Hockey (Goalie) Camp
Dec 30th, 2006 by Sonja

LightGirl just finished Goalie Camp for her Christmas vacation. It’s all she wanted. Goalie equipment and camp. So that’s what she got … used equipment and four days with HeadCoach and several other potential goalies (including JustOneFriend), her good friend Monkey from her team was there too, to shoot pucks at the goalies-in-training and of course some counselors. One was a young man, CounselorGuy, who we heard many stories about each day (LightGirl insists that he is very, very cute! Her father and I are reserving judgement). Here are a series of photos wherein LightGirl is cross-checking CounselorGuy and knocking him down.

First the Cross Check

He’s down:

The Boy Is Down

We’re back in black …

Monkey & LightGirl ... Too Cool ...

… do not mess with the two baddest girls in black!

'Cause we're kool lak dat!

Friday Five: Dream A Little Dream
Dec 29th, 2006 by Sonja

“In the Last Days,” God says,
“I will pour out my Spirit
on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions,
your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes,
I’ll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both,
and they’ll prophesy.”
(Acts 2:17-18, The Message)

On this final Friday of 2006, it seems appropriate to speak of dreams. A very important dream about a lighthouse played a role in Songbird’s journey towards ordained ministry, and her dreams last night were vivid and included a flying church.

She tells us to feel as untethered ourselves in responding to this Friday Five.

Tell us all about:

1) a dream you remember from childhood

I used to have a dream in my childhood where I was in a boat of some sort on a river and it went under a bridge.  It seems to me that the surroundings were similar (in a vague sort of way) to Vienna, but I’ve never been to Vienna … ever.  Nor had I heard about it till I was much older.  But the boat was similar to a gondola.  I don’t remember much more than that about it.  I used to have it often when I was little.

2) a recurring or significant dream

A recurring dream/nightmare I had in my late teens and early twenties was one in which I was in a concentration camp during World War II in eastern Europe.  I was speaking a language native to the area.  In the dream my character was fully cognizant and could operate and function in the milieu of the camp, but my mind didn’t know what was going on.  It was the strangest sensation.  At the time I believed I’d been reincarnated.  Now I’m not sure what it was.

3) a nightmare

See number 2.  Another nightmare I have is one where my children are sick or dying and I behave as if I couldn’t care less.  I just continue on with whatever I was doing as if nothing was happening.  There is a part of my mind that is screaming at me to get up and **do** something, but the dream me just smiles a very Stepford-wife smile and continues on.  It’s horrible.

4) a favorite daydream

I get to be a cowboy out on the wide range.  Riding my beautiful cow pony.  It’s either a palomino, glinting gold in the sunshine or a black Friesian.  We ride together on the wide open prairie.  And my butt doesn’t get sore … ever.  😉

5) a dream for the New Year

This is hard … my dreams are all either much too big and nebulous or too small.  And they sound much too much like goals.  Here’s a dream for my church, Common Table.  My dream is that we’ll all dream together.  I don’t much care what our dream is.  Okay, I care, but I trust us enough to know that we’ll dream good dreams together.  But that whatever it is, we’ll figure it out early in the year and go on to fulfill it.  I want us to dream something like having a homeless shelter or starting a food pantry or something that’s big and really sort of beyond us.  Something that will make us stretch and grow and maybe even hurt a little bit.  But it will be a good hurt like when you’re in training for an athletic event.  That’s one of my dreams for the New Year of 2007.  I’m looking forward to reading the dreams of other RevGals.

Capital Punishment
Dec 29th, 2006 by Sonja

I have been struggling for quite some time to organize my thoughts about what it means to me to have a “consistent ethic of life.” How do I honor life amongst the death that regularly occurs in this mortal plane? How do I go about redeeming life and creating holy space for it in the here and now, while all the while understanding that it is terribly impermanent and, in the words of Thomas Hobbes, “… nasty, brutish, and short.”

On one end of the spectrum, there is life at the very beginning and the debate concerning not only abortion and abortion rights versus the right to life, but also the rights of the infertile and what does one think about the ethics of infertility treatments versus the thousands upon millions of children needing food and water and good homes world-wide. How do those issues impact the way I live? Should they? I haven’t even begun to think about cloning, but now I think I should. Apparently, products from cloned animals are going to be in grocery stores soon. I need to begin to follow this more closely.

