"PEACE IN THE MIDST OF A STORM"

a devotional written and sent to me by Tiffany Cole on FL's death row

 

"PEACE IN THE MIDST OF A STORM"

I remember reading about an art competition where the theme given was "peace".  The artist who most effectively depicted peace in his artwork would win the competition.   The artist gathered their paints, canvases and brushes and started working on creating their masterpieces.  When the time came to judge the artworks, the judges were impressed by the various scenes of tranquility illustrated by the artists.  There was a majestic piece capturing the brilliance of the sun setting over lush greenery, one that depicted a serene landscape of moonlit hills and another evocative piece that showed a lone man walking leisurely through rustic paddy fields.   Then, the judges came upon a particular piece that looked almost horrifying and perhaps even ugly to some. It was the very antithesis of every other piece that the judges had seen. It was a wild cacophony of violent colors and the aggression with which the artist had lashed his brush against the canvas was obvious.  It depicted a raging storm where the ocean waves were swollen to menacing heights and slamming against the craggy edges of a cliff with thunderous force.  Lighting zigzagged across the blackened sky and branches of the single tree that was perched atop the cliff were all swept to the side by  the force of the gale.  Now, how could this picture be the epitome of peace?  Yet, the judges unanimously awarded the first prize to the artist who painted the turbulent storm.  While the results initially appeared to be appalling, the judges decision immediately became clear once you gave the  winning canvas a closer look.  Hidden in a crevice in the cliff is a family of eagles sung in the nest.  The mother eagle faces the blustering winds, but her young chicks are oblivious to the storm and have dozed off under the shelter of her wings.  Now thats the kind of peace that Jesus gives your and me!  he gives us peace, security, covering and protection even in the midst of a storm.  The psalmist describes this beautifully:  "He who dwells in the secret place of the host high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty....He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you shall take refuge"  (Psalm 91"1-4)  There is no safer place then under the protective shelter of your savior's wings.  It does not matter what circumstances may be raging around as David did in Psalm 57:1  " Be gracious to me, o you; and in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by"  The new king James version says "Be merciful to me, o god,  be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in you; and in the shadow of your wings i will made my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.  "what blessed assurance we can have today, knowing that even if destruction rages around us, we can take refuge in the Lord. 

Please Note:  Tiffany and I correspond and she asked me to publish this.  

It's a new day....

Yesterday was not very good.  I allowed myself to transgress into some of my "old" ways for awhile now.  I put the brakes on, Screech! Time to stop, self awareness must kick in high gear now!!!   

But.....it's a new day.  Yesterday is gone!!  And while i can't go back and redo things i did wrong.....I can recognize, i was doing wrong and i can own it and move forward because....It's a new day!!!   

God knows every little thing that was wrong with me and why i backslid into some old habits.  And I've taken some steps to prevent those things from creeping back into my new day and cause me grief.  I have enough grief dealing with the aftermath of my sister's murder.  I do not need more.  But more important than the things i did to prevent future problems is the fact i went to God, was forgiven, and now he will ensure i succeed in all i do.  

I have God's forgiveness.  I do not need to worry about people that wish to hold things against me.  They are not important and have no dominion in my life.  They are mere distracters and i have now prayed they be removed from my life.  

Be careful to not be a "distracter" to someone's faith and life.  God will have a lot of wrath on those that do.   

Now, it's a new day!!!  Time to do some work for the Lord!!  Time to smile and move into compassion mode!!  Time to write some letters!!  God bless you all that read this.  God is great!! Dont miss the chance to have him in your life!!!  

Reaching out, reaching out, reaching out!!!

Things are looking up...picked up two more states, we are over 50 peeps now!!  I want to thank my good friend and new assistant Tiffany for agreeing to team up and help me out.   We have known each other since "back n the day" and have similar backgrounds.

We have inmates' we are reaching out to and sending our monthly newsletter to in AZ, CA, TX, AL, FL, Oh, OR, & NC. 48 women and 2 men

  If you have a relative, friend, or pen pal you would like us to write to, send our free colorful Christian based Newsletter, and/or add to pen pal sites, please let me know.  The more we reach, the more Love we spread.   Peace n Light~Rae

Christmas

I want to thank all the warm wishes sent to me for Christmas and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Please remember to be safe on the roads New Year's Eve!!  
I am currently working feverishly to get Christmas cards, letters, and the "Forgotten & Failed" Newsletter out to Ladies on the Row!!!  Take a moment and send an inmate a Christmas card!!  You will be so glad you did!!  God Bless Everyone!!  

