This is probably of little significance (and of no spiritual significance!) but I find it quite interesting. We moved to St. Louis about a month ago from Vermont. In Vermont we were filling the gas tank on our Toyota Camry about every 10 days for between $40-$50 dollars per refill...so at least $150 per month.  We filled the tank after our arrival here in St. Louis on a Sunday 3 weeks ago. Today-more than 3 weeks later-we still have over half a tank full from that fill. Now granted, we are unpacking and not venturing to too many events but I find the reduction in consumption really rather amazing. We certainly have been to church, new doctors, Target, grocery (1 mile away), and other errands.

I guess my thoughts about it range from what a mnageable city St. Louis is to what a diverse life style between rural locations and city life. We are a country of such incredible differences. No wonder we have difficulty governing!!

Do we honor the way each other lives or do we always put ourselves and our needs first? "One country...under God..."
Blessings-Penny

Yikes

Dear Friends
I've written a couple of posts recently but do not see them published here. Wonder what I'm doing wrong! Also there have been some great responses from the last couple of months (waiting to be moderated) that I only now see.

First we have arrived here safely in St. Louis and are enjoying city life. However getting settled in our small apt. is a challenge. I am certain "all will be well" in a few weeks. 

Probably the most meaningful moments we have spent were with a friend whose son has been in the ICU at a major hospital for over 30 days. It is a horror story of surgery after surgery. Our friend is the patient's father and has stayed with him during the entire hospitalization. What a story of caregiving and committment. A real inspiration during my moments of frustration!

To the persons who commented on the blog, I am so sorry I haven't personally responded. I will trry to respond personally soon but in the meantime... in response to your questions-yes, I was addicted to alcohol -and yes, God saved my life. It was not until I understood that only God could sustain my recovery that I really entered recovery. My book, "Broken by Addiction, Blessed by God- a woman's path to sustained recovery" talks a bit about my own recovery and alot about the women I worked with for 30 years in the field of addictions...what I learned from them about recovery and about God's miracles. The book is available on amazon.com.
Also I have a new book of daily meditations coming out in the fall. It is entitled-"Filling the God-shaped Void" and gives thoughts and musings about how we try to fill the void in our lives with things and stuff and work-and the only thing that can fill that void is God in Jesus Christ-a quote from a French philospher- Blaise Pascal.

How am I trying to fill the God-shaped void today? Shopping-drinking?-drugging?-busyness? Can I stop for a few minutes and focus on God's gifts to me-the quiet and stillness I let into my life.

Blessings-Penny

always a mom

We just returned from a wonderful Christmas cruise on the Danube River-midevil towns, cathedrals, castles, Christmas markets. It really was lovely.

When we returned home there was a message to call my younger son. He had some "good news" to share. Of course, I called immediately. His good news was that to his great surprise, he had received a promotion-a promotion he had been told not to expect because of an earlier disagreement with a superior where he had "spoken truth to power." And for me, this was the greatest part of the trip!! As parents we all want our children, no matter what age, to be treated with respect and to receive the rewards of their work. My son had been devasted when the consequences of his earlier communication had stalled his career and I believe I suffered as much as he did. And now to have all of that removed from his earlier path is absolutely fabulous.what a gift!

We can spend lots of money on trips and bling and stuff but our greatest plesures and happiness come from the love shared with our families.

Isn't that part of the message of the Christmas season, the Advent waiting and listening-the gifts of family are surely part of the grace we receive.

Blessings-Penny

Risk

We arrived in St. Louis about 2 weeks ago with household items delivered about 5 days later. All is going well though I had times I wondered if all the "stuff" would fit in our very downsized apt. It seems to be working out. Instead of looking out at our lovely Vermont brook as I write this, I am overlooking Busch Stadium, multiple freeways and railroad yards. After 13 years in very rural America, in some ways, it feels like we have reentered civilization. St. Louis feels like the center of the hub. We live across the street from the Arch-a wonderful reminder of the move westward, the geopgraphy of our country and the current vibrancy of this city. I feel a link with the first settlers who left from here to explore the west. A wonderful book about Lewis and Clark's first adventure out west is entitled Undaunted Courage. A very interesting read. What risk-nothing known about what was "out there."

What in your life requires "undaunted courage?" What do you want to explore? Will you take the risk?
(Now that most boxes are unpacked, I plan to post more regularly on this blog.--thanks for hanging in during the gap,)
Blessings-Penny

Who?

During this extra week in Vermont it has been a gift to spend a little more time with people who are special to me...the friend with the staggering diagnosis, the group of women with whom I meet, the friend who is a beautiful role model of patience and love and committment in her role of caregiver. There is an ache in my heart as I think of not sitting with them, sharing and laughing. Of course there is email but the intimacy of touch will be missing.

If you knew you would be leaving next week, who would you spend time with? What makes them important to you? Tell them!

Blessings-Penny

stress relief

Last week our move was delayed by one week. Our buyers got in "appraisal hell" with the house they are selling. All seems to be resolved now but it has required a huge amount of rescheduling. When I called our moving company to reschedule I expected to get alot of "heat." Per the contract with them we were on the edge of a penalty for late rescheduling.

Instead of "heat" what I heard was, "Oh that must create alot of stress for you...It happens all the time...We are flexible...Do you know when you might want to reschedule...No, you don't have to decide right this minute...Talk it over and call me back." What a difference their attitude made in relieving my stress and anxiety!

If only we each could understand the power we have to relieve stress in others' lives!

Today, in what interaction can you be "flexible" and relieve the stress in someone's life? Your co-worker, your spouse, your kids??

Blessings-Penny

staggered

I belong to a small group of women who meet monthly to deeply listen to each other. We share our challenges, joys, dreams. We don't try to solve each others' problems-just deeply listen. Yesterday one of the women shared a diagnosis of a gravely serious illness. I am still staggered by the enormity of her diagnosis. AND I am staggered by the intimacy and connection that filled the room was palpable. Another woman in the group called the group a "vessel"-a container in which we hold each other. Another said we are "daughters of the house-sisters."

I hope each of you has the honor, the blessing of belonging to a group like this...a place where you are loved and held in the best of times and the worst of times.

I also hope you feel God holding you in the best of times and the worst of times.

Blessings-Penny