In Memory of Susan Denise Atkins-Whitehouse
flexibilitate
In Susan's works
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse,
Susan's 54th Christian newsletter is dated
December 2001 / January 2002.
Susan tells us
"As events in the world around us become
increasingly more difficult,
frightening, and confusing,
as nations war against nations,
we need to remember Christ, our Savior, Jesus"
and Susan wrote more in regard to 9-11.
In Susan's works
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse,
Susan's 54th Christian newsletter is dated
December 2001 / January 2002.
Susan tells us
"As events in the world around us become
increasingly more difficult,
frightening, and confusing,
as nations war against nations,
we need to remember Christ, our Savior, Jesus"
and Susan wrote more in regard to 9-11.
Susan also tells us that she is going to be moved from the cell
she has been living in for quite some time;
"I've been informed that there have been some policy changes
coming in the New Year.
One of which has already taken place,
and which requires that I move from the cell I've been in
for (innumerable) years into another within the prison.
My new housing unit and room number have been changed
on the return address, so please make sure to note them
and use the new address when you write me"
Many do not enjoy moving.
Susan did not enjoy moving either,
but as we have learned about Susan,
she's able to find a new opportunity
in a negative occurrence in her life,
being forced to move;
she has been living in for quite some time;
"I've been informed that there have been some policy changes
coming in the New Year.
One of which has already taken place,
and which requires that I move from the cell I've been in
for (innumerable) years into another within the prison.
My new housing unit and room number have been changed
on the return address, so please make sure to note them
and use the new address when you write me"
Many do not enjoy moving.
Susan did not enjoy moving either,
but as we have learned about Susan,
she's able to find a new opportunity
in a negative occurrence in her life,
being forced to move;
"Moving from one cell to another is not something
I particularly enjoy doing.
I've not done it very much during
my 33 years of incarceration. I've only moved three times
by my own choice. The other few times have been for
institutional need.
It's very disturbing to my routine.
However, having done it before, I'll accomplish this move
with the same grace and joy I've experienced in the past.
Unexpected change is not always a bad thing, or something to fear.
It's one more opportunity to let God reveal Himself to me
through the move, making new acquaintances in another
housing unit, giving God more opportunities to use me
as a blessing to others.
It's very easy to settle into a routine in prison.
In being forced out of my routines, I'm being given
an opportunity to enlarge my heart, find new ways to be
used of God and new ways to be a blessing to Him"
Susan could turn the negative into the positive.
It's something Susan could do.
I particularly enjoy doing.
I've not done it very much during
my 33 years of incarceration. I've only moved three times
by my own choice. The other few times have been for
institutional need.
It's very disturbing to my routine.
However, having done it before, I'll accomplish this move
with the same grace and joy I've experienced in the past.
Unexpected change is not always a bad thing, or something to fear.
It's one more opportunity to let God reveal Himself to me
through the move, making new acquaintances in another
housing unit, giving God more opportunities to use me
as a blessing to others.
It's very easy to settle into a routine in prison.
In being forced out of my routines, I'm being given
an opportunity to enlarge my heart, find new ways to be
used of God and new ways to be a blessing to Him"
Susan could turn the negative into the positive.
It's something Susan could do.
Susan goes on to tell us that
"Christmas was especially wonderful this year,
and many of your sisters in Christ here are looking forward to
being used to further the Kingdom of God in 2002.
I hope you all look forward to a year of similar opportunities"
Susan concludes her letter.
The next letter in Susan's book
is her 55th Christian newsletter,
and is dated February 2002.
It is Susan's Chapter 7,
The Last Year.
"Christmas was especially wonderful this year,
and many of your sisters in Christ here are looking forward to
being used to further the Kingdom of God in 2002.
I hope you all look forward to a year of similar opportunities"
Susan concludes her letter.
The next letter in Susan's book
is her 55th Christian newsletter,
and is dated February 2002.
It is Susan's Chapter 7,
The Last Year.
