Heaven's Tree       

Mr. J my dear friend and mentor for life is the New Directions Instructor. His wisdom and knowledge is directly responsible for where and who I am today. But, I must confess that without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I would not have found him.

Please take time to read his monthly report and I assure you it will bless your heart, mind and life.

The first number represents the year the class was taken by that brother and the second number represents which class in that year. For example 95#2 means that Travis Brian was in the 7 week New Directions Class of 1995, 2nd classs. Enjoy

JDI 

July 25, 2008.

NEW DIRECTIONS REPORT--April 2 to July 24, 2008

One of the best members of our Band of Brothers to stay in touch has been TRAVIS BRIAN 95#2 of Salt Lake City .  He is doing so well.  I wish I could pass on his full letter to you.  Write me if you want it.  Remember he taught computers in a prison for several years--until the warden found he was an ex-offender.  He has also taught in college and continues that while thinking he might get his Master’s degree in computer art in New York City . 

Travis remembers “GINO” SNYDER 07#2/  He’s a good guy that I used to accompany to the weight pile.  I wish him the best.”  Gino is on parole now and wants to experience what his wife Holly is doing for women--giving a home for those who are homeless.  Gino paroled out of Muskogee CCC.   He is ready to have positive PPT--People, Places and Things, as taught by our volunteer pastor Riley Donica.

PHILLIP HOVIS 97#5 scheduled a visit to DavisCC, Holdenville the first weekend of the month.  He is volunteering his time to counsel in Oklahoma prisons while his son is facing 20 to Life for his drug addiction problems.  His word to his Band of Brothers is, “Don’t go inside, even just to get something, N. D. Brothers!   To buy a shot of dope?  Is it worth it?”

Volunteer Jesse West called in on April 3 to say he would be bringing a new volunteer to VIC.

Mike Sawyer, who owns a business at the south edge of Heavener, was to visit to see if he wished to be certified as a volunteer.  Tell everyone you know that out of 700 guys here there are many who do not have a friend.  If you could encourage someone, like Brother West is doing, it would mean a lot to have more mentor/friends visit on Thursday afternoons from 5 to 6 pm.  Time and time again, we’ve mentioned how much our volunteers mean to us.  We can not overstate that value.  Riley Donica of Zafra is leading the class on Tuesday, April 8 with his powerful message on how important Positive PPT--People, Places and Things--are to us.  Still in awe of the music and special talents of the Donica’s grandchildren--Annie Moses Band.

The last day of March was a “very confusing day” for JIM IVEY 02#2, and maybe there was some calcification and enlargement of his aorta according to his nurse practitioner.  He’s still trying to do his job as Re-Entry Coordinator for the Chickasaw Nation and would appreciate our prayers.  Word on April 8 was that Jim was doing fine--coming along very well.  Our prayers work.  Jim is confident in the Lord’s eternal care.

Words come slowly to report that THOMAS ROLAND JONES 00#3 and 07#5, 52, died on April 4 at Lexington .  He made a great impact on us and I’m so sorry for the hurt for all those who knew him and loved him.  His classmate and friend, E. J. DAKE 00#3 worked hard to help Roland and was much appreciated.  Roland’s choice of chemicals shortened his life, yet his last letter was signed, “You take care, Your friend in Christ”.  We pray peace for his family.

Sue Irvin, another of our special volunteers requested prayers for her great niece, Kabry Kiger, who had surgery on Friday, April 4.  Today, April 7, Sue reported “the surgery was a success, be sure and tell the guys.”  It is a miracle for an 8-month-old baby to have such amazing repair.  Prayers work.  Sue has agreed to be our graduation speaker on May 2.

(2)--On our email list we send to about 65 total.  Incomplete, failed  addresses or moved brothers were Rick Crabb 98#3, David Walker 95#2, Steve Williams 99#2 and Donnie Williams 96#6 of Poteau.  I think I can reach the latter at LeFlore County Detention Center .

