IN THIS ISSUE: People- Pleasing FOR WOMEN p.2-3 ® Word INSIDE JOURNAL Search p.3 More Recipes! p.4 YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION VOLUME 28, NO. 4 FALL 2019

separated her from her kids. Cassie’s mother assumed the role of caregiver once When Mom Goes to Prison again, only this time for Cassie’s children. Fortunately, by Grayson Pope the facility where Cassie was incarcerated was only about hen she was 30 minutes away, so Cassie’s 22, Cassie mother was able to bring her Cluesman children to visit her every fell head over other week. heels in love While in prison, Cassie Wwith a man. To Cassie, their wondered how she would relationship seemed ideal. But make things better for he also sold drugs. herself and her children. One day, she walked out Then she saw a posting of a gas station to find her for the Prison Fellowship car surrounded by police. Academy®, an intensive, “I was so embarrassed,” she biblically based program remembers. She was arrested that takes incarcerated men and charged with delivery and and women through a life manufacturing of narcotics. transformation process. The police had been She applied and was watching her boyfriend for accepted into the program. three months and learned Triest by Glenn Photo that she and her two children Making the most of her time were living with him. They Cassie’s relationship with a man who sold drugs resulted in her arrest and incarceration. “The Prison Fellowship wanted Cassie to testify Separation from her kids was painful, but she found new hope in prison. Academy provides against her boyfriend. She incarcerated women with the tools they need to become didn’t want to see the man they achieved without her. “I didn’t take her to church, not only better parents, but she loved locked up, so she had pictures of my children, Cassie remembers walking better wives, daughters, and “I had said no. and I’m like, ‘Look at all I’m to church with her sister. grandparents,” says Denise A judge sentenced her missing.’ Just thinking about Faith gradually became more Harris, the Prison Fellowship pictures of to four years in a Michigan it now makes me choked up important to Cassie, and she field director in charge of state prison. because I missed their first was baptized at age 15. But that the program. “During the my children, steps,” she says. “I missed faith practically disappeared 12 months in the program, the Painful separation [many of] their first things.” until her incarceration. women grow in community She knew this four-year and I’m like, Cassie knew the pain her Her arrest served as a and together explore ways to sentence meant she wouldn’t children were experiencing in wake-up call that revived her build stronger relationships be with her two kids, who ‘Look at all her absence. Her father had faith. She was determined to with their families and were very young at the time. done time when she was a kid, leave behind any association with God.” I’m missing.’” Cassie recalls being in her cell leaving her mother as her sole with criminal activity. But and realizing all the milestones caregiver. Though her mom prison bars and razor wire still Continued on page 2

prisoner, saying no can be difficult—or downright dangerous. Here are seven 7 Ways to Say No Behind Bars effective, healthy tools you can use to say no if necessary: by Jason Aten HOW TO SAY NO: 1) Know your boundaries aintaining 1) Know your boundaries in advance. your You have to set up boundaries in advance. boundaries ahead of time, so you know can be a 2) Avoid situations where you’ll where you stand when challenge be pressured into things you pressured. It’s harder to say no Mwhen you spend most of your shouldn’t do. if you are unsure about your time in close quarters with 3) Don’t lie or make priorities. Make a list in your people who don’t have your up excuses. mind of the things you aren’t best interests in mind. One of willing to participate in and the most important things you 4) Use “I feel” statements. make a personal commitment can do while inside is learn to 5) Say no, but offer an to stick to it no matter what. say no when someone wants alternative or compromise. Also, be consistent in your you to do something that isn’t personal policy. When you say good for you. 6) After saying no, watch for guilt. yes to some people and no Whether you are being to others, you open yourself pressured to cover for 7) If you decide to say yes, do to conflict. someone else or asked to it on your terms.