Concerning Melissa Lucio TX DR

Melissa's federal appeal with the district court issued a memorandum and order together with a final judgement, petition was denied and dismissed with prejudice. Further appeals are discretionary with the courts. In order to appeal further, they must obtain permission in the form of a Certificate of appealability (COA) from either the District court, Court of appeals. Since the District court has already denied COA, they must try via the Court of Appeals. This must be done within the next 30 days. In order for the court to grant the COA they must demonstrate the lower courts decision was debatable among jurist of reason. To the extent the court finds they have met that standard, Mel will have the opportunity to submit additional briefing arguing not just the debatability of the outcome, but what outcome should be and why. Now that she has entered the 5th Circuit, that process usually takes 9 to 12 months to reach a decision and then she will move to her LAST appeal with the US Supreme Court. Melissa states she's not worried because the Courts are NOT control God is....but i'm asking please pray!!

Just a note

Welcome to all readers new and old.  If you are new and wondering what this blog is about....go to pages and you can read about what brought me here, the how and why, the nitty gritty, i dont hold back much as i tell my story.  Why?  Well, i felt called to do for 2 reasons.  1.  I needed to finally come to terms with the mess that had become my normal and 2. I wanted to let others know, "look at my mistakes and transgressions and still God loves me, he's been very generous to me, and he's kept me alive many times that i otherwise would not have been.   God loves us us all and he loves you too. "  His son Jesus Christ is just waiting for you to invite him in.  He turns no earnest request away.  In fact, he loves sinners very much, he choose them for his disciples and he dined with sinners every day, he came to save not to condemn.   
Being a Christian doesn't take away the fun in your life or joy, it gives joy and peace, true happiness.  The Lord can make still any unrest within you.....We are not perfect, no one is......But we love our Father and he loves us back so many ways.  And we do fall down, but he's there to help us back up.  Much love to all that suffer....you dont have to because he's there for you too. 

How do i feel today? Asks a friend.....

Someone asked me how i felt today.  It was not the usual polite question used as a common greeting.  It was someone close to me that  knewi had been crying.  Not recently, but recent enough my eyes were still  puffy and swollen.  
"How do i feel today"?  i repeated.  "Well, that's a loaded question".  I answered.  
I feel ill.  I feel like there's no tomorrow.  I feel like i cant do this thing anymore.  But then i feel like i have no choice, so i wipe my tears and set my grief back aside.  There's no chance i will "lose" my grief.  It's been my companion since February 9th, 1985. I made my peace with it, but it still hurts every single day.  And i'm certain it always will.   This week's execution of a man i have never heard of brought it all back.  
  I think back to my own sister's murder. That night, how did

i feel? Sick, in agony, horrified, afraid, terrified, like the 

world came to a screeching halt. And nothing, nothing has

ever been the same since. That was Feb 9th, 1985. You

don't "get over" it. It never goes away. Time marches on,

but that hurt and those wounds never go. There is NO

closure. There is no Healing. There's no BETTER. Do i

hate my only siblings murderer? No, i sure do not. I

might have at first for a time or maybe i was just really

angry at him. I am not sure. He's also dead. For u see, he

shot and killed my sister then turned the gun on himself.

All in front of their 4 year old daughter. It took me 30 years

to stop raging and hating for this act that took mere mins

that cold snowy February night, so long ago.


Peace came only with God's help and forgiveness. I

forgave my brother in law. I get no joy or closure knowing

he is also dead. Their child wishes one of her parents had

survived. One. She would have been grateful if she had

her dad to visit in prison. She would have gone every single

visitation day. How do i know? Well, she told me this, more

than once growing up and as an adult. The crime affected

her more than anyone else. It still affects her daily. It does

us all, but it was her parents and she was there and saw it.


Then i smile and tell my friend i am one lucky woman 

because I had the best big sister ever was for 18 years of my

life. Those precious memories are all i have left now and a

few photographs. And I hold on, knowing God will reunite

us in heaven one day. And while i so long for that day. I

beg God for longer on beautiful planet Earth so that I can be

with my wonderful and loving family. Most of all my child.

Although an adult she will always be my baby, my reason to

live, the reason i chose to live, instead of dying inside. Yes

I'm a very lucky and blessed woman. And now it's time to

write some letters to some inmates and try to cheer them up

and make sure they know God loves them and wants to turn

their lives around.