Susan tells us more about her recent move;
"Although I've been in this prison much longer than anyone
I'm currently housed with,
I'm still like the new kid on the block.
Even though I know many of the women
with whom I'm now living,
there is a great deal of difference between
knowing them casually out on the main yard
and living with them
on a daily basis and getting to know them better.
Within all of these adjustments, one of the things I'm learning
is that the Lord would have me remain flexible in this new situation.
Flexibility is not always an easy task.
Routines make life
comfortable and simple, and it's in our human nature
to desire routine.
Flexibility demands that I move through the
day to day prison routine without being attached to the
prison routine as it was yesterday, because it
may change in a moment and then change back to the way
it was a moment ago.
Flexibility doesn't happen overnight for me.
Does it for you?
If you are like me, it's easy to get attached
and fixed and even unmovable at times..."
"Although I've been in this prison much longer than anyone
I'm currently housed with,
I'm still like the new kid on the block.
Even though I know many of the women
with whom I'm now living,
there is a great deal of difference between
knowing them casually out on the main yard
and living with them
on a daily basis and getting to know them better.
Within all of these adjustments, one of the things I'm learning
is that the Lord would have me remain flexible in this new situation.
Flexibility is not always an easy task.
Routines make life
comfortable and simple, and it's in our human nature
to desire routine.
Flexibility demands that I move through the
day to day prison routine without being attached to the
prison routine as it was yesterday, because it
may change in a moment and then change back to the way
it was a moment ago.
Flexibility doesn't happen overnight for me.
Does it for you?
If you are like me, it's easy to get attached
and fixed and even unmovable at times..."
Later on in her letter,
Susan tells us about a new program she's excited about...
"...I'm truly excited about being able to work with a group of
Spirit filled women here in the prison to present a new program
to the population. It's called, Breaking Barriers with Jesus Christ.
We've worked very hard over the last two years re-writing
(with permission) a program that has worked for many people
inside and outside of prison called "Breaking Barriers."
Through our coordinator we were able
to restructure and infuse
this wonderful program to include at it's heart,
the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of God
through faith in Jesus Christ.
For the first time ever, we are offering this program to women
as soon as they enter the prison. Many of the women in the
reception center are here for the first time, and many are back
as parole violators.
Lord willing, as we present the principles
and tools for understanding why we as people get stuck
in our ruts and remain inflexible to change,
these precious women will grasp a hold of the hope that
is being given to them, and they will want to make
the changes necessary to set them free from the hopelessness
that led them to prison, and in some cases leads them back
to prison time after time.
I'm so truly blessed to be given the opportunity to facilitate
this change, and to contribute to the community in even
this small but important way..."
Susan tells us about a new program she's excited about...
"...I'm truly excited about being able to work with a group of
Spirit filled women here in the prison to present a new program
to the population. It's called, Breaking Barriers with Jesus Christ.
We've worked very hard over the last two years re-writing
(with permission) a program that has worked for many people
inside and outside of prison called "Breaking Barriers."
Through our coordinator we were able
to restructure and infuse
this wonderful program to include at it's heart,
the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of God
through faith in Jesus Christ.
For the first time ever, we are offering this program to women
as soon as they enter the prison. Many of the women in the
reception center are here for the first time, and many are back
as parole violators.
Lord willing, as we present the principles
and tools for understanding why we as people get stuck
in our ruts and remain inflexible to change,
these precious women will grasp a hold of the hope that
is being given to them, and they will want to make
the changes necessary to set them free from the hopelessness
that led them to prison, and in some cases leads them back
to prison time after time.
I'm so truly blessed to be given the opportunity to facilitate
this change, and to contribute to the community in even
this small but important way..."
Susan completed and closed her letter.
Susan's lesson?
She calls it "Flexibility!"
(All quotes are from
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse)
home
Susan's lesson?
She calls it "Flexibility!"
(All quotes are from
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse)
home