give up something to another Images by drbimages/Getty Photo Continued on page 2

INSIDE JOURNAL | Fall 2019 1 bars. There will be times when Ways to Say No saying no has consequences, Continued from page 1 Stop People-Pleasing like not being accepted. But by Annie Goebel going to pass you a joint.” I it’s more important to chase 2) Avoid situations where guys who wanted to call quickly told her, “No, thank after God than to chase after you’ll be pressured into home if they could give hortly after I you. I’m not using drugs popularity. The Bible says, “You things you shouldn’t do. me commissary and use arrived in prison, anymore because of my new can enter God’s Kingdom only Once you’ve decided my phone card. It wasn’t the cheerful life as a follower of Jesus.” through the narrow gate. The where your “line in the sand” something I was willing to chirping of birds She proceeded to let me know highway to hell is broad, and is, stay away from it. It’s not do, but instead of simply outside my refusing her “gift” was a slam, its gate is wide for the many hard to stay out of trouble saying no, I’d say, “I don’t windowS seemed to mock my and if I wasn’t a friend, I was who choose that way. But the unless you’re looking for it. feel comfortable with that, separation from the ones I an enemy. gateway to life is very narrow Be smart about the people but what I am willing to do is loved. Having spent time in a When I was let out into the and the road is difficult” you associate with, and stay pass along a message.” juvenile detention home and community room, I saw the (Matthew 7:13-14). away from the ones who many jails, I was no stranger looks from women who knew In this Inside Journal, learn are likely to pressure you to 6) After saying no, watch to life behind bars. But this of my “gift refusal” and now tips for saying no in prison cross your boundaries. for guilt. was my first time in an adult also considered me an enemy. (page 1), read more about how If you’ve said no prison. I felt so alone. A few of them sent remarks to acknowledge your sins and 3) Don’t lie or make respectfully, for the right Then I heard a soft tapping. my way, and I had to watch find your narrow gate (page up excuses. reasons, there’s no reason Where is that coming from? I my back during movement for 3), and check out the free Never lie to anyone in you should feel guilty. There wondered. I followed the sound a while. But I stood my ground offer for an Inside Journal prison. That doesn’t mean were people I would have to the baseboard heater. As on saying no to requests that Life Recovery Bible (page 3) you have to always tell every liked to have helped while I got down low and listened would be bad for me. to help you say yes to Jesus. detail of the truth; sometimes behind bars, but couldn’t closer, I heard a woman’s When I finally went to And finally, check out more the best idea is to simply because it would have voice coming through the hole chapel, I met other women recipes you can make yourself say no or say nothing at crossed the boundaries I where the heater extended following Jesus. They using commissary items all. But don’t give a reason set. When I knew that I had into the next cell. welcomed me with the right (page 4). We hope you enjoy you can’t do something if it made the right choice for “Hey, welcome. Wanna be kind of friendship, and they this edition! isn’t true. Nothing causes the right reasons, I would friends?” she asked. “Sure,” I didn’t pressure me into doing more problems than lying to simply trust that God would replied. “I have a welcome gift things that would go against Annie Goebel is the director another prisoner and having take care of the rest, and I’d for you,” she said. “Thanks,” my values. of programs and special her find out. Be honest about sleep just fine. I said. Then she said, “Put It’s important to know when events for women at why you have to say no, and your hand right up close. I am to say no, especially behind Prison Fellowship. n you’ll often earn respect for 7) If you decide to say sticking to your values. yes, do it on your terms. Sometimes the best 4) Use “I feel” statements. solution is to actually say Keep your reasons focused yes, but in a way that on yourself. You can’t speak doesn’t compromise your for someone else, and boundaries. When you do they can’t make you feel say yes, be clear about what anything—that choice is up you’re agreeing to so there to you. Instead of saying, “I isn’t any confusion. don’t like you cornering me,” Set guidelines and a time or “You’re making me feel limit, if necessary: “Today pressured,” say things like, “I only, I’ll help you—for 10 feel like that’s not something minutes.” That way, you’re I can commit to right now.” saying yes in a way that also And you can even use communicates what your statements of understanding, terms are and lets them such as, “I get that you need know this isn’t going to be help with that, but I just can’t a regular thing. Then it’ll be swing it.” Saying no doesn’t easier to say no next time, need to be hostile or rude. because you’ve already let Showing some empathy can them know where you stand. Photo by Taralyn Quigley by Taralyn Photo help prevent confrontation. Saying no in prison might 5) Say no, but offer an not always be easy, but in alternative or compromise. times when saying yes will Subscription Info One of the most effective lead to trouble, it’s better to At Inside Journal® (IJ), we receive many letters each week from prisoners asking for ways to say no is to find take the high road than the easy road. subscriptions to our newspaper. We are grateful for the interest and support of our readers— something else you can say yes to. If someone asks you however, because of limitations on our staff and budget, IJ is only available in bulk shipments to do something you’re not Jason Aten is a 2016 to your chaplain, programming coordinator, or a volunteer who visits your facility. Chaplains, comfortable with, you can graduate of the Prison to set up these shipments for free, please contact our editorial staff at P.O. Box 1790, suggest something else instead. Fellowship Academy®. He Ashburn, VA 20146-1790 or [email protected]. When I was serving time, served time in Michigan from I’d frequently get asked by 2014 to 2018. n

