Our first visit

When I got word from the Warden that I could come and visit Tanya, I thought about ways that I could get word to her that I was coming today, but could not and what a surprise it was for her. She said that when they came to get her she thought they had the wrong person because she had not had a single visitor since she had been at St. Gabriel (one year in April).
The only pictures that I had seen of her were the ones on the Gangland Series on the History Channel. I figured that almost three years in solitary would have ad adverse affect upon someone. But when she walked in the door I knew right off it was her. She recognized me from a picture of my family that I had sent to her.
I was blown away that she appeared so young, of course she is only 26 years old, but seeing her really opened my eyes to that fact. She was dressed in prison blue shirt and blue jeans, and had the biggest smile on her face.
Only 10 minutes into our conversation she began telling me her tragic life story, abuse as a child, addiction to meth and pot, one bad decision after another. She really never had a chance in life.
She began to cry when talking about her love for Dennis Clem despite how badly he treated her sometimes. Tanya has never really experienced real love before from anyone, so I am not sure she would recognize it.
We had a long discussion of what "agape love" was which she heard about this last week. I explained it to her. I noticed that when she asked questions, she really wanted an answer, she would turn her head and look right at me waiting for an answer. Friends, Tanya Smith is really seeking.
She can only have visitors every other weekend so mark and Charlotte will go two weeks from today and then we will alternate from there.
Please continue to pray that God will help Tanya to see truth, and to see His love for her, that agape love.
In closing, Tanya said several times in sentences that, "when I become a Christian.....", it is going to happen, God has not brought her this far only to desert her.
I'm beginning to wonder if her jail sentence will turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to her!!!

Approved for Visitation

I got a call from Asst. Warden Kennedy yesterday and she informed me that we are cleard to visit and that this weekend is Tanya's weekend for guest. She gets visits every other weekend. If I don't go tomorrow, it will be another two months before I can go again due to Tennis season.
I am really excited about going but alittle nervous at the same time. This will be my first time to meet her in person. If I'm not mistaken, we get 2 hours to visit but I pray that the visit will be productive.
Mark and Charlotte also were approved and we are planning to go on alternating weekends where Tanya will have one of us at each visitation time. Please be in prayer for us tomorrow, adn I will post more about the visit tomorrow night.

While at work today I noticed I had a missed call from Chap. Sumerall at the prison. When I called him back, we had a great discussion about ministry and the status of our visitation forms which still have not been approved. He suggested I call Asst. Warden Kennedy and discuss this with her. I called her and shared with her the story and she said she would check on it, which we had heard before from numerous people at the prison. Chap. said that Tanya would be in his office this afternoon and that he would let her call.
Sure enough, a couple of hours later she called again. She seemed really anxious and nervous. She stated that she had lost alot of weight which was concerning those close to her there. It was good to hear that she has made a good friend in Chap. Sumerall.
The Chaplain got back on the phone and told me that Asst. Warden Kennedy had already been into his office today and that things were going to start moving along now, he realizes how important it is for Tanya's well being that we be allowed to visit.
Please continue to pray that the doors will open for our visitation and that God will continue to nurture this friendship with Chaplain Sumerall. Pray that God will remove her anxiety about going to worship there at the chapel at the prison.
Thanks again for your support and continued prayers.