Oh, so I’m just trying to keep up with my life (picture me running along, trying to catch a speeding car) and realized I never answered all the questions. So, here’s an answer for today.

Laura asked: What would you do with a day all to yourself? No kids, no husband, no responsibilities, no work…?

Answer:

Perfect Creature film

At home? If I were at home, I would sleep in and then feel no choice but to putter around, cleaning and sorting and organizing. I know that sounds like work, but I would find that so satisfying. There are so many things I’d love to do around here, but I need silence, solitude and no interruptions. If I have 24 whole hours, I would also read, write and watch late-night t.v. in bed. (I am so boring.)

Out and about? This is what I usually do on my “day off”: I go thrift shopping, I browse the clearance racks at Marshall’s and Famous Footwear, I see a movie (using gift certificates I have so it costs me nothing). I realized some time back that shopping is a sort of meditation for me . . . it really does clear my mind to focus on racks of clothing, looking for the colored tags that are fifty percent off, hunting for a treasures.

Yes, it’s confirmed. I am boring.

1) So, how do you like your new boobs?

2) Why is your wife leaving you?

3) Do you know that your pants are falling down?

4) How much do you weigh?

5) What size are those pants?

6) How much money do you make?

* * *

And that’s just for starters. I am curious to a rude degree.

What about you? What questions do you wish you could ask (but never would because you have manners)?

Do you use a tablecloth every day? If so, what kind?

I must know.

Sandy Says: I hope I’m not too late, but… Who has been the most influential teacher in your life and why? What did they do that helped you the most…?

Miss Brittingham, my third grade teacher, loved me.  At least I felt like she did.  I felt safe in her classroom and smart.  Mr. Ainsworth, my physical science teacher in junior high, taught me enough to pass a college physical science test that I failed to study for.  Ms. Westering, in high school, taught aerobics and made it seem fun.  All these teachers had such a passion for their topics and for teaching that I remember them even now.

The most influential teacher in my life, though, was a college English professor who not only told me I was a writer, but also became a close friend.  She recognized abilities in me that I didn’t believe I had and for that, I am indebted.  

carrien Says: Do you lean more toward openness theology or Calvinism.

Calvinism (aka Reformed theology).  There’s a really interesting article about Reformed young Christians in Christianity Today:  “Young, Restless, and Reformed.” 

chewymom Says: In what denomination is your husband a pastor? And is this the same or different denomination in which you and/or he grew up?

He grew up in the Pentecostal Church of God in Texas.  (I grew up in the Assemblies of God.)  The church we’re with now is an independent, congregational church that broke away from the United Church of Christ some years back.  My husband is a affiliated with a smaller denomination that is conservative and congregational.  (We kind of morphed from Pentecostal Arminians to Calvinists over the years.)

mrs darling Says:  I’ve often wondered how much you do as a pastors wife. Our pastors wife is so busy. She teaches Sunday school, children’s church, school, sings in the choir, sings in about 2 other special groups, cooks for seventy five seniors every Thursday right in the middle of her school day, is nursery director, teaches a Little Bear club on Sunday evenings and oh my I could go on and on. Do you do all of that stuff too? I guess I’m wondering how much does the role of a pastors wife color your every day life?”

I don’t do all that stuff.  My first priority is my family and since my kids are spread out, I’ve had someone younger than four around for thirteen years now.  So, I choose not to be gone a lot, doing church-work.  I am capable of playing the piano, leading worship, teaching classes, organizing events and all the rest, but I don’t.  I am not indispensable and so, when I don’t do everything, other people get the opportunity to serve. 

I organize and direct Vacation Bible School every summer.  I teach a preschool Sunday School class.  I used to sing in the choir and I occasionally play the piano and lead Sunday morning worship.  But that’s it.  Right now, I’m in a different season of life and I don’t do a lot at church. 

Mary Says: I hope I don’t step on your toes… But… Why do you let your daughter watch so much tv in the morning? Don’t you worry about her being up and unsupervised in the mornings? Or maybe someone else is already up with her?
Sorry, you SAID we could ask!

