Did I Mention--

We have returned to the Homeland.
Merry Christmas, Oregon.
-Lainie and Alli

Oregon ("The Homeland")
on the Joshua Christmas tree

Representing the Homeland

Representing Homeland (Part 2)

Photos: Christmas Party

Me and Ji
(It's pronounced "G")

Looking for Lexi, who is in camouflage....

Gingerbread: Taylor and Alli

Gingerbread: Me and Leah ("Pause Mom")

Gingerbread: Pause Family with "The Shire"
(minus "Parents #2" Griff and Rosona)

Gingerbread: Shiloh with "Star Wars"
(This family won.)

Gingerbread: Taryn and Alex with "Up"

Gingerbread: Mallory and "Mallory"

Fletcher (the tree) with Jeff and Leah, Alli, Megan, and Trevor

Me and Fletcher
(Winners! Winners!)

A Very Merry Joshua Christmas

As is tradition, and expected in this season, we celebrated Christmas as a Joshua class. Along with the students came the "Pause Families" (locals of Hume who have "adopted" us into their lives for the time we are in the program). The night was full of activities, including a formal dinner
(http://gallery.joshuawilderness.org/2012-2013/Joshua-Life/Pause-Christmas-Party/27085432_svC8CW#!i=2272829225&k=XFGgJZm),
a gingerbread house building contest, carol-singing, and story time. There was also an ugly Christmas sweater contest, of which I was the winner among the females. (I can tell you a story about my experiences in such contests. With this sweater, I am undefeated. You can't beat fur-lining and smiling reindeer!) And an evening blessing: snowfall. It was a white Joshua Christmas.

A Merry Christmas Season

The Hume Christmas Tree Lighting

"A Christmas Carol" with Kelsey the Chef

Snowflake-Making in the Great Room
(Brett, Mallory, Me, Kelsey the Chef)

Note my Christmas sweater (from Maddie) and
the Christmas chains (made by Me and Megan, mailed by Mom)

Photo taken by Shiloh Litonjua

An Excerpt of Vunlerability

I titled this entry "The Art of Breaking" because this is what I am learning. This art is in no way graceful. In fact, it is much more cluttered and comes from much more of a state of mess. I can't say there is a specific method to breaking. In fact, I believe it comes in different fashions and different times for each person. But it must happen. At some time, everyone must be broken. One must be broken, so they understand what "healing" means. One must be broken, so they know what it is like to be put back together.
The Joshua Wilderness Institute is designed for this. It specializes in The Art of Breaking. 
...

Once in a Time

Twelve-twelve-twelve-twelve-twelve!

What were you doing today? (Specifically, at 12:12. AM or PM will do.)

The Joshua class was preparing for lunch.

We were saying the Sh'ma (Hebrew prayer).

Then, we-- I-- cheered and danced in a circle.

Happy Day, Everyone.

"I'll Be Home for Christmas..."

December 20th -29th.

See you then.

(The "Christmas List" was artfully designed by my sister.)

An Afternoon Activity (at Main Camp)

I'll explain some other time...

Shelby and Me and Michelle

An Afternoon Activity (Christmas Style)

Four and a half hours.

One-hundred and twenty cups of stove-top popping corn.

The result: Jolly popcorn-strands hung around the Joshua building. Also, some quality bonding time with Lexi (and other Joshua students.)

Lexi, Me, Logan, Megan, and Tyler

Lexi and Me
(in front of our Christmas tree!)

Lexi and Me (and the Caribou) 

Thank you, Momma + Family, for sending me the box full of Christmas crafts. We going to have a grand time!

An Afternoon Activity (Outside)

Last week contained a reminder of my “homeland” with some “Oregon-Style Weather”.  (It was very rainy.) Lexi and I were inspired to take a nature hike through the forest above the Joshua building.

This is where I live.

Lexi and Me

Theme Dinner: 50 Year Reunion

Alli and Me

Q&A with My Roomie

It has been said that the key of Joshua is the community. So, to get a clearer view of what I’ve got going on here, you should know a little bit about the group of people I am with for this year. More specifically, you should know a little more about the person I am living with. The following is an interview with my roommate.

---

ME: What is your name?

MALLORY: Mallory Kate Ortmann

Where is home? What is it like?

I live currently in Walnut Creek, CA; forty-five minutes from San Francisco. It’s cozy… And there’s good food everywhere.

When did you graduate from high school?

2012

How did you get to Joshua?

I have an older sister who did the program. Ever since I saw how God changed her life I wanted to go. I went back and forth a little bit in high school, but I told God if I got in this is where I’d go, and I got it…

What new things have you learned/ done since Joshua?

I have learned patience. Lots of patience. I’ve learned the peace God brings when you actually spend time with Him, rather than go-go-go. Taking the time. And new things? I put water in my ears. Ice water. It throws off your equilibrium. I’ve read. I’ve worked with a wood-chipper. Haven’t done that before. Also, I drove a truck—write that one. Oh! And I’ve discovered double-dairy; milk and ice cream together! Best thing ever.

What is your favorite breakfast food?

I really like baked oatmeal. (It’s delicious.) But if I could have anything in the world, it would be Swedish pancakes with lingberry sauce and cream.

If your house was burning and you had sixty seconds, what would you grab?

If my family is outside and safe, I’d grab my cats and dog. (Their names are Snappy, Levi, and Cali.)

What inspires you?

Art inspires me. People who are real; authentic genuine people. People who put others first. My dad inspires me. He is the most humble person I have ever met. I love my dad.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can play piano. (Yes, she can!) I’m good at chess. If I was in the wilderness, I could survive… I could totally survive.

Do you have anything else to share?

My favorite color is gray. I love tea. I’m (originally) from Minnesota and I lived in the middle of nowhere. That’s all. And I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Still working on that one.

Class of 2013

Photos: Thanksgiving Break

A little extra look into my time with Mallory and her family in Walnut Creek.

Cooking Projects with Mallory and Lainie
(hypo-allergenic pumpkin pancakes: success)

Mallory and Hanna (oldest sister)

(Mallory) At a French bakery