Friday Five: If

Fellow revgal Jan writes:

In EFM this week, our question was, "If you were a color, what would you be?" So that's where this Friday Five comes from, at least its jumping off place.


1. If you were a color, what would you be?  I'd be red.  It's a bold color, it's racy and it's out there.  Kind of like my personality.

2. If you were a flower (or plant), what would you be?  I would be a lilac bush.  So beautiful and comforting.  Blossoms in the spring with it's wonderful flowers and comforting smell.

3. If you were an animal, what kind would you be?  I'd be a cat.  Pampered and spoiled and divalike in every way.

4. If you were a shoe, what type would you be?  I'd be a Doc Marten boot.  Very radical.

5. If you were a typeface, which font would you be?  I'd be comic book san sarif.  A fun little font that is pleasing to the eyes.

Friday Five: Thanksgiving Thoughts

Fellow Revgal Jan shares this poem on the blogpal website

The Cure

Lying around all day
with some strange new deep blue
weekend funk, I'm not really asleep
when my sister callsto say she's just hung up
from talking with Aunt Bertha
who is 89 and ill but managing
to take care of Uncle Frank
who is completely bed ridden.
Aunt Bert says
it's snowing there in Arkansas,
on Catfish Lane, and she hasn't been
able to walk out to their mailbox.
She's been suffering
from a bad case of the mulleygrubs.
The cure for the mulleygrubs,
she tells my sister,is to get up and bake a cake.
If that doesn't do it, put on a red dress.

So this Friday before Thanksgiving, think about Aunt Bert and how she'll celebrate Thanksgiving! And how about YOU?

1. What is your cure for the "mulleygrubs"? I've been suffering from the "mulleygrubs" quite a bit this month, read my blog posts to find out why. I like to listen to music and talk to friends when I'm feeling blue. Sometimes I'll fix my computer or other things around the house so I can enjoy a sense of accomplishment. I'll eat lots of french fries with mayonaise and other forms of comfort food.

2. Where will you be for Thanksgiving?

I'll be at my partner's friend's. She and her husband just bought a house and so they are having a big thanksgiving blow out with family and friends. I am looking forward to this!

3. What foods will be served? Which are traditional for your family?

Turkey, mashed potatoes all the fixings. We will be bringing my family's traditional cranberry salad with marshmellows and walnuts.

4. How do you feel about Thanksgiving as a holiday?

Love Thanksgiving because we get to eat turkey. I so love turkey

5. In this season of Thanksgiving, what are you grateful for?

See the above answer.

Friday Five: Childlike edition

Today’s Friday Five celebrates the spontaneous child in all of us… or at least the one that we admire in someone else:

1) On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being I can’t do this now I am about to jump into a pit of plastic balls at the mini-mall and 1 being I can’t do this now until I can get all of the fonts on my blog to match – where are you? Oh I definitely am a 5. I have a very young spirit and anyone who encounters senses this. My motto is life is to short to be so serious.

2) What is the silliest/most childlike thing you have done as an adult? I do silly things all the time. I like to think that life is a musical and so I've been known to break out into song and dance spontaneously. There was the time where I stood up on a coffee table in a coffee shop and sang to my friends (almost got us kicked out). When I was a chaplain, I used to sing and dance down the halls to stay up in the middle of the night. My favorite place to sing was the ICU. I regret that cuz I'm sure once those folks woke out of their comas they probably South Park songs in their heads.

3) Any regrets? Yep, but I'm not going to write about that incident, I'm too embarrassed.

4) What is the silliest thing you have ever seen another adult do on purpose?
My father-in-law mooned my partner and I as we walked past his house. Oh so silly. Oh so white, I close my eyes and I can still see the glare.

5) What is something you wish you did when you had the chance? Kiss my same gendered partner in front of Fred Phelps. We had an opportunity but she was too nervous. So I kissed my best gay boyfriend instead. Didn't have the same effect regrettably.

BONUS: For our ‘I told you so’ sides – what thing did you skip doing and you’re really glad you did!Please let us know if you played in the comments including putting a link to your post. I wish I could say I skipped a silly thing but unfortunately I have poor impulse control.

