Asking and Receiving

So she (Little Sprout) found the hidden turkey.

Yeah, we do tend toward vegetarian meals, but this was an elusive paper turkey that had survived Thanksgiving by hiding out in the local library. Kids spotting the happy turkey would receive a small prize.

You have to report to the reference librarian and tell her where you spied Tom. That's when the problem started.

"No, you do it." was the demand.

" You saw the turkey. You want the prize, you need to tell the librarian. Mommy didn't find it and Mommy doesn't really want the prize. But I'll go to the desk with you."

The discussion ended badly and we left the library.

She is angry. I'm a mean mommy, even though she didn't say it out loud. I'm sure if she had more colorful vocabulary I would be something else.

She didn't get what she wanted and what she knew the librarian would have loved to give her, simply because she wasn't willing to ask. And to ask nicely.

Why am I blogging about this? Because it's more than the story of a wayward turkey, a stubborn little girl, and the mean mommy.

I got the message Lord.

Sleeping Late on Black Friday

The Black Friday Five from the RevGalsBlogPals

1. Would you ever/have you ever stood in line for something--tickets, good deals on electronics, Tickle Me Elmo?

Never have and probably never will. Otherwise I would likely end up in the group I malign in question #5.

2. Do you enjoy shopping as a recreational activity?

Sometimes when I'm on vacation and there are no "to do" lists to complete, but otherwise no.

3. Your favorite place to browse without necessarily buying anything.

Yard sales & craft fairs. Although not as much fun lately, because my 5 year old yard sale buddy thinks you can not leave without some new treasure in hand.

4. Gift cards: handy gifts for the loved one who has everything, or cold impersonal symbol of all that is wrong in our culture?

Both. Also the potentially perfect gift for those who never like any of the gifts you give them. Now I'm wondering why I beat my head against the gift giving wall for so many years when I could've just given my now-deceased mother a gift card...oh yeah I know why.

5. Discuss the spiritual and theological issues inherent in people coming to blows over a Playstation 3.

"For all have sinned..." came to mind. And some of us just do so with more stupidity than others.

I asked Little Sprout this one. Her response was "They shouldn't do that, it is just a game!"

That leaves me to wonder. What if it's not just a game, but something REALLY important like that very expensive, non-imaginative, techno toy that Little Sprout wants (but won't be getting for a variety of reasons) or the small kitchen appliance usually darling husband has been coveting, or whatever that thing is that I'll decide I can't live without?

That's why I sleep in on Black Friday.

More on the Pink Slips

Those little "pink slips" of my previous post came back with a strong vote of confidence and greater commitment to the church vision. We still need to face the financial difficulties, but it is good to know we are standing together as a family.

United.

I'm tickled pink.

Pink Slip

I don't usually blog on Sunday.

But this is a different Sunday.

Almost every Sunday for over the last 3 years has been very similar. Yeah, there were the ones I missed church due to illness, child's illness, or some other good reason or sometimes "good" excuse. I didn't miss church today.

We smiled as we gathered. We sang, some of us mightily off key. We prayed. We read Bible verses. We listened to the pastor's message. We worshiped. All the same stuff.

Today we had a potluck. We do that sometimes, especially for holidays and other special events. It wasn't what made today different.

Then.

The pastor held a special meeting. The church is struggling. Financially, spiritually, and so many ways. What things need to change? What must be done?

Before the meeting two papers were given out. One with a simple visual/key words of the vision. And as the meeting progressed we were asked to write down any areas where we as individuals felt called to increased commitment (prayer, small groups, discipleship, etc).

There was more to discuss. Do we believe he is the one to lead and do we agree with the vision he brought to the church when it first began as a church-plant less than a decade ago?

The second paper was a small pink slip...
For a single, simple Yes or No.

I know it is in God's hands. I know that it will work out as it so often does when we think all may be lost.

Still I can't stop thinking about pink slips, and wondering is there any significance in that choice.

Thankful for the Friday Five

This RevGal Friday Five is about the 5 things/people we are thankful for this year.

I can actually answer with one word. But being a woman of many words, I won't.

1. Being part of the family of God. I AM the prodigal son (well, daughter) ...turning my back, running away to things that glitter but welcomed back with joy and feasting.

2. My MIL and SILs and BIL...all my ILs. My usually darling hubby comes from a wonderful family. Perhaps it is easy for me to feel that way because they all live so far away and all over the world so we just get to share the best. I think it would be wonderful to have an extended family thanksgiving someday but logistically not likely.

