This is a difficult post for me to write...sometimes sharing personal details is hard...but I am reminded that this is a loving community that does care and pray for each other.

Many may recall that my daughter was a social worker with hospice. Long story short, a year ago January, she was having trouble with anxiety concerning her job and was using alcohol to cope. She was in a head on collision that injured two older people. They have had their medical needs taken care of, won a nice settlement from her employer and have recovered nicely, which is certainly a blessing...they did not deserve to be in an accident, and we are happy their needs have been met.

Christina was charged with various felonies and misdemeanors and finally she went to court last Monday, pleaded guilty to the felony charges and was sentenced to 150-180 days in a detention center. We are grateful for the amount of time, but it is difficult for her to be away from her family...her children are 5 and 8.

This has been the worst nightmare anyone can imagine, but I will share that much good has come out of it. Her husband was saved, and Christina has been going to AA and has been alcohol free since the accident. She has been to rehab, is in counseling and has taken all the classes required, done her community service, etc. She has learned a lot about herself and strategies to cope. This was all needed...they have a wonderful church family that loves and supports them, and she has much support in the AA community...and she has family that loves and cares for her and her family very much.

I could get into some of the legal issues that are very heavy on my heart and concerning to me, but I won't. It is never easy to deal with these...the hardest aspect is the total loss of freedom...just little things like her ability to be on a good vitamin regimen, which is vital to her physical and mental health or even missing out on her AA support system and counseling...which is so vital to her recovery. While she is in county jail waiting for a bed, her incarceration time is not counting for time served...so many aspects that just don't make sense to me.

However, we are trusting that God is in control and has a plan...I don't doubt for a minute that this is true...the hardest thing as a parent is to give your children up unequivocally to the Lord, who loves them so much more than we ever could. This has been a learning experience beyond my wildest imagination...unfortunately, alcoholism runs in my husband's family and using alcohol to cope is not an uncommon strategy among my kids...

Her immediate needs are to get transferred quickly to the detention center, so she is not wasting time incarcerated that is not counted as time served. Then prayers for her safety and wellbeing, including mental, spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing, while she is incarcerated...that is enough for now...when she gets out there is a whole different set of issues...but that is tomorrow's problems.

Please pray for her husband and their children...it was the sweetest thing to see her 8-year-old hug her and tell her he loves her and then to say..."see you in 6 months, mom." Kids say the darndest things and at least I got a chuckle out of that...he is the sweetest, most loving, caring grandson you could ever want, and truth be told he has a special place in my heart.

Thank you so much for your prayerful consideration for my family... Psalm 136:1 "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever"....God is good...all the time...

Lastly, I will share three songs that are very meaningful to me at this time...I know there are so many in this community that are hurting, and I hope these songs will minister to those who have broken hearts...

Joy Comes in the Morning... https://youtu.be/9_x7eCuk8NM?si=R7UfRbBvBjQ4sxKO

Hold on my child joy comes in the morning

Weeping only lasts for the night

Hold on my child Joy comes in the morning

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight

God Will Make a Way... https://youtu.be/1zo3fJYtS-o?si=9CtUYGTR75yqjXs1

God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength for each new day

He will make a way, He will make a way

And then...Little Flowers... https://youtu.be/i-PywSxurdo

Little flowers never worry

When the wind begins to blow

And they never, never cry

When the rain begins to fall

Though, it's wet and oh so cold

Soon the sun will shine again

And they'll smile unto the world

For their beauty to behold

So, let it rain, let it rain, let it pour

Let trouble keep on knocking at my door

If we'll learn the right from wrong

It will help to make us strong

So when the clouds begin to gather

And that old wind begins to blow

Little flowers don't complain

Though they're tossing to and fro

Well I guess I've learned the secret

That only little flowers know

If it never, never rains

Then we'll never, never grow