In the middle there are all sorts of issues. One we, in the LightFamily, have taken on this year is what to do with guns. LightBoy has become fiercely enamoured with WWII because of a video game given to him by friend P3T3. I don’t want him to think that weapons are whizz, bang fun on a video game. I want him to understand the full awesome, terrible horrible might of a bullet. I don’t think one can get that impact without ever firing a weapon … or several. One must endure the pangs of hunter safety courses and weapons safety drills and then perhaps even kill an animal before understanding that horrid cliche …”Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” So we gave LightBoy a teeny-tiny .22 for Christmas to begin the process of understanding his place on the planet.

Other issues in the middle concern how to eat without cruelty to the fellow creatures that abide on the earth with us. We are given the right to rule over them. With that comes responsibility to care for and honor them as creatures with dignity and worth in their own right. Animals are not a product to be farmed and industrialized and manufactured as if they were cars. It might make them cheaper, but then that also makes us cheaper as well. I don’t believe we’ve thought through the end results of industrialization thoroughly enough to understand it’s full impact on us, the animals, or the environment. Cheaper and faster, we are finding is not always best or even better.

Then we come to the end of life. Modern medicine has invoked miracle after miracle prolonging life. In the end, though, we must all die. How long must we live and under what circumstances have become the questions we need to answer, usually long before we are ready to consider them. Dying has become not a question of when our time is up, but when are our loved ones ready to “pull a plug.” Medicine has become able to prolong the ability of our physical shells to breath and contain the symptoms of life, but are we living at that point?

What about capital punishment? This is one question in the midst of the myriad of others that I have found rather easy to answer. I believe that capital punishment is wrong. I don’t believe there is any justification for capital punishment other than revenge. It is not a deterrent; there have been a multitude of studies that prove that it does not deter crime. It is not rehabilitative. One can not be rehabilitated once one is dead. Therefore it’s only purpose is revenge. I am, in particular, having a difficult time dealing with this particular sentence. Sadaam Hussein was a really bad guy. One of the worst. I’ll grant that. If anyone deserved a death sentence, he would (except, yes, I don’t believe anyone does). Here’s why I’m particularly having a hard time with this one, though. Part of the reason that Sadaam Hussein was such a horrible, bad guy is because we (the U.S. … well, our government/C.I.A.) encouraged him. We told him it would be okay if he did his bad horrible deeds, we’d look the other way. We actually put him in power and then turned a blind eye while we knew exactly what he was doing and when and how. Now, after 20 years of encouraging his badness, we captured him, put him on trial and are executing him.

I especially have a problem with that. That is NOT a consistent ethic of life.

Harmony
Dec 27th, 2006 by Sonja

JJ the Smu (as he is coming to be known in the blog-o-sphere) posted a thought-provoking piece a couple of days ago asking us to think about how we’d like to be known as Christians. He listed several things he’d really rather people thought of and then he asked others to add to the list. A late comer to the comments added “unity” with very little context.

There, my friends, is a loaded term. More loaded than LightBoy’s new potato cannon. And more combustible. This term is used to brow beat more people than Constantine. I don’t even think that’s an exaggeration (if we’re talking straight numbers, percentages and I’m out of line). It’s used to keep people in line with the party line. Keep them from asking too many unsightly, uncomfortable, unnerving questions. Keep them in their place. Keep them in fear. Keep them. The body of Christ is SUPPOSED to live in unity is wielded liked a battle axe.

Lately, I’ve heard more and more people discussing the distinction between unity and conformity. Then they say, with an arched brow, “There **is** a difference, you know.” Many churches use the word unity to enforce conformity of thinking. Several of us called it the uni-mind at our CLB; enforcing like thinking amongst everyone.

I was thinking this morning tho, that what we really might be after in the church is really harmony. Think about that metaphor for a minute. Even unity (without conformity) can be be a straitjacket for something as big and bold as the Body of Christ. Think about many voices together singing a song as one voice … for a really long time. Now think about all those voices singing the song in harmony. Think of the texture and depth and musicality that song now has. Everyone is still singing the same song, they are all singing together, but they are singing the notes that they were born to sing. The basses are singing bass, not soprano and vice versa. Now, let’s add an orchestra to the voices. Now we have people playing instruments in harmony with the people singing in harmony. Rich, textural, beautiful and all working together for the good of one overarching song. But if everyone played or sang the same note for two hours, who would want to listen to that? It would become strident and unpleasant.

