“You must align with scriptural truth about who you are and your place in the grand scheme of God’s plan”
-My Wishlist of things that will help me progress towards my goals for Education, Career-planning and a successful future, self betterment, and spirituality:
Journals – especially naturey or brown leather ones (for daily progress accountability and introspection).
Composition notebooks/loose leaf paper, (for class notes and writing letters). Magazine subscriptions regarding wildlife, veterinary practice, Oregon’s wildlife, and conservation (for my education and planning towards my future career in wildlife veterinary work or rehab).
Pens (for classwork, writing letters, and journaling).
E-Stamps (for sending Prison Professors my journal entries, bios, release plan, and book reports).
Folders (for organizing my classwork and my novel’s manuscript).
-7:30-10am ICEV Vet Assisting I class by ATLO.
-Went to lunch (KDP) and then back to Education.
-11am-noon In the peaceful classroom while I waited to check out a laptop, I read my book Beaver. I’m learning so much about beavers and their impact on the environment, American
history, and their anatomy. They are truly fascinating animals and I’m excited to learn about a species I may have the honor of saving as a wildlife rehabber or veterinarian one day. -Noon-2pm ICEV VA1 class.
-My bunkie/close friend and I were on the chapel call-out for 6pm and didn’t know what it was for. Earlier in the day as I was coming into our dorm and she was leaving, she said “The 6 o’clock callout…it’s a concert….WE’RE GOING.” I said “Okay” and wow am I so glad I did!
It was my first time seeing Higher Love perform. The group were all so wonderfully talented, beautiful, and inspiring. In honor of Jesus and his life, they performed songs with so much life and soul that there was hardly a dry eye in our chapel. As someone who tries not to cry in front of others, when Luke sang “Something In the Water”, I broke and cried along with my good friends who flanked me in the front row seats. They sang Tina Turner, Baby by Justin Bieber, and we all sang along to Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. This group of 5 talented souls inspired me as someone who loves playing music (drums) in a way that no group has inspired me before. I play rock music – primarily 70s and 80s – and over the years I wondered about what kind of band I would wish to play in, SHOULD I ever play for prisoners like Church Behind Bars does. Higher Love, though a drum kit was absent, had a sound and vibe that I loved so much. Perhaps as a hobby one day, I can encompass that vibe with other musicians to bring to a church or prison. I know that no matter what I’m doing in my life, I want to come back into the prisons and lift up others any way that I can.
There was so much love and support from Melinda, who was once on American Idol, and the wonderful group who came with her and her fellow musicians. Another touching moment was when the one woman who is on death row was able to join us, though separated from us. At graduation, this woman was with us, graduating from her own accomplishment, from behind the glass. Just like that day, there was a strong, loving and empathetic vibe from everyone in the room as we cheered for her and hand-hearts were held up from her to all of us. I’m glad she got to see the performance.
-I thought it’d be fun to share with you the contents of my locker (drawer). I think a lot can be said about a person by what they have in their bedroom or, in my case, a locker drawer… Random House 4th edition Thesaurus
Random House 4th edition Webster’s Dictionary
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mammals, North America
15-Minute German by Penguin Random House
Earning Freedom, by Michael Santos
Accordion folder with the novel notes that my Oregon family and I are writing together Accordion folder with classwork and List of Universities offering Vet Tech degrees. Folders with DOC info, personal info, receipts, grievances, etc.
Folder with Horizon FCB Program keepsakes from when I was a Peer Facilitator (i.e. my lesson plans, grad ceremony pamphlets, written student letters, things I created for the dorm/my classes, etc)
Folder with cards and birthday banners made by friends
Folders with cards and envelopes to send to my loved ones
Address book
Reentry guidebook, by Michael Santos
Hygiene items
Makeup bag, colored pencil/chalk bag, and hair bag
Coffee mug and bowl
Composition book
One journal
10 year planner
2003 Jailhouse Lawyer’s Handbook
Multivitamins
Photo album
Folder of earned certifications
Hair rollers
Creativity folder, with drawings and paper for making cards, banners, and our dorm’s bulletin board decorations.
*And thanks to my loving husband who ordered a quarterly package for me…
Coffee, tea, cocoa (My favorite things)
Oatmeal (my breakfast)
Oreos (a favorite!)
Cheerios
Cheez-Its (a favorite snack)
Crackers
Nutri Grain bars
Roasted Peanuts
And for a very rare treat, Rocky Road bars and Cherry Pies
