Mount Carmel Family Camp, 2013

Quote of the Day:  Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal, and give strength to body and soul alike. John Muir, The Yosemite

At Mount Carmel Family Camp with my boys!

I'm a Camp Geek and I know it. I've been going to family camp ever since I was four years old. I go there with my parents, siblings, cousins, and friends. Mount Carmel, founded in 1938, has been the summer home for many camper families. My mom went there for the first time in 1948, and was on staff in the mid-1950's. I remember going there with my parents and my grandparents. Now, my kids go with me and enjoy family time, kid activity time, lake time, new friends, old friends, and every kind of fun you can have at a camp. The coolest thing about a family camp is that free time is truly free. When the kids go to kids' camps, even the "free" time is scheduled. They said that they prefer Mount Carmel.

Water Carnival

 

On a pontoon ride with my parents

 

And, my cousin Angie

 

Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil.

(or, so you think)

 

I think tie-dying is still cool.

 

How will all these garments turn out?

 

Super cute!!

Millie and Willie attended camp for the first time this year.

They are already looking at dates to attend next year!

 

They stayed out of the water for the greased watermelon game

(like football in the water)

But, enjoyed a slice of the fruit when the game was over.

 

They thought that the game of Drip, Drip, Drop and the little kids were the cutest.

 

Of course, the Mount Carmel staff was a lively and talented bunch!

The talent show was a hoot, as always.

Next year, we'll do another Aalgaard skit!!!

Millie and Willie vowed to make an appearance.

 

Mount Carmel is truly a place where you can play together and pray together.

From babies to Grandparents, there's something for everyone, and everyone has fun together.

 

 

The only thing missing for me this year was my big boy. He's enjoying a summer in Spain.

 

We thought of you, Bobby!

 

Thanks, founders of Mount Carmel, for creating this place 75 years ago! Thanks, Mom & Dad, for bringing us there when we were kids. Thanks, kids, for still wanting to go to camp with your mom and other relatives!

 

Hope you're all having a wonderful summer (or winter for you southern hemisphere folks)!

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a camp/vacation experience with family or friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Women's Retreat at Mount Carmel

Quote of the Day:  I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. from Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

Some of the women who attended the Women's Retreat at Mount Carmel, September 14-16, 2012.

 

Barb, who lead us and lit a candle of hope in each of our hearts.

She gave us the feeling of unconditional love and acceptance for who we are and where we are in our life's journey.

 

 

 

Every fall, Mount Carmel offers a women's retreat on the beautiful shores of Lake Carlos. We're usually a small, intimate group of women who gather for respite, for fellowship, and for nurturing one another in faith and in our life's journey. They come from near and far. Some with heavy burdens, recent losses, difficult diagnoses or decisions for loved ones or themselves. They come for rest and renewal. The song running through my head as we gathered was You have come down to the Lakeshore by Cesareo Gabarain, originally written in Spanish and nicely translated into English. The chorus: Sweet Lord, you have looked into my eyes; kindly smiling, you've called out my name. On the sand I have abandoned my small boat; now with you, I will seek other seas.

Together, we shared our stories and sang our songs. We felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, and left with a new kind of tired and a new kind of energy.  What I love about this retreat is that mothers and daughters come together, friends, sisters, cousins, and people who need time away might come on their own, but leave feeling they are not alone.

 

Mothers and daughters

My cousin Angie and I provided the music. She and I have similar backgrounds, grew up going to Mount Carmel in the summer, and enjoy making music together. Thanks, Angie, for doing the music with me. You made it so fun and gave me such confidence.

Thank you, Barb, for leading us with your gentle and encouraging spirit, filled with love.

Thank you, Mount Carmel, for providing such a lovely setting.

Thank you to all the women who attended. You are bright, shining stars.

Peace,
Mary

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Where would you go for a retreat? Who would you like to go with you? Or, would you prefer to go alone?

The Power of Art

Quote of the Day:  My imagination can picture no fairer happiness than to continue living for art. — Clara Schumann

The artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Last Friday, I mentioned that I'd gone to summer camp with my family. It's a church camp with a fine arts feel. The topics for discussion were on people who were inspired by God to create something that changed how people think. We had an excellent teacher, Nancy Koester, a religion teacher from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, who loves history. We had an artist who used the above tools to bring stories to life through his painting. He is a science teacher turned pastor turned touring artist. (More on him later). We had fine musicians who filled the room with sound and invited everyone in. And, we had a preacher who had us singing the Psalms and showed us how they hold the messages and healing that get us through the hills and valleys of life.