WILLIAM KNOX 02#1 has experienced the loss of his mom, also the Grandmom of THOMAS ALLEN KNOX 07#5, on April 1st.  Bill’s wife Melva said Allen got to come to the funeral from his Frederick work center.  She said, “He looked great and seems sincere about staying clean.”  Bill said, “I told Allen that I can really see a change in him that makes me very proud.”  He added, I’ll have a job for him when he finishes his time.

MIKE BELL 07#1 reports from Tulsa that he has legal counsel now to help in his divorce and custody case.  He’s paying for that by exchanging handyman work and legal research.  On his lawyer’s advice he has moved into a private home which should help him with his unsupervised visitation with his son Andrew.  Mike’s referral to a lawyer was made through our new friend, Robert Flynn of Tulsa .  Robert and Mike are comparing notes on whether “being overwhelmed” can be prevented.  Flynn does not confess to being overwhelmed, just has “a full schedule that is never too full to help a friend.”  A teaching of his is: No one can steal our peace.  If there is temptation, PAUSE (deep breathe, very deep), CENTER (Think of a happy thought--always have one ready to refer to), THEN act or speak.   A Happy Thought at Ready always.

Now, at 1:35 pm on April 16, I have time to clear my desk a little.  David Bittner and Randy Nelson from Water of Life Ministry are conducting the class.  I just read a nice letter from Joyce Bittner who is now employed as a Unit Secretary at Joseph Harp Correctional Center .

It seems with a new employee in the mail room, a letter from Keith Crudup in Little Rock may have been laid back until they could find the guy named Joe Johnson.  I got two today, one written on March 27.  Keith says he is doing fine and he is still interested in our local church and his friends here.  He also requested the address for RON HUNTER 04#4 who also lives in Little Rock .  We’ll see if we can get these two good men together.

Congratulations to RUSSELL TURNER, our favorite retired probation and parole officer.  He is now a Certified DOC Volunteer.  We had such great help from the Agency Chaplain and his staff-- Leo Brown and Paula Harth--to walk this application through.  Turner’s next visit with the New Directions class will be on April 30.

DAMON ENDRES 06#2 checked in from Tonkawa on April 8.  Says he is working because of his training in Heat & Air here at Career Tech.  He’s been out 1½ years and has a ready made family where the youngest, 9 years old, is a bull rider.  He says that’s what comes from his lady, a red neck chick named Angela.  He sends best wishes to Alfonso Herdocia 06#3 and hopes to connect to JIM RANDOLPH 04#4 who is free in the Enid area.

MATTHEW MARKS 96#3 and his wife Nancy have asked our prayers as Nancy has been challenged at her work in Baylor Health because of her past record.  She spent a few months in prison 12 years ago, yet has done nothing except further her education and skills and walk closely with the Lord since.  This family deserves our prayers for a positive outcome.

(3)--GINO MASERATI  04#2 has checked in from Ft. Supply .  He’s been privileged to see a lot of Oklahoma as he has traveled from facility to facility.  He says he’s anxious now to leave the minimums and see a work center.  Quite a lot of Gino’s letter was positive.  He may be coming around to let the negatives go.  He was ill which was a bummer but likes his job as a Unit Clerk.  Gino wants to earn one of the few Golden Rule Marbles that I have left.  His rules will be a letter each month for six months with the sixth one being his life story.  That will qualify him for one.

WILLIAM MORRIS 08#3, ROBERT HALLBERT 07#6 and SAMUEL HARRISON 07#4 have all three collected the Golden Rule marbles by extra class work in the last month.

JASON DILLARD 08#1 wrote in from Lawton CCC on the 13th that he was in a TC program.  It seemed that it was fitting him a little tightly, that he tried to get out of it, but finally settled in.  He mentioned that he had continued to connect to his mentor Ted Palmore.  Jason wanted to be remembered to Johnny Gilbert of 08#2.  (4:10 pm 4/18/08)

JOSEPH HALL 07#5 is one of our Band of Brothers who has really made serious contributions to buy wheelchairs for those who could not afford one.  His last purchase was to honor all those who have prayed for his son Joe Dillon, aka J. D.  The son wrote in from his Pawhuska treatment that he would join us in praying for MIKE HOWE 94#1.  The advice is the same for Mike and J. Dillon, Find a Church Home.  MIKE BELL 07#1 has received a world of help from the members of the church in Tulsa that he attends.

