Here's an excerpt from a letter dated 4-2-17. Unfortunately, I had asked Summer what her living quarters were like. She drew a picture to show me.
Judi Hi. I wrote you a whole front and back letter and an officer made me rip it up because I drew a picture of what my dorm looks like. She said that it was an escape charge. And she wouldn't even let me copy my letter. Anyways. Mike dorm has four quads in it and each quad has 32 rooms in it. I am really mad that I had to rip up my letter. I'm trying to remember what all I had wrote to you. I know that I started off by saying thank you so much for all of the pictures! And cards! And WOW I can't believe that Dr. Dawn drew a picture and made a blog for me all the way in Ecuador. That is awesome. I feel really blessed. [I printed Dr. Dawn's blog and had all the pictures she included developed into photos and mailed them to Summer.] I also didn't realize that so many people are praying for me on a regular basis. ;-) Please tell all of the ladies in your Bible study group and Dr. Dawn that I said THANK YOU SOO MUCH!
In another section she wrote . . . I can't believe they made such a big deal about me drawing you a picture of the dorm I live in. And they ripped my letter up. I am having a little bit of a tough time right now. It just seems to be one thing after another. And yeah - it does stink to be spending another birthday in here. I was definitely surprised when I got all these birthday gifts ;-) Again, please tell all of the ladies that I said thank you. And thank you so much for everything that you've done for me. You inspire me to be a better person ;-) Thank you for making me feel loved on my Birthday! I love you! I tried to re-write this whole letter from memory after the original was ripped up. I love and miss you!
Last night at church for Good Friday I received a letter that Summer wrote to all the ladies at Women Journeying Through the Bible and Dr. Dawn. Here it is . . .
4-4-17
Judi
Hey ;-) I love you so much. I literally cried when I got this flower card and this picture of you and all of the other ladies holding up the Happy Birthday banner ;-) Thank you so much!!! These pop-up flowers are the coolest thing I've ever seen. WOW! So these ladies in the picture, are they all in your Bible study group? I feel truly blessed. My family has never even done things like this for me. Actually that's kind of what you make me feel like - like I have a family. Thank you so much for all that you do ;-) I am at a loss for words. When I first held up the picture I smiled and then I started laughing and then I started crying. I just want you to know how much it meant to me. You guys are awesome!!! I just can't get over it. I love it!!! You guys (I mean girls) are adorable in your hats, glasses, and necklaces. Thank you so much. Please tell all of the ladies that this picture means the world to me and that I said thank you so much! Love, Summer Renee YSIC.
Another part of the same letter is dated 4-7-17 (she usually just keeps writing until mail is sent out) which was her birthday. Hey! I've gotten four more cards and I now have seven envelopes. WOW! Please tell all of the ladies that I said THANK YOU SO MUCH! I have 9 birthday cards all together ;-) WOW! That's a lot of birthday cards! All of you ladies really made me feel loved on my Birthday. And I really appreciate everything that all of you have done for me on my Birthday. You guys are amazing! Our mail doesn't go out until Monday so that's when I'm going to send it out ;-) ILY! Hope to hear from you real soon! YSIC, Love Summer Renee
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To share with you what Summer is very upset about I will include an excerpt from an earlier letter that I just received on Tuesday.
3-28-17
Judi - Hey. Well I have a lot to tell you. And also you are probably going to be disappointed. For that I am so sorry. I am disappointed as well. First let me start off by saying that I know I have made so many mistakes intentionally. THIS is not one of those times. I usually own up to my mistakes and beat myself up about them. But this time is completely different. I have really been trying to work on myself and stay to myself. Judi, I am in confinement. The day I was put in confinement I had spent most of my day in my room doing my studies. I was actually half way through my exam. I am under investigation for fighting. In prison if someone hits you (even if you don't fight back) you both go under investigation. Which means that they put you in confinement and investigate (review the cameras). As of right now, there are no charges against me. I spoke to the Colonel today and he advised me that they have seven working days to serve me with a DR (disciplinary report). I have been in here since March 23rd. All I have are my clothes and my soap. They take everything from you when you go to confinement. I don't even have my Bible. I'm not allowed to have it while in confinement. They will give it back to me when I am released. I was told that the longest they can hold me under investigation is 14 days. If they decide that they do think I was fighting back then I will do 30 days in confinement. So this has taken me away from my studies, but not for long! The devil is working over time. I can't believe that I am in confinement right now. I really want to tell you what happened in detail but that would probably be best if I waited. At least until the investigation is over. They are saying that this girl spit in my face because I was reading my Bible and working on my studies and then we fought. I'm waiting to see what was revealed when the cameras were reviewed. I have two letters prepared for you and I was going to complete my exam and send all together. The only reason I have your address now is because I just received your letter and I also had to borrow this stamped envelope from my cell mate. I still have the one you sent me but I don't have access until I am released. Once again, I apologize for any disappointment you may be feeling. This was completely unexpected. I am not going to let this stop me. I WILL GRADUATE! I can't seem to catch a break. When I stay away from the drama it comes to me and spits in my face. I love you! Thank you for always being here when no one else is. I was so grateful when I received your letter tonight. I have nothing! It's crazy that they put people in confinement before they even know if they are guilty of anything. It is freezing in here!!! We are only allowed to shower every other day. At least they can't stop me from getting mail. Thank God!
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Ladies - I share this with you so that you can understand what her world is like and I ask you to include her in your daily prayers. I have heard things like this from Patrice who is also in the same vicinity. She writes about the fist fights that take place around her bunk and "the blood flies everywhere." Both of these ladies are being attacked because of their Bible - because of the time they are spending in the Word and with the Lord. It is so hard for them but so far they have stayed true to the Lord. Each letter I write to them I remind them to keep their eye on the prize. This is something I included in every letter to both Summer and Patrice . . .
As Paul tells Timothy “fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12). I want to hear you tell me someday what Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” DO NOT ALLOW yourself to be tempted – keep your head up, stay away from the drama and keep your heart, your mind and your soul fixed on God. BE the person He has designed you to be – DO NOT ALLOW OTHERS TO INFLUENCE YOU AWAY FROM HIM!!!
PLEASE PRAY for these precious women - for all incarcerated. Their lives are unlike any we can imagine. Thank you and blessings on this most Holy time.