Will Samson has an interesting post today about politicians speaking about their faith. I agree with him, sorta. With reservations. I want to extend grace to the Democrats. I think he wants them stumping on their faith. Okay, perhaps I’m not giving him the benefit of the doubt here. But I’m linking to his post here for a reason. It is this, I’ve begun to think that speaking of religion and faith in the public square has become very narrow. It has become controlled by a narrow set of people with a narrow vocabulary. People who, if you will, want to listen to one note. They have asked us to listen for only one note. They have defined that note and caused the atmosphere in which we live to be such that now we can only hear that one note.

The problem is that we’re all singing and playing a harmony. We are living and speaking out of many notes. It’s all the same song but no one can hear that song any more. Sometimes a miracle occurs and someone can hear that one special note. But if you don’t play that note for the right amount of time, in the right place, wearing the right clothes … well then, no one will credit you with a proper faith. But you might have one … you might be singing or playing harmony. Who are we to judge? How can we know anymore? I know some might read this and throw the wide path/narrow road scripture at me. I agree with that, but don’t take it out of context. God is a great, big wide, creative God. He didn’t make us all to make one note. We need to learn how to listen to the whole song again, how to hear the melody as well as the harmony or harmonies, how to hear not just the voices but the orchestra too. How to put it all together and say with God of His Creation, it is good.

Gift Giving
Dec 27th, 2006 by Sonja

Yesterday I alluded to the fact that I have some fairly high standards for gift giving.  I’ve let them slide over the years.  Another thing that I’ve begun to do is give gifts that harmonize with my consistent ethic of life.  That is I try to find ways to give gifts that will be of benefit to others rather than just be trinkets that become an albatross about the recipients neck.

In recent years, the siblings and spouses of LightHusband have thrown money into a pot together and we give a goat through Heifer International.  We’ve given three goats thus far.   I can’t seem to rally my brothers and their spouses.  This is surprising as my family tends to be more socially conscious than LightHusband’s family.  Perhaps I have not been forthright enough when I’ve asked.  I have given gifts to each of them through Heifer before, then made small individual quilts depicting the animal they were (not) receiving.  This was the year we moved 10 days before Christmas.  Making small individual quilts and moving at the same time was heroic.  But they seemed unphased.

This year I decided to support a local artist and give them all gifts at the same time.  They were more appreciative and I was able to help a good friend.  She is my favorite artist at the moment.  If you click on this link, you’ll see a picture of her painting a mural in the front hall of my house.  I am fortunate enough to be the owner of this painting:

Tulips on Turquoise

I gave Brother2 a print of this painting (which is owned by the BrickDude and GoldenGirl)

Through The Trees

I gave a print of this painting to my parents, who were thrilled to have something by an artist that I know.  They love art with a story.  The LightDad said it would go on their eclectic wall … which is every wall in their house (as far as I can tell).

Tulip

I love Becky’s work (who I refer to as Eldon in my blogroll because when she came to paint she came as a friend) because of the way she uses color and light.  Check out her gallery.  If you feel so inclined, I believe you can even order something from her.  Or just look at her wonderful use of color and admire it for a while.  It’s sure to make you smile.

Toys
Dec 26th, 2006 by Sonja

My Christmas giving was scarred for life by an experience in my teen years. Brother1 and I went in together to get Brother2 a pocket knife. Brother2 was about 11 at the time. For those of you who know LightBoy, they share many characteristics. All the good ones. Brother1 and I were fairly unwitting in our choice of gift. We knew it was desired, but we were unaware of the depth of desire. All I can remember of the moment of unveiling is Brother2 sitting on our old rickety sofa, with the Buck Knife cradled in his 2 hands as if it were the Hope Diamond, repeating over and over,

“Buck.”

“Knife.”

“OHhhhhhh”

There just aren’t many gifts in one’s life that can match that. I’ve given up trying. Sort of. There’s a little piece of me that wants to achieve it each year, but I’ve finally realized that it is indeed fruitless to attempt it.

I came close this year. I gave LightHusband a lens for his camera that he’s been joking about for quite some time. Only apparently it wasn’t a joke. So here are two of the many photos he’s taken with it since he took it out of the box. He has not yet sent me my favorite … maybe I’ll post it later this evening.

Here is LightGirl in a moment of rest after she opened her goalie gear. She then wore said gear for the remainder of the opening. It was amusing to open gifts with a sta-puf marshmallow girl. 😉

LightGirl at rest ...