I’m enjoying a book,  Mentor: The Kid & The CEO,sent to me by Hovis 97#5.  Phillip is the first one of my graduates that I know has been certified as a DOC Volunteer.  Now I hear that JIMMY IVEY 02#2 is also being certified.  Both are working hard to help x-o’s with success.  Phil saw CURTIS BURROWS 02#7 who reports that he is free and back at home.  The last I heard from Burrows was that he was a Meeting Maker who Makes It.  Still true?  We’ll see.

MIKE HOWE finally wrote in a couple of notes that I received on April 28.  The handwriting on the envelope looked like a lady’s.  I may find out who he has helping him because he said he was going to his mom’s for a few days.  Mike reported that he was going to AA every week.  It does seem though that he picked up a “bike related misdemeanor with big fine and 7 days in jail.  That may be the reason I had not heard from him.  He still requests our prayers.

LAMONT SWEEZY 07#6 is still on the yard after completing New Directions.  He spoke positively this morning about the repairs and development of the Sweat Lodge for Native Americans.  He is proud that it is being rebuilt and “put out the fleece” to see if a donor can be found to help them acquire a drum for their services.  I’ve encouraged him to write David Bittner, Water of Life Ministry, P. O. Box 835 , Lexington , OK , 73051-0835 .

VIC VAUGHN 06#4 called in from Skiatook and his dad’s place on May 16.  He says he was never happier in his life while he’s cooking for Dad and working on the place.

DALE GOLDEN 07#5 is a lucky guy to have his lady, Alicia, praying for him, visiting him and awaiting his release to freedom.  I think they have set a wedding date.

(4)--ERIC FULLER 07#5 wrote in a very positive report from MACC/MSU.  He has been doing loads of good programs and wants to qualify for a Green Dot from Mr. J.  He’ll need to write me once a month for six months and let me know how well he is doing to get that dot.

Today, on May 22, Class 08#4 watched Annie Moses Band.  They send word to Pastor Riley Donica that, “We wish we had a family that talented and connected to each other.”  I’ll send Riley this word in today’s mail and see if he is able to give us a date for a visit here.

I’ll see how long it takes to get to the bottom of my correspondence pile.  CARL KASTEN 97#4 called in from Florida June 3.  He and Robin just celebrated their 8th Wedding Anniversary on May 26.  Carl promised to stay in touch and he is keeping his word.  He and Robin are still driving for a living, able to work as couriers together in Lakeland .  They bought a 2 Bedroom trailer and are worshiping in the church he attended before he made his trip to Oklahoma .  I tried a phone number for his friends, Buck & Ruby Lockaby, which did not work

Hopefully, before I get to the bottom of my correspondence, I’ll get word from Chris Bain, Executive Director of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association about the statute that prohibits an x-felon from being on a fire department.  I’ve found in the law where a felony would cause the expulsion of a fireman, but had not yet found the prevention of hiring one with a previous felony.  It seemed to me that there should be some exception for a man who wanted to do the right thing after he served his time.  Maybe a pardon would be the way to go.  More later. 

With Senator Corn’s help, a senate staffer, Sean Wallace, is helping us find the true law.

I like the “C” Word--Commitment.  It surely is apparent to many of you that I have not committed to promptness in getting out these “monthly” reports.  At 1:42 pm on the afternoon of June 5, I am committed to getting this in the mail.  (A month later I’m still in the same fix.)

My good friend Robert Flynn, of Tulsa , has made an offer to put some of my motivational material in a more professional package for distribution.  He saw a few of our handouts, was impressed by them and wanted to help.  Actually those examples were just a sample of approximately 300 handouts that I use.  I have not known how to tell him his thought of helpfulness is wonderful, yet I just do not know how that might work.

