The Thanksgiving "Welcoming Committee"

What better way to greet the Thanksgiving weekend guests than an attack of the Norwegian high schoolers? These teenagers (plus teacher) dressed up and greeted the two busloads of visitors with much banging, roaring, and crashing on the outside of their vehicles.

Staff photos are posted at one end of the dining hall. Sometimes liberties are taken with the accuracy of photos and names. For example, Turk E. Gebachen was added on Thanksgiving weekend as a new member of the staff. Or perhaps, a temporary member of the kitchen staff....

Time

"For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11

One thing that a life at Holden Village has given our family is time. There is no time spent driving to classes, grocery stores, or gas stations. Virtually no time is spent preparing meals (thank you, kitchen staff!) and very little time cleaning up after meals. As a result, Maya and several other teenagers and adults can be seen knitting hats, scarves, socks, and mittens, delighting in learning from one another, comparing notes on their projects, and visiting as they work. It's wonderful!

Maya has draped fabric all around her room in the chalet, creating a cozy "tent" of sorts in which to simply knit, study, and listen to stories on tape (photo). This brings to mind the title of a book by Henri Nouwen -- The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and the Spiritual Life.

My hope is that we will learn this year to take time slowy, to serve others, and to be content in the humblest of circumstances.

With the uncertainty of economic conditions of late, it seems that it would be a blessing for us to learn to relish the joys of simplicity, service, and contentment -- knowing that life can be deeply rich without living extravagantly.

Sledding in Swimsuits

Two teenaged "mavericks" were seen running, half-naked, up Chalet hill with tiny sleds on Saturday afternoon. They could be seen speeding down moments later, apparently oblivious to the air temperature and the fact that there were several inches of snow on the ground. Apparently, after a morning of maverick work, these two hit the hot tub, and then couldn't resist the sledding hill. Parka-clad onlookers stared in amazement and could be seen shaking their heads and muttering, "Only at Holden...."

Nate's part-time job

This Saturday morning, Nate and Andrew, another high school student, were assigned the task of shoveling snow (we have seen about five inches fall since yesterday) and attaching plastic to screen doors for extra insulation. They are fulfilling the obligation of students aged 14 and older to work 5 hours per week in addition to their dishteam and garbo duties and, of course, their schoolwork. Seeing these teenagers work to contribute meaningfully to the village is a real joy to us as parents, knowing that they are learning new skills, working as a team, and having the privilege to be mentored by a fantastic young man who is the "Head Maverick" this year. These strong folks were assigned this name long before it became so popular during this presidential election season! Mavericks at Holden Village do all the heavy lifting, including unloading luggage and supplies, moving furniture, shoveling snow, and participating in game shows (more on that later)!

It's not all hard work, though; they do take a little time to enjoy the snow and have a little fun from time to time. Both Nate and Andrew also plan to help out with a game show we're putting on tonight in Koinonia.

Our arrival, August 1

16 weeks down, 36 to go

It didn't seem true that we were actually, finally, heading to Holden Village for our year of service, our year of living in a tiny community, our uncertain 52 weeks in the wilderness. We had a vague idea of what it might be like, and it was a bit scary as well as exciting. Thankfully this decision was completely led by prayer, so Bob and I knew that this was a calling, and not just a preference. Otherwise, we probably would have found it difficult to follow through on this huge change in lifestyle.

As the school bus from the lake arrived in the village 16 weeks ago now, tears came to my eyes, seeing the signs of warm welcome from the community members who will be our family during our 52 weeks at Holden.

Holden School

The one-room schoolhouse idea lives on in Holden School, a public school in the Lake Chelan School District, and the only "remote and necessary" K-12 school in the state. There are actually three rooms, one for K-6, one for 7-12th grades, and a library. The five elementary students interact with their older counterparts throughout the day, particulary evenings and weekends.

In the summer, this building is called Narnia, and serves as the fun center for children of guests and staff.

Throwing Logs

Since all buildings in the village rely to some extent on wood heating over the winter, everyone helps to stack wood. This was a morning in the fall when the students' studies included preparation for winter and a lesson in teamwork!

Dishteam Duty

Once a week each member of the staff participates in dishteam. Here, Bob is on the "dirty" side, scrubbing pans and working with a few others on their 2-hour shift. All villagers aged 12 and older participate in washing or putting away the dishes. It is certainly easier than our thrice daily dishwashing duties back at home, and here, you are always working with a nice group of people as a team.

Ginny's Corner

One corner in the Holden library in the Koinonia building is set aside for kids, in honor of a young girl who died in 1972. I was privileged to be asked to make this sign, using bold colors, original lettering, and a suggestion of Buckskin and Copper Mountains to hang in that corner of the newly remodeled library.