Good Friday Five

1. How will you pray and worship today? I am participating in a peace and social justice vigil from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. We will meditate on the stations of the cross in the context of what troubles our world today. We will pray for peace.

2. Share a powerful memory or memories of Good Friday past. I went to a Good Friday service at a Catholic Cathedral several years ago. It was a powerful service because it was almost all ritual in its content. The service began with the liturgists taking off their shoes and kissing the ground. At one point a cantor sang over and over again "God oh God why have you forsaken me." Then a huge cross was passed around the congregation. It was an emotional service for me because the elements reached past my head into my heart.

3. How have you grown and experienced God's love during this past Lent? I am struggling with a major unbloggable event. I am anxious, heart broken and scared. However I've had many angels pop up to give me encouragement along the way. God is speaking through them, letting me know that all shall be well. Some of those angels are my RevGalBlogPals. Thank you and God bless you.

4. In whom do you see the face of the suffering Christ most clearly? Me. As I listened to the Tenabrae service last night, I found myself relating to the things that Christ did through the passion story.

5. Where do you find hope for resurrection?Bonus: Share a song, poem, or prayer that makes the paschal mystery come alive for you.

Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. (John 16: 22-25)

Friday Five: Memorable Pets

My Revgalblogpal and beloved friend Songbird gave her dog Molly over to God this week. Molly was such a good dog and what a wonderful tribute to Molly and all pets to honor them this week with a Friday Five.

1. The queen of absolutely everything. I gave her over to God on November 29, 2008. The loss is recent, the grief is still there. I miss her so much but am comforted by the thought of her being with God, telling God what to do.

2. My confessor. Because my cat was more haughty than present, I turned to a neighbor kitty to listen to my secrets. He lived next door yet took over our yard during the summer. When I was an overnight chaplain, I'd come home in the morning and he'd greet me in my yard ready to listen to what I went through the night before.

3. Charlie (aka King Charles), my high school boyfriends cat. He was an orange tabby who stole my heart. He taught me how to give cats the respect they deserve.

4. Crosby, the next door dog and my confessor's roommate. From the moment he met me he fell in love with me. He would get so excited when he saw me that he would leap for joy and then shower me with kisses when I came near.

5. Molly who now takes her place with the communion of Saints

Oh God, you now delight in the presence of a being who was so full of love for all who encountered her. Heaven is a better place now because she is with you. However, help us who are left behind, especially her companion Songbird. Now, there is an empty place in our midst and we miss her. Help us to remember Molly and to keep her love in our hearts forever. Amen.

Friday Five: HGTV Edition

Fellow Revgal Wills Mama writes:

As some of you may know I am in the midst of my first home purchase. It is a new-build and so some of the fun was picking out upgrades and major decor items to my taste rather than walking into a previously owned home that needed to be upgraded room by room (pink and teal tiles in the bathroom, anyone?). As much as decorating is not my thing, I did try to embrace the moment because just how many times do you get to have a do-over on kitchen cabinets/floors/countertops?And so, my questions to you this fine Friday involve your home past, present or future...

1) If you could, what room in the place you are currently living would you redo first? Well I live in an apartment so my redo's are pretty limited. However, I would love to redo the second bedroom which serves as our office. It is too tiny to fit a couple of desks and a boatload of books. I'd make the room bigger and paint the walls a nice soothing color.

2) What is the most hideous feature/color/decor item you have ever seen in a home? Red, black and yellow plaid walls on a remodeled attic. It was a little too bold for this girl's taste.

3) What feature do you most covet? Do you have it? If not, is it within reach? I would love to have a green house that I could operate year round. I am an avid gardener and I get twitchy in the winter because I miss doing gardening. I would love to be able to grow things all year and just sit in the green house waiting for spring during the long New England winters.

4) Your kitchen - love it or hate it? Why? My kitchen is ok, I've had better. Once again it is an apartment kitchen. I would like to have more counter space and an island would be so nice.

