Lilies of the Field

It's been a minute since I've attended to my blog. I apologize--life has been full since my last post. Dealing with some medical issues (nothing life-threatening, but borderline every disease that often comes mid-life), I've had a wake-up call to pay greater attention to my lifestyle and make some permanent changes. Actively participating in the ladies' ministries in my church, working on lessons in the Psalms for the ladies' Bible study there, and enjoying community life with the family of God, while trying to keep up with the ordinary day-to-day, something had to give. While it's been a time of great blessing and refreshment, some things have been neglected and/or gently set aside for a season. This blog. While we are on a holiday break from studies at the church, I wanted to blog a bit and update my readers on my goals for 2023. My desire is to finish with one last post on my prison trial, followed by finishing up the Habakkuk study. Then, I want to begin an

  6/15/2012 --Day 50--Finally at Alderson.  Ten days earlier... When I left from ACJ, I wasn't sure where I was going or how I was getting there. (God knew.) Melissa, Vicki, and I were called together. Because Missy thought she was going back to Alderson, and Vicki was going to Hazelton, I assumed I was going to Alderson on June 5th. When we got to the airport, however, Vicki and Missy went on the bus to Hazelton (West Virginia--but not a Camp--Hazelton is a medium-security facility that houses men and women. Many women come from Hazelton to Alderson once their security level points have decreased to a certain number. This happens after doing so much of their time without incident.) A guy named Anthony and I got on the plane to only God knew where. (Where He leads, sometimes I have no choice but to follow, and that's a good thing.) There were five girls on the 'plane' (I loosely refer to it as such), and the rest were men. I hadn't eaten or drank anything all day be

5/29/2012 --I've been thinking a lot about the children of Israel in the wilderness and how God used that time to make Moses into the leader He purposed him to be. Because the wilderness is a painful and lonely experience, it exposes us for who we are. It strips us of every vain encumbrance revealing the depths of our weakness. Once we've been exposed to our vile nature, we should turn to God's merciful offer of salvation. Yet, most do not. For about a week, I got distracted by my case. I started talking to a woman, who I now believe is a con-artist. After talking to several other women who pulled me aside, realizing what was going on, they convinced me with solid evidence that this woman tries to get information to give to the Feds that can be used against someone but lessen her sentence. Apparently, it's quite common in prison. Promising freedom, I bought the lie and bit down on the lure she cast for me. She was probably thinking how easy it was to lure me in. But why

  5/27/2012 --Shouting matches erupted this morning at breakfast over a simple question by someone about church. (I might add, I was not in the conversation. 😬) Interestingly, I had just started talking to Jeannette about Christ, again, but got interrupted by another lady when I started my testimony. She had asked me why I have such peace and why I don't have anger and why I can say I'm thankful to be here. Why, why, why. I told her it is because I know the Lord has put me here for His purpose and that I am a "born-again" (I specifically used that adjective for a reason) Christian who trusts God's Word when it says He is working all things for my good and His glory.  When pressed, she stated she believes she is a Christian because she is a Catholic and a good person. Once again, she relayed to me how she had a bad experience with "born again" Christians who were foster parents to her daughter. She has a lot of problems that she believes all stem from do

  5/23/2012 - -Reality check. There is a new lady on the pod today. She set her house on fire with her kids inside it. She got five to ten years. That's hard to take. (In the same news for 5/14/2012 another local woman was convicted of killing her stepfather and burying him in the coal cellar of the family's home in 1983. She will serve "at least" seven years in prison. My son got 9 years, I got 4.25 years, and my husband got 20 on a bogus plea deal. This shows how our justice system values money--viewing money crimes more serious than crimes of violence--way more than human life. ) (My only deduction was that You wanted me in prison for my good and Your glory. And that is the truth I bowed my knee to in the "prison trial" You ordained for me.) 5/24/2012--Day 28 --My dad and my two sons came to visit me today. They were able to pick up the money order. That is a relief! I praise You, Lord! 5/25/2012 --I just remembered a very vivid dream I had many years ago

  5/21/2012 --Lord, You are teaching me to rely on You fully for everything--from the most basic of needs--toilet paper--to my deepest needs of the affections of my heart--working in the hearts of my boys to make them wholly Yours and bringing Jordan and Jared safely home. You, most loving, gracious, and merciful Father are awesome, and I love You! My heart overflows with adoration and praise for You and Your goodness to me. How blessed I am. I must also believe You are working in the hearts of both Greg and me to restore our marriage and make it what You created it to be in Christ Jesus our Lord. I had my classification today. I'm not moving until my appeal--that is what they told me. (This was not true.) My roommate is moving and possibly my two friends. I really hope that Kathy doesn't move. She is leaving in 18 days. I believe I'll be gone by then, too. My roommate got to go home today.  We were locked down for five hours today from 10:30 to 4:30, and now we're in e