Brief news from the OE and random thoughts

Hey everyone!
I thought I should pass this information on for those of you who may not be aware. John had heart bypass surgery on Monday, and to my knowledge is recovering well so far. I haven't talked to Nancy much about it, as this was all via email, so my information is limited. She said I could share it with you all, and I thought it would be nice for us to "hold" John and Nancy. Ya know in the loving, OE, IFS-infused sort of way. There shouldn't be any reason to worry, but this gives a reminder for us to stay in the OE loop.

A few days ago I did have a dream that Rachel made a cameo in, but I remember so little of it now. She probably said something profound that changed my dream-world perception.... That time in Oregon is like a dream now, something I remember vividly, in a bizarre way that makes my heart ache because I'm unknowingly searching for some truth that lies just out of reach. It says "remember this moment, you're life depends on it." I can only hope that I truly feel that passion and can rise to the occasion. I never felt so human and real as I did in that little wooded area, surrounded by mountains and wonderful people. So often, I miss the clarity of unhindered self-expression and exploration.

All you people in Holden (and on their way) make me jealous, I bet it's wonderful there. I wish I could come and join you, but alas I plan to dig my debt hole even deeper in the next couple years by going back for a degree in massage therapy. So, we'll see how that works out. I miss you all, perhaps we can make our paths cross again soon in some place other than our dreams or over the web of electronic information.

In your lives, I hope all is as well as it can be.
All my love,
Racheal

Kind of a sad dream.

I had a dream a couple nights ago where Chance, Elise, Lil' Mike, Chris Esh, Sam, Andrew, Doug and I were in this dirty basement that was this strange greenish/teal/ grey color watching a movie on a tiny TV. I was sitting on a wooden chair that was really far off the ground and I remember I kept falling over. I wasn't drunk or anything, I just couldn't stay on the chair for some reason, so I gave up and sat on the floor. Doug was laying on the floor watching the movie, and he knew I was sad for some reason, so he put his hand on my back. Then I remember walking outside to this little porch with Sam and Andrew. It was really dark and rainy and there was one street light above us that just looked so pathetic. I started crying because Sam and Andrew were going away on another trip and never coming back. The whole mood of the dream was really dark and sad. Althought it was nice to see you all, I didn't like the dream much.

Holden is as beautiful as ever though, even in the rain. It's cooled down quite a bit these past couple weeks and it's been really great. There is always room for any of you whenever you get the urge (and the time and/or money) to come west for a bit!

a nice dream where sam is the hero

I dreamed that I left Virginia to go on a New Adventure. I don't remember where exactly I was headed, but I think it may have been to Boston to visit my friend who will be student teaching there. Anyway I was taking the bus, and Ashley and Elise and Sam were on the bus with me. I was sitting next to Sam, and Ashley and Elise were in the row directly behind us. Ashley, Elise and Sam were talking about some game they were going to play when they arrived wherever they were going, and I started to feel left out. "Why do I always have to be that kid?" I said to them, slightly disgruntled. Sam looked me in the eye and said, "No, no, you're not that kid. We love you."

Growth & Community

Here is a quote I came across in Jean Vanier's book Growth & Community that made me think of you all & those magical months we spent together:

"When people start the journey towards wholeness, the pilgrimage to the promised land, there is a moment when their deepest being is touched...This experience can be like an explosion of life, a luminous moment, flodded with peace, tranquility, & light. Or it can be more humble - a touch of peace, a feeling of well-being, of being in 'one's place' & with people for whom one was made. The experience gives a new hope; it is possible to keep walking because we have glimpsed something beyond the material world & beyond human limitations. We have glimpsed the possibility of happiness. We have glimpsed 'heaven.'"

be well,
llw

I think this was a dream I had.

We were all running around in a corn field. I'm not sure if it was really a dream or just the first image I had in my mind this morning, but either way it was really nice.

Also, I'm glad Satan is part of our blog team.

not a dream.

hi beautiful oe people.

so i don't really have any oe dreams to share, either. i have them a lot, im sure, but i never remember them because i think they just feel so natural that they don't stick out in my mind anymore.

anyway, i ran across this mary oliver poem in the bookstore yesterday (they have SO MUCH mary oliver in the bookstore here! but i can't afford it so i sit and read it while other people shop around me. haha. mary's stuff is PRICEY, let me tell you).


When the blackberries hang
swollen in the woods, in the brambles
nobody owns, I spend

all day among the high
branches, reaching
my ripped arms, thinking

of nothing, cramming
the black honey of summer
into my mouth; all day my body

accepts what it is. In the dark
creeks that run by, there is
this thick paw of my life darting among

the black bells, the leaves, there is
this happy tongue.

August
by Mary Oliver


I like this poem because I feel this way walking through Holden--as if I am dreaming, or so apart of the natural world that it is almost no longer a mystery to me. Almost.

I miss you all very much. I think my greatest desire is that we would all be in one place again.

It seems like the general consensus is that the longer time goes on, the more we miss each other. I'm not sure if that is exactly how I feel, I just know that the longer time goes on the more I love you all and see how beautiful a thing the OE was, and how things like that can happen again if you let them.

Sending peace and love to you all.

-e

Oregon dreams I've had while living in Virginia

Hi everyone. I love you. Since I've neglected to write these all down as they came to me, I will present to you here a compilation/medley/summary of the Oregon dreams I've had over the past few months.

First of all, I dreamed that John and Doug came recruiting at Bethel, and who did they recruit but my little sister Betsy (who in real life would never, ever go to the OE). John and I were discussing this in the car together. He was like, "Yeah, at first all that blonde hair was a turn-off, but now I really like her."

I was worried about how she would fit in, but then I remembered how good she is at baking. I mean, she could be the next Alison.

Next dream. We all went to Lincoln for a reunion. When I got there, I walked into a room where Sharon was lying in a queen-sized bed. There was a fan in the room, set to high-speed. Some others entered the room. Lil' Mike was one of them. Then Rachel Fox came in and I hugged her and cried. Then I went to see Nancy, and hugged her, and cried.

And then recently, I had ANOTHER dream that my sister went to the OE. Only this dream actually took place at Lincoln, and we were all there, plus some Newbies, and it gave me great anxiety that Betsy Payette didn't fit in at all.

That's all for now. And I would just like to say that I miss you all more as time goes on, and I dream of you more as time goes on, and when I go back to Minnesota in 1.5 weeks I promise to make some serious phone calls. And if anyone is feeling at all antsy or anxious or in need of a vacation, please, PLEASE come visit Minnesota where I will provide you with a bed and some food and all the love in the world.

Yours,

Kasey