A brief note or two for first time visitors. First, welcome! I’m so glad to see you! Are you in need of rescue? Here is my rescue story. I share it because I know it can be your story too! It is my prayer that every post lead you one step closer in your walk...
One afternoon in May 2017 as I sat in the prison dayroom, I noticed my coworker Sylvia being pushed in her wheelchair by her roommate. Sylvia’s hands trembled as she struggled to recall where she was. Her eyes looked lost and confused, searching the room for something...
In January 2017, I was still mourning the absence of Tim in my life. Graciously, God had moved my son Tom to begin speaking to me again. God always moved in the hearts of my children to keep at least one of them in my life. When one disappeared, another arrived again....
“Upper A, upper A, come down for linen exchange,” the PA squawked. In my room, I watched TV and waited for my wing to be called. My linens – bed sheets and towels – sat folded at the end of my bed. Sometimes we received fluffy soft towels and new sheets. Usually, we...
Dear Reader, Your Opinion Wanted! Below you will find 2 versions of chapter 23 “The Trial.” I would love to hear which version resonates best with you, the reader. Which do you find more powerful, relatable and impactful to you? Version #1 A Shocking...
A Day in Prison: Education and Unexpected Friendships Filing into the prison visiting room with the rest of the ABE students, I found a seat and dropped into it. It was September 2016, and the quarterly education meeting was about to begin. The visiting room furniture...
(21) Born Bad From Surviving to Living Serial Audiobook https://episodes.castos.com/659ef4b1483350-07089036/1759903/c1e-8p1q4c9vvzvi4jox4-v0ng09z9t7j4-ukulwk.mp3 Facing Institutional Hurdles: Battling the Psych Department “I was kicked out of Anthony.” I turned in my...
(20) Passing Summer From Surviving to Living serial audiobook https://episodes.castos.com/659ef4b1483350-07089036/1746344/c1e-z68kzhm73z9fnj3qr-8m6pk5woukw8-bfuhpl.mp3 A Brother's Love: Reconnecting Amidst Trial and Turmoil “Noel, do you have Tim’s newest phone...
(19) Meeting Mr. Bot From Surviving to Living Serial Audiobook https://episodes.castos.com/659ef4b1483350-07089036/1741821/c1e-1q350cjjrrpu1j84d-ddknzrdgh84o-57veme.mp3 Writing to Connect: A Mom Behind Bars At my desk, I finished another letter to my children....
(18) Projecting Hope From Surviving to Living Serial Audiobook https://episodes.castos.com/659ef4b1483350-07089036/1730532/c1e-g0gz2i33v79h0qox7-jk0xvdnqhjr-pgsymn.mp3 “Hi, It’s Holly! How are you?” I was reaching out to every family member, friend and organization I...
It was April 2016, and I’d spent the past three months trying to find a home in Minnesota for my son Tim. It was not going well. Tim, now age 13, seemed despondent. He’d spent the past 2 and a half years in a slew of foster and group homes in Washington,...
