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I'm home again and trying to reflect on Holden Village. How do I ever begin to explain the treasures and gifts I received? Holden is a very special place and it was difficult to leave! I will be posting some pictures and experiences soon! I gave Matins on my last day! A bit scary...to say the least! Such incredible memories and relationships! Thank you to everyone at Holden!
Peace!
Karen
This week at Holden Village we are celebrating Abriendo Caminos and have mostly spanish speaking families in the village. What an adjustment. Everyone is really nice but I don't speak any spanish and there are communication problems with some of our younger Narnia kids. We also have a serious autistic 10 year old that doesn't follow directions as well as 24 other kids! Lots of energy and patience. I have a feeling that this week will teach me patience!
Last night at eucharist the music was lively and fun. I may actually have tonight's Vesper's off musically-I need it! It will be nice to just be. This week end I got to weave on a loom and practiced throwing pottery! VERY humorous with the pottery! Pictures later!
I have a new roommate and she just resigned as a writer for the ElCA. She wrote a book on simplicity that looks intriguing! Off to finish my weaving and to read! The end is coming! It will be an adjustment to return to the real world of cooking, cleaning, and school after Holden! I am so glad I have had this opportunity!
Karen
Life at Holden changes everyday because people constantly come in and leave. Today, I had to bid farewell to 3 incredible families that I have gotten to know! It is so sad to have to say good bye after getting to know people! Both bus departures brought tears to my eyes. I think leaving in two weeks will be very sad as well.
This week is the Luther Alumni week! WOW! It is great fun to connect with friends from 1980 or so! Yesterday I was scooping ice cream and a woman looked at me and said, "You look familiar!" and she did as well. I asked her name and she was my freshman RA at Luther, not with the Alumni group! In the Cascades, my freshman RA! Crazy and completely random! I love reconnecting! We hope to do a Luther Alumni piece at Friday's vespers-won't that be fun! Ok-bed-It''s been an exhausting week! I'm excited to learn how to throw pottery tomorrow and I get to weave on a floor loom on Thurs. YAY! Oh ya, and Narnia, vespers, ,....the week is going to get easier! YAY! Take care!
Karen
Hi!
Trying again to post! It's been almost a week and the experience of Holden Village is amazing! It becomes increasingly difficult to say good bye to people leaving for home! Worship has been funny, serious, contemplative, ...lots of variety! I absolutely loved working with Jane Lien and Bob Scholtz last week! Bob even gave me a quick voice lesson! Probably one of the kindest, most intelligent people ever! Those lucky St. Olaf kids were so fortunate to have worked under him! The choir last week was an incredible experience! Check the Holden Archive to listen to the Wed ot Thursday pm vespers. The anthems were amazing!
The children I work with are a dream. They give me hope for our world! I think I had truly lost some! I know that I'm in an alternate universe at times here....people are nice, accomodating....yup! The children listen and are polite! Even when they aren't happy! I've gotten a new appreciation for those who scoop ice cream and do dishes---ugh! It was exhausting and gross! Really!
It's been hot here almost every day-I suspect that air conditioning will be such a treat when I get home!
The Luther Alumni group comes in tomorrow! I'm excited to see some old friends again! Go Norse! I'll try to post a couple pictures! The internet is really slow! Take care!
Karen
Last night after a beautiful musical vespers, I had the honor (duty) of scooping ice cream for the longest line of people--I wish you could have seen it! Ice cream stained clothes-exhausted and sore! Good thing I can't eat much of that stuff! I'll post a picture when I do it again on Saturday!
Night!
Karen
Happy Tuesday! Fun day! The weather is hot, our children were funny, and I had my very first dish duty today! We had veggie lasagna and got to clean every dish in the village! 2 long and hot hours in the dish room! If you know me, you would be proud! I even got a bunch of water poured over my head-the 4-6 year olds loved it They grinned at me all day when they saw me! :)
Dish duty: thank you Joan for making a yukki job fun! We sang songs and were silly and totally exhausted! Then on to vespers! I continue to meet a ton of people and every one is so kind and nice! It is sadder every day to see people
Whew! It is hot and humid here at Holden this week! An air conditioned room, (or even one with a fan!) sound heavenly! Thankfully it cools down at night so we all sleep well!
Narnia ha18 4-6 year olds today! Where do they get their energy? I'm tired! We hiked to the hobbit house in the woods. It is literally a tree trunk carved into a house. Really well done! Still getting to play for worship and have been singing in the choir! A retired St. Olaf prof is directing and he is marvelous. I've learned so much about vocal music and technique this past week! Jane Lien from Central Lutheran in Minneapolis is the other musician and brings great variety to worship! Last night we had a global worship eucharist service. It was packed!
The food is great we had an excellent veggie stir fry tonight --yum! I miss you all!
Take care!
Karen