Smile, God is good. He surrounds us with beauty. Don't let

the bad things in life, the mundane daily grind, or the

ugly of people and their destruction and hate filled ways

make you forget how lucky you are and how much God

loves you. He doesnt cause the bad things that happen.

He wants only joy and peace and love for you. It's yours

for the taking too. 


And should you stumble like I do frequently, he's right there

to help you back up. Because he knows our imperfection

and our backsliding ways. And still he loves us. And still

he's there. And still he cares.


Now, I will ask you, "How do you feel today?"




.

Welcome to my Russian readers!!

I was sort of surprised to see this week, this month even,  Russian viewers have read my blog the most.  Usually it's is Americans that top the stats.   So I wanted to give a warm welcome to my Russian readers and let them know i would love to know about any Russian lady criminals if they might take the time to send me names/info.  Thank you so much for viewing!!  

Another new lady at PV

Some may wonder why i have suddenly picked up so many inmates that are not on DR.  I was appalled and shocked at what i believe is the worst female prison in the USA, Perryville prison in Goodyear, AZ.  I don't believe anyone ever had a good year in Goodyear.  The suicide rate is extremely high for inmates and even ex inmates.  Prison's not a free ticket to a luxury spa but it should rehabilitate and no one is rehabilitated in a prison with an almost 50% recidivism rate.  PV has a new warden now and some improvements are being made.  Pray it continues.   

I become concerned over the women coming out of PV and returning like a revolving door.  If we treat people horrible they will come out of prison angry and worse than they went in and that means they are likely to re-offend and that means we all are at risk to become victims.  I dont want there to be any more victims.  I believe with some love and guidance from positive persons, inmates can in fact turn their life around.  Many have no one writing or calling or visiting.  Sometimes, just knowing someone cares can really help and make a person try harder to do what's right.  

My new lady was actually refereed to me by Shawna Forde who is on DR at PV.  She made me aware this lady needed some calls made for her to receive some medical intervention for a problem.  Appropriate channels intervened and she's getting the medical care now. But i also got another lady to write to as she indicated she wanted to correspond and wanted to hear about the Lord too.  This makes me real happy as this  lady is opening the door to save her soul for eternity should she accept Jesus and live for him now.

  I believe she will/does and that things will start to turn around for her personally because once you call upon Jesus and accept him, he will not let u go.  Only good things can happen in your life, inside your heart with Christ.  That doesnt mean bad things wont occur from other sources in your life.  But it does mean you have a personal savior to keep you going on your insides and you are never alone.  The Lord can change the hearts and minds of even your worst enemies if you ask and believe.  

May God Bless every set of eyes that reads this blog and bring about positive change in their lives.  Put your pain and burdens upon the Lord, he will lighten your load and fill you with peace.  The demons of the Lords adversary will surely come running but with Jesus they wont stay long.   

Retro Lady Killers

 Evelyn Watson was 23 and had 4 children already when she and her brother broke into the home of a 50 year old widow and bludgeoned her to death.  They stole cash & diamonds and then buried them.  This crime happened in 1955 in Houston TX.  I wonder what became of Evelyn's 4 children?  Her brother and she each pointed the finger at each other for the widow's murder.   

Retro Lady Killers

At the tender age of 18, Louise Hunsberger shot and killed her 41 year old lover; most believed him to be her father due to the vast age difference.  They had had an argument.  This picture is from 1969 at Marion County Jail in IN.  

Retro Lady Killers

Elena Estrada was convicted of Manslaughter and sentenced to 7 years in AZ territorial prison in Yuma in the year of 1900.  She had stabbed a man in the abd and he died about 2 days later.  It was rumored to have been over a narcotics deal gone bad.  We seldom tend to think about drugs being around in the yea of 1900.  Elena was paroled in 1907.  

Retro Lady Killers

I am going to do a series on Female killers throughout history. I am always a bit shocked when i see old time pictures of female killers. We have to remember, there's been female criminals for a very long time. Not nearly as many as their male counterparts, but they surely did exist. I wonder how many may have never been detected? This is Jeane McGowan's prison pic in 1955, FL women's prison. She was a mere 18 when she held up a bar and shot killing the bartender when he refused to open the safe. What a waste of 2 lives. I would love to know what her childhood background had been like.

