In this, the first book of the Mitford Series, Jan Karon introduces us to Father Tim and the small, quaint town of Mitford. The book takes us through Father Tim's daily happenings, as well as through the lives of all the residents of Mitford. While there was not a lot of drama or suspense, it was truly a charming story. Actually, there were a few incidents that were a bit dramatic - like the discovery of stolen diamonds in an old urn in the church! Then there's more drama when the diamond thief is revealed! There were also other interesting tidbits in the book - such as the troubled, angry young man of whom Father Tim became a guardian when the boy's grandfather became sick. And then there's the beautiful and friendly woman that moves in next door. Everybody in Mitford seems to have a story! You get to know all the characters and all their little small-town quirks. Father Tim, although he is not perfect, has such a good heart and really loves all the people in that town, and is thoroughly involved in their lives! He seems to really take to heart what the bible says about everything - not in a legalistic religious way - but just as a simple way of life.
There are nine volumes in the Mitford Series. The author has also begun a new series, with her latest book, "Home to Holly Springs", which is the first in the Father Tim Series.
This was such a cozy book - it was kinda like sitting and chatting with an old friend.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Monday, April 07, 2008
FOOLS RUSH IN
Last night, I caught one of my all-time-favorite movies, FOOLS RUSH IN. I've seen it at least 10 times, but I always love to "accidentally" catch it on TV! It's a romantic comedy with Salma Hayek and Matthew Perry, about two people who meet, have a one night stand, end up pregnant, and get married - because they actually really do like each other and want to be together. Of course, marrying someone you don't know very well can have its challenges.
Throughout the movie, she talks about believing in "signs". At least she calls them signs, but actually, I think the real meaning is "destiny". As in - was their meeting destined? He is not a believer in signs. He believes in "grabbing the brass ring" when you see it. In other words, life is what you make it. When they split up, he begins to see signs that are leading him back to her. She, on the other hand, starts to question whether or not they were destined to be together. She begins to doubt the validity of signs. So she runs away to her grandma in Mexico and gets wise counsel about being afraid. Grandma says you must risk heartbreak for the chance to know true love.
Are there signs in life? Of course, if you are looking to be led in a particular direction, you can find signs that accommodate your desire. Sometimes, you can look back and see that you were led in a particular direction, even though you didn't know it at the time. Some believe in fate or destiny. I believe in God - but even then, I sometimes wonder if He has led me in a particular direction, or if He just made the best out of where I chose to go.
But still, in this movie, does the fact that this New York guy was in Las Vegas at that particular time, and the fact that they coincidentally met, mean anything? Does the fact that she was intimate with him, even though she was not the kind of girl to do that, mean anything? And does the fact that she got pregnant mean that there was something greater bringing them together?
I think we can't know those kinds of answers until we look back and reflect on our lives. Then we can clearly see which was the road we were destined to be on, and which things happened when we got off track. But Grandma was right, sometimes you just have to take risks.
Throughout the movie, she talks about believing in "signs". At least she calls them signs, but actually, I think the real meaning is "destiny". As in - was their meeting destined? He is not a believer in signs. He believes in "grabbing the brass ring" when you see it. In other words, life is what you make it. When they split up, he begins to see signs that are leading him back to her. She, on the other hand, starts to question whether or not they were destined to be together. She begins to doubt the validity of signs. So she runs away to her grandma in Mexico and gets wise counsel about being afraid. Grandma says you must risk heartbreak for the chance to know true love.
Are there signs in life? Of course, if you are looking to be led in a particular direction, you can find signs that accommodate your desire. Sometimes, you can look back and see that you were led in a particular direction, even though you didn't know it at the time. Some believe in fate or destiny. I believe in God - but even then, I sometimes wonder if He has led me in a particular direction, or if He just made the best out of where I chose to go.
But still, in this movie, does the fact that this New York guy was in Las Vegas at that particular time, and the fact that they coincidentally met, mean anything? Does the fact that she was intimate with him, even though she was not the kind of girl to do that, mean anything? And does the fact that she got pregnant mean that there was something greater bringing them together?
I think we can't know those kinds of answers until we look back and reflect on our lives. Then we can clearly see which was the road we were destined to be on, and which things happened when we got off track. But Grandma was right, sometimes you just have to take risks.
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