On Monday, Nancy gave us some background on the composer, George Frideric Handel and his famous choral piece The Messiah. He spent much of his early career writing operas. Operas at the time were rowdy events, much like sporting events today. Really. People came and booed and cheered and jeered. So, when Handel wrote The Messiah, people didn't know what to make of it. Where should it be performed, they wondered? It's too much like opera to be performed in a church. It's themes are too spiritual and sacred to be performed in an opera house. He was rejected and criticized and pushed away. At one point in his life he was so poor, he nearly ended up in debtor's prison. And, now, you can hear parts of The Messiah in many types of churches, colleges, community choirs, and even on Youtube. This is where the Halleluiah Chorus comes from. (Comment below or on facebook if you've ever sung any part of this piece.)

On Tuesday, Paul Oman painted a murial while we watched and listened to a recording of The Messiah.

He preps the canvas the day before he paints for an audience.

Each brush stroke reveals the image he has of the story.

Watching Paul paint is like reading a story.

Each line and color adds more details.

I find myself trying to predict what he will make from certain parts of the painting. The "board" sticking out on the left seemed out of place, at first.

He puts his canvas on a rotating easel.

He paints upside down and sideways, getting the best angle, fascinating us with his perspective, and keeping us guessing as to what will be revealed.

All the while, the mighty chorus is singing some beautiful parts of The Messiah. Paul's brush strokes, at times, moved to the rhythm of the music. As Paul's vision became clearer, the music became more powerful, and we all sat in awe.

The Holy Spirit was shining down on all of us.

I have plans to write an article about Paul Oman's murial ministry, Drawn to the Word. He has painted in nearly every kind of church throughout the United States, and has hopes of going international. He said he can bring any story to life through his art, not just Bible stories. Do any of you know of a good publication for his story?

I'll write more this week on our education and fun at Mount Carmel camp near Alexandria, MN. On Wednesday, we learned about Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Who knows where your inspiration will lead?

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever felt so inspired to create something that you knew it came from a Higher Power?

Where's God?

Quote of the Day:  Is God on Facebook, yet? Jim Gaffigan

I checked, and I'd say that God is not on facebook. You can "like" God. You can sign up for Messages from God, but I'm not exactly sure who does the typing for those. I've asked my pastor friends several times to share God's email, but they say they don't have it. So, I've come to the conclusion that God doesn't send messages via social networking websites. I was asked this weekend, "How do you hear God's voice?" God speaks to me through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Cousin Angie at the piano, me leading the song, Siri on flute

In Songs

In voices and conversations

In peaceful settings like Mount Carmel

on Lake Carlos

In art

and writing

In the community of women, gathered at a spiritual retreat on the topic of Depression.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Where do you go to find answers for life's difficult questions and circumstances?  Where do you hear or sense the Holy Spirit?

Soundtrack of Your Life

Quote of the Day:  For better or for worse, music is the language of memory.  It is also the language of love. - Jodi Picoult, in her novel Sing You Home

Sonja Hinderlie playing her cello in the Mount Carmel Trio

I am not original in posing the question, What is on the soundtrack of your life? But, I found it was a great journaling prompt for my friends and family at Mount Carmel.  I had a longing to connect with other creative spirits, so I announced that I'd like to get together with others who are interested in journaling.  I used my own prompt from my recent post, What songs hold a strong memory in your life?

A couple other moms and I met on Tuesday.  We talked about songs that we sang as kids, and ones that we sing to our kids.  One mom said that her kids love it when she sings Rock-a-by baby in the treetops, when the wind blows the cradle will rock. When the bow breaks, the cradle will fall, and down will come baby, cradle and all.  And, it's a lovely little tune and you sing about a baby and rocking, but then you're singing about the cradle falling and breaking, and when you think about it, it's not such a nice song afterall.  So, this mom, tried other words, which didn't really go over, so she wrote out a different image of the cradle falling into the loving arms of Jesus, and a prayer that the baby would be protected from the storms and falls of life.  A much nicer vision as you send your children off to dreamland.

On Wednesday, I tried meeting with a few more people right after lunch.  My mom was the first one there, and we were quickly joined by two of my cousins, a cousin-in-law, and another woman (the only non-Aalgaard).  We started by writing out songs and memories associated with songs.  My mom wrote a list of songs she likes to sing or hum to herself, morning praise songs, hymns, then started to write about songs that reminded her of her grandma and her parents.  We got a little family history out of it - for instance, our grandparents (on my dad's side) came into their faith by attending tent rival-type meetings back in the 30's.

My mom wondered what songs I'd think of when I thought of her.  Hymns, of course, especially Swedish hymns, but that's more her dad.  I told her that I think of her when I hear the soundtrack to Fiddler on the Roof.  She likes the good, old musicals.  The Sound of Music is also a favorite, but what I'll always remember is that my mom prefers the first half of these shows.  "They end too sad," she says.

My dad sings cowboy songs and gospel songs and anything that sticks in his head.  He loves to sing.  And, I realized that it's a family trait to walk around all day with a tune running through your head.  I hear my boys doing it, too. Ah, Tradition! like in Fiddler on the Roof, or the way we all confessed to stopping for ice cream on our way to camp.

