This is where I'm supposed to be.

After three and a half weeks of being, serving, living, and growing at Louhelen, I've finally realized just how 'meant to be' my service here has become. I will update on what events have been going down here in the last couple of weeks, but first, I must share a particularly meaningful story - it all began with this here painting:

 In August I painted this at Badasht (Baha'i summer school in Oregon). At that point I felt that my service at Louhelen would be good - I knew that already, and I think I painted this in light of spiritual upliftment and the beauty of natural colors and tones. But what I didn't realize (even after I arrived here) was that this period of service (and little did I know, this painting symbolizing it) was more meaningful than I ever thought. 

The weather here has begun to have that crisp autumn feel to it; leaves are falling and colors of nature are changing; the rains have begun to pour. I went out for a walk today in the fields surrounding Louhelen. At one point, I sat down on a bench that had been moved recently - I never had stayed in that spot just to take in the scene until this evening, but when I did, I saw the exact colors, the exact feel of the painting I did only a few weeks ago, and I realized that the painting was of Louhelen. Literally, I sat for as long as I could until the sun set and the rain soaked in and just stared. 

This is where I'm supposed to be. 

 So, continuing on some of the events of Louhelen - I have:

Cooked for the staff on a bi-weekly basis: 

(Quinoa, currant, and feta stuffed peppers.)

Decorated Harriet and I's room a little bit:

Explored the fields and sat by Kearsley Creek:

Acquired many wonderful aprons:

Gotten my hair braided by Harriet:

And I've made the best of friends with all the lovely youth.

I've been having so much fun with the youth here - Keon, Harriet, Jenna, Shirin, and Andy. Soon, Lisa from Germany will be our new roommate, and Kamal from Chile will be joining the guys' dorms. Right now, some of the youth are in Cleveland doing a junior youth refresher-session, and I've realized how lonely I am without Harriet to say 'goodnight' to! Every couple of nights, her and I sit and watch my new favorite show - 'The IT Crowd', a British comedy about the tech wizards and their very interesting (and relatively clean and pure-minded) humor/lives. We normally crack up and eat carrots and watermelon while watching. It's fun. The 'staff lounge' is also packed with old movies - Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century for example. And Fiddler on the Roof. And Across the Universe and the third season of Grey's (not old, but quite enticing.). I honestly haven't had the time or volition to waste on movies, though, haha!

I've been reading a lot - currently, the Bhagavad-Gita, and The Spirit of Agriculture. The library is FULL of amazing books...and since wintery storms are doomed to keep me inside for most of the winter, I plan on reading the whole lot.

Also, I'm working on an apron. Anna, the head kitchen coordinator, gave me a funky old dress to use for fabric for a rad apron! It's sea-themed, with fringes on the edges and a pocket! When I finish sewing it up, I'll put up photos. 

On the service side of things - we haven't been too busy because there aren't sessions going on until this coming weekend, but meanwhile we've been cleaning and cooking in the kitchen like normal, and we're also working on a project to update the bulletins and display thing in the hallway to the classroom building. 

I'm happy to be here, and I think I am more content than I thought I'd be, to tell the truth. Visits to the Refuge for prayers and walks into the forest have been a source of pure tranquility and the service I do alongside the youth and staff have steadfastly kept me focused and positive. All the mint tea and amazing Kava tea that my wonderful brother sent is awesome to have around too! And I'm able to cook often, making me feel healthy. :)

I love everyone back home, and I'm hoping all is well. Peace, and Allah'u'Abha!