A message from Alexis, sent through her counselor,
and dated April 23, 2017…
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support, love, and encouragement. Through you, God continues to give me grace to endure my time of incarceration.
I am so grateful for those who have sacrificially given to support me in more ways than I can count: Giving generously to reduce my bond. Helping with my living expenses before my trial. Helping to fund my family court case. Contributing to my weekly expenses while in prison. And giving generously so I can have an experienced attorney to appeal my conviction.
I cannot express enough how much my spirit has been lifted and encouraged by those who continue to pray for me, to write to me, to accept my phone charges, to visit me, and to advocate for me and my little one. May God reward each of you for your sacrifices of love. I will forever be in your debt.
Prison is not a pretty place to live. I am learning to balance the need to keep myself physically safe (not always successful) while not being too cautious to enter the messiness of others’ lives. I know that I have been blessed with more resources than many because of my training, my faith, and the many who love me. And I know that to whom much is given, much is expected.
It has been sobering to me to discover how many of the women here did not just one day decide to become criminals. As I have listened to their stories, I have been struck by how many of them were victims of incest and other unspeakable acts of abuse and neglect that were buried in a culture of family secrets.
Some have become hardened by the pain, and caution is necessary to be safe around them. But the vulnerability of so many others is heartbreaking. And I am trying to discern my role of being a place of God’s grace for them. While at the same time managing the grief that it stirs up for my own little one, where I have no influence except that of my prayers and yours.
I cannot thank you enough for lifting me up with your encouragement and prayers! I have my difficult days. But I am finding that God’s grace is sufficient to keep hope alive.
From my heart,
Alexis