Facebook pages

I have multiple facebook pages and 2 blogs, this one and Shawna Forde's blog.  This is a lot to keep up to date and maintain.  I will be slowly shutting down some of the fb pages, transferring the info here and thus lightening my load.    I have a goal to leave fb all together but we shall see how that goes.   I am not happy with facebook and their policies and/or lack there of.  The blog is much easier to maintain.  This is just FYI to anyone wondering as the first of my pages is slated to be deleted around June 1st or so, i want any followers to be able to get the link to here  in case they might want to write to one of the ladies needing pen pals.   

Thrilling update on one of my ladies

I have an earlier post called the "new lady", she was newer to death row than most of the inmates i write but she was also new to me as she had just started to correspond with me since my Christmas card blitz.  My thrilling update wont be what the majority of folks will be expecting.  I believe most would be expecting i would be posting her case was overturned, she was commuted to life, or some such thing.   Instead it's not even close and has nothing to do with her case at all.  

We have only been writing since late Dec of 2016 but in that space of time she's written me many, many times.  This last time was different tho.  I got a card in April from her.  It was the very first time she sent me anything pertaining to religion.  She states they cant buy greeting cards so she made me one.  It had a cross on the cover surrounded by different colored jeweled tiles she had drawn and colored.  Inside she wrote out the verse for Gal 5:20, she thanked me for my minor help in locating someone for her and asked God to bless me for it, saying in the accompanying letter something like, "you will never know how much the small things you for us inmates means to us".   She signed off by stating she was praying for me and hoped to be able to repay my kindness one day.   

I had to fight off tears of joy because you see, what that inmate gave to me was worth much more to me than all the gold in the world.  She gave to me proof my planting seeds of God's love is actually working.  In my reply i told her she could repay the kindness by praying for God to continue to guide me and that i would listen and obey, that would mean more to me than gold.   Once you start hearing the word of God, reading the word of God, writing/saying the word of God to others, praying to God for anything or anyone....well you now have God in your life and little by little he will win you over.  And it all starts with a little seed.  You plant that seed and the Lord will water and nourish it.  

I do know exactly how much the little things mean.  I have lived through some pretty rough times/things.  I have hit rock bottom more than once.  And every time it's been the little tiny random acts of kindness and thoughtful gestures done by others that have gotten me by mentally and sometimes physically.  Sometimes the smallest of deeds will literally lift the person you do them for up and out of despair.  Also revealed to me is the fact that those doing the small acts of kindness for me were planting seeds also and although it took awhile, a long while even, the seeds were indeed being nurtured by the Lord and finally sprouted.   

I am praying to my wonderful Lord that everyone who reads this will indeed be blessed and their seeds will be nourished  and  they too will make use of the opportunity to plant some seeds of their own for God.  Not sure how?  Or maybe your worried how you might be perceived?  Maybe you just feel guilty because you do not attend church or your not living the most "Godly" of lives?  It's really quite okay, because God loves you anyway.  Lord Jesus loves you anyway.  In fact, he loves you so much he died for you.  Small steps equal giant bounds in your spiritual future.  You do not have memorize the bible in a week.  You do not have to try to be a Saint overnight.  You do not have to make all these painful changes and become something your not.   If anyone ever tells you different you can know they are not telling the truth.  This is very simple.  It's humans that make it so difficult.  Once you start to get God into your life with just 1 simple step or maybe 2, you will progress and your life will change for the better until you dont even know who that person was when you look back.  And i promise you wont miss that person either.  So simple and yet so many will just turn a blind eye.  Or make life unbelievably difficult like i did for over 30 years.  Give God a try, you cannot lose.  He already knows you, he already loves you and in fact he loved you well before you were ever conceived.  He's waiting. Just say, "Dear Lord Jesus, i accept you as my Lord and savior, thank you for loving me, thank you for dying for me.  Please come into my life.  Help me plant some seeds so that my own seeds will be blessed by you and flourish. Amen".    It doesnt get much simpler than that.  However, you have to truly mean it and look for ways to commit small random acts of seed planting for the Lord.   Continue to say that prayer or something similar, keep inviting him in!  I promise he has great things in store for you!!  Just like he has had for me!! Be blessed.....

The need for prison correspondences!

I just wanted to take the time to really encourage anyone reading this blog to reach out and write an inmate!  There's proof writing to and mentoring  inmates decreases recidivism rates for those inmates that will be returning to society.  And proof it can help those in for life be productive and live meaningful lives while incarcerated.  This also makes for a better and safer work environment for the guards and prison staff who perform a very difficult  and dangerous job.  

