From The Garden

This weekend, a small dream came true. I got my very own lemon tree! I opened our front door several times this evening just to admire it. I hope we can take good care of it and that it will bring us fruit for many years.

We had a great afternoon of gardening. We added 3 tomato plants, 4 lavender bushes, and of course, our meyer lemon tree. Today's planting doubled the size of our little experiment in (mostly) container gardening.

After we were done, we made lemonade with homemade basil simple syrup. It was delicious! It's so nice to have such an abundant little herb garden. Hopefully before too long, the lemons will be from home, too!

Movies Worth A Second Look: Lars and the Real Girl

Did you pass over this movie? Did you see the sex doll and think it would be too crass? Did you learn that Ryan Gosling played someone delusional and think it would be too "out there" for you?

This movie is worth a second look.

It ranks among the most tender movies I have ever seen.

It's a beautiful portrait of what it looks like to be a community, and how to be accepting of others.

 It is at times funny and other times very moving. Ryan Gosling delivers a brilliant performance.

Some of the questions it raises include:

How can we be our most welcoming community?

How can we treat others with mental illness with dignity?

What does it mean to be an adult?

What does the church have to do to be welcoming?

If you haven't seen it, you should make a date to watch it.