Mom Goes to Prison father when she herself was remembers. “I was with my jumped in my arms, and it was eventually found work Continued from page 1 a child. “They would say [the sister and my new brother- just wonderful.” in a call center, and then gifts] were from my dad,” she in-law and my mother. And I Back with her children, waiting tables. Between Cassie says the Academy remembers. “It was just, it was went and got my kids out of Cassie began looking for jobs shifts, she loved spending also helped prepare her a wonderful experience.” school early, and they ran and to support her family. She quality time with her for reentry. She especially To get to give her own kids and staying active in enjoyed the classes on kids that same experience her faith. budgeting and on preparing through that same Angel With the help of the for job interviews to impress Tree program was a powerful financial literacy training potential employers. full circle. “It’s great to feel Cassie received in the While in prison, she also like you could actually do Academy, she was able to signed her children up for something for Christmas for save up enough money for a Angel Tree®, the Prison them,” Cassie says. down payment on a house. Fellowship program that Cassie was released after four She says about her provides Christmas gifts years. She was sent home with home, “It’s just so to children from their a donated Bible and some basic beautiful. I even made a incarcerated parents. This supplies, plus some new clothes song about it, and me and was the same program that to begin her new life. my son sing it together.” provided her with Christmas “The first day of freedom, And that togetherness

gifts from her incarcerated I was just so excited,” she Triest by Glenn Photo is priceless. n

