Called to be Cinderellas

(I mentally wrote this little post years ago — haha!)

I so loved the live action Cinderella. Growing up, Cinderella was (and is) my favorite Disney movie. She responded to the degradation, abuse and familial mistreatment with optimism, hope, grace, perseverance, love and kindness. She never lied or ran away or retaliated. She was perfect. (I think that’s why many don’t like her, preferring Belle and her humanity. Just like the Superman/Batman controversy.)

In the recent version, she’s discovered and released and tries on the slipper and all is well for the prince found her, but... there is still this feeling like the climax hasn’t happened yet. Weird. And then...

As the happy couple leave, the stepmother shows at the top of the staircase. All halt, the cheery music stops, you realize that you are holding your breath and the tension is palpable... and then Cinderella declares, “I forgive you." Wow. Now that was unexpected. Out of everything she could have said... the writers chose the Christlike forgiveness response for her?! And now you have your sense of closure, your climax.

At first, I was shocked that forgiveness was portrayed as strong and beautiful. Now, Cinderella really is the most Christlike princess.

March 2020

• Activities during the month of March besides a lot unpacking fun: My mom returned home to convalescence; Ricky updated at the DMV; went to Morganton one day to run errands, meet people for dinner and church elders; met with our new housecleaner, a sweet Hispanic lady who comes every other week; had a family that we trained with in Florida two years ago over for dinner; Ricky met with a retired judge for lunch; met with the doula for the birth; the big kids got to attend a homeschool P.E. group twice; had two more families over for dinners; my parents came two separate weekends to help with more unpacking projects; the midwives come to our home to meet and have our first prenatal appointment; meet with our backup doula; the social distancing and quarantine begins mid-month; since we gave away our television screen when we moved, our family pizza/movie night has become pizza/game night (which we have all enjoyed; and, Ricky has joined his department’s prayer and staff meetings via Zoom.
• Raphael’s romps: calls poop ‘boop’ and toots are’doodies’ ; is all boy (loves being loud, vehicles, gun sounds, balls, kicking, is rough and tough, bugs, food, outdoors, dirt...); and, is very organized and neat :)

• School verses: Aolani and Micaiah -- Psalm 24:3-10
• Verses I memorized: I am reviewing Psalm 103 for this baby.

February 2020

• Activities during the month of February besides a lot unpacking fun: We had many guy friends help us do some minor remodeling of our new house, packing, moving, unloading, assembling furniture, painting...; two, long IKEA visits; Ricky shared with a group of pastors; Ricky’s dad and brother came for a visit and brought lots of used furniture, etc; celebrated Aolani’s birthday in Morganton at our friends’ house with a spa party and several of her friends; visited three local churches before the quarantine; got to go see Ken Fish; and, we got to attend a FamilyLife marriage retreat for free (as Wycliffe missionaries) one weekend in Myrtle Beach while my mom babysat the kids here at our house!

• School verses for the new school year: Aolani and Micaiah -- 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 24:1-2
• Verses I memorized: I finished memorizing Psalm 103 for this baby.