Prince Caspian

Saw the movie Prince Caspian with Sharon this weekend and loved it (as I do pretty much anything Narnia-related). I knew they would change around a lot of things, especially if all the talk was about the epic action and I remembered this particular book in the series being the most character-driven one. For the most part, I thought the additions were all okay and completely conceivable within the framework of the book, so I was pleased.

When it was all said and done and credits were rolling, the scene that stood out to me more than any other was a very simple one. King Peter had just led the good guys into a fight they lost all because he was being stubborn, selfish, and too impatient to wait for Aslan. When he finally begins to realize his own faults and hot-headedness in the whole escapade, the next shot shows him sitting at the feet of a stone monument of the lion, just gazing up at Aslan's face. I was just struck by the humility (finally) of that act and of the truth it conveyed. When you hit rock bottom, the best place to return to is always the feet of the true Savior. It reminded me of Mary in the story of Mary and Martha - and those who know me well know that I am all too much a Martha. Personality-wise, I've come to a place where I'm okay with it, and I admire Martha for many things, not the least of which is her perspective when her brother dies, but there are times I wish I was more like Mary. I wish I would more easily just sit and gaze. I'm too much like Peter, waiting until it's my last option.

"One thing I ask of the Lord:...to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." (Ps 27:4). Does it get easier with time?

My students

I now get to post cute little kid comments, too. At work on Friday, we'd just finished math time, and I'd specifically been working with Jessie on counting, when it was choice time for them. Jessie bounded over to the other three kids who were already emptying the fish game onto the carpet. John announced in a loud voice, "I'm first" and was quickly followed by Terry's "I'm second." Anna jumped up, "I'm third!" Not one to be daunted, Jessie got in line and excitedly proclaimed, "Then I'm fifth!"

the Future

It would appear things are falling into place. Ecuador looks more and more sure; I got a job to tie me over to my Israel trip; Israel is going to rock; and my missions application passed Round 1, so I now I can go for interviews. Here's my hectic schedule for the next year:

now: work at Hancock Elementary until June 5

June 12: head to Colorado for interviews at WorldVenture Headquarters

June 21: go to Israel!!! Participate at an archaeological site for a week, then take a class in Jerusalem

July 13: go home to Austria for a week (I don't know when the last time was that I was there in the summer)

July 21: return to Minnesota, find work

mid-Sep: go to Ecuador to work for Northwestern's branch campus for 5 months

mid-March: return to Minnesota, start support raising

No doubt I would appreciate prayer for any and all of this. Several of those things fell into my lap completely unexpected and uplanned, so I don't know what God is planning.

Mom?

Yesterday, when I was at a local elementary school applying for a temporary job, the nice lady showing me around turned during a lull in a conversation and asked, "So, how many kids do you have?" Not "do you have kids?" Not even "are you married?" It was slightly awkward to have to say "none." What precisely made her assume I'm a mom?

Then, tonight at Kohl's, the friendly gentleman at the cash register packed up my purchases, handed me the back, and said with a genuine smile, "Happy Mother's Day, ma'am." Again, my heart did a little flutter, though this time it may have also been with a blush, for I was after all buying sexy lingerie for my roommate's shower tomorrow. Did he think I was going to wear it this weekend? (I'm definitely no size 6.) And since when am I a "ma'am" anyway?

Must be the mom bag I lug around with me. Maybe I need a new purse.