My daughter usually wakes up at 7 a.m.  She either has a bath immediately or watches t.v. until the rest of the family is up and moving.  Her bedroom is across the hall from mine and she has a small television in there, so I can hear her–plus, she comes into my room every ten minutes or so. 

Her brother gets up at 7:30 a.m. (my husband and I do, too) and leaves by 8 a.m.  So, for that one hour while everyone’s getting ready, she sometimes watches some t.v. . . . she is my child who is least interested in watching television, actually, so I often wish she’d just sit down and watch more.  She might watch a show later in the afternoon and usually watches half an hour before bed . . . I don’t think that’s very much television, but maybe it is compared to other people. 

On Saturday mornings, if I’m trying to sleep in, she does watch more television (if I’m lucky), but I don’t think that will turn her brain to jello.  And generally, while it’s on, she’s busy playing with her dollies, too.

Ginger Says: What Bible story disturbs/irks you the most, and why?

Tough question . . . probably the story of Abraham and Isaac.  I think I understand the point of the story, but it’s a difficult one for people unfamiliar with theology to comprehend.  The story makes God look irrational and cruel, although I believe He is neither. 

I thought it would be easiest to answer these questions in a new post.  So, without further ado, answers: 

Quinn Says:

Okay, here’s one. Of all the ill-advised things you’ve done (and I am guessing that’s about 1/800th of my current list), what would be the hardest to explain to your kids?

I’ve been pondering this.  I am quite possibly the most boring person on the face of the earth because I could not come up with one ill-advised thing I’ve done that would be hard to explain to my kids . . . unless you count attending Bible College.  I ought to have taken my good grades and my brain and gone to a real university. 

Lori Says:

How did you and your husband meet?

During the summer of 1985, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s “Heritage USA” theme park hired college students to work for the summer at Heritage USA.  My husband and I were each hired from our respective colleges.  I met him there after my roommate and good friend pointed him out to me.  We dated part of that summer, broke up over the fall (I actually sent him a “Dear John” letter) and then we dated again the following summer.  He’s from Texas; I’m from Washington state. 

His family still can’t believe he married a Yankee.

QuietPlease Says:

You are a pastor’s wife and a mom of four. Everyone must want a piece of you. How do you maintain your sense of self?

How do you put up good boundaries? If anything, my boundaries are too solid, too protective.  I just don’t bow to the pressure to be a particular way or do a particular thing and I’m blessed with a husband who backs me up.  Once, in a job interview, church members asked him about me and my abilities.  He said, “You aren’t hiring her.  You’re hiring me.”  And he refused to discuss it further. 

I maintain my sense of self by writing.  If at all possible, I try to get out of the house alone once a week–I go to movies frequently and visit thrift stores.  I also read a lot which helps me think and give me perspective.

Chris Says: 

What is your favorite place for a vacation with the family and the place you would go if you could go alone?

We hardly ever go on vacations with our family, but we’ve really had fun at the beach when we’ve gone.  (The Pacific Ocean beaches.)  If I could go someplace alone . . . well, that’s hard to say.  I like cities a lot, but I love the ocean, too.  I dream of going to the ocean for a whole week alone . . . . long enough to really relax.

Nancy Says: 

I am awed and entertained by all the things you write about. How do you keep your house in order with so many things going on there? Do you have housekeeping help? (I realize this is a very tacky question. I would totally understand if you didn’t answer!)

I am by nature an organized person, so even if my house looks a little cluttered or dirty, the underlying structure is in place.  Every once in a while, I have a spontaneous organizing streak or decluttering frenzy–this summer, I cleaned through all my kitchen cupboards and over the weekend, I sorted through my entire scrapbooking desk.

I have pretty low standards for housekeeping.  I thought about hiring someone to help me, but I just can’t do it.  It seems too frivolous.  So, I just keep up as best I can.  I clean in bits and pieces because I don’t have a whole day or even a half-day to devote to cleaning . . . unless I clean on Saturday, which is my only “day off.”  I leave the house on Saturday, if I can.  That helps me stay sane.

Today, I’m asking you to do all the work.  That’s right.  Ask me a question in the comments and I’ll answer it.  This is your chance to be nosy, to ask inappropriate questions, to satisfy your curiosity.

(This will also be potentially embarrassing if no one says anything.  So speak up!)