Insert foot in mouth

One of my pet peeves is when people make rediculous assertions based on facts and information that they have heard from somewhere else. Often when asked "What's your Source", they sputter "I heard it from someone I trust"

Well, yeah, I did that.

In my last blog, I rabbit trailed about feminism and equal pay for women. I quoted a number with certainty. A friend asked me what my source was, and to be honest I had none. I made a strong statement with statistical evidence that is bogus. I do apologize, blogging gives one the sense that their thoughts are highly important and accurate (which is not always the case)

I did a little research. And by the way, the disclaimer is that all the research is interpretation from the U.S. Census information. many people see different things from statistics.

"On average, women make 78 percent of men's wages, according to a 2003 study by the U.S. Department of Labor" - CNN.Com "Equal pay for women? Not till 2050" - December 20, 2004

"In 2007, women are paid only 77 cents for every dollar a man is paid, according to the U.S. Census Bureau."

-The American Union Movement, http://www.aflcio.org/

Also, I should acknowledge that all issues are not as simple as they seem. An article in Forbes magazine "Are Women Happy Under The Glass Ceiling?" suggests that women make less because they make healthier choices. Check it out if you are interested: http://www.forbes.com/ceonetwork/2006/03/07/glass-ceiling-opportunities--cx_hc_0308glass.html

Anyways, all that to say, I think issues of inequality are highly important for Christians to care about and I believe God's heart is with the oppressed. (Oppressed may seem a strong work for females in the U.S., but it is not for the treatment of women worldwide)

Thanks for the grace when I mess up! Anyone have a foot in mouth experience?

Middle Name

Thanks for all of your suggestions regarding what I should blog about. Keep them coming!

Ok, so one that I was excited to write about, "what's with the weird middle name!"

Noel Edwin Cisneros Ritter

Edwin - Named after my great uncle Edwin Clemens, one of the most amazing loving men I have ever met. He and his wife Esther were missionaries in Haiti and Mozambique. They worked with churches, but also with helping people build sustainable food sorces. I am honored to live in their legacy sharing the gospel and their lives with others.

Cisneros - I have secretly always wanted to be Latino. I mean when your name is Noel, it gets confused with Noel (the christmas pronounciation) alot. In the city, sometimes its must easier to introduce myself as "Nowell", rather than "Nole".

But in all seriousness. Cisneros comes from Ashley's family line. When we got married we werre deciding what do do with our names the Hyphen I think everyone agrees is simply awkward, and it screams, "We're Femanists!" (Which by the way we are, just not the screaming kind : ))

(Side note, women still make only 60 Cents for every dollar men make for doing the same job, and we think that God calls Christians to face injustice of all kinds. More about that in one-on-one conversations over coffee if you want)

The main reason both Ashley and I added Cisneros to our middle name is to honor and remember the legacy of the Cisneros family as well as the Ritter family. We want our children to see both families as integral to their stories.

Make sense? Or are we weird?

Anyone have opinions on the Hyphen, Double middle names, or feminism (please be nice if you have a negative veiw towards feminists all feminists are not alike!)

Ratatouille

I guess its ok to post now. Especially because we have moved. Ashley and I have been planning to move from East Garfield Park to North Lawndale for quite some time. I am preparing to switch ministry positions... more about that in another post, but it is a very exciting situation. We were planning on moving in May.

Well, we moved last week. (By the way, we love our new house, pictures and blogs to come). There were a number of reasons we moved: flooding, pipe bursts, poor heating. However, one of the things that put us over the edge was rats.

Ashley and I recently watched the movie "Ratatouille", it was very cute, "Hey, Little Chef". However, there was absolutely nothing cute about the three furry friends that we caught. Ill put a picture here to show you.

Yes, I know pretty freeky. Ashley and I now feel initiated, and will have stories to tell for years.

Well, lets not glorify the past, just wanted to share the picture with you : )

Do any of you have rodent stories. Misery loves company!!

A day off...Here we go...

Its amazing what a true day off can mean. Yesterday, I had the day off. I usually have wednesday's off due to the sports schedule at Breakthrough. However since before Christmas I have not truly taken a full day.

Yesterday I did. Ashley had a snow day at work, and the two of us spent the day settling into our new home, cleaning out the car, buying cleaning supplies at Target, and watching American Idol.

It's funny, nothing there seems spiritual, but I feel a renewed vigor to think, to pray, and to my readers delight (or chagrin) t o write!!

Rest is spiritual, highly spiritual, and in our culture it is very hard to find. Anyone have thoughts on the Sabbath, the need for rest, Sabbath economics, or American Idol? I would liove to hear from you!

Its good to be back!

Blogger's Block...

Its been a while since I have written, its not because nothing interesting is happening, or that my minds isn't cranking, or that God hasn't taught me anything...its the opposite.

Many incredible things have happened in the past few months, I am more full of thoughts that I have been for a while, and God is teaching me regularly how to trust him.

However, I can't seem to write... I can't seem to put forth the effort to create. Maybe I need some stimulous. Can any of you help? Do you have any questions about my life, ministry , or thoughts on race/justice/peace. Anybody have a topic that you want me to discuss?