Tanq

Our new French Bulldog pup arrived today at 11:30 a.m. He's about 15 weeks old.

Meet Tanq.

Why "Tanq"? Because my wonderful husband wanted an English Bulldog (50 lbs, 5" from the ground) and to name him "Tank". The Frenchie was a compromise, as is the name ("q" is more French. Get it? We almost called him "Freedom"...)

This is an older photo, from his puppy home in Oklahoma. I'll get a new one up when we have one. Then, we'll get back to business around here.

Dreaming with the RevGalBlogPals

The RevGalBlogPals ring plays "Friday Five". You can view other fantastic femfaithbloggers' answers on their blogs, which link here and in my sidebar.

1. Share a moment/ time of real encouragement in your journey of faith
I was originally rejected for ordination. The Barnabas responsible for pleading my case to the committee had met with me just once (to talk about himself) and hadn't read my ordination paper. So when they asked what my Christology was, he said, "I don't know." I got the word, and knew it was all over -- that I was out. My grief was horrible.

Hearing the news, my mentor pastor was irate, and went back to the committee with tongue of fire. They reviewed my materials and, early in the morning before the event, approved me. I arrived, in casual street clothes, to watch everyone else and was told I would be getting ordained.

Sitting on the dais, I felt completely inadequate and terrified. My right leg was bouncing uncontrollably, with my then-fiance's hand on it, trying to steady me. He leaned in and told me I could leave, but that God had brought me there and would guide me on. I felt a rush of the Spirit, and went out to take my vows. Still terrified, still crying, but grateful.

God, in the heart and words and body of my mentor pastor and my now-husband kept me going that week.

2. Do you have a current vision / dream for your work/ family/ministry?
Personal dreaming is sort of new for me, and I'm not very good at it. But my vision for my spiritual life and work (which are pretty much one thing) is a tribe of committed disciples, closely living whole together in love of Jesus, loving in his world. I shoulda been a monk.

3. Money is no object and so you will.....

• Buy land and house in the South for my husband and start a retreat for pastors and others. Sports bar included.
• Finally replace my car.
• Get more dogs and cats.
• Give a lot to kids without stable home lives.
• Travel.

4. How do you see your way through the disappointments? What keeps you going?
Sounds cliche: prayer. Not the extended kneeling and beseeching, but the steady surrender to and embrace of God. Husband is a very very big help.

And, honestly: good wine. Often French.

5. How important are your roots?
Don't really have any (other than growing up in CA), so have had to create them and discover tendrils of possibility in the soil. It helps to know that, at base, I am the daughter of God. That's roots enough for me right now.

More woofing

We now have an agreement with a seller for a little boy French bulldog to come to live with us. He will be traveling by van (because he can't be shipped by plane due to summer heat). If that doesn't work for some reason, I am going to fly to Tulsa after Aug. 16 (when the flights drop).

Have to say this: I'll believe it when he's in my hands. And even more after our terrific vet, Karen Blount, checks him out.

Blogger isn't letting me post pictures today, but I'll get one on as soon as I can!

Woof, woof

I haven't written in a while because a) I'm obsessed with dogs, and b) a couple of conflicts have kept my few other synapses firing.

The conflicts were inevitable: when a community moves from being "we'll accept anything you do as long as no one ever has to address it" to "following Jesus means taking responsibility for your actions and we will hold you accountable", there are bound to be conflicts. We have also moved from "pastors are saints who must never err (but eventually fall from grace in a big way)" to "pastors and leaders are all models for Christian living, including modeling confession and reconciliation". It's a recipe for eventual pissiness. And, I pray, eventual health, grace, and faithfulness.

But the other thing is really what's been keeping me from blogging. I am ready for a dog. After our very beloved boxer, Mo, died two years ago, I just couldn't think about it. Plus, my longterm friend Kenya the black torty cat died a couple of months later, in my lap. Then, since we're trying to adopt a human baby, I thought that getting a new dog at the same time we were getting a new baby was a recipe for exhaustion, if not disaster. But the baby isn't hurrying, so I'm getting a dog.

Now the big decisions have been 1) boxer or french bulldog; 2) rescue or puppy; 3) how much we are willing to pay at the outset. Of course, that's gotten us into summer -- when no one can ship flat-faced dogs. But I'll tell you what: we will have a dog by mid-August. The baby is in God's hands.