On May 26 PHIL HOUSER 06#6 wrote in from Ponca City after we had spoken on the phone.  He says he is doing great a year after the New Directions class.  He adds that he is applying the teachings and would rather get into a fight with a skunk than with Mr. J.  Ah, sweet Respect!

I’m tired and leaving a major pile of contacts, yet have uncovered a large area of my desk.  Just now discovered a letter from RICK BROCAW 06#1 written from the McClain County Jail.  He explains that he was not hit anew for drugs but revoked for not making all his payments on time.  He says, “Apparently I need to take your class again, so I hope to see you soon.”(4:4;pm 6-5-08)

While wondering about ROBERT SHINN 99#1, I found him at McCloud.  I’ll drop him a note and see if he will respond to his old instructor.  I last saw him in Shawnee a few years ago.

Maybe Robert can help me find one of my 1994 students, Mark Snodgrass, also of Shawnee .

(5)--I’m so sorry that I missed ROY PILKINGTON’s visit here on May 24.  He was in class 03#4 and is a certified volunteer for the Dept. of Corrections.  Roy is doing great work for his church, his employer and Genesis I.  We can all be very proud of him and his wife, Kim.

I distinctly remember saying I would try to put a tail on this and get it in the mail a week or so ago.  The best of plans somehow do not always work out.  At least, now on the 24th day of June, I am doing some work on the report.  Sue Irvin of Bixby is conducting the class at this moment with a Prison Fellowship seminar.

MICHAEL PENNINGTON 03#2 has finally sent me a short email from Denver .  Seems like he drove his ducks to a poor pond.  He says, “. . . they can be the hottest sexy, holiest, prettiest, wealthiest and intelligent female so appearing caring that can flip, snap and chop your life in half.”  Then he adds, “I’m still alive in Denver .”  He asks our prayers as he is considered for a position of youth minister at African Church KCCC.  He requested copies of some of the New Directions handouts so I’ll send him a batch. . . . and another batch every time he writes.

TYRONE FULLER 06#2 sent a nice friendly card from his home in Frederick at the work center.  He works at the courthouse, sees his wife, kids and extended family and is able to go to church on Sunday.  He reports that he is doing OK.  Good Report!

OK, I’ll give effort to a new commitment--write one of these paragraphs at least every hour, to see if I can get this report on the way, now that I’m into a new class on July 7.

RICKY BROCAW 06#1 writes that he is now at Lexington and feels if he’s lucky he might make it back to Hodgen.  I sent him a copy of Hovis’ Count Time and wished that I’d remembered he was in Purcell as I could have visited him while in town to see my dentist.  I did write and guess I’ll keep him on my email list as his aunt has been good to keep me informed.

It hurts when I loose the address of one of our Band of Brothers like RICK CRABB 98#3.  I wanted to meet with him on this July 2 trip to the city, but could not find him.

JAMES DEVERS 98#1 says he got a letter from me last August but just now opened it.   He said he had good news and really bad news from his new location at Cushing.  His bad news was that his four sons were killed in the World Trade Center bombing and also bad that he went back to drugs and picked up a really heavy case.  The drugs really whipped him badly.  He asked, “Can you help me understand my purpose in life?”  He mentioned that he was not a Christian and did not read the bible.  Then, just before asking if I could help him overcome some debt there at the facility, he mentioned that he was taking to heart the advice I had sent and had attended Sunday School and Church and was feeling good about it.

Now, on July 15, over three months after this report was started, I’m admitting that I have not been as committed as I could have been to bring this to completion.  Peggy will go on a little vacation this week so I’ll have plenty of time to give to this project.  I do want to get word out.

Last week I received a letter from LARRY DAVIS 98#3 who has now been free almost 10 years.  (6)--LARRY DAVIS, during those 10 years has made it a point to worship with me in my home church every year since his discharge.  DONNIE WILLIAMS 96#6 came and spoke at the church for eight of those years--until he relapsed and separated himself from the Lord.  Pray for Donnie.  Larry brought a lady friend with him to church this year and is quick to say, “Senator Corn needs a soul mate so I wish God’s blessings on him, his career and his friend.”  Larry gives the Lord full credit for giving him a blessed, happy life.  It is such a joy to be with him, even if it is just on Memorial Day weekend each year.

