Ender's Game - The Joy of Reading

Alright, it’s been a while since I posted about anything (not that I've been posting long enough to have a general rhythm, but still…). Around here, lots of life has been happening what with finally unpacking boxes to fill our apartment, working on appointments and paper-work to re-pack and re-locate to Italy (no big deal, really…more on this later ^_^), planning a trip to visit a certain adorable little niece, (check out Steph's Blog to see just how adorable she is and get some insight into the life of a new mommy here), and still getting done daily life things like dishes and laundry and more dishes. A few weeks ago if you would have asked how I was, I would have told you I was great…just a wee bit bored since my days are pretty long with not a whole lot to do. Now, that couldn't be farther from the truth. I have to do lists, a budding social life (yay for new friends!) and did I mention I have lots to do?

Before things really started moving here, I kept myself busy with crochet, Netflix, and the old fashioned past time of reading…and by reading I mean a bound set of pages to be held in your hand rather than a digital download onto an electronic device (Not that I have any qualms with e-readers, in fact I think they are great for getting people to read again, but there is just something wonderful about the smell and feel of a good book). I’ve been catching up on many of the novels that have been recommended to me over the last few months and let me just say I’ve read some real gems.  I was reminded of how much I really enjoy reading and how much I missed it after spending 3 ½ years reading nothing but textbooks and articles for school. Now that things are picking up around here, I am determined to put forth my best effort at continuing to make a habit out of reading a good book for fun, no matter how busy life gets.

Before I sign off for the night to work on my “to-do” list, I wanted to give you a “review”, if you can call it that, of one of the books I read most recently. Perhaps it will inspire you to read it as well, or to pick a book on your list of novels you keep saying you will get around to eventually:   

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One novel that has been on my list of “books I WILL read someday” is a wonderful story called Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. If you aren't familiar with the story, let me just say that this novel basically set a standard for great science fiction. If you recognize Card’s name, it’s probably because this book launched his career in the world of sci-fi literature.  Admittedly, the beginning of the book didn't hook me in, but I was surprised by the depth and complexity of character and plot the book offers. By the end of the novel you are not only left with a plethora of ways to relate to the characters, but also to the varying big ideas and themes.  (If I ever find my way into an English classroom as the lead teacher, we are definitely reading this book).

Ender’s Game is set in a futuristic world where we are united globally under one goal – defeat the Buggers. This war against beings from a far off home world in space has been waging for years and years and years and if we are to win it we need a new kind of soldier. Enter Ender Wiggin, 6 years old, potential saviour of our world, along with the many, many other children that have been recruited as the future of our armies. As the plot unfolds, we are left to ponder ideas such as the person hood of children and what they are capable of (especially when they are gifted with abilities beyond our understanding or appreciation); what it means to be ‘human’; ethics and politics during war time; what makes an exceptional soldier; and (from my own understanding of the novel) the power of effective communication, the tragedies that follow when communication fails and the healing that it can bring. 

I won’t give away any more than that to avoid ruining such an adventurous reading experience (especially since the movie is coming out – I always recommend reading the book first). However, I will say that what I believe to be the best attribute of this book is how much one reader can take away from it and how vastly different that can be from the next reader. In his introduction to an anniversary edition of the novel, Orson Scott Card had this to say: 

“The Story of Ender’s Game is not this book, though it has that title emblazoned on it. The story is the one that you and I will construct together in your memory. If the story means anything to you at all, then when you remember it afterward, think of it, not as something I created, but rather as something that we made together.” – Orson Scott Card, March 1991

If that is not the definition of a good book, one that allows you and the author to connect through story and character, then I don’t know what is.

So, if you have been contemplating about whether or not you should take that long forgotten book off the shelf or make a trip to your local library – don’t wait – do it now!! I have this feeling that life is always going to be just a little ‘busy’, but I think it is too short to pass up spending time with a good book, especially when there are gems out there like Ender’s Game.

What books are on your “someday” list? I’m always looking for suggestions of books I never would have thought to read myself, so share some of your treasured stories in the comments below.

As always, thanks for ‘reading’. (That’s ironically pretty punny, if I do say so myself).

How to Make an Entrance - Twice

One thing that is really important to me when moving to a new location is finding a community to get connected to. It helps you feel a little more settled and part of your new environment. So, it comes as no surprise that a few weeks ago I found myself on my way to a small group through the church we've been attending. 

Casey is in class, so I do have to make it there on my own, but I’m determined to navigate these unfamiliar Georgia roads with the help of MapQuest and my trusty (or not-so-trusty) GPS.

