Book Reviews: Lewis and Levy

     Two in one? Can we handle it? Sure, we've got this. I've been doing a lot of reading these days. Isn't it a comfort to find that in the midst of transitions and waiting on Visas for weeks on end that books are solid and dependable and right there for getting yourself lost in for a bit? It's a wonderful gift, really. So, I am going to write about two books in particular that have helped me through the past few weeks or so, but each for quite different reasons. One book was rather deep and a bit dark and very helpful in my pursuit of growing on my faith journey with Christ. The other book was absolutely fantastic in making me smile and laugh heartily in the midst of a somewhat stressful few days of moving house in preparation for moving to the south of Poland about the end of May.

     Shall we have a go at the more stern and somber of the two first? Yes, I think so. A Grief Observed by C.S.Lewis is the recording of his mental and spiritual processing just after the passing of his very beloved wife, Joy. I have been finding it difficult even to draw from myself the words which form how this book affected me. I really, really just suggest that you read it at some point in your life. If you're anything like me, you may feel your own mind and heart processing the complex (and sometimes mad-sounding) concepts that Lewis writes about during this dark time in his life. It is not a book for the ultimate optimist, surely. Lewis famously describes his faith as being no more than a "house of cards" which God repeatedly whacks down each time Lewis has thought he's built it anew. As I read these writings, I started to despair a bit myself in this person who has indirectly so greatly aided me along my own personal faith journey. Was it all nothing to him in the end? Did he lose his way over this? These wondering worries had me unnerved for a bit.
    

     Thankfully, I found the answer to be, no, of course not. I think the one truth, amongst many, which I can most easily describe in words at this time is that Lewis discovered (as all Christians must) that we as mere humans, imperfect and flawed beings, sanctified through Christ, but still only beginning the road to eternal redemption are shakable. We are not solid beings. We are not the truth-bearers, but rather (and thank Heavens, really), our Creator-God is. He is the unshakable foundation upon which we build our faith, even if it is a mere "house of cards" that He must continually knock down so we can begin anew as we ever move towards the eternal inheritance and the true reality we shall live in in Christ. Yes, we must have faith, but ultimately, it is God who calls us, God who redeems us and God who holds onto us and really, thank God for this. He cannot be moved nor shaken and if this is the foundation I am building my life upon, then whether I doubt, or fail or downright fall apart, He will always be the eternally dependable One upon whom I land. He will carry me through, always and He can be trusted. Amen. Read the book- really.

     The second book which has been of great help to me recently may require a bit more explanation in that it technically is a book written with an audience of children in mind. The book is called Ellie May Can Definitely Be Trusted to Keep a Secret and it is the third in the "Ellie May" series written by the talented and very, very funny Marianne Levy. You may not yet have heard of Marianne, but really, you should have, so, shame on you! (kidding...). Marianne is a fairly new British author who attended Cambridge, at some point apparently was the voice of a yogurt and then began writing children's literature- three things for which I am trying really hard not to be jealous of her.  I plan to read all three of the books, actually, but this happened to be the first one to arrive in the mail.

     Should we ever become too old to enjoy reading children's books? Obviously, I answer that with a resounding "perish the thought!" If you're still not convinced, my excuse is that my eldest niece has a birthday coming up and because she is turning into quite the well-read young person, I wanted to contribute to her collection with a series of which she probably hasn't yet heard, but will most likely greatly enjoy. Of course, like any good aunt, I am kind enough to fully preview literature for her...meaning that I am definitely secretly reading her birthday books before I give them to her....don't tell, thanks.

     Ellie May Can Definitely Be Trusted to Keep a Secret is truly a refreshing gem amongst today's writings for young ladies. The book's protagonist is a young mega-star who is balancing a busy career with learning how life and friendships actually work, which is sometime contrary to how we initially (and maybe a bit selfishly) think things should work. The book tells a tale in which Ellie May and her chaperone Jeffrey travel to New York City for an important interview. During the trip, Ellie May finds herself in one pickle after another, but by the end of it, I think she's learned a few lessons on what it means to be a true friend. I love this book because while it is written on a level simple enough for children to comprehend, it is also not at all written in a way which belittles their intelligence or capacity for wit. In  the fashion of true British humor, this book does not spell out every single joke for the reader (which in my opinion is fantastic). There is a fair amount of sarcasm to be grasped in the story, though I will firmly assert that it is not obnoxious nor disrespectful sarcasm which is another reason why it is so perfect and enjoyable to read. My favorite line, I think, is a description of a television show's set and the line reads "...and as Ellie May stepped round the television cameras she could see the city lit up like a Christmas tree in the shape of New York." To be completely honest, the entire book was absolutely hilarious in the best way possible.