5) Here is $10,000 and you HAVE to spend it on the place you are living now. What do you do? I would buy all new furniture. My current stuff is a mixture of hand me downs and used items that we have collected through the years. My new purchases would include a plasma TV with a blue ray DVD player.

BONUS: Why do you think there was such a surplus of ugly bathroom tile colors showcased in all homes built from the 1950's right through the early 80's?

It was a way for oppressed women to take out their anger. Thank God for feminism taking us out of the kitchen and taking the ugliness out of our bathrooms.

Cabin Fever Friday Five

Fellow RevGalPal Singing Owl writes:

"Here in snow country we are settled in to what is a very long stretch of potentially boring days. The holidays are over. It is a very long time till we will get outside on a regular basis. The snow that seemed so beautiful at first is now dirty and the snow banks are piling up. Our vehicles are all the same shade of brownish grey, but if we go to the car wash our doors will freeze shut. People get grumpy. Of course, not everyone lives in a cold climate, but even in warmer places the days till springtime can get long. Help! Please give us five suggestions for combating cabin fever and staying cheerful in our monochromatic world?"

1. Beer
2. Wine
3. Vodka
4. Plenty of munchies.
5. Water and Bayer for the morning after.

Friday Five: Countdown to Christmas Edition

Fellow Revgalpal Songbird writes:

"It's true.There are only five full days before Christmas Day, and whether you use them for shopping, wrapping, preaching, worshiping, singing or traveling or even wishing the whole darn thing were over last Tuesday, there's a good chance they will be busy ones.So let's make this easy, if we can: tell us five things you need to accomplish before Christmas Eve."

Only five things? I have so many more but here it goes.

1. Open an emergency shelter for homeless families in my city. We've been planning this for months and finally got the site yesterday.

2. Plan liturgy for and write a sermon for the Family Christmas Eve service.

3. Get over this cold that I just got this morning. uuuggghh.

4. Clean the house. We are having company on Christmas day.

5. Thank God for coming to us to bring hope and peace in this world.

Friday Five: Coin Toss Version

Fellow RevGalPal Songbird writes,

Well, Gals and Pals, this weekend we'll be rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and that has me thinking about coinage.

1) When was the last time you flipped a coin or even saw one flipped in person?

A therapist once suggested to me that if I have a tough decision to make to flip a coin. Then evaluate my reaction. It will be that reaction that will determine my decision. So every so often I will use that method.

2) Do you have any foreign coins in your house? If so, where are they from?

I have a tin box full of coins from my European trip in 2000. This was before Europe converted to Euros. I think they are really neat, they come from England (Pounds, Pence, Shillings), France (Francs) and Amsterdam (I forgot what they are called). It's cool to take them out and show to kids.

3) A penny saved is a penny earned, they say. But let's get serious. Is there a special place in heaven for pennies, or do you think they'll find a special place in, well, the other place?

I thought pennies came from heaven. Seriously, I don't think pennies have a place in heaven or hell. These are different realms altogether where I hope commerce will not have a place.

4.) How much did you get from the tooth fairy when you were a child? and if you have children of your own, do they get coins, or paper money? (I hear there may be some inflation.)

I got a dollar for every tooth. It was really sweet. When I first heard about the tooth fairy I was so excited, however my mom didn't know I knew about the tooth fairy. The morning after I put my tooth under the pillow, I awoke to nothing but the tooth. I was so disappointed as I told my mom that the tooth fairy forgot about me. She then said that maybe I didn't look hard enough and went to my bedroom with me and "found" a dollar under my pillow. I was so amazed. Since then I always got dollars.

5) Did anyone in your household collect the state quarters? And did anyone in your household manage to sustain the interest required to stick with it?

The only thing that collects quarters in my household are the washing machines in the basement. Growing up my parents were avid coin collectors. They collected all kinds of currency from around the world. I never picked up their passion for currency although I have fond memories of pouring over their coin books as I was growing up.

Friday Five

This week's Friday Five was so intriguing, I just have to participate.