I’m actually super excited, so I leave ten minutes earlier than I should need to and with a general sense of the location and my GPS in hand I head out the door. That’s when the GPS decides the location doesn't actually exist. Problem. BUT not to fear, I still have a sense of where I’m going. Until I realize I've missed a turn and am now a little (or a lot) lost. I finally call someone from the group (super nice and super helpful) who tries her best, with the help of the rest of the group, to get me there. I end up turning on the wrong highway, go in a gigantic circle, and arrive 30 minutes late instead. Way to make an entrance, right? At least I learned for next week…or so I thought.

It’s now my second time driving to small group. This time, knowing my GPS has failed me already, I MapQuest the directions and write them down. (Smart, right?).  I’m pretty confident of where I’m headed until I turn left, drive for a mile until I see the turn on my right for the apartment complex…and it’s not there. By the time I realize I’ve made a mistake again it’s too late to turn around. I end up driving an extra 10 or so miles in the wrong direction before making my way back. I know I’m in the general vicinity, so I drive around hoping to see something familiar. I spot the Lowes that was used as a land mark the previous week. But now I can’t remember, was it before Lowes, after Lowes and before the Kroger, or after Lowes and after the Kroger? At 8 o’clock I finally give up and decide to head home. I punch in home into the GPS and head that direction….and subsequently past the apartment complex on my way. (The amount of exasperation I feel at this moment is almost comical).

They should be meeting for another hour yet, so I decide to turn around and at least pop in and say hi. But, the excitement doesn’t end there. I walk up to the door and knock, relieved to have finally found it, only to discover that I knocked right when the group was spending time in individual prayer – lights dimmed and soft music playing, perfect time to announce my entrance. Excellent.

I have to admit, that at each of these moments I felt frustrated at not knowing my way around and not a little embarrassed for getting lost and showing up late two weeks in a row. But even in the embarrassment and exasperation, I have to remind myself to laugh at the situations I find myself in and appreciate what can be learned. Like I mentioned before, participating in community in a new place is vital to getting connected and finding support, but I was still nervous about meeting new people, getting to know them, and letting them get to know me. Funny how I ended up having to be embarrassed and vulnerable asking for help so quickly, even if it was just for directions. Nothing like jumping in with both feet, right?

Life is going to be full of moments like these, when I’m lost and headed for potential embarrassment. But, I’m looking forward to laughing and to getting to know the people who will be there to help me find my way again.

**I would like to add that the third week was the charm. Not only did I find my way there, but Casey got to join me, and I was even 20 minutes early. JJJ

And, just because, here is a random picture of me and my toad friend who was camping out at my front door. Isn't he cute?  

Home is where...

“Oh, are you new? Awesome! Where are you from?”

If you grew up in the military like me, or have ever asked a military kid this question, the response probably went something like this…

“Uh…well…..originally I’m from Missouri…but I’ve moved around a whole lot so I’m from a lot of places….I just moved here from Germany…..I don’t know….”

Growing up in a military family, moving was just part of life. Of course leaving friends was hard, but you learned very quickly how to adapt, make new friends, and love the new place you found yourself in. New places, new adventures were always exciting, but with all the changes, I never was able to call one place home; rather, there was simply a list of all the places I’d been and home was where my family was.

My dad retired from the Army and moved my family to Arizona a little over 12 years ago, and being that I’m only 22 (almost 23) I’ve actually spent more than half of my life in the same place even though the first half we didn’t stay put for more than 2-3 years at a time…you would think that after 12 years, Sierra Vista would be home.

As it turns it out…it took leaving that place to realize just how much of an Arizona- girl I really am.

The GIGANTIC moving truck that moved my worldly possessions from AZ to GA. A little excessive, no? 

Like I said, I’ve moved a lot. So, when I moved to Georgia a little over a month ago to be with my husband while he finishes school for the Army, it was just another move to add to the list. But then I found myself doing something strange. As I met people at church or on base and the inevitable question was asked “Where are you from?” I didn’t stumble over my words. Instead, I found myself easily answering, “I’m from Arizona.”

And then the comparisons started:  the rain in Georgia doesn’t smell like the rain in Arizona; the stars aren’t as visibly bright here like they are in AZ; why is the air so thick? I can hardly breathe with the all the moisture. I really appreciate AZ being so dry; it’s so green here and I kind of miss the cactus in Arizona…..Arizona, Arizona, Arizona.  

Then, to top it all off, this past Sunday as I sat listening to the Pastor at our new church talk about reaching out to the Augusta community, I caught myself replacing “Augusta” each time with “Sierra Vista”.

It’s official – Arizona is in my blood.

