Blessed Indeed!

My babies and I on resurrection day! Sunday April 20th

My prayer for my son Sal-Lord guide him in your ways. Protect him! Meet him where he is at and most of all Lord help him to feel your awesome presence. You are the keeper of His soul and Lord I pray everyday that this truth is alive in his heart.  Lord guide me to be the best mom I can be, helping to re-direct him and encourage him in all of your ways. Lord, be with us! Amen

My prayer for my son Damian-Lord keep him! I entrust him to you Lord and I pray that you would guide him in all or your ways and that he would never leave your side.  I pray that he has a spirit of learning with him and deep ongoing relationship with you Lord that can never be broken. I pray that you would help me to encourage him in your ways and that you would show me how to encourage any and all of his God given talents and abilities.  I pray for wisdom in raising both of these boys. I pray for strength. Lord, keep us all!  We are yours! Amen. 

Lord I pray that you would make these boys into mighty men of God, that they would be good righteous men in your sight, that they would be good loving husbands and encouraging and uplifting fathers and productive members of society.  In your name Jesus, Amen. 

To Whom It May Concern (Re:California Prison Hunger Strike)

08/10/2013

To Whom It May Concern,

Prisoners across California, on hunger strike for a full month, say they “seek what any human being strives for—humane treatment, dignity, equality, and justice for our families, loved ones, and ourselves.  These are the fundamental rights of all people, including those incarcerated by the state.”

It is because of this statement that this cause is so important to me. Secretary Beard claims this hunger strike is a gang power play and claims that people who haven’t been allowed to touch another person in decades are not in solitary confinement.  The truth is being in these SHU's for long periods of time is detrimental to the health of anyone; mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and psychologically. These prisoners are in extreme isolation, with little to no contact with others. These SHU's are described as 8 x 10 foot windowless concrete cells with fluorescent lights that inmates spend typically 22 to 24 hours a day. That free hour or so is when they are allowed to go to shower or to exercise which takes place in a "cement yard" which extends to about the length of three cells. That is, if yard time isn't cancelled which it seems to be 3-4 times a month at Corcoran in which the inmates will stay locked up for 4,5,6,7 days at at time-that's 24 hours a day for up to 7 days. Even then a guard in a central control booth controls the doors; he just presses a button, no contact required. These inmates do not get to make calls home and are only allowed non-contact visitations with family and friends (3 visitors max) that usually last no longer than one or two hours through a glass partition. Per CDCR visiting guidelines...

"The prisoner is escorted in handcuffs by staff to the visit. The handcuffs are removed only after the prisoner is secured in his/her side of the visiting booth; thus, parents who do not wish to have children see the prisoner in restraints should wait away from the booth or glass partition until the prisoner is settled." 

How is this not torture? It is sensory deprivation to the max! psychologists have argued that mentally healthy inmates are pushed to the edge by long stays in isolated cells. This treatment can only be described as cruel and unusual punishment.  I believe in discipline but that is not what is happening here.  I mean how exactly is this type of treatment rehabilitative or constructive at all? How does CDCR, The State or anyone for that matter see this as effective treatment for people who will one day come back out into society? Do they even care? It's seems they don't. It seems the goal here is to dehumanize these men, to humiliate and break them down and unfortunately in the process they are breaking down families. They are breaking down relationships and to be quite honest they are breaking down all of society. It is unjust and inhumane. Martin Luther King Jr. said that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," and I for one believe that, it's true! Where does it stop? How far will we as a society go? The truth of the matter is that injustice can happen anywhere, but I guess until it happens to you Governor Brown, Secretary Beard, Warden Connie Gipson, Warden Greg Lewis and the rest of you that are in authority, it's really nothing that you are too worried about huh? 

I have heard it said that all we need for evil to triumph is to do nothing,  come on Governor, Secretary & CDCR!!!  It's time to get a conscience and stop doing nothing or worse yet, doing the wrong thing. Yes, these inmates (who happen to still be human) have committed crimes and they're paying the consequences of those crimes but to inflict pain like this is not what you are here for! I've read the mission statements on a lot of the CDCR prison websites and well, here, let me remind you of what one of these mission statements states...

"California State Prison, Corcoran - Mission Statement                               
The California State Prison (CSP), Corcoran is committed to ensuring and instilling the public and inmates' families with the confidence that CSP-Corcoran is committed to providing the best medical, mental health, education, vocational and self help programs for all inmates confined to Corcoran.
CSP-Corcoran not only meets this commitment by providing it's employees with the proper training, tools and safe working environment, but also by encouraging ideas and collaboration between all departments."  

Hmmm, none of that conveyed  that we as family and friends should be worried about the state sanctioned torture that is happening and coincidentally that we are also paying for! It actually looks like what you are trying to convey is that you are there to house them, yes, but also to rehabilitate these men. Am I reading that wrong?  