Sally writes:

"I have recently been reading a book entitled Jesus wept, it is all about vulnerability in leadership. The authors speak of how Jesus shared his earthly frustrations and vulnerabilities with a select group of people. To some he was the charismatic leader and teacher, to others words of wisdom were opened and explained and some frustrations shared, to his "inner circle of friends: Peter, James and John, he was most fully himself, and in all of these things he was open to God.So I bring you this weeks Friday 5:"

1. Is vulnerability something that comes easily to you, or are you a private person?

I used to be a let it all hang out, let everyone know my business kind of person but as I grow older I am a lot more private. I've found that sharing too much can be harmful but I wonder if I've gone to the other extreme in being too private.

I find that I can be most vulnerable with animals. Anything on four legs is my best friend. However my housecat has problems being fully present with me. I try to talk to my cat but she is not good with intense emotions so if I'm crying or very angry I have to find support from another four legged friend. While I was in seminary there was a neighbor cat who would hang out in my yard and was always available to listen to me when I was troubled. I know it's weird to share all my secrets with a neighbor cat but he was a good listener and great at keeping confidences. When I moved out of state, it was tough to say goodbye to him.

My Former Confessor

2.How important is it to keep up a professional persona in work/ ministry?

In my professional life as a minister I am very very private. I feel that I am there to care for them, they are not called to take care of me. I find my sources of support outside of my congregation. In my preaching I will share a struggle that I've wrestled with in the past and have resolved.

3. Masks, a form of self protection discuss...

Yes, I do believe that we need masks in order to protect ourselves and to be effective in our ministries. As a minister I have to be careful about how I treat people and what I say. If I am having a bad day I will not take it out on the people I am working with. Working as a chaplain at a trauma one hospital (just like the show ER) I learned how to appear calm in stressful situations and process after these situations. Neighbor Kitty was especially helpful in the processing because when I'd come home in the morning (I was overnight on-call) he'd always be in my yard waiting for me to talk to him.

Keeping a calm persona has worked well in the parish in that when I encounter a situation that frustrates me or makes me anxious, I am able to remain calm and not be reactive. I do my venting with poeple outside my parish, usually with a friend who lives out of state, my mentor or my partner. Then when I address the issues directly , I am able to do so in a calm manner so as to not blast the other person out of the water as we discuss the issue.


4. Who knows you warts and all?


My partner, my cat, my best friend of 25 + years, my mentor, my spiritual director, my old next door neighbor cat, my revgal pals on the Internet.


5. Share a book, a prayer, a piece of music, a poem or a person that touches the deep place in your soul, and calls you to be who you are most authentically.

I would have to say my partner of 14 years. I am so blessed to have her in my life and I thank God for everyday we are together. She is the one person that I can share everything with.

Friday Five: Lock Me Out, Lock Me In.

Songbird writes: For some reason, Blogger declared this blog possible SPAM and locked us down yesterday. This morning, we're free to post again, but there was a fair amount of excitement last night among our contributors, who found a dire notice on their Blogger dashboards threatening that this blog might be deleted in 20 days!We requested a blog review, and I posted a request at the Blogger Help group, where I found we were not alone. Many other perfectly nourishing and cromulent blogs got the same notice last night.This turned out to be a very small barricade in our blogging community life, but it seemed appropriate to explore locks and blocks and other barriers this week. Also, I liked the picture of the security team above! Could they be Blogger's Spam Prevention Robots, working overtime?In honor of their efforts, I bring you the "Lock Me Out, Lock Me In" Friday Five.

1) How do you amuse yourself when road construction blocks your travel?

I live in a tee-tiny town so we rarely get blocks in our streets so I didn't get a lot of time to amuse myself, but on those rare occasions (which usually involves snow) I will call someone on my cell phone or update my task list on my PDA. If I am traveling I will put on a good CD and sing my heart away.

2) Have you ever locked yourself out of your house? (And do you keep an extra key somewhere, just in case?)

Oh my goodness yes, I am the queen of locking myself out. Thank goodness I have a partner I can call to get her key. Last summer during a really bad rainstorm, the fire alarm went off in our building and I ran out of my apartment with no shoes and no keys and realized that my door to my apartment locks on it's own. A very kind neighbor drove me to my partner's place of employment so I get use her keys to get back in.