Go. Create. Inspire! And, keep a tune in your heart.

Journaling Prompt:  What is on the soundtrack of your life?

Mural Ministry

Quote of the Day:  What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?  - Vincent Van Gogh

 A muslin canvas is stretched over a handmade frame, measuring about 5x7 feet. The artist, Paul Oman, sets the stage for us as we enter the chapel.  What will he paint?  What's the Bible story for tonight?  How can he finish a painting within an hour's service?

Throughout the week, we have been gazing at the fruits of his labors, marveling at the details of murals painted while Bible stories are read and the music plays.  What stories are represented in these paintings?

Paul said that he likes to ask the viewers what stories they see in the paintings.  The answers can be very creative, especially if you weren't in attendance when he painted these murals.  While I sat through services and listened to speakers this past week, I'd look at these murals and imagine myself inside the painting.  The one with the fire is called Mount Carmel, and I see the great power of the Holy Spirit, coming in wind and flame to give you inspiration, courage, creative hearts, and love.  The one at the sea makes me think of "Fishers of men (and women)."  I also see the journey.  The ships are beckoning me from my safe shore into unchartered waters.  Where will my ship sail?  When will my ship come in?

The creator and his art interacting.  What do you see taking shape?

Small children are just below my photo frame (I wish I had lowered my viewpoint), heads on hands, glued to the action, mesmerized by art unfolding before their eyes.

First, a hand, then a face appear, and strokes of light and movement.

Paul said he was nervous about this painting. He said he was trying something new that was challenging him as an artist.

Do you hear words being whispered?  Do you feel the emotions of this young woman?  What will happen next?

I wanted a close-up of her face. Paul intentionally lets paint drip, to form tears, movement, and streams of light.

Paul and his painting. 

I see the Holy Spirit with Mary, and Paul, filling them, inspiring them, and whispering...

Go. Create. Inspire!

Paul said that he began drawing around the age of 10.  He originally went to college to be a veterinarian.  He ended up being a science teacher, and said that he continued to use art to learn and to teach.  He felt called to the ministry and became a pastor.  He was in a small parish, attendance was low during Lent, so he took a risk with a vision that he'd had - to paint a mural during a worship service while the lessons were read and songs and hymns played and sung.  The first year, he had his usual 40 attendees.  The next year, 200 people showed up.  When he did it again, 400 people came to the service.  Soon, he was sharing it with other congregations and at Mount Carmel family camp where I first saw him paint, four years ago.  This May, he resigned from his safe and secure pastor job, and embraced his true calling, Mural Ministry.  He has bookings through next Easter.  To learn more about Paul Oman, his art, and his ministry, go to his website.  He wants this experience to be available to everyone, no matter the size of your congregation, or where you live.  They'll help you find creative ways to bring him in.

Journaling Prompt:  What do you see in Paul's Paintings?  Have you ever witnessed art evolving in front of your eyes?  If you took a leap of faith, where would you go? What would you be doing?



Camping for Generations

Quote of the Day:  One thing I had to learn was that nothing remains the same...people grow and change...You look around and somebody is different from a year earlier. - Barbara Mandrell

Here I am at camp in our Little Red cabin with my four big boys:

Bobby, a senior this coming year.

Zach, 13, and Eric & Charlie, 11.

Here I am in 1973, sharing my popsicle with my little brother, and hanging on the beach with cousins.

Hey, relies, do you recognize yourselves in this photo?

I spent last week at a family bible camp with my four boys, my parents, an aunt, and cousins and their families, plus all the other campers, many of whom I've met in the past.  It was a big reunion and time for new memories. The Aalgaard's have been going to Mount Carmel for 40 years.  My mom went when she was a girl and worked there during her college years as a singing waitress.

Some of the highlights of our week together include the music from some amazing musicians.

The Mount Carmel Trio

"Maybe we should talk about the songs we're doing tonight."

John Ylvisaker, whose music I enjoy sharing at my home church.

Thanks, John, for your generous gifts of music.

I connected over journaling with my mom, other relatives, and made new friends. Our theme was music and memories. (More on that on Friday's post.)

Note, the stack of games behind me, the lovely weather outside, and my new Mount Carmel sweatshirt.  It was on the cooler side that week.  This week in MN, it's an unusual tropical climate.

We also played games, all sorts.  One afternoon, Bobby was wandering around the camp checking out what everybody was up to.  He saw Grandma (my mom) playing Scrabble with a couple friends, so he sat down and joined them. Sweet memories.

I also had the privelege of watching an artist in the process of his creation.  Here's the teaser for Wednesday's post....

What do you think will appear on this canvas?

Journaling Prompt:  When and where does your family like to go to just be together?  Do you have a family tradition of a place to stay or special time to be together?