Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post, and I'm sorry for your loss. Even if you'd lost touch with her, something so sudden and inexplicable is never easy to take.
Hey Eric, I have another letter I am putting together for you right now. I havn't finished or sent it yet. But I wanted to know if the prison will let you recieve paper, pencils, pens, envelopes (stationary materials) to help you out. I work in a dollar store and it would be easy for me to compile the items for you, including a few stamps. I just am not sure if you are restricted from these items or if they took them from you for some other reason. As always, sorry for the lags in communication. I hope you are doing as best as can be expected. Write back when you can. Jessica
unbelievable what happens in these prisons...a lot of people would never imagine these things could still happen nowadays but unfortunately it's true. I lived in America for a while and I noticed myself that it has a long way to go in terms of being a civilized nation. I can tell from your writing that your spirit is not broken, and it makes me happy because it shows that the human spirit is so much stronger than I often think...
Wow, that poem is beautiful! And powerful! I actually love reading handwritten poems because you can get the energy of the poet so much better than in a typed poem! I am feeling your poetry, so please keep posting...your art is inspiring :)
What a joy to receive your letter. Aunt Darlene always keeps me up to date on how you are doing, and I'm so happy that you are doing well and continuing your studies.
I wonder what your experience of Easter was this year. This Easter I found to be a most profound encounter with the paschal mystery--Christ's death and rising. It means that all sin and evil (everything that is not of God--not of Love)has died to be replaced with the newness of a spring day where everything awaits new birth.
I'm writing to you today on the fifth Sunday of Easter. The readings today were particularly poignant. In the second reading St. John tells of his vision of a new heaven and a new earth saying that all that went before will be wiped away and replaced with fullness of joy and peace, etc. In the Gospel today Jesus gave the apostles a new commandment that we are to love one another as He loves us. Now that is POWERFUL. Jesus loves us totally and unconditionally. Then Jesus went on to say that by loving one another people will be able to recognize that we are His disciples.
Are we perfect in our loving? Of course not. Do we fail many times? Unfortunately, that is our human condition, but is Jesus with us to pick us up each time we fall? DEFINITELY!!! You, my friend, are a beautiful sign of Love to me. I know it isn't easy when you are surrounded with many people who are not that easy to love, but I also know that you do reach out and have touch many people with your care and compassion--both those who are physically around you and those who you touch by your letters and of course, all of our family. And the more we love the more we open ourselves to the realization that we are in the depths of our being LOVED beyond measure and so the flow of Love continues.
It isn't without difficulties. In the first reading today St. Paul said: “We must undergo many trials, before going to heaven.” St. Paul was a great missionary sharing the Good News of Jesus' unconditional Love, but he was not always understood or accepted. Yet each time he was rejected, he managed to shake the dust off and move on. Not easy, but important to do. It is important to learn to let go of the past and move on; let go of people who drag us down and focus on those who help us move forward.
The call to all of us is to open our hearts and invite Jesus to wipe away all the pain and suffering of the past and each day bring us to a new beginning filled with love and peace and joy.
Well, I've certainly written more than I had intended. It is just so good to chat with you. Know I hold you always in my heart and in my prayers with much love.
Your research on the bible is very interesting, I think you are right in saying that it has many flaws, but I think it relates more to people taking it too literally and applying next to no context, than the actual context.
RSS
I have another letter I am putting together for you right now. I havn't finished or sent it yet. But I wanted to know if the prison will let you recieve paper, pencils, pens, envelopes (stationary materials) to help you out. I work in a dollar store and it would be easy for me to compile the items for you, including a few stamps. I just am not sure if you are restricted from these items or if they took them from you for some other reason. As always, sorry for the lags in communication. I hope you are doing as best as can be expected. Write back when you can.
Jessica
What a joy to receive your letter. Aunt Darlene always keeps me up to date on how you are doing, and I'm so happy that you are doing well and continuing your studies.
I wonder what your experience of Easter was this year. This Easter I found to be a most profound encounter with the paschal mystery--Christ's death and rising. It means that all sin and evil (everything that is not of God--not of Love)has died to be replaced with the newness of a spring day where everything awaits new birth.
I'm writing to you today on the fifth Sunday of Easter. The readings today were particularly poignant. In the second reading St. John tells of his vision of a new heaven and a new earth saying that all that went before will be wiped away and replaced with fullness of joy and peace, etc. In the Gospel today Jesus gave the apostles a new commandment that we are to love one another as He loves us. Now that is POWERFUL. Jesus loves us totally and unconditionally. Then Jesus went on to say that by loving one another people will be able to recognize that we are His disciples.
Are we perfect in our loving? Of course not. Do we fail many times? Unfortunately, that is our human condition, but is Jesus with us to pick us up each time we fall? DEFINITELY!!! You, my friend, are a beautiful sign of Love to me. I know it isn't easy when you are surrounded with many people who are not that easy to love, but I also know that you do reach out and have touch many people with your care and compassion--both those who are physically around you and those who you touch by your letters and of course, all of our family. And the more we love the more we open ourselves to the realization that we are in the depths of our being LOVED beyond measure and so the flow of Love continues.
It isn't without difficulties. In the first reading today St. Paul said: “We must undergo many trials, before going to heaven.” St. Paul was a great missionary sharing the Good News of Jesus' unconditional Love, but he was not always understood or accepted. Yet each time he was rejected, he managed to shake the dust off and move on. Not easy, but important to do. It is important to learn to let go of the past and move on; let go of people who drag us down and focus on those who help us move forward.
The call to all of us is to open our hearts and invite Jesus to wipe away all the pain and suffering of the past and each day bring us to a new beginning filled with love and peace and joy.
Well, I've certainly written more than I had intended. It is just so good to chat with you. Know I hold you always in my heart and in my prayers with much love.
Be blessed, Richard, today and always!
Love and hugs,
Sister Arlene