3) Have you ever cleared a hurdle? (And if you haven't flown over a material hurdle, feel free to take this one metaphorically.)

I'm not much of a jumper. In her blog Songbird talks about her love of the movie Chariots of Fire and the scene where this guy who does hurdles puts glasses of champagne on the practice hurdles, his goal is to leap them without spilling a drop. If that was me, I'd drink the champagne and crawl under the hurdle's but still I would not spill a drop of champagne :).

There are so many metaphorical hurdles that I have cleared. It would be hard to pick one for this blog.

4) What's your approach to a mental block?

I use the Vicar of Hogsmeade's method of approaching mental blocks.

5) Suggest a caption for the picture above; there will be a prize for the funniest answer!

“Come on people now, smile on your brother. Everybody get together try to love one another right now.“

The Friday Five: What's in a name?

RevHRod writes:

"If you are a regular reader of Songbird's blog, you know that "The Princess" has requested a new name. Her older brother changed his "secret identity" a while back and now this lovely young lady is searching for a new name on her mother's blog. This got me to thinking. How do we come up with all of these names?

There must be at least a few good stories out there. "
1. So how did you come up with your blogging name? And/or the name of your blog?

My name God_guurrlll came to me while I was doing CPE as a chaplain at a hospital. There was one doctor who did not like me and avoided me like the plague. I guess she thought that I was the angel of death or something like that. One of the nurses on the unit noticed the tension and commented on it and I glibly said, "oh she probably doesn't like religious people, I imagine she calls me 'God Girl' behind my back." and thus a nick name was born.

2. Are there any code names or secret identities in your blog? Any stories there?

My cat is the queen of absolutely everything. My spouse is referred to as "my partner in crime."

3. What are some blog titles that you just love? For their cleverness, drama, or sheer, crazy fun?

Bit's and Odd Pieces of of Mindy's Kingdom.
Justice Desserts.
St. Casserole.
You don't have to listen. I just like to talk.
The Vicar of Hogsmeade.
Cheesehead in Paradise.
Knit one, Purl one, Preach one.
Inner Dorothy.

4. What three blogs are you devoted to? Other than the RevGalBlogPals blog of course!

The Ayatollah's Teachings. The pug. The Myth. The Legend. - It is a cute blog written by a pug named Mugsy who fancies himself to be a religious leader in the Muslim tradition.

CrazyAuntPurl - The woman who writes this blog is one strong lady. Her marriage ends unexpectantly and initially she was devastated. However, she got through it by learning how to knit and building a new life for herself. Her blog is hilarious and inspirational all at the same time. She has also written a book about her life called Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-something Who Learned to Knit After he Split.

You Knit What - This is a snarky website that makes fun of some of the knitting that is out there. The comments are the funnest part of this blog.

5. Who introduced you to the world of blogging and why?

I used to be a personal care attendant of an author who kept a blog. She had lots of fun writing on it and it did improve her writing. She encouraged me to start a blog but I was hesitant because I didn't want to put my private life out on the Internet to see.

A year later I stumbled upon the RevGalBlogPal webring and I was impressed by what I saw. I also learned from these women how write powerful blogs and yet remain discreet.

Bonus question: Have you ever met any of your blogging friends? Where are some of the places you've met these fun folks?

In March I went the RevGal big event which happened on a cruise ship from New Orleans to Cozumel Mexico. It was a transformative retreat for me. These wonderful women formed a community that was loving and accepting. It refreshed and renewed me. I'm still empowered by this important trip. Love and peace to my BE pals!!!!

Friday five - Word association

Think summer......are you there? Below you will find five words or phrases. Tell us the first thing you think of on reading each one. Your response might be simply another word, or it might be a sentence, a poem, a memory, a recipe, or a story. You get the idea:

1. rooftop - There was a helipad on the roof of a hospital that I was a chaplain at, they changed it to a "healing pad" when they decided to change the landing place for their helicopter. It was a sanctuary, although it did get hot in the summer.

