  | As a homeowner of a tiny old house, I often find possibly minor problems that can suddenly become big problems. For example, I've been worrying for awhile about the condition of the old basement faucet in the first picture on the left side of this blog entry. Last week, a minor leak happened in a different section of my house (in the plumbing for my kitchen's sink). I had to immediately get a plumber out to my house or live without a dishwasher, kitchen sink, etc. The plumber fixed the kitchen leak, a sometimes dripping faucet in the bathroom, and the old basement faucet/hose/etc. The new version of the basement faucet is in the second photo in this blog entry. Thankfully, nothing major happened to the basement plumbing problem before it was fixed. I also have been so happy to be free from worrying about plumbing problems. Freedom from worrying is a great feeling to have. Fixing the plumbing problems for less than a thousand dollars was definitely worth the cost of the repairs. |
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 On this freedom blog and in my novels, I completely love being able to say what I want to say. I also love being able to censor myself, rather than to have someone else censor my writing. Freedom of speech and freedom of censorship are both wonderful freedoms.
Another great part of being a writer is to have my ideas published. Here is an excerpt from page x of the "Preface" of my newly-released novel Unhidden Pilgrims: "People in the twenty-first century exercise freedom and censorship through such mediums as printed writing, the internet, social media, dialogue, body language, home decoration, clothing, possessions, codes, abbreviations, computer software, images, and symbols. These methods of speaking to others are visible in many sections of Unhidden Pilgrims. Both hidden and unhidden elements of modern and historic communication are displayed by the characters in this novel" (Petit x).  Last night, I had a wonderfully positive dream: I drove my car around the inside of an office building. I went up and down stairs, around desks, avoided electrical cords, and actually had a lot of fun. All of my colleagues at work were really nice. I also had the freedom to drive without stop signs, speed limits, and dead ends. While there were streetlights, they were all green. Even with all of this freedom, though, I behaved myself. I slowed down when necessary and speeded up when some people wanted me to drive more quickly to help them with a project.
 While researching the life and legacy of Roger Williams, Karen Petit has increased her knowledge about the grace of God. In December 2015 and January 2016, she wrote this poem:
Freedom to Worship God Our Lord’s so strong, he really could Just pick us up and make us act Like perfect people being good In settings broken or intact. Instead, we’re free to choose our acts And free to run on different tracks. At times, our choices may be wrong, But prayerful hearts will help us learn The better paths, both short and long. Our Lord and Savior’s loving grace Erases sin and helps us turn Our feet to run a peaceful track. If souls and love to Jesus race, Our ties to Him will stay intact.  Political freedom (or a lack of freedom) is a part of every community. In Roger Williams in an Elevator, the protagonist, Kate Odyssey, is often trying to help other people. She is not always perceived in a positive way, though, as this scene from the novel illustrates: Freeborn looked up at the ceiling. “So, Kate, does your setting above everyone else, up there on the top of the elevator, make you act like a king when you tell people what to do?” Kate’s face looked shocked. “I hope not. I think I’m acting more like a member of congress or parliament than like a king.” (Source: Karen Petit’s Roger Williams in an Elevator, page 188) More debate about Kate’s role can be found in multiple places in Roger Williams in an Elevator, including on pages 188 through 194.  This photo of the Roger Williams statue in Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island, was taken by Dr. Karen Petit at the beginning of a New England snowstorm. This illustration appears on page 14 of ROGER WILLIAMS IN AN ELEVATOR. In October 1635, Roger Williams was banished. Then in January 1636, to avoid being arrested, he had to run from his home during a blizzard and had to leave his family behind. “Williams then said that he called his colony by the name of Providence because of ‘God’s merciful providence until me in my distress.’” (Source: quoted from Roger Williams’s “Liberty for the Soul” and included on page 44 of Karen Petit’s book Roger Williams in an Elevator).
Roger Williams’ reaction to his banishment is inspirational, especially during a New England winter. Whenever Karen Petit looks out the window at quickly accumulating snow, she is thankful to be living in a warm home. Whenever she has to shovel snow, she is even more thankful to be able to walk back and forth between the outdoors and her house, where she can enjoy a hot cup of coffee. In Roger Williams in an Elevator, people are trapped inside of 8 different elevators: 
Each elevator community establishes its own rules and freedoms.
If you were to become trapped in an elevator, what kind of elevator would you prefer?  A few years ago, Karen Petit was actually trapped inside of an elevator. This experience was scary because her thoughts became too creative about what could possibly happen. The experience was also positive because of the two great people trapped in the elevator with her; everyone was very helpful to each other.
After about forty-five minutes, a group of wonderful firemen pried open the elevator’s doors. As Karen and her two new friends climbed out of the doors, the firemen helped them to move downwards more than three feet to land on the floor. Karen then realized that her wildly creative ideas about different possibilities could have a positive outcome: a novel showing freedom by making connections between Roger Williams and elevators. Beginning on Friday, January 1, 2016, some great freedom blog items will be posted here every Friday in January. If you want to comment on any of the blog items, you can click onto "Comments" and submit an idea to be included in the comments on this page. Have a great new year!
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AuthorDr. Karen Petit is the author of Banking on Dreams, Mayflower Dreams, Roger Williams in an Elevator, and Unhidden Pilgrims. She is thankful for having the freedom to worship a wonderful, caring God. Archives
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