2 INSIDE JOURNAL | Fall 2019 Are You Following the Right Path? by Zach Sewell Staying the course means painfully inching their It can be tough to maintain bruised and broken selves y friend Scott the right course when life down the slope to their final ARE YOU LIVING TO BE HAPPY? recently puts difficulties in our way. destination. So how do we get Chasing happiness or the approval of other people is a We face obstacles such on the narrow way? It starts dead-end road. God created us to live our lives for Him— suffered not others, and certainly not ourselves. John 5:44 says, a skiing as addictions, relationship with accepting Jesus—as your “No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each accident. problems, temptations, Savior, Friend, and God. He other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from MWhile he was on a slope, and fear. Adding to the made the incredibly difficult the one who alone is God.” he decided to follow a side challenge is knowing which decision to suffer and die for path to take. Are we pursuing our wrong choices, opening And 1 John 2:17 says, “… Anyone who does what pleases path that cut through the God will live forever.” woods. He had never followed temporary happiness, which the path for us to have a right this path before and didn’t can lead to restlessness and relationship with God. Every If you don’t even know where to start, begin with this know that it led to a jump. disappointment? Or are choice to follow Jesus is made simple prayer: we following the path of in response to what He first He gained a lot of speed “Lord, please help me to stop living for myself or along the way, and at the righteousness, which leads to did because He loves us. others and start living for You and You alone. I know end of the path, he found true freedom? I can’t do it alone. Save me because of your death himself unexpectedly being In Matthew 7:13, toward the on the cross, and guide me through Your Spirit. launched several feet into end of Jesus’s most famous Tips to stay on track Show me Your joy that goes way beyond all human the air. He landed on his left sermon, He tells a story about There are practical happiness. Amen.” side, breaking four ribs and two paths that represent strategies you can follow when trying to stay on the To discover how to follow Jesus, sign up for a free dislocating his shoulder. the two ways of living. The correspondence Bible study through one of our trusted Scott was in excruciating first path Jesus describes is a narrow path. Since perfection partner organizations. Just write to “Narrow Path” c/o pain and was having trouble wide one, which many people is not an option, I offer Inside Journal, P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA 20146- 1790. breathing. The crash had travel, and which ultimately three suggestions: To request a large-print Inside Journal Life Recovery Bible in English or Spanish, see the offer on this page. knocked the wind out of leads to destruction. The First, when you fall, reflect him, and he wondered if he second path is a narrow on what caused you to slip, had punctured a lung. He lay road that only a few people and try to avoid putting in the snow for 10 minutes find, and it leads to life. The yourself in that situation from something unhealthy. kill Him. But whether loved before he was finally able to narrow path is just that: again. And don’t dwell on your When I left a life of drug or hated, Jesus stayed on breathe well enough to sit up. narrow. Following Jesus isn’t mistakes; pick yourself up and abuse and devoted myself His course. Then he climbed back onto going to be the most popular keep going. to Jesus, I had to walk away You can stay on the narrow his skis and slowly made his choice. But it will lead you to Second, take responsibility from certain friendships. The path even in prison. You can way to the bottom, his terrible the freedom of living in the for your sin. We often want to narrow path will most likely also stay on it when you are pain making it difficult to promise of eternal life. hide our sinful behavior from cost you something. It may released from prison. There stay upright. You might face temptations others, from God, and even be relationships. It may be will be setbacks. But just keep Scott could have waited for to wander off the path. As from ourselves. Hiding our creature comforts. It may your eyes fixed on Jesus, until help or even given up. But sinners, we stumble. We sin doesn’t help us move away be popularity. you reach the end. he knew it was important to fall down. We mess up. We from it. Sin grows in the dark, Jesus cared about love and reach the base quickly and relapse. None of the people when we have no one to keep compassion way more than Zach Sewell is a Kansas seek medical attention. So, traveling the narrow road are us accountable. Confess your popularity. In fact, there were City-area minister and the despite his pain, he got back perfect. The narrow path is sins, to God and to others, times when Jesus’ actions author of Prisoners in the Bible, on the right path and made his full of people stumbling and and ask for forgiveness. and words caused people to A Time to Preach, and the soon way to his destination. picking themselves back up, Third, the healthy narrow dislike Him, spread rumors to be released Visceral Sin He persevered. through God’s grace, even if it path may mean walking away about Him, and even try to (fall 2019). n

SEARCH ME NEED A BIBLE? “Search me, O God, and know my heart ... Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23–24) What four words first jump out at you in this word search? Are those the qualities Get a free NLT Life Recovery Bible to describe you? Now see if you can find the 16 positive traits listed below. (Words hidden left-to-right and downward. Answers on p.4) from Inside Journal! Write to: X U D D C K E B Y X V B A M Z ®

® JOURNAL INSIDE EDITION PRISON FELLOWSHIP INSIDE JOURNAL

F A I T H F U L T R U E F F X Tyndale House Publishers PRISON FELLOWSHIP EDITION Z W H U R T E B R A V E R Y B Attn: Inside Journal Bible ® J E O W K F A I R S O W A Y H 351 Executive Drive O S P T I T C L E A N Y I G L Carol Stream, IL 60188 ISBN 978-1-4964-2576-8 Y O E U N I Q U E Y U Q D G R F M H T D I D Q K H R G A U B U E Y Y L F U N N Y L R M L E DON’T FORGET! L R L O V I N G T Y A E A L A Include this information to make sure your Bible gets delivered: M I F N H U M N A G P A Z O U Your complete name and prison ID number. E K B U O U A I D T V T I Y T Your facility name. C R I A N G R Y D S O Y N A Y C Q I G E A X J U K N P G L Z Your facility address for prisoner parcel delivery. Z Q M D S W I S E T G D D U L Whether you want English or Spanish.*