2. gritty - my sandals, especially after I've been in the garden.

3. hot town (yeah, I know, it's two words) - any town thanks to global warming.

4. night - comes later now that it is summer.

5. dance - don't ever dance at a reception of a wedding that you have officiated. My tee-tiny town is still talking about it and they have pictures. :)

I wish that was me.

Friday Five - Vacation Thoughts...

It is a holiday weekend here in the USA, and the weather forecast for this neck of the woods is great!!! So with that in mind I bring you this Friday Five.

1. Getting ready for summer, do you use the gradual tanning moisturisers ( yes gentlemen you too can answer this!!!), or are you happy to show your winter skin to the world?

I do not desire to get a tan so no gradual tanning moisturisers. I'm one to burn easily however because I am such an avid gardener I do get a tan on my arms and legs. By the end of the summer I get what we Americans call a farmers tan. You can tell fall is comming when I start look like the character Hank Hill with his shirt off. He's on "King of the Hill." (Shout out to my Texan BE buddies)






2.Beach, mountains or chilling by the pool, what/ where is your favourite getaway?

My favorite getaway is being in my garden knee deep in the dirt. Thus the Hank Hill look by the end of the summer.

3.Are you a summer lover or does the long break become wearing?

Summer lovin...had me a blast! Sorry couldn't resist.

I love summer, it is my favorite season and the hotter the better. I seem to thrive in hot and humid weather just like plants!

4.Active holidays; hiking swimming sailing, or lazy days?

I like to be lazy on my vacations, there's nothing better than sitting on a chair outside with a cool drink in my hand, a book on my lap and a lovely scene in front of me.



God_Guurrlll on deck

5.Now to the important subject of food, if you are abroad do you try the local cuisine, or do you prefer to play it safe?

Oh, that's tough. I used to be quite a risk taker in gastronomical adventures, however with age I have lost my intestinal fortitude so I am careful where I eat, especially when I am abroad. I refuse to eat from street vendors. I only drink bottled water or soda with no ice or something with alcohol in it to kill the germs :), I only eat thoroughly cooked foods and no salad or fruit (unless it involves alcohol).

Wait and Pray Friday 5

Part of the Ascension Day Scripture from Acts 11 contains this promise from Jesus;"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Then he was taken from their sight into the clouds, two angels appeared and instructed the probably bewildered disciples to go back to Jerusalem, where they began to wait and to pray for the gift Jesus had promised.

Prayer is a joy to some of us, and a chore to others, waiting likewise can be filled with anticipation or anxiety....So how do you wait and pray?

1. How do you pray best, alone or with others?

I prefer to pray with others. There is a special energy that is shared by the group when we all are in silent prayer concentrating on that which is greater than ourselves. The presence of the Holy Spirit is palpable in the room.

2. Do you enjoy the discipline of waiting, is it a time of anticipation or anxiety?

I find times of waiting an anxious time. I want things to be done ten minutes ago yesterday however I am aware that God's time is not the same as mine. I am currently in an "in-between" time in my life and am praying for patience and peace, please God send that swiftly!

3. Is there a time when you have waited upon God for a specific promise?

There are many times that I have waited upon God for a specific promise. The thing that keeps bouncing around in my mind is the verses "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. " John 15: 12-14. Now I have asked God for some things and God answered my prayer with a no. At the time I'd be frustrated and discouraged however as I get distance I realize that no was the best answer. However, I do ask God for peace in the world, an end to homelessness, justice and such and I know that is what God wants for the world and yet injustice still exists and at times seems to reign. That is where I struggle with this verse.

4. Do you prefer stillness or action?

It depends on my mood. I've prayed both in stillness and action and find them equally nourishing. However my best praying has happened in the garden with my hands a foot deep in the dirt. It feels like I am touching God as I am talking to God when I am working in the garden.

5. If ( and this is slightly tongue in cheek) you were promised one gift spiritual or otherwise what would you choose to receive?

