When going back is the quickest way on...

This bit of Lewis reminds me of G. K. Chesterton's bit on the Imbecile Habit.

We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken the wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. We have all seen this when doing arithmetic. When I have started a sum the wrong way, the sooner I admit this and go back and start again, the faster I shall get on. There is nothing progressive about being pig headed and refusing to admit a mistake. ... Going back is the quickest way on.

- C. S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity"

KGK Spring Camp

Last week I spent 4 days in Iwate with over 60 university students from all over the Tohoku at the Kirisutosha Gakusei Kai (KGK) Spring Camp. And as usual I took almost no photos. But I did get this one of the graduating students.

The banner reads "Do you love me?" (Jesus question to Peter after the resurrection.) " What does it mean to love God?"

I like that last question, "What does it mean to love God?" Perhaps we should reflect on that one more often!

All the thrills... and none of the cost

I'm reading C.S. Lewis again. His "Mere Christianity" is so quotable that I'd quote the whole thing here if I thought people would read it! But I imagine that even this paragraph will probably be skimmed over by many of my readers.

One reason why many people find Creative Evolution so attractive is that it gives one much of the emotional comfort of believing in God and none of the less pleasant consequences. When you are feeling fit and the sun is shining and you do not want to believe that the whole universe is a mere mechanical dance of atoms, it is nice to be able to think of this great mysterious Force rolling on through the centuries and carrying you on its crest. If, on the other hand, you want to do something rather shabby, the Life-Force, being only a blind force, with no morals and no mind, will never interfere with you like that troublesome God we learned about when we were children. The Life-Force is a sort of tame God. You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you. All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has yet seen?

C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity"

青森に向かっています

旅の楽しみはやっぱりお弁当!

Anna (Daughter # 1) arrived today with her daughter in tow. Anna sent me this photo of Erin with her Obento (lunch box - in this case a rice ball) from the train.

Another Tea Party

Mia Faith, "Aunt Meimei" and Emma Grace

Daughter # 3 and I spent a couple of days up in Kazamaura last week. It's such a L O N G drive - but a refreshing change. I've got the best daughter-in-law in the world! I can say this because I've only got one son! :-)

We talked and talked. I read "Grandma's Cat" and "Grandfather's Journey" to Grace many times, then her "Aunt Meimei" took her on a long walk while Yuko and I talked some more ...

Then we finished with one of our Elliot traditions - a tea party!

猫と同じく…

小さなスペースにはまるのが大好きです

Erin really likes small spaces!

This is very unlike her Baba! I sometimes feel claustrophic in perfectly decent sized rooms... especially if the schedule is crowded. I find with each year that passes that I need to really be more careful to choose being Mary over Martha - as much for my mental health as my spiritual health!

どこへ行くのやら…Part 2 Where will she go?

Daughter # 1's daughter likes to go out! This is not a surprise. All my children liked to go out. "Out" was one of the first words they learned.

Erin with her Daddy's shoes

今日はおめかししていますね。

Dressing up and going out!

Daughter # 1's husband is going away on business this week and so she and Erin will be coming down to visit next weekend. That should be fun for all of us.