C R P A T I E N T Z H V J J O *Bibles are available in large-print English or large-print Spanish. Limit one Bible per person. AMAZING, UNIQUE, FAITHFUL, LOVING, JOYFUL, AWESOME, WISE, PATIENT, GREAT, CLEAN, FAIR, TRUE, BRAVE, KIND, HONEST, LOYAL

INSIDE JOURNAL | Fall 2019 3 But this experience has with commissary items. So shown us how much you enjoy in this edition, we decided More Recipes From Readers the idea of cooking and baking to share more recipes from readers. We only had room for by Stacia Ray toward Angelina and some a few, as there were just too filled with even more recipes. many to print. If you submitted n a recent edition of We were very impressed by a recipe that isn’t shown here, Inside Journal (Spring the creativity being used in you might still see it in a future 2019), we ran an article prisons across the country. edition of Inside Journal. called “A Prisoner’s Instead of replying to And if you have an amazing Cookbook: Tasty everyone individually, we will dish you’d like us to share, ITreats Behind Bars,” which simply say thank you to all of please mail us at: Inside Journal, included several recipes from you who wrote to us. And for ATTN: Recipes, P.O. Box 1790, a Minnesota prisoner named those of you who requested Ashburn, VA 20146-1790. Angelina. Angelina’s contact information We asked you to send in or a copy of Angelina’s NOTE: Some of these any feedback or additional full cookbook, sharing her ingredients may not be available recipes, and the response contact information is against or allowed in all facilities, and was overwhelming. Your regulations, and unfortunately restrictions on cooking vary. Be letters came pouring in, there is no way to publish and sure to comply with your facility’s some filled with gratitude mail out her full cookbook. Images by GMVozd/Getty Photo rules and regulations.

Mackerel Burger of the common area for cooking the seasoning packet). Heat 1 Place pork skins/rinds in a Deluxe Peanut Butter fish, but it’s a chance we large cup (about 20 oz.) water bowl with a lid. Add equal French Toast** as submitted by Melissa all take.” until hot. Add hot water to dry parts barbeque sauce and in Virginia as submitted by Lynn rice noodles and veggie mix. ranch dressing until coated. in North Carolina • 1 standard size package Cover with lid. Set aside to soak Place lid on bowl and shake Garlic Ranch • 2 slices buttered toast or mackerel, drained (10 minutes). In small bowl, bowl until all mixed together. firm French toast • 1 handful cheese puffs Chicken Alfredo mix together ranch, mayo, Serve and eat! • 1—2 tbsp. peanut butter • 1 small bag (single serve) as submitted by Larry in Arizona garlic, pepper, dry powder milk. *The amount you use will • 2 full-size Reese’s (or favorite chips After noodles have soaked • 4.5-oz. chicken breast depend on how many servings similar) peanut butter cups • 1/4 packet ramen for 10 minutes, drain water, • 1 (3.7-oz.) packet you want to make. • Approx. 2 oz. honey or noodle seasoning then add sauce (and peas) and Thai rice noodles maple syrup mix well. Gently and carefully Mix all ingredients into small • 3 oz. (two 1.5-oz. packets) fold in chicken breast. Heat Spread peanut butter on both trash bag. Pat into burger ranch dressing Trail Mix Supreme in microwave until warm. pieces of toast to your liking. patty shape. Microwave • Approx. 1 oz. (three single- Serve with crackers. as submitted by Junior Place peanut butter cups on high for three minutes. serve packets) mayo in Florida inside the two pieces like a Serve over rice, in a tortilla • 1 tbsp. garlic sandwich. Then pour honey • 3 oz. (two 1.5-oz. packets) wrap, or on a bagel. Top • 1 tbsp. dry powder milk or maple syrup onto outer with sauce made from • 4 single-serve Hot Wings apple cinnamon oatmeal • 2 oz. (1 single-serve packet) piece of toast. Let sit for an mixing the following (to pepper packets as submitted by Elizabeth hour to soak in, then eat. your liking): mayonnaise, • 13 oz. peas (optional) in Texas trail mix mustard, hot sauce, sugar, • 6 oz. (three 2-oz. squeeze **This recipe was submitted Place Thai rice noodles and • Pork skins (or pork and pickle juice. packets) peanut butter as an unnamed treat; the contents of accompanying rind snacks)* editors thought “Sugar veggie packet in large bowl with • Barbeque sauce* Mix all ingredients together Note from Melissa: “Not and enjoy! Rush” was a little too saying you won’t be run out lid (use only veggie packet, not • Ranch dressing* obvious a name. n

