Bellingham.

I have returned to Bellingham for the span of time before next quarter that is Spring Break. The break itself doesn’t feel so “break-ish”. I spent several hours studying for yet another test this afternoon. It is necessary so that I can pass (medical interpreter’s certification exam: The oral exam. I get to speak Spanish in a manner that proves I don’t suck.)

On the other hand. I did wake up at noon, watch 3 movies (2 with my parents), and eat tasty food. So, perhaps it’s still a break after all.

The recent thing that I have been pondering is whether I return to Seattle after the Summer or if I should stay in Bellingham. Both have pros and cons, but as of yet I have not made a definitive jump one way or another. To be honest I am leaning towards coming back to Seattle. You can pray for me though. Maybe God will tip me off…

When I get to Bellingham my world seems to shrink a bit. I felt larger than usual today as I walked out in the backyard. No real reason why…I just did. I even shaved my beard off.

I watched this film called “Children of duder” or something like that. Honestly, I didn’t really pay attention to the title. It’s about this british journalist who goes to China prior to WW2 and helps a bunch of Chinese orphans survive and learn to be human beings (I will spoil the film soon, so if you plan on seeing it skip this paragraph.). He dies at the end after falling in love with war-hardened foxy nurse lady. Balls. I always end films of this sort expecting the ending to be good. Like all good movies should make great efforts to accomplish. I dunno why. I guess I see movies about guys falling in love with women of their dreams and accomplishing cool things and I want the story to end in a good way. When hero dies at the end…it makes me unhappy.

I think that is one of the things that I love about Jesus. This isn’t why I believe in the resurrection, but it just happens to be one of those things in life that is as good as it sounds: Jesus died, but then came back to life. Jesus fulfilled in the gospel that part of me (and hopefully you) that screams at the end of sad movies wanting the ending to be what we expect. I WANT the film to end with an uplifting moment. I want more than the crappy reality this life has to offer. I do feel unfulfilled when heroes die at the end of stories, but when I look at Jesus I realize that all the things I’m jones-ing for in films happened in real life.

The worst thing ever happened: Jesus died. BUT then He came back and He came back better than ever. His death was necessary for Him to be who He is. His death was part of the fulfillment of His life and then afterward that life lives on in us through the Holy Spirit. If that isn’t the best ending/non-ending to any story I don’t know what is. I for one don’t walk away from reading the gospels and think “I wish that had ended differently.” I walk away thinking: “He has risen indeed. What’re we doing today Jesus?”