As our new friend ROBERT FLYNN, Tulsa Attorney and certified DOC volunteer, teaches the class today I’m reminded that I am in the fourth month since you’ve received a report.  My goal is now to finish this and one more page and get it in the mail.  (10:30 am--July 19, 2008)

DYLAN McMEANS 04#5 just checked in from Tulsa , stating it was his 40th day of Sobriety and that his plan was to leave alcohol alone.  He is attending 1 to 3 AA meetings daily including Sundays.  From my bias, experience and control freak desire, I did advise him that I think he would benefit from the fellowship and acceptance that he would find in church.  He is encouraging me to come to Tulsa for the next Genesis I Fellowship.  That might be August 2.

MYRON PEARCE 08#3 wrote in from HMCC/RHU on June 17--a Thank You note for the card sent to his class from Ms. Sue Irvin, the Prison Fellowship guest presenter.  Myron says he has had plenty of time to read the bible during 82 days of SHU for one “cap of weed.”  Now it says he sees that it was not worth the trouble, and is not in his future plans.

I’m planning a trip to visit OKC members of our Band of Brothers next Wednesday and Thursday, July 23 and 24.  Already Sandy Arnold, Alicia Dills, Bill J, Joyce D, Rick A, Gary and Vicki and maybe a few others have said they will plan on meeting me.

As I continued to ask Travis Brian and Jim Ivey if they had been to church lately, Travis said he would be in church today--at the funeral of a friend who overdosed on heroin.  This hit Travis very hard.  He has helped the mother of the victim by sharing and hugging her.  I share the pain.

CHARLES WILLIAMS 08#1 discharged this month and sent me a photo of him in his civilian clothes.  I sent him a note to see if he would join me for supper or breakfast next week.

DAVID MAUDE of the present class, graduating on August 22, asked if I could find him a mentor/friend.  I’ll check with DAVID YODER since his match, Matt Teepe, discharged to his home area of Enid .  ROBERT McCORMICK, also in the present class made application for a mentor/friend.  So if you are free and reading this far, it might be you that would care enough to tell an inmate that you would consider being his friend.

Looks like DAVID WARD discharged here about four years ago.  He reported in from McCurtain , OK saying that he was doing good--and said, “Surely,” when asked if he was doing any fishing in the lake I fished seventy years ago.

The Great Dads Guy, GERALD GODFREY is in charge of the class on this day, July 21. 

(7)--My hopes are to complete eight pages of this report and get it on the way to you soon.

Our volunteer friends in Tulsa , Henry and Jessie Hanson have asked their minister to call on AUDIE McDONALD 08#3 who has been charged with murder and is in DLM/CJC. Visits were not approved so Henry sent a letter and self addressed envelope for a reply. 

Did I mention MIKE PENNINGTON 03#2 is being considered for a youth minister position in Denver and is requesting positive handouts from the New Directions program.  I’m sending ‘em.

We’ll have to rely on word from his wife, Rhonda, as BRYAN WESTON 08#4 has moved on to Enid Community security for a treatment program which he is reluctant to take.  I always figured any education or training was valuable to me.  And, I appreciated the teachings Rhonda gave us:  Don’t Go Home acting like King Daddy, we’ve been making it without you for a while; and He Who Has Nothing To Hide, Hides Nothing.  That’s much like Uncovering to Recover, isn’t it?

JOE GIBEAULT 03#2 is still toughing out the physical problems of his mom, Kay.  If love and compassion by all the family and prayers from their friends here will help, she will continue to get “Mo Betta!”  Joe, Sr. and female members of the family are making it easier on our Joe.  Our prayers will continue to be with that very special family.  It is great that Joe continues to appreciate the friends he made here, including the Putman Family.  Some of you may know Delton and Diane, two of the best and most compassionate employees at this facility who have been married for 42 years.  A retired employee, Vester Fry, had a little hospital visit but was taking nourishment this past Saturday as usual at the Downtown Cafe.