     I also greatly appreciated that the story spins evidence and reason for good, strong morals, but it also leaves enough open for the reader to wonder and interpret for herself which choice would ultimately be the right one to make. Written primarily for girls aged 7-10, I would definitely recommend this series for young ladies who are beginning to make personal discoveries about the world around them and who are also beginning to dream of what they might contribute to this big, big world. Ellie May and her adventurous adventures will give you feelings of joy, sadness, excitement and pure and silly happiness. If you would like to find out more about Marianne Levy and the Ellie May books, you can do so at their website here. Also, if you'd like to order the books for your own daughter, niece, granddaughter (or obviously, it's perfectly acceptable to purchase them for yourself!) and you currently live in America, I have been told that the best place to order them is on the big, bad Amazon so as to avoid astronomical shipping charges...you can do so here.

      And now, with a few books to add to your own "To Read" list, I will leave you with a few more photos of what spring looks like in New Jersey, because I definitely have not shared enough about that...

Searching for Spring (and figuring out goodbyes)

     In recent years, I have found that sometimes, in the midst of huge changes and transitions, I quite literally have to force life to slow, if even for just a few hours some warm and sunny afternoon. Today was one of those coveted days where I had carved out plans for exploring at a place that lives about ten minutes from my childhood home- Allaire Sate Park. There is something so pure and so filling about spending time walking the ground and breathing the air of the place where I began life and it is all the more wonderful when this time is spent with a friend I've known longer than memory serves me to date our meeting. I am so thankful for the refreshment of spirit received in just stilling time and living fully present in the moment with a an old soul-friend. 

     With plans (Lord willing) to spend the next two years of my life in southern Poland, I have been starting to wonder exactly how I should be preparing to leave both mentally and emotionally. The physical motions of moving I could probably accomplish with my eyes shut and hands tied behind my back at this point, but the processing of the heart is something that still eludes me. Right now, I think I'm only beginning to ask God and think on what I should be doing or how I should be preparing to go. I think today was a good step in the right direction. 
     There are so many major life changes just around the bend and speeding quickly towards several close friends this year. It's thrilling, but a bit unnerving. I do not think anyone can really know what changes will truly look or feel like as the full move into normal and steady adult life begins. When 24 turns to 25 and almost 26, there seems to be less paths from which to choose, but they're each somehow clearer and more solid in appearance. Whatever lies ahead, I am so thankful for this time and these days in between here and there. I am learning to savor each precious moment spent with those I love most and I am learning the value of carving out time to spend in the quiet of beautiful, beautiful nature. When winter finally and truly gives up, it is the perfect time to head outdoors and find what new things spring is holding for discovery as ever onward life races. (And yes, I was dressed a bit like "Where's Waldo" today- I stand by my fashion choices.)

Reflections on Foundations

     I grew up in a small town near the coast in New Jersey called Point Pleasant (the Boro, not the Beach). It's a place where, whether in the ocean or your backyard pool, you learn to swim almost before you can walk (though I was a bit of a late bloomer with this). It's also a place where crabbing, boarding and carefully navigating pebble-filled sand in bare-feet are normal life skills and sarcasm is basically the first taught language. It's close enough to the city to enjoy Manhattan, but far enough to have clean beach water in which to spend your summer living. Most people have a dog, a bike, play soccer and if you're not Italian, Polish or Irish in some way, your next-door neighbor surely is. In spring, summer and early autumn the air smells of grills, hot pavement, suntan lotion, cigarettes and salt air. Some things, of course, have started to change with time, but maybe because I don't reside here anymore, for me the core is always the same. We're loud, suburban, family-oriented and have dry orange skin. It's wonderful, really.

     My favorite place on the planet lays just a mile from my hometown and is actually where our main street ends. If you're on Bridge Ave, just keep heading east until the earth ends and the sea begins and you'll find the beach at Bay Head. It is somehow always beautiful here, even when it's storming. It's quiet and peaceful and you feel so close to who you really are and who the Creator is that it might actually be the best place for thinking on the planet.

     I often feel the need to come back here when life is sifting and scenes are changing or moving on. It's where I let God remind me who I am and who He has called me to be. It's where I can breathe a deep sigh of relief and lay myself back into His hands, because in this place, for me, His love is so generous and so strong and so obvious.    
     I am thankful for this life He's given me, as ever changing and at times, confusing, it may be. It's His story over my life and that's the only story I'm truly interested in living. I'm also so thankful for warm and sunny April afternoons where life seems quiet and all is well, even if just for a moment. Today reminded me of the firm foundation I am building upon and what else could I ask for, really?