[Magdalen] Admission

[Lynn Ronkainen]

We're glad you're here and there Jim.

peace
Lynn

website: www.ichthysdesigns.com

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have not a 
single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me." 
attributed to Erma Bombeck
 "Either Freedom for all or stop talking about Freedom at all" from a talk 
by Richard Rohr

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From: "James Handsfield" <jhandsfield at att.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 12:06 PM
To: "Magdalen" <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
Subject: [Magdalen] Admission

> I attended my first AA meeting Tuesday evening accompanied by John.  It 
> was quite eye opening.  I was rather startled by how young some of the 
> attendees were - not more than kids.  I was also impressed by the sharing 
> and the acceptance.
>
> I didn’t sleep well last night.  I was awake fighting demons, which really 
> means I was wrestling with myself.  I finally came to admit that I have a 
> problem with alcohol and that I am an alcoholic.
>
> I also wrestled with trying to figure out what is my higher power.  One 
> might assume it is God or Jesus or the HS or . . .  But I’ve been living 
> with them for years and it didn’t seem to help.  I think, at least for 
> now, I have an answer:  community.  It might be the Church community, the 
> community I have with Marcy and Matthew, the community I have with John, 
> the community I have in Harry, the community I have with the caregivers 
> support group at St. Bede’s, etc.  It is the community that will give me 
> the structure I need to proceed.
>
> I spoke with John a little bit ago and told him I’m going to try to get to 
> a meeting today.  I expect to pick up my white chip.  John’s agreed to be 
> my temporary sponsor, and we’ll communicate one way or another every day. 
> There are a couple of meetings nearby that will be, at least, less 
> inconvenient than some meetings.  But I’ve made it clear to Marcy that 
> this will involve some inconvenience for both of us.
>
> Thanks for letting me share.
>
> Thinking one can behave their way into heaven is an insult to the whole 
> idea of salvation.
>
> James Handsfield
> jhandsfield at gmail.com
>
>
>