I would love to speak and understand other languages as the apostle Paul says, "to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." 1 Cor 12: 10b. I enjoy talking to people and this would increase my pool of conversation partners!

Friday Five: Moving

The Friday five is all about moving. I hate hate hate moving. I am more place oriented than a cat. If I could settle into one place and stay put for the rest of my life I would. But God has called me into a vocation that requires picking up and moving where God wants me to be. It's like Jesus came up to me and said, "Put down your nets and follow me." and I say to him, "Ok, if I have to."

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time?

After college, I moved five times. I have only moved out of state once. Actually the out of state move was my least traumatic.

2. What do you love and hate about moving?

I hate packing, I hate saying goodbye to my neighbors. I love new adventures.

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers?

Hired movers definitely. Although we did our own packing. However at the next move I want to hire packers as well.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move?

Use moving as an opportunity to get rid of junk. It can be very cleansing to purge that which you don't need.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones?

Yes, I can't really go into details on the blog, but God knows what's going on.

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what moving means to you.

Billy Joels "Moving out" pretty much describes where I am at in my inner/out move that I am discerning at this time.

Friday Five

It's Leap Day!! I wonder what it would be like to have a birthday on Leap day. When does one celebrate their birthday on non-leap years. Just one of those things to keep me up at night while my mind wanders before sleep.

I am playing the RevGalBlogPal Friday five in honor of Leap day.

Tell us about a time you:

1. Leapt before looked.

That would have been my first marriage. For some reason I thought that if I married a man that my lesbian leanings would go away. Boy was I wrong. However because I was young, inexperienced and found a guy who was desperate enough to marry me I succumbed to societal pressure and got married to appear socially acceptable. I have since divorced him and several years later married my partner and she and I are wildly happy together.

2. Leapt to a conclusion
Before I went into the ministry I had thought that if a person had Reverend in front of their name, that they were nice, trustworthy and only have good intentions. Then I had a pastor who was troubled in her ministry and did not convey the above mentioned qualities. Our relationship was quite strained and I eventually left that church because she wouldn't support my call to ministry. I had thought the the issues were all my fault and that I must be a terrible person because a minister was not nice, broke my trust and had ill intent for me. Years after I left I heard that she ended her pastorate at said church because of clergy sexual misconduct. It was then that I finally realized that pastors were human too and not perfect.

3. Took a Leap of Faith
At the risk of sounding hokey, it was when I finally said yes to my call to the ministry. I knew since I was a child that I wanted to be minister but didn't think it was possible because at the time I was a Catholic. I spent years doing other things but found that the church was what really got my engines running. It was while watching the Oprah Show (now admit it...we've all had Epiphanies while watching Oprah) that I finally said, "oh darn, I guess I am going to have go to seminary." I am so glad that I took the leap.

4. Took a literal Leap.
Never never never. I am too chicken to leap off of anything higher than a step.

5. And finally, what might you be faced with leaping in the coming year?
Having a blog is a big leap for me. I am not one to advertise my innermost thoughts to anyone accept my partner. However I really like the blogs I am reading on the RevGalBlogPal webring and want to be a part of this extraordinary community.

Friday Five

What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why?
I just finished the Kite Runner and that book has really stuck with me. It is an incredible story about a friendship between two boys with the backdrop of the political situation of Afghanistan since the 1980's. The theme of redemption and grace is what really struck me.

What is one of your favorite childhood books?
The Anne of Green Gables series. I still own the series that I recieved as a gift from when I was 12 or 13. She was and still is an inspiration to me. A girl who overcame her issues of abandenment and not fitting in to spark transformation for herself and those who know her.

Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell!
The book of Esther is my all time Bible fav. A woman who is put in the right place at the right time by the will of God.

What is one book you could read again and again?Southern Discomfort by Rita Mae Brown. So much going on in such a little town. That book is laugh out loud funny. I saw the author at a book signing and I asked her how she could keep so many story lines simultaniously in one book she said, "That's just life in the South honey."

Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?
"Calmly Plotting the Resurrection." by Donna Schaper. I am reading it because it is all about gardening and I can't wait to start my garden again in the spring.