3. My family and memories of large maternal family dinners on Thanksgiving when grandma, all my aunts, uncles and cousins would gather to share for food, fun, napping, and usually more food. And it wasn't just Thanksgiving...I remember the July picnics, Easter & Christmas dinners, graduations, and funeral dinners (and yes, those included fun too as we shared funny stories in remembrance) There's only my Dad, 1 aunt and 1 uncle left of the previous generations. And the cousins are scattered and starting to become grandmas and grandpas overseeing their own dinner traditions.

4. My local church family, with its love, hugs, eccentric uncles, crazy cousins, family squabbles and more love. I am thankful that while we never get to share a Thanksgiving meal with our families of origin, we are looking forward the church Thanksgiving potluck this Sunday...shared real family.

5.Internet families. Like, RevGals that I discovered this year. And ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network), where I became a member of the family 5 years ago. And a few others. The support, the cyberhugs (and sometimes real ones too), and words of wisdom make us truly family.

Family.

And although I've already given 5 answers...there is one more answer to my family theme. I am so, so thankful for my Little Sprout, Fenway (doggie-boy), and Usually Darling Hubby. We've shared another year of love, growth, tears, and joy.

When You Mix Red and Blue

You get purple!

It is Friday again and here's the latest Revgal Friday Five:

Those of us who are in the United States have just been through quite a topsy-turvy election. During the campaign we heard a fair amount about red states and blue states, when in fact most of us live in some shade of purple. And so... a lighter look at those confounding colors:

1. Favorite red food

Must be red bell pepper.

2. Tell us about the bluest body of water you've ever seen in person.

A beach on the island of St. Thomas. I can still envision the blue and feel the fear as I learned to snorkel. I could barely swim. Even wearing a life vest, I was panicked to see the sandy bottom so far below. Maybe it was the adrenaline rush that made it look so blue.

3. It's movie rental time: Blue Planet, The Color Purple, or Crimson Tide?
I never heard of Blue Planet. I don't think I saw Crimson Tide but I did enjoy The Hunt for Red October. I vaguely remember The Color Purple, Oprah and being required to read the book for a college class. So I'd probably save my rental money hit the local library and choose between Rudoph the Red Nosed Reindeer--The Movie, Blues Clues: Blue's Big Musical Movie, or Purple Rain. Yeah, Purple Rain...don't remember it well, but that's probably the one for me.

4. What has you seeing red these days?
Lots of things. Must we go there? Houses buried in clutter, dirt, mold, and decay. People who say, "Well, I don't need to do anything, somebody else will take care of it eventually." I know who the somebody else is!

People who become obsessed with something/someone they can't change and can't let go. That's me in the mirror. So I'll stop here.

5. What or who picks you up when you're feeling blue?

A rousing game of Nocturnal Chicken with Little Sprout. I guess that needs a bit of explanation. The game begins with closing all curtains and turning off all lights in one room to make it as dark as possible. Nocturnal--get it? Then everyone is a chicken. Which means we baw, baw, bawk and walk around the room with wings flapping. But not just any bawking will do. According to the game's creator, you must begin the game bawking to the tune of Beethoven's 5th symphony. After that, a variety of songs are selected. The game continues until all are exhausted from the laughing or mom needs to get the laundry out.

I love this game. It is in direct contrast to elections. Everybody wins. On the other hand, maybe it is like the campaigns many of us have just endured. Or a foreshadowing of the clucking and wing flapping in Washington as all sides try to find their way.

Sunny Afternoon in Wisconsin

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Quiet Morning in Wisconsin

I sit here this morning, yearning to hear the soulful cooing of the mourning dove. The sound used to evoke soothing feelings of comfort, now a few years after the enactment of dove hunting season it expresses my ever growing grief and dissatisfaction.

I never thought that on the day after the election, I'd be thinking about mourning doves. Even more so, I never thought this day would have me pondering the beauty of Arizona. I've never been there. But now I want to at least visit. I want to find out what makes Arizona different. And probably not so different.

While Wisconsinites were following the trend, Arizona voters were daring to ignore precedent and stand apart.

As half of a heterosexual couple, legally married in the eyes of Wisconsin voters and government, why do I care?

I don't know exactly. Or maybe I do and it is just difficult to explain in words.

Maybe it's because of families. Or about estrangement. I know some of it is because of compassion and love. And at the same time it's about opportunities for judgement and hatred. And while I realize this issue doesn't seem to harm me, the next one may...who will stand up for me?

Yesterday, Wisconsin also voted to reinstate the death penalty.

Statistically, I'm not likely to be or know someone who will be impacted by this. So why do I care? Again the answers that come are the same ones...