assistant and an art-appreciating pastor. So many people have been appreciative and supportive of the extra calligraphy they’re seeing around the village in the form of signs and greeting cards.
Bob and I have been privileged to engage in deep conversations around the topic of living out our faith in today’s world with pastors and directors.
Countless good things are happening at Holden Village, and we are disappointed not to be able to continue experiencing them and serving the village and its many guests. At the same time, we are enormously grateful for the directors who challenge us all to live with grace and in the light of Christ, and for the many kind and giving volunteers and guests we have met here.
We are all looking forward to coming back in the coming months and years, and we can all appreciate that the risk we took in following God’s call to come here was well worth it in the long run.
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