Lars and the Real Girl April 12, 2010

I’ve watched this movie several times now and it really is one of my favorites.  When I first saw it (thanks Min & Phil) I hadn’t heard of it and had no expectations whatsoever.  It was such a quirky film and I wasn’t sure I liked it until it was over and then I knew I LOVED IT.  I’ve become much more picky in my movie watching lately, so the fact that this one makes it to “watch more than once” status is significant.

One of the things I love about it is just the quirkiness.  It’s so different.  I love that the movie does not go where you think it is going.  The acting is superb and the lessons to be learned are numerous.  I even find myself changing my mind about which character the movie is “really” about.  Of course it is about Lars, but every character in the movie is changed and touched because of what happens to Lars. 

Last night as I watched it, I was thinking about how God and the “heavenly hosts” must find it lunacy how much “in love” we are with this world.  It isn’t the “real” thing….yet, we are crazy for it.  God is so full of compassion & grace that He gives us the desires of our hearts here and makes us “comfortable” and provides for the needs we think we have.  He even surrounds us with community to help us out along the way.  But He really knows better.  He continues to “woo” us.   He knows the “reality” will be sooo much better.  He brings us along step by step.  He “plays along,” if you will. 

Eventually, we start getting glimpses of what “real” life is…and we kind of want it, but the pain of giving all of this up to get it is very real.  We have to die to ourselves so we can be available to live in the “reality.”    The cool thing is, we are never alone.  He sometimes even just comes and “sits” with us while we grieve our loss.  But when that “reality” becomes real to us….wow!  He’s waiting right there, ready to go for a “walk” with us.

Ok, this is pretty far off what I normally see in this movie, but it is what struck me this time.  I may have to write another blog or two, at some point, about the lessons I’ve found in this movie, but for this morning….I’m just thinking about the “fakiness” of this life and how more and more attractive the “real” life is becoming.  I want it, but letting go of this one sometimes proves painful and it is a process. 

I’m just praying that this week is another step forward in the “letting go” and the “reaching out” to Him.

New Look…. April 10, 2010

I’ve worked this evening on getting a “new look” for my blog.  It needed a face-lift for Spring.  I need to be excited about coming here to blog!  I still haven’t figured out how to do some things I really would like to do, but I’m happy with the progress for now!

This is kind of like re-arranging furniture (which I am very fond of doing).  Feels good! 

My New Blackberry Storm & other Storminess…. April 9, 2010

My darling daughter’s cell phone endured the same fate as most of our beta fish did….death in a toilet bowl.  She has been warned now: NEVER carry your cell phone in the back pocket of your jeans or it will be taken away (maybe flushed away would be a better way to put it).

Because of that incident, sad though it may be, she now has my old (I had only had it since December) cell phone and I have a new Blackberry Storm. I know, it’s sad that I have to suffer.  Someone has to take the brunt of these bad decisions.  The phone is way cool, but I am still not sure I am smart enough for a smartphone.  I will one day figure it all out and will “storm” you with my geekiness. 

In the meantime, I have had the annual Spring “curriculum fever” hit me like a storm.  As a homeschooling mom, every Spring, it seems, the curriculum we are currently using seems dull and antiquated (even if it has been great) and as the green grass and spring flowers push their tiny heads out of the soil in my yard, I feel the urge to shop for curriculum for the coming school year.  I get all excited in my “planning” and secretly long for the boxes of new books to arrive.  I don’t know what magic I think will happen…books that will jump out and do dances with my kids and make them learn by osmosis or something?  I can spend hours hunched over the silly computer checking out reviews and ideas and in my head visions of the perfect school year dance in my head.  It also brings the challenge of getting the next years’ curriculum for the least amount of money as possible, which adds another exciting element to the chase. 

One other random “storm” going on:  jobs.  Over the last few weeks, I have been approached about 3 different part time jobs!  I am interested in each one, but don’t know if any of them will really come to fruition or how it would impact our lives.  I am currently working on my resume (such as it is) and praying.  Life is an Adventure and it is certainly never boring.  God will have to guide me into exactly what He has in mind – I have no expectations.  I just figure He has things for me to learn and ways to provide for us that we have no clue about. 

It is Spring…time for Storms!  I am anxiously awaiting that first West Texas Thunderstorm of the Spring (I love storms).  In the meantime, I have other storminess to keep me busy!