Mietzke's POST Holden Adventure

Today was a big day for me at work. I was taking down all of the Fall decorations and putting up the decorations for advent. I have been gathering things for the fireside room for weeks. Cutting logs, collecting about twenty ten foot long branches, dying banners, gathering greens, making and advent wreath and cleaning out candle holders. I have had many helpers in the task of preparing for the advent season. Liz, Wanda, Carol, Rachel, Melissa, Dan, Bill, Laura, Dawn, Dave and Dave, Joan, Eric, Jordyn and Nyrie. Today we all set to work hanging banners and swags around the Koinonia fireside room. We created a kind of triptych out of Aspen trees and Dave and I made an aspen Cross to hang in the center amid the branches. the trees are placed in a little alcove of sorts with deep blue banners behind them. The whole thing turned out beautifully. The banners and blue and white swags proved as difficult to hang as ever, but they really create a space for reflection and worship services. The Advent worship decorating was one of the first jobs that I did when I first arrived at Holden, It as fun to do it again and to have so much help! I love the deep blues! The cross that we made is nestled into the aspen and looks like a part of the winter forest, stark and bear but preparing for something... I love the mood of anticipation and longing that comes with both winter and advent, and I feel that we captured something of the mood with the room this year. Over the course of the advent weeks the room will begin to change moving towards the festive, with lights and stars and a huge Christmas tree to be decorated. I was so thankful for all of the help, and really pleased to see what transpired today!

Jordyn and Nyrie played all day and Jordyn was able to go on Dave's bus run with him down to the lake. The two of them love to get time together. They are so sweet with one another!