How we cite our quotes: The main text of the story is cited (Chapter.Paragraph). The date headers are not counted as paragraphs. The verses in the chapters with a single passage from the narrator's religious texts are cited (Chapter.Verse.Line#). In chapters with multiple passages, the verses are cited (Chapter.Verse#.Line#). The four section pages with the years and passages are cited (Year.Verse).
Quote #4
We are all Godseed, but no more or less
so than any other aspect of the universe,
Godseed is all there is—all that
Changes. Earthseed is all that spreads
Earthlife to new earths. The universe is
Godseed. Only we are Earthseed. And the
Destiny of Earthseed is to take root among
the stars. (7.Verse1.Line1-8)
In this verse passage from her Earthseed: The Books of the Living, Lauren first divides up what exists: everything is Godseed, and humanity is both Godseed and Earthseed. Then, Lauren goes on to say that Earthseed has a special task, or Destiny: to take root among the stars. She's pretty much the only character in the novel (besides the astronaut Alicia Leal) who's gung-ho about getting to space, however. But envisioning that ultimate goal seems to help encourage her during her daily life. And, oh, psst, here's a secret: the space stuff does play a role in the novel's sequel, Parable of the Talents.
Quote #5
I'm going to go north. [...]
I wonder if there are people outside who will pay me to teach them reading and writing—basic stuff—or people who will pay me to read or write for them. Keith started me thinking about that. I might even be able to teach some Earthseed verses along with the reading and writing. Given any chance at all, teaching is what I would choose to do. Even if I have to take other kinds of work to get enough to eat, I can teach. If I do it well, it will draw people to me—to Earthseed. (11.48-49)
Lauren writes this shortly after the Garfields start working on moving to Olivar. At this point in the novel, change is striking our narrator's life more and more, and she's trying to figure out what she should do. She has these somewhat abstract, big-picture goals to teach Earthseed and lead humanity to the stars, but she also has to figure out the mundane facts of how she's going to find money to stay alive. It turns out that even in the sci-fi of the future, achieving your dreams sometimes requires moolah. Or at least hard work.
Quote #6
We'll adapt. We'll have to. God is Change. (13.97)
Isn't there some saying that the best-laid plans of mice and men both go awry eventually? Yeah, that's why Lauren can't plan everything out in her journals while she's in Robledo. After all, her own beliefs say God is change. She—and those who follow her—will have to adapt when life throws stuff at them. So dreams, hopes, and plans are only good for so much. In the end, you still have to be flexible and pay attention to what unplanned opportunities and problems come your way.