I honestly can't believe in a civilized society that we would be ok with this type of treatment for anyone. I can't understand how the educated people that are in authority don't  see the repercussions of this type of dehumanization and torture. This is a crime against humanity. Look it up! Oh, wait, here you go, I looked it up for you...

"Crimes against humanity, as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal CourtExplanatory Memorandum, "are particularly odious offenses in that they constitute a serious attack on human dignity or grave humiliation or a degradation of human beings." They are not isolated or sporadic events, but are part either of a government policy (although the perpetrators need not identify themselves with this policy) or of a wide practice of atrocities tolerated or condoned by a government or a de facto authority. Murder; extermination; torture; rape; political, racial, or religious persecution and other inhumane acts reach the threshold of crimes against humanity only if they are part of a widespread or systematic practice. Isolated inhumane acts of this nature may constitute grave infringements of human rights, or depending on the circumstances, war crimes, but may fall short of falling into the category of crimes under discussion."

It is types of governments that operate like this in which the "Crimes against humanity" was even instituted! Look what happened in the holocaust, Adolf Hitler effectively and systematically dehumanized and tortured and then put to death 5.5 million people. Why you ask? Because they didn't fit into his perfect civilized society, because they were less than human to him. Not only did he single out a whole ethnicity but he also singled out the handicapped (both physically and mentally), the uneducated, alcoholics and yes criminals. It started out small like anything but he convinced a whole country that these people were less than nothing and should be treated as such. As we look back, we all say "how could this have happened?" Well, simple, I'll say it again, "Evil triumphs when good people do nothing". I'm not saying this is the exact same thing, but what I am asking is have we learned nothing from history? Are we really the civilized society that we claim to be?  Gandhi was once asked what he thought of western civilization and his response was "I think it would be a very good idea". Well, me too! 

CDCR please take the time to really train your staff to be qualified to do these "validation" reviews and seriously change the way these men are deemed validated in the first place. I mean, Really? Artwork? An address? A Birthday card? Another inmate debriefing? A book? Are you kidding me? These are the items that can get our friends and loved ones validated and send to an isolated hell, errr... I mean cell? So what this tells me is that It's not always behavior related issues that gets a person thrown into the SHU like CDCR would like us, the public to believe. It's saddening and disheartening that these are the policies that are currently in place. I get that they have committed crimes but they are still people. People who have made mistakes, sometimes costly mistakes. Some of these inmates are truly repentant and just wish to do their time and then come back out with a chance of being productive and truly contributing to their society. 

Some of these men came into prison still as children, thrown away and put into a very dark place where they are racially separated not only by other inmates but staff as well. Yet, many of these men have still managed to educate themselves and still be positive and hopeful towards the future. We aren't asking that you let these prisoners out of prison but we are asking for you to be compassionate and open and understanding to the detrimental effects on these prisoners well being that are placed in the SHU.  I do believe that some prisoners are truly hellbent on their own agendas to further their prison careers but not everyone. Please take the time to figure out who the true trouble makers are and give our loved ones a chance at a better life! A chance at rehabilitation. A chance to hold their moms, wives and children.  A chance at cultivating positive relationships. A chance at a better life, better than the one they started out with. Is this not a reasonable request?

It is not our job to condemn inmates to such cruel punishments. They have been convicted, sentenced and are paying the consequences of their actions. Leave the rest to God! Take effective measures when necessary but please do it with a clear conscience, the truth and without biased. Remember, not only is it detrimental to the prisoners health but also to societies health as a high percentage will come back out into society and be expected to be productive. Please remember, there are countless children that have to live without their fathers already and by keeping them isolated from them like this is only causing more harm to them and may contribute to them making the same mistakes in life. It seems history is doomed to repeat itself, generation after generation if something different is not done. 

Albert Einstein said "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results". I agree, and I will bet a lot of others would also.  Do something different. Be different. Be compassionate. Where is the humanity? the decency in man? The conscience of a good man? I pray everyday that change will come for the better. I pray for the inmates, the families and yes, I pray also for the staff of CDCR and all who are in authority. I pray for wisdom, knowledge and guidance! I pray for peace of mind and for peace period! May the good Lord be with all of you and may you all hear him say "Well done good and faithful servant" come judgement day. 

                                                                    

                                                                       Affectionately yours, 

                                                                       Darlene Fernandez,

                                                                       Proud supporter of the hunger strikers

ALL OUT FOR CA PRISONER HUNGER STRIKE 2013 VIDEO

For more information on the hunger strike, the core demands and updates please click here prisoner hunger strike solidarity 

"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind" -Gandhi

"Almost everything you do will seem insignificant, but it is important that you do it" -Gandhi

Complaining...