As Christians, we are to witness Christ to others.  It's not optional, it's a requirement and it's important.  This doesn't mean door to door knocking has to be done or flying overseas to a foreign land.  It can be as simple as reaching out to an inmate about the love and forgiveness of Christ.   We are not to judge and criticize others but rather to treat them and do for them as if they were Christ himself.  

The Lord makes multiple references to those in prison.  And let's not forget, Christ himself was sentenced to death, although he committed no crime, he was forced on death row, and murdered.  He has not forgotten those in jails, prisons, and on Death Row.  It's never too late to find the Lord.  Never!  Where better to begin than with the segment of society "tossed away" and "forsaken" by most.....those in prison!   

Think you have nothing to offer an inmate?  I can assure you, you are mistaken!  You have a life of experiences to share.  You have yourself and a few moments here and there and that's all it takes to make a huge impact in someone else's life.   I am going to add a page with inmate names/address that like to receive mail/cards.  Make a difference today!!  

Update for April/May

Going into the busy season for me and my family.  Spring's here and warm enough to began planting, so work on my garden and flower beds i must!!  We are doing a special project this year!  One i am very excited about and have shown and discussed with many of the inmates i write.  We are putting in an English hedgerow or "living fence" instead of a conventional fence around my property.   I will be taking pictures of the Garden and the project as both start and advance so that the inmate's can feel they are a part of it too.  Many were gardeners or just enthusiast's of fresh organic veggies and fruits or nature lovers and really enjoy this type of thing.  Most are amazed at the amount of fruit and veggies I grow on a small piece of land by using vertical gardening and asking the Lord's blessing, and lot's of work!  No herbicides, no chemicals, no pesticides, lot's of Granny and Gramp's advice and methods!

One inmate told me she had not eaten a fresh carrot or tomato in 12 years.  I was shocked, angered, and flabbergasted.  The grounds on her prison are vast.  I wondered why on Earth the prison did not take advantage of all the inmate labor and grow their own vegetables and plant an orchard?  This would be more nutritious and save alot of money.  It would also get women involved in nurturing plants and

learning some work skills and/or skills to help feed their own families after release.  I have seen some of the prisoner's gardens at prison's that do grow their own food and they are beautiful!!  And they produce enough to feed the inmates and make income at Farmer's market.   I cannot understand the line of thinking that wants to pay more for nasty processed food.  Feeling good leads to better moods/behaviors and it all starts with what is eaten!!

The picture's used Osage Orange plants for the hedgerow.  I decided to use Rose of Sharon.  Any type of plant tree/shrub that gives off "suckers" may be used.  I settled on Rose of Sharon because the back of my property was already lined by them and they are advancing with new plants every year, they are tough, and require little care once established, they are very fast growing.  They are also "free".  And the blooms are heavenly.  My neighbor is delighted by the idea.  Win/win.   

The new lady

Today, i am going to write just a bit different.  I want to write just little about a new lady i am corresponding with.  She's new to my list and she's new to prison, most of all she's new (fairly) to death row.  

She's given me permission to post about her, but i am not going to use her name/state just yet.   I want her to see how and what i write first and make sure she's okay with it.  

My first correspondence with her was a Christmas card this year.  I had sent out 70 plus of them to DR inmates and women in penitentiaries who's names i was given to send a card.   In my card, all painfully written with a hand/wrist full of arthritis, i wrote just a brief blessing and that i was an inmate advocate and was available for anyone wanting a pen pal.   

Everyone in her DR cell block had written back to me but they were all leery because of a certain woman that poses as an advocate for women in prison but really preys on them for fodder for her trash books she writes and sells for $2.50.  I am not interested in writing any books or profiting and that can be a lot for some of these used and abused women to wrap their heads around.   It's okay, i am very patient and i shall send them all cards again soon.   

However, this one woman, "the new lady", was glad to write me back and take a chance. She said she had no one that would write her back or help her in any way.  Her aged mother could not do certain things for her and anyone that said they would did not follow through.  I could feel her anguish and frustration so i decided i would help her anyway i could.    

We have all had the experience of being new.  Whether it was a new school, new job, or whatever.  It's never fun being the newby.  I cannot imagine what being the newby on death row must be like.   No one appreciates their creature comforts and privacy like i do!  To have that all suddenly gone, whether you deserve it or not......cannot be very pleasant.  I do not get into the deserves or not part much.  I think all human beings deserve to be treated as human beings no matter what.   

