October 12th – Inside/Out

Hi Sweetheart,

Today seems to have gone by so fast.  We weren’t allowed out of cells until lunch time.  I think that actually made the day seem shorter.

I received the books you sent.  The Power of a Praying Husband, The Power of a Praying Parent, and Practicing the Presence of God. Although that last one sounds like something my brother would send.  In any event, I am looking forward to reading them all.  But I still have about 100 pages in Cloister Walk left to read.  It’s heavy reading sometimes so I bounce to other books frequently.  I am so glad I am reading it though.

I received a visit today.  I believe her name is Mary.  I recognized her face but was embarrassed to ask her name.  I should have taken a page from your dad’s book and given her a chance to “help me with your name.”  I remember her from Temple City Church of the Nazarene. 

She lives in this area now and is a teacher.  The reason I gave you that tidbit of information will be clear in a moment.  I told her about the pastors that have come to visit me and when I mentioned Jim Scharn, she said, “Jim Scharn who used to pastor the Pomona Church?”  Apparently she used to attend the Pomona Church and she knew the Scharns pretty well–Jim’s wife is also a teacher.

Mary then asked me, “Where is Ja-Mool?”  I might not have heard her clear enough or maybe my mind was drifting because I asked her, “Who is Ja-Mool?”  At that moment I honestly didn’t know what she was talking about.  What a knucklehead I am sometimes.

We did eventually clear that up and have a very nice talk.

I just talked to my dad.  I called right after I hung up with you.  He cleared up who she is.  She is Mary Rush and she used to be our choir director.  She is also the daughter-in-law of Paul and Olga Rush, but that is not how she heard about our situation.

Mary had been talking to Sherry at Temple City Church and mentioned to Sherry, through the course of conversation, that she felt that the Lord was directing her to do a prison ministry.  She told Sherry that she was not entirely sure how to go about it since she didn’t have any contacts or even an idea of how to start.  Sherry immediately told her about me. 

Isn’t that absolutely amazing how God does that?  He is fast at work continuing to build His church.  I stand in awe.

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