One of the privileges of being at Holden this year is being able to make use of my calligraphy skills. Here, the Holden Prayer is written out on a watercolor background that I had fun creating in the first month of our stay, not having made art for some time as we were preparing for our year at Holden. The next project, I hear, is lettering on the new snowplow! I can't wait.
The prayer: "O God, You have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Some of the nine Holden high school kids (grades 7-11 here) plus a college student friend joke around in the dining hall. I love the fact that the kids are not even aware of the other kids' grade levels, but all learn together and hang out together, whether it's watching a movie in one's chalet, playing Settlers of Catan, or sledding down Chalet Hill. They just seem to have a knack for finding what they have in common.

Railroad Creek Valley from a high vantage point in the morning. Holden Village is to the east (left side) in the photo, beyond sight.

Sunday's hike

On the way to Holden Lake, we could see mountains to the south (behind us) on this gloriously sunny day. We didn't think to bring our sunglasses and sunscreen!

Yesterday Bob and I went on a date: hiking to Holden Lake which is five miles and a 2,100-foot elevation gain from the village. The snow was several feet deep in some places, and we could see that a mountain lion had been along the same trail not long before. Our boots sank deep into the snow with each step, and we had to pull up and out step after step; today our muscles can really feel it! What a beautiful sight to see this frozen-over lake while the weather was good and while our legs can still carry us! (We both age a bit this month.) The glacier pictured above and to the left has shrunken considerably even in the last two years, according to a long-time Holden hiker who saw it this summer.

It was a glorious and refreshing hike.

Hiking to Hart Lake is a popular activity at Holden Village, as it is a lovely 4.5 mile walk through tall aspens and coniferous forests, with views of the Railroad Creek Valley as well as a stunning waterfall on the way. The nine-mile roundtrip takes us 3-4 hours and leaves us tired yet exhilarated for the rest of the day!

Ketchup and Applesauce

15 weeks down, 37 to go

Sharing in the work of running a community is a joy--even if we sometimes groan a bit when we realize that it's our day to work on dish team or to sort garbage (see photo) and prepare the leftover food for composting. Sometimes seeing yesterday's soup mixed with this morning's oatmeal makes it challening to remember that we are indeed doing good things by learning to deal with our own garbage directly and in community with others!

One thing that is really encouraging, however, is that everyone--everyone--on short-term or long-term staff shares in these humblest of duties. The directors and managers are in there taking their turns right along with the rest of us. In a way, this reminds me of the story in John's Gospel of Jesus shocking his disciples by condescending to wash their feet, the job of the lowly house servant, as an example of a serving love that knows no limits.

Apparently, sometimes lessons in serving others come covered in ketchup, lentil soup, and applesauce.

Holden Village has 14 chalets which were originally homes for executives of the Howe Sound Mining Co. (1937-57). Pictured is Chalet 14 with Copper Mountain in the sunrise.

Holden's "Polar Bear" Club. We will ride the bus down to Lake Chelan and JUMP IN once a month throughout the winter, just to remind ourselves that we are still alive!

November 6 -- the first good snowfall of the year. Nate is readying a snowball to lob at Maya (green jacket) and other girls. Chalet 4, where we are living, is the one on the right. Behind the stone wall lies a hot tub which is used mostly in summer. Ahhh!

Holden's Village Center can be seen on the left, where worship occurs in summer, and basketball games are played in the winter. The next building on the left is Koinonia (Greek for "fellowship"), where winter worship is held and where our offices are located. On the right is a guest lodge, and beyond the village you can see Copper and Dumbell Mountains.

We four are learning to live in small spaces: small chalet (by outside standards), small school, and small village. The smallness of our spaces contrasts with the grandness of our surroundings in the North Cascades. You can find Holden, WA on "Google Earth" and see just what a tiny village we serve, in the midst of vast and beautiful wilderness.

Why a year at Holden Village?

Holden Village is a Lutheran Retreat Center located in the North Cascades, 11 miles above the remote northwest end of Lake Chelan. We are living with no phones, no television, no radio, and certainly no traffic!
What is the attraction, then?

Well, to begin with, there is a community of about 60-70 people here through the winter months, but in the summer with added staff and guests, the village can swell to upwards of 500 people, all here to enjoy community, worship, beautiful scenery and hiking, and great conversations. We have met people from Moldova, Nepal, Japan, Switzerland and even Minnesota! All are here with open hearts, ready to serve, eager to learn from one another, and to share the gifts of laughter, work, and encouragement with those they meet. Although Holden is a Christian community, it is open and welcoming of all who want to come and see this beautiful place and to be part of its community for a day, a week, a year, or longer.

Our family arrived on August 1, 2008, and immediately met wonderful people who were serving on short-term (2-3 weeks) staff, long-term (1-5 years) staff, as well as guests from all over. There is something about Holden Village that seems to attract really interesting sojourners who are open to new experiences and eager to share them with strangers and friends from all over the world. Some are here to quietly heal from difficult situations in their lives. There is something life-giving about spending time in God's creation, being cradled by tall mountains all around, hearing the constant rush of Railroad Creek, and breathing in air which is enriched by the presence of so many lively, lovely trees.

After week-long visits to Holden since 2004, we prayed about our role in this community. We felt that God was calling us to serve this village which serves so many, and we believe that the experience of living simply and in community will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

That is the attraction.