I find now that I can easily list a dozen reasons why Arizona is where I am from:  Arizona grew me and made me who I am today; I met my best friends and my husband there; I adore the monsoons; the clear skies, starry nights, and desert beauty consistently take my breath away; no place will ever have sun sets that compare to those that go over Arizona mountains; I have church families there; I made plans and dreamed dreams for my life there….and the list goes on.

Easter at the Grand Canyon. 

Easter at the Grand Canyon - Sunset = Gorgeous. 

It’s a surprising and nice change to be able to say with confidence that I am from Arizona…And I discovered this just in time to move to a new place again. I finally found a home in the world, and now it’s time for me to move on. I have admit, this time it’s a little scarier. I’m older, a little shyer about making friends so easily, and certainly missing my community back ‘home’. But in all of this realization and moving, God has been reminding me that no matter where I go…I’ll always be home. Arizona may be where I am from, but home is where my family is, where my amazing husband is…and most importantly my true home is where the presence of Christ is.

The truth? We don’t belong in this world. We are part a bigger family, one that has a home in eternity with Jesus. As I settle in Georgia, and then continue to move over the next few years (and perhaps beyond that) I can take comfort in the fact that of all the new places and new adventures I will experience, none will ever be as close to home as belonging to the Kingdom of God is.

 I may be from Arizona…but I have a home that I can and never will leave.

 “Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread.”

Casey and I getting connected at Vineyard Church of Augusta.

(Lord of the Rings anyone?)

Further Up and Further In - The Beginning of Something

“We’ve all been blind - we’re only beginning to see where we are.”

I first heard the phrase “Further Up and Further In” from C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia:  The Last Battle. It is a cry of delight urging everyone to see that they are no longer in the Narnia they once knew, but rather in the real Narnia, one without beginning or end. They can now race through the real Narnia with rapturous joy towards Aslan’s garden, and as they go further into this garden, their joy only increases in abundance as does the beauty of the land they have entered  and the glory of Aslan.

I like to think that I have not quite been the same since reading Lewis’ creatively imagining of what it could be like when at last this world falls away and we enter a new world, one more real than we could ever guess as we walk with Jesus, our Aslan, eternally. And it seems, I am not the only one whose heart strings where struck by Lewis’ words. “My beating heart is bursting out my skin, to go further up and further in. Whatever it takes to bring me somewhere higher, be it rain or be it fire.” – Phil Wickham.  Or “But plant the seeds of toil and tears it’s beauty we will sow. Further up and further in, we have no place else to go. ‘Cause when all we have is all we need, it’s joy that we will sow.” – Audrey Assad.

The last year has brought many, many changes in my life. I graduated from school; married my best friend; lost loved ones and gained some; embarked on an adventure called becoming a military spouse; moved away from all my friends and family…just to name the big ones. Becoming a wife and stepping fully into the world of adulthood have made me question who I am, who I’ve been, and where I’m going. A bit of an identity crisis, if you will. Since moving to Georgia, I have found myself in a weird place…I have no really big plans. I have some projects to work on, things I need to do, but no more papers to write, no graduation applications to fill out, no wedding to plan, and no tickets to Africa to purchase. I’m in Georgia with my husband…and the rest is unknown.  

I’d be lying if I said that I’ve adjusted perfectly well and taken everything in with consistent grace and poise. Rather, there have been moments of tears and days I “just don’t know”.  But of course, God hasn’t’ left me there. Through Scripture, the counsel of friends, and lyrics to some of my favorite songs, I’ve been reminded of something I lost in all the shuffle. You see, there is one facet of my identity, what defines me above all else, that is unchanging and unwavering. I am a new creation in Christ and my purpose for living each day is to live with him, know him more, and strive to be like him.  I’m in a place that is uncertain at times, blind and am still only beginning to see where I am and where I’m going. But, just as Lucy, Edmund and the others run heedlessly through the true Narnia, I, too, get to go further up and further in. Unchartered adventures await Casey and I; some of them will fill our hearts with joy till we burst and others will fill us with sorrow, but as we ”plant the seeds of toil and tears it’s beauty we will sow. Further up and further in, we have no place else to go. ‘Cause when all we have is all we need, it’s joy that we will sow.” Each step of the journey will bring more joy and more beauty than the last.

There is no crisis here:  I am found in the love of a Savior and get to live with a most gracious husband. Being in a new place, nurturing these relationships, can be enough.  

So, in light of the “new” I find myself surrounded by and in the words of the honorable mouse, Reepicheep:

“Welcome in the Lion’s Name! Come Further up and Further in!”