The Rev. Pam Cottrell, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Heavener, says she is a certified DOC volunteer and has a heart for helping.  I share this with our Chaplain Jimmie Don Gibson and see if we can help her find Methodists who will visit our facility.  We need mentor/friends for guys here who want to make changes in their life.

PHILLIP BAILEY 98#3 called in on June 14 to say that he and his uncle, GARY BAILEY 04#3, are both doing good in freedom.  I’ll see if I can get one of those guys to write my class.

TODD CAHILL 05#4 called in on July 21.  He is a car salesman, 27 this month with 10 days left, and also a TV star, having cut a commercial on tv Univision.  He says he will have breakfast at 7 am with me, Mike ‘n Vicki Adkins this Thursday at IHOP south of I-40 and Meridian .  Todd says he has learned Every Time he touches drugs or alcohol he Breaks Out in Handcuffs.  It would be nice if his friend Karsten Smith could come to breakfast with us again.

DYLAN McMEANS 04#5 wants me to come to Tulsa again, so maybe I can make the Genesis I Fellowship Dinner on August 2.  July 19 was his 40th day of Sobriety.  Congratulations, Dylan!

Remember at the bottom of page 2 of this report, I asked your prayers for Matthew and Nancy Marks Family.  Well prayers have been answered.  Nancy ’s new job is going well, Little Matt made it into the Junior Honor Society in 7th grade, and A friend paid for a trip for the family to Disney in June and gave them a car.  Does Serendipity get any better than that?  Pray.  They did.

(8)--Remember that I wanted my grandson, Tim, to visit the class since he indicated to me that he felt he could be successful smoking marijuana.  I did not think so, but by copy of this I’ll ask him to write us about his vist here on June 20 and what is going on in his life at this time.

Getting down close to the bottom of my correspondence pile and I’m wondering If I’ve heard lately from MIKE HOWE of my first class back in 1994.  He’s been a faithful friend.

Talked to Rev. Steve Ellison is April and told him of our need to have volunteers visit here.

I’ll try MICHAEL BERRYHILL 07#6 to see if he can give us another positive report.

Ditto BRYAN HOWELL 99#6 still owes an email report about the girls in his life!

RICK FOREMAN 01#1 now has a lovely lady, Rachel, watching over him since their wedding on April 12.  He’s battling cancer.  We can join in a prayer for total healing at once.

I’m going to send a copy to Rev. Steve Ellison, Hodgen FBC,to tell him we still need volunteers.

Cricket Wells says her husband BILLY 06#1 is awaiting the governor’s signature for parole.

PHILLIP HOVIS 97#5, a badged volunteer ran into a couple of our Band of Brothers in Lawton Correctional Facility in May.  Phil visits Lawton , LARC, RTMU at Lexington , Harp, OKCCC, Carver, DRI , OK Halfway and Centerpoint.  He says he may be “institutionalized” yet he sleeps at home.  He visited DAVID LACY 06#4 and CHARLES RUPERT 97#3.

PATRICK MASSEY 04#5 and Wife Teresa called from Tulsa on July 22 to see if there is any hope for a New Directions program for their son, Andrew.Weir.  Both parents expressed thanks for the positives taught to Patrick in our program.  Patrick is doing super good in freedom.

MICHAEL PENNINGTON 03#2 wrote July 8 that he is doing fine in Denver , working with his church board and now signs as Mr. Ex-Resistant and also Humbled.  Good show, Mike!

My apologies for taking 3½ months to get back in touch with you.  I do love to hear your news.

It’s almost 10 pm on July 24 and I’m just back from visiting 13 in OKC at the Boulevard Cafeteria last evening.  That includes x-o’s from New Directions, wives of guys still serving, volunteers and family including one little bitty baby.

Then breakfast this morning with Todd Cahill and Chris Reneau, two of our guys who are doing super good in freedom.  Maybe next can be in Tulsa on August 2 for Genesis I Fellowship.

Write when you can--My best to you all, Sincerely,

Mr. J