Holden Part 1 - creation

It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
 You will live in joy and peace.
    The mountains and hills will burst into song,
    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!

Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
    Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;    they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.” -Isaiah 55:11-13

There is something about the mountains.  Holden Villiage is tucked into the Casade Mountains of Washington State.  As we journeyed along the lake to enter our time at Holden Villiage the mountains seem to embrace us with open arms.  It truly was an AWEsome experience.  My heart began to sing as we maneuvered our way up the lake.  When we arrived, a school bus and staff awaited us to bring us up the mountain.  We began the journey by going through nine switchbacks (hard hairpin turns).  Hey, no one said it would be easy getting to a remote village.

Mountaintop experiences are numbered throughout scripture.  From Moses' experience of God through the burning bush to Jesus' transforming before his disciples, mountaintop experiences are sacred times when God does something in the lives of normal everyday people.  Holden shares that sacred space with the people they welcome and send out every day.  Several people said with a blessing and a warning; "this place carries a different rhythm to life."  That was very much felt in our lives.  I can't remember times when Becky and I could just sit, stare at the 3 surrounding mountaintops, and share how Holden's different rhythm might change our lives when we come down the mountain.  That was enough to make me take my shoes off and recognize the sacred space this time of sabbatical has given me.