Here is a rooster that hangs in one of my kitchen windows. Isn’t he colorful? He was supposed to go to my mother. Sorry LightMom. But I liked him too much after I got him. So he stayed here. The LightQueenMother got lighted knitting needles instead.

Rooster

Waiting …
Dec 26th, 2006 by Sonja

Hannukah

I think this is one of my favorite pictures from this season. It was a USAToday photo of the day on Saturday.

I love the looks on the faces of the children. The attitude of expectancy. But look at the man, he is looking for someone. The children are too, maybe. But the person they are looking for is more magical … almost as if s/he were Santa Claus. The man, however, he is looking for a real someone. I wonder who.

I want to approach God that way. With wonder. With expectancy. With the knowledge that He is here and now … and not yet, but coming soon. That I can light candles that will push back some darkness and allow Him some space in the here. And then, I look again at the photo and I see caution in their faces too. So, I’d like some apprehension as well.  It doesn’t do to approach the Throne of Grace as if it were a chair in a barbershop.

Yes, I’ll continue to gaze with these children in wonder and expectancy, with a little apprehension … waiting, watching, hoping for day the world will be redeemed.

Merry Christmas
Dec 24th, 2006 by Sonja

Merry Christms

Behold, the lamb of God …

From the LightHouse to your house … Merry Christmas. I hope you have a lovely day with people who care about you and make you smile. Give some laughter away and push back the darkness a little.

A Bonus (and a Loss)
Dec 23rd, 2006 by Sonja

Senator Robert T. StaffordA sixth little known factoid about me is that I spent the summer between my junior and senior year in college working as an intern for one of the senators from Vermont here in Washington, DC.

I worked for three months in the office of U.S. Senator Robert T. Stafford, Republican.

Yes, you read that last word correctly. He was a Republican. He passed away today at the age of 93. God rest his weary soul. I knew him well enough to know that he would have had little to do with those who are in office today. He was a gentleman and from the old school of Republicans. That school of fiscal responsibility and conservation; that school that believes that even though people must be responsible they still need a little help from time to time.  I learned from him and those in his office about what the party used to be about; about the fine art of compromise, about how to keep your eye on both the little guy AND the nation in the same moment. It is possible. It is possible to walk a straight path in politics. I’ve witnessed it. I’ve worked with those who did it.

Senator Stafford gave of himself to the people of Vermont and this nation unstintingly.  We thank you and wish you God speed from here to the hereafter.

Cinco
Dec 23rd, 2006 by Sonja

As in, five in spanish. I’m trying to be clever so just work with me here.  Update … why o why did none of you (my so called friends) not gently correctly my 30 year old spanish.  Bleh … some days it does not pay to try and count to five. 😉
I should have known that pay-backs are h3ll … and my friend, John Smulo (or J.J. as I’ve discovered) as since paid me back for the lovely orverm I blessed him with. 😉 . He blessed tagged me in the “5 Things No One Knows About Me” Meme that is going around.

So, here are 5 things that very few people know about me … which is going to be difficult because I tend to live my life as an open book.

1. I grew up in Vermont and I can’t ski. Downhill (alpine) that is. I can ski cross-country. But we couldn’t afford the lift tickets, etc. So I never learned how to downhill ski.

2. I can count the number of rock concerts I’ve been to on both hands (2 concerts were in the last 24 months — U2’s Vertigo tour) and still have fingers left over. One was the famed Simon & Garfunkle reunion concert in Central Park.

3. I say I grew up in Vermont and that’s mostly true. But I was born in Massachusetts and I lived in Kansas til I was 6 years old (and my mother’s name is Dorothy).

4. I spent some time in college learning how to shoplift. This was not a sanctioned class, but I had a friend who was a mentor. I stopped when I got caught at a grocery store and very nearly arrested. That was when I discovered that tears go a long way toward swaying the mind and heart of a police officer. Not that I’ve ever had to use it since then. 😉

5. I am of 100% British descent. Literally all of my ancestors are from Great Britain. Well, one came from Wales and there is a Scottish last name in the mix. But as far back as we can trace (8 to 10 generations) I am British. Which is sort of weird given that some of my ancestors have been here since the Mayflower … it just seems that there would be something else.

Sooo … now the fun part … who to tag?? Hmmmm …

Brother Maynard, Mick, Patrick, Phreaq77, and CityGirl

Okay, folks, I recognize that this is a holiday weekend and you might not get to this right away … but sometime next week would be good. Like before 2007. Right?

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