By day’s end, several Prison Fellowship Academy participants performed an News + Notes original rap, followed by a LA Rams Inspire to life. Their eyes get big. surprise freestyle session by They feel like somebody cares Lecrae’s squad. Words of hope Prisoners’ Children filled the room. The place In California this past about them.” Angel Tree, a program of erupted in cheers.

June, the Los Angeles Rams Bell by Michael Photo Lecrae said, “We’re [visiting] hosted an Angel Tree Sports Prison Fellowship, provides like a little bookmark saying, Clinic™ for children with an pathways to restore and Rapper Lecrae visits with prisoners. ‘Hey, your story’s not over.’” n incarcerated parent. Through strengthen relationships between children of prisoners with the incarcerated men in teased. In more serious lessons, drills, and fun the chow hall and swapped moments, prisoners shared competition, kids were treated and their families. All year, Angel Tree provides jokes like old friends—“You their hopes and fears for like champions and learned know, cars fly now,” Lecrae life outside. about God’s love. encouragement and support More than 100 boys and to families affected by © 2019 by Prison Fellowship incarceration through PAGE 3 WORD SEARCH: ANSWER KEY INSIDE JOURNAL® girls from across California is published four times a year by attended the clinic at the sports clinics, camps, Prison Fellowship, Rams’ practice facility. Kids and mentoring. X U D D C K E B Y X V B A M Z P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA 20146-1790. were joined by pro players F A I T H F U L T R U E F F X prisonfellowship.org Grammy-Winning 703.478.0100 Clay Matthews, Kendall Z W H U R T E B R A V E R Y B Blanton, and other Rams Rapper Visits Prison Editorial Manager: players. News crews from the This spring, rapper Lecrae J E O W K F A I R S O W A Y H M.M. White Los Angeles Times and the and members of the 116 O S P T I T C L E A N Y I G L Managing Editor: Stacia Ray NFL Network covered the Clique made an unpublicized Y O E U N I Q U E Y U Q D G R Writers: Jason Aten, Annie event. The children had an tour stop with Prison Goebel, Grayson Pope, experience of a lifetime. Fellowship at the Carol S. F M H T D I D Q K H R G A U B Stacia Ray, Zach Sewell LA Rams offensive lineman Vance Unit in Texas. U E Y Y L F U N N Y L R M L E Graphic Designer: Matt Kaskey talked about the Lecrae says he feels at home L R L O V I N G T Y A E A L A Nicole Schmidgall power of sports in his own life. making a visit behind bars. He M I F N H U M N A G P A Z O U A member of the Evangelical “It’s important to teach these grew up visiting his father Council for Financial kids … to come out here and and uncles behind bars and E K B U O U A I D T V T I Y T Accountability and the help them and show them how later volunteered in juvenile C R I A N G R Y D S O Y N A Y American Correctional to do things right; how to have halfway houses. These Association. C Q I G E A X J U K N P G L Z a good time, but also how to experiences, and his growing Inside Journal® is a live a good life,” said Matt. Christian faith, gave him a Z Q M D S W I S E T G D D U L registered trademark Coach John Fassel added, passion for prison ministry. ® C R P A T I E N T Z H V J J O of Prison Fellowship . “At this clinic, the kids come Lecrae and his group ate

4 INSIDE JOURNAL | Fall 2019