I'm here!

Louhelen is marvelous in many ways. I came here last Tuesday, and was greeted by a van full of lovely youth! There's Jenna and Andy from Minnesota, Keon from Jamaica, Harriet (my roommate) from Kenya, Grace from Michigan, and Shirin from Texas. Soon, a girl named Lisa will come to serve here from Germany! So my first two days were basically unpacking and orientation - I met all the staff and got to know the grounds of Louhelen well. There are so many trails into the forest and beautiful fields of yellow flowers and wheat! I've seen quite a few deer and rabbits, and one lonely cat that's been enjoying meals of innocent little birds and chipmunks...blegh. Then the last few days I've been working in housekeeping, getting all the guests' rooms ready for the next session here - 'Homecoming Family Weekend', it's called. I suppose it's an annual thing, I'm not sure what the topic to be studied is, but it sounds like there will be 80 or so people here to take care of! I'll be working in the kitchen then...mmm fun!
Speaking of food, I've been watering one of the staff's gardens while she's been gone at a conference, and she said I could eat the tomatoes and green peppers - so good! Harriet and I walked all around Louhelen today for fun and picked apples, grapes, tomatoes, green peppers, blackberries, and some basil. We had such a fun time making all the beds today because we were non-stop chatting and singing songs! I've been able to teach some gospel-like Oregonian songs here, and the youth have taught me some awesome songs too! We went to Ann Harbour last Friday as well to a junior youth animator reflection gathering, which was spirited and exciting! I met some really motivated Baha'is from the area and we had a jolly time planning to sustain and grow the amount of junior youth groups in the area.
All in all, I've been having a lovely time. The food has been good - much better than expected! There are veggie options at every meal, and sometimes I can cook for myself - and the friends I've made are people I know I will want to visit all over the country/world one day. I haven't hardly begun this year of service, but I feel like I know it's the right place for me to be now. I have a lot of time to reflect on what I need to do in life and on how I can grow spiritually and intellectually - in fact, reading has been a fulfilling pastime in the evenings. Anyway, I'm happy and in love...with Baha'u'llah!

:) Have a lovely day, wherever you are on this planet!