Fall Equinox Friday Five

It's actually been cooler here the last few days (highs in the 80's instead of low 100's), so todays meme from Revgalblogpals seems appropriate.

Songbird writes:

It's that time of year, at least north of the equator. The windows are still open, but the darned furnace comes on early in the morning. My husband went out for a walk after an early supper and came home in full darkness.And yes, where we live, leaves are beginning to turn.As this vivid season begins, tell us five favorite things about fall:

1) A fragrance: Cinnamon candles and wet leaves

2) A color: Peach (see special day)

3) An item of clothing: Fuzzy slipper socks needed for walking on cool tile floors. I have stripes and solids. I put them on when I put on my pajamas and take them off after I'm in bed. They stay right there beside the bed until I need them the next morning.

4) An activity: Sitting in big chair reading in above slipper socks.

5) A special day: Our anniversary - it will be 28 years next month. Our bridesmaids wore peach, and the groomsmen wore dark brown. Very fallish.

Family Hurricane Update

Sister who lives between Houston and Galveston directly in path of Ike -safe with her daughters in our hometown with our mother -out of the storm's path. Her husband sat out storm in basement of large corporation building in downtown Houston where he was required to be at work - they have power from some source. He has since been able to get back to their home. They have no structural damage to the home they are selling and only minor damage to the one they are buying. Power is out and limbs cover the ground, but they are quite relieved.

Dad & Wife - further north on I-45 in direct path of Ike - no power, but have generator. Power company recording says it may take weeks to restore power. One big tree down, didn't hit house, cars.... All safe.

Step Sister & family living south of Houma, LA- returned home from Gustav evacuation with all their worldly possessions on Thursday - all was well with house. On Friday, levees broken by Ike storm surge forcing sudden evacuation - She was at work and the police wouldn't let her get to her house. She only has the clothes she had on. They are at a hotel somewhere and cell phone service not working well. No report. This family made it through Katrina only to be flooded out in Rita. This whole Gustav - Ike thing is feeling too familiar.

Please continue your prayers.

Latest Good News: All are safe. Home south of Houma is fine. This new one was built 6 feet off the ground and didn't flood! Conroe and League City still with out power. Prayers for all those working to restore services and for all those who suffered much loss.

More Good News: Power back on in League City. Sister, girls, dog, and cat headed home.


Lord show us how we can be your servants in these circumstances. Amen.

Feminism and Motherhood

Please Note: This is not a political commentary or opinion. It is simply a reflection on my own values as I responded internally to political events of the last several days.

I have been convicted by my own judgement of others recently. I must admit that when I learned that Sarah Palin has a child who is only a few months old and another dealing with teenage pregnancy, I wondered if this is really the time for her to run for Vice-President. This was not a reflection on her capabilities, electability, or even if she's the best candidate. I simply wondered if it is in her family's best interest for her to be involved in this campaign and possibly to serve as Vice-President of the United States at this time.

Here's the rub. I left my well established teaching career and changed my family's financial and life situation in order to attend seminary and pursue ordained ministry. I won't go into whether or not Sarah Palin feels called by God in her government service. That's not the issue. The question for me is how do I balance my understanding that women (specifically myself as a woman) can do anything we chose and shouldn't be limited by our gender with the fact that we have chosen to have families. At our son's adoption placement ceremony, G&T and I made vows to raise manBoy in a loving home and to know God's love. I take those vows as seriously as I do my wedding vows and those I took at my commissioning for ministry. It was those vows that led me to take my current position which is less demanding of my evening and weekend time during these last few years manBoy is at home than if I was pastoring a church.

One question I ask myself is would I have wondered about the timing of this candidacy if the candidate had been a man with the same family circumstances. I must say probably not. Indeed, you could say I'm pretty hipocritical or old fashioned about some of this.

In the end, I think I can't consider this only from a feminist vs. motherhood view. For my current situation, it boils down to love. I love God and want to be in ministry for God. I also love my family whom I believe are gifts from God. In The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck's definition of love includes “The will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.” I believe that sometimes love also means limiting one's self for the purpose of nuturing another.

Whether or not my questions about Governor Palin's decisions are fair or gender biased, I believe I have made the best decision for myself and my family. The only fair thing I can do is believe that Sarah Palin is capable of making her own decision as well.