hydrocodone. It was a 15 and an 8 year concurrent sentence; but while I was there, I was taken back to court to face the charge of sale of cocaine. I was found guilty and was sentenced to another 14 years to run consecutively with the first charges. 29 years. 22 to serve.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRISON EXPERIENCE.
I went to prison hustling, selling cigarettes and doing what a lot of other women were doing - meeting friends and girlfriends at chapel service. I wasn't thinking at that time about where my life was headed, but this minister used to bring music to his services and over time I started listening to the lyrics. I recognized that it was possible that I would never see my family again. I had nobody, and by whatever time the system would let me out, I could very well have lost them all forever. That was not the only thing I thought about. There was something inside me that kept drawing back to those chapel services, even when I had nobody to see. When I began to feel again, I got this longing for my family; but it took a long time before I could hear from them. Years. All the while the longing was growing. It was a great challenge for me to think about how I could approach these people I have neglected; but now I needed them.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRISON EXPERIENCE.
I went to prison hustling, selling cigarettes and doing what a lot of other women were doing - meeting friends and girlfriends at chapel service. I wasn't thinking at that time about where my life was headed, but this minister used to bring music to his services and over time I started listening to the lyrics. I recognized that it was possible that I would never see my family again. I had nobody, and by whatever time the system would let me out, I could very well have lost them all forever. That was not the only thing I thought about. There was something inside me that kept drawing back to those chapel services, even when I had nobody to see. When I began to feel again, I got this longing for my family; but it took a long time before I could hear from them. Years. All the while the longing was growing. It was a great challenge for me to think about how I could approach these people I have neglected; but now I needed them.
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HOW WERE YOU CONNECTED WITH STONE STORIES?
When I was released from prison I started attending the same church my oldest daughter is a member of. Because I had been ministering in the prison, I thought that naturally I would have something to do in church - that God would use me on the outside as well. (Valerie had a total transformation experience in prison. Before her release she began teaching Bible Studies and leading other women to CHRIST) And He would, at just the right time and in the way He saw fit. So I attended, worshipped, and tithed - all while feeling like I may burst with the anticipation of what God had placed inside me. I felt like I needed to DO something. I stayed in contact with the chaplain from prison and one day I shared my concerns with her. Not long afterwards she connected me with Kelly Williams who allowed me to express myself through my writing. I was introduced to Stone Stories quarterly magazine. Since then my own Stone Story has been recorded for YouTube. I attended the first Stone Stories Revival where I was given the chance to speak about my journey through the healing of breast cancer.
"I am convinced that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18 KJV) I also got connected with ReDesigns. I have learned that different skill sets combined make beautiful pieces of art. I braid fabrics to make rugs.
WHAT OTHER SKILLS HAVE YOU LEARNED THROUGH STONE STORIES?
Because of Stone Stories I have learned the timeless art of hand making jelly. I am very good at it.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER WOMEN BEING RELEASED FROM PRISON?
To every woman being released from prison and desiring to see God's hand at work in their lives and to be of God in ways you have never imagined, you MUST trust God. He will bring it to pass. Walk through every open door the Lord opens and do not be afraid.
When I was released from prison I started attending the same church my oldest daughter is a member of. Because I had been ministering in the prison, I thought that naturally I would have something to do in church - that God would use me on the outside as well. (Valerie had a total transformation experience in prison. Before her release she began teaching Bible Studies and leading other women to CHRIST) And He would, at just the right time and in the way He saw fit. So I attended, worshipped, and tithed - all while feeling like I may burst with the anticipation of what God had placed inside me. I felt like I needed to DO something. I stayed in contact with the chaplain from prison and one day I shared my concerns with her. Not long afterwards she connected me with Kelly Williams who allowed me to express myself through my writing. I was introduced to Stone Stories quarterly magazine. Since then my own Stone Story has been recorded for YouTube. I attended the first Stone Stories Revival where I was given the chance to speak about my journey through the healing of breast cancer.
"I am convinced that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18 KJV) I also got connected with ReDesigns. I have learned that different skill sets combined make beautiful pieces of art. I braid fabrics to make rugs.
WHAT OTHER SKILLS HAVE YOU LEARNED THROUGH STONE STORIES?
Because of Stone Stories I have learned the timeless art of hand making jelly. I am very good at it.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER WOMEN BEING RELEASED FROM PRISON?
To every woman being released from prison and desiring to see God's hand at work in their lives and to be of God in ways you have never imagined, you MUST trust God. He will bring it to pass. Walk through every open door the Lord opens and do not be afraid.
Connecting Women with Christ Centered
Transformation Homes and Rehabilitation Centers
Transformation Homes and Rehabilitation Centers