I am not going to choose to think about this woman as guilty of some horrid crime.  I am going to think about her as a fellow human who reaching out to another just to try to put a few of the pieces of her shattered world back in place.  Can i help her with this?  I dont know but i can try at least.  What will it consist of?  Sending a few short messages via facebook.  Yes, i feel i do that. Looking up a few addresses for her that she cannot quite recall the zip codes on.  yes i can do that.   

After a few letters i casually bring up money.  Does she have any in her commissary account?  Is there anything i can send her?  Does she need help with stamps?   It's only fair that a person writing to someone in a prison, especially on DR where the inmates do not have paid jobs, send them a little money from time to time to help them with buying paper, pens, envelopes, and stamps. And maybe a little extra for a candy bar and a coke. A little kindness and generosity is not missed on these folks.  They are grateful for 5 bucks.  Try only giving your kid 5 bucks and if they are over 7 they will just stare at you like, "you better be kidding". Out of all the many inmates i write, only 1 has ever asked me upfront if i would send her money. These women are very humble.  Not what i had thought they would be like at all.  

My goal, as my goal with all the inmates will be to try and show as much kindness and caring as i can so that my message about the Lord will be listened to and hopefully they will want more.  Hopefully this woman will see God loves her and is waiting for her with open arms.  

What do i get out of it?  I get nothing but pure joy for serving the Lord and that gives me everything for we are to amass our treasures in heaven and not on Earth. Easier said than done.  But very possible with the Lord's help.  God bless everyone that reads this and God bless everyone double that's willing to reach out to an inmate and care.   

So what's new?

I have picked up several new pen pals, all ladies and 1 gentleman.  Some from Chowchilla Women's prison in CA, Some from Tutweiler's Women's prison in AL, some from NC's women's correctional facility, More from TX's Mountain View prison and AZ's infamous Perryville women's prison.  And 1 from Men's prison in AZ.  Not all are on DR, some are lifer's, several from Perryville in AZ will be getting out in the next few years.   All new from my Christmas campaign with mailing out cards.   There are a few more that were interested enough to send back a card or a Thank you; and i intend to message them as well whether i hear back again or not, i will send little bits of inspiration and encouragement.  After all, it took me 1 year of trying to establish a friendship with 1 inmate whom i feel has greatly enriched and enhanced my life and the way i do things.   I am still somewhat behind in everything i do, as usual, including answering letters.  I had typically answered all letters within 2 weeks and usually shorter.  It's taking me a 1 month to 3 weeks to respond back and i am trying to get that within the 1 to 2 week time frame again.  I am as impatient as they come and if i'm impatient to get my mail, with all the other things i have going on in my life....what must it be like for the inmate waiting for the mail which is a daily highlight in their life?  
I will refer less by name as a few of the inmates i write to now wish to keep low profiles as they are taking their lawyer's advice and i will post about only inmates by name/location that have told me specifically they want me to and/or send things for me to post such as artwork, poems, etc.
I have wrote to Tiffany Cole in FL for almost 2 years now, she's made a real impact on me, on my life and belief in the Lord and spoken to me with the Holy Spirit guiding her pen.  More than once Tiff's wrote to me about very specific topics that she had no way of knowing how they were affecting me at the time.  Her long hand written devotional and words lifted me up and caused me to renew my devotion to God and his work for me.   When i mentioned this to her, she merely laughs and says she's not surprised because that's how the Holy Spirit works. Tiffany loves the Lord and follows him daily by staying in the word and sharing it with others.  She doesnt waste her time on those not believing she's a born again Christian or that she's sincere.  She's taught me to stop worrying about what evil people have to say to or about me and just get on about my work and stay in the word!!   I will post a pamphlet she sent me after our discussing my baking Jesus a birthday cake at Christmas time.

Shawna Forde

http://www.theshawnafordeblog.org/    I have alot of recent posts on my other blog, "The Shawna Forde Blog", so while i have not added much here, there is alot of posts there.  I will not repeat the Forde posts here, since Shawna has her own blog.  Shawna is my dear friend and i believe her innocence will shine in her next appeal!  I have been communicating with Shawna no less than 2x per week via mail and phone for 2 years now and i can tell you she's nothing like the state of AZ portrayed her as, nothing  She's vibrant and funny, caring and intelligent, very quick witted and articulate.

  She is certainly not a racist either.  Hop over to her blog and check it out.