Authenticated Awakening

PICTURE THIS:

After an already disruptive night of sleep of tossing and turning, checking on the kids and a stupid toy intermittently loudly singing the alphabet song during the night, the phone rings just before 6 A.M. Startling, yes you betcha, and as I gather my senses it appears to be my mother’s cell number. Strangely odd and a bit frightening as I then remember my mother has many flight segments today. Very quickly the answering machine scoops up the call and I hear my mother’s voice say, “I’m in between flights and you might want to go watch the TV!” Still groggy I have so many questions… Why is she calling me this early in the morning? Is everything okay? Why did she say to go watch TV? Then I began to panic remembering the last time she had called that early in the morning hours was on 9/11 years ago, with a very similar message… “You should turn on the TV!”

So I turn on the TV not knowing what the hoopla was all about. What a blessing to see that the breaking news and all the buzz was centered around speculation that our Governor here in Alaska, Sarah Palin, was rumored to soon be named as John McCain’s choice as a running mate in the 2008 presidential candidacy. WOW, what incredible news! Her name had been tossed about from time to time as a potential vice president choice, but lately there hadn’t been much mention of her even being considered.

As the historic events and news coverage began to unravel this morning, and the speculation gave way to authentication, I couldn’t help but take this moment to exclaim how praiseworthy this event truly is for every citizen of this great land we call the United States of America. Not only is Sarah Palin a friend to almost all who know her, but I speak with firsthand knowledge that she’s definitely authentic – the real deal -- raised with family values and holds a true sense of ethics, is a devout Christian woman, and a proud mother and businesswoman, who just happens to have a keen sense of public servanthood and politics among the many other admirable qualities. Her energy adds to the revitalization of the McCain ticket in ways the nation will soon get an opportunity to see, and I couldn’t be more proud of her for being McCain’s choice for vice president. Much credit is due to the McCain camp for following their heart (and obviously their faith) in making this decision. It will be an interesting few months gearing up to the election. You can bet I’ll have a sign pledging my support. How often does one actually know the VP choice? What a day!!! I keep thinking back to my April 18th blog entry devoted to her surprise announcement that she was pregnant and of the birth of Trig, her 5th child. Even then she was a longshot VP choice, but now that’s authenticated.

As the day’s events unraveled, I found myself celebrating victoriously and reflecting back on so many little milestones and moments of faith leading up to this nomination. I thought back a few years ago when myself and Marissa planned to volunteer as sign-wavers in Sarah’s run for Governor. Viewing it from a civics lesson perspective with an added bonus of knowing the candidate, Marissa embraced the opportunity. Marissa cried and cried on voting day when she was too ill and I wouldn’t allow her to participate out in the snow and rain. She proudly hung her PALIN FOR GOVERNOR signs in her bedroom window, in the kitchen window, and for months she would comment as cars drove past, “I wonder if that person driving by noticed the campaign signs?” She would watch attentively as each car passed to see if they had peered at the signs in the window, and if they had, she was ecstatic as she kept a tally! What a joy to witness the innocence of a child so proud of their campaign contribution! She also wanted to write a letter to Sarah Palin telling her how much she admired her and was campaigning for her. The letter never got sent, but upon learning of Marissa’s intentions Sarah embraced Marissa’s deeds with a huge thanks and a warm hug.

Sarah Palin is one tough cookie, has a knack for serving the public, and is well suited for the position of V.P. although her credentials already are being hotly debated. My hopes are that Americans will openly embrace her wholehearted qualities and see that Sarah Palin is ready to lead.

Last year she was a last-minute guest speaker (said she wouldn’t have missed it for the world) at a local ONE LORD SUNDAY service whereby local church services were held in one large convention center and over 20 local churches of differing religious affiliations closed their regular sanctuary doors unite together to worship as a community. The entire ceremony was extremely effective and representive of many faiths and language interpretations were even translated into Russian for their faithful followers. Without a doubt, a moving experience! Sarah’s message was so powerful during her few moments at the podium. Citing mainly from the influential scriptures contained in Psalm 127, she so eloquently explained how her faith and religious principles have contributed to her past and future successes.

Please accept my apologies if I have bored anyone with my political views. I mean nothing offensive to the other parties in this election process. Clearly the U.S. is headed for an energized leadership whomever is voted in. This post is not meant to take on a divisive role in the upcoming election, but is meant to share a personal perspective into the confidence I place in Sarah Palin. She offers an authenticated awakening of the spirit of this great land we live in. God Bless the U.S.