Today I was thinking, there is one common denominator throughout my workplace that stands out like a sore thumb, at least to me. Please continue to read if you would like to hear my “complaint” on this common denominator. It’s complaint. (I know, I’m really clever) I guess one would say that complaint is something that happens no matter where you work, no matter where you are, but still… this bothers me. 

Why?  I’ll tell you why, because we are working in an organization that is founded on Jesus’ healing and teaching ministries.  (insert my company here) prides itself on “Fulfilling the Vision” and “Making man whole” and on our “Service” to a hurting world, which is our patients (whom you should know I adore, even the complainers) But hmmm… how can we serve our patients, I mean really serve them with all our hearts without first serving and submitting to each other.  Simple, we can’t!  How can we make man whole when we are soooo broken ourselves. 

One of the biggest complaints here is against the authorities we work under. Listen, God has allowed the authorities in our life whether it’s at work or home.  Get that! Meditate on it, stew in it, do whatever you got to do, but get “IT“.  We wouldn’t gripe and complain against a police officer pulling us over for making an obvious traffic violation, would we?  Ok, ok, ok… some of us totally would and that is exactly what I am talking about.  Who do we think we are? These authorities are in place because God has allowed them to be.  One more time, say it with me this time <<<God  has allowed  them  to  be!>>>  we are to be obedient and submissive to these authorities just as if they were the ultimate authority, which is God  Himself.  

Paul says in Romans 13:1-7 that “every person is subject to the governing authorities, that there is no authority except from God” and that “all authorities that exist have been instituted by God”. Would we tell God no?  Would we complain about our work which He has blessed us with? Would we give Him an attitude when He tells us how to work and what to do in our work?  I hope not. Paul goes on to say that “these authorities are not a terror to the good, but to the evil“ (Yes, the opposite of good is evil! Believe me, I was as shocked as you are) and that “we should be afraid if we do wrong, for he (or she-the authority over us) does not bear the sword in vain.”  The authorities over us are allowed by God “to carry out His wrath on us, the wrongdoer.”  

If you get written up, don’t gripe and complain… I say praise God that you just got written up and not fired, for whatever you did to get written up was wrong in the eyes of the authority over you.  If you get audited by Medicare and get fined, praise be to our Father in Heaven that you are not behind bars for whatever wrong this authority has deemed that you are guilty of.  Now you have an opportunity to make it up to God. Yay. 

Ok, I know there is someone out there that is going to say but what if they are telling me to do something wrong, against God?  Ok fine, then examine what you are being told to do, but ALSO examine yourself. While you’re at, humble yourself too.  I say this because we (me included) tend to think we understand and know everything (that’s where the humbling ourselves comes in) and the truth is we don’t.  We must be fair and just and not only examine others when we “feel” they are wrong but also examine ourselves and our thoughts.  Are we feeling picked on? Are we feeling taken advantage of? Are we bitter or resentful towards that person? Are we just overly sensitive? Are we feeling offended because of our “worldly” beliefs? Why do we feel the way we do, why do we feel that they are wrong? What is the truth? Seek the truth. After you have seeked that truth and you are sure that you  are being honest with yourselves about what this truth is and we have arrived at the conclusion that this is biblically wrong, then we must make a decision to obey God. Luke says in Acts 5:29 that we are to “obey God rather than men”, so if the request is clearly, let me say it again “clearly” going against Gods law then we are to “obey God rather than men” Very clear! Now if it is just us that “feel” it is not correct to do with nothing to back it up or we just “feel “ that we shouldn‘t have too (based on OUR beliefs)…then we lose.  Back it up or shut up! 

Okay, back to the subject at hand, complaining (just the word is draining, can I get an AMEN…lol) I would hope that the majority wouldn’t say no to God, yet every day we say exactly that to Him.  We are to work as though we are working and serving Christ directly. Doctors complain about documentation guidelines and extra clicks on their billing system-They outright say No to the authorities over them, schedulers complain about having to verify and update patient information at the time of scheduling the appointment, Insurance representatives gripe about calling on insurance benefits instead of just making a few clicks online,  Registration staff complains about the fact that they have to call the patients to notify them about their benefits or liabilities (why do you have a job again?) , front desk doesn't want to copy the patients insurance cards unless they have a scanner right at their fingertips, most employees do not even fill as though they should completely fill out an order for a procedure-who cares if it says “Required” in big black bold letters.  For some people, having to leave their desk to perform a job function is absolutely out of the question.  Some of us employees are absolutely offended if we are asked to do any more than what our “belief” of our job is- because *insert sarcastic font here* "Susie scheduler should have to do that, after all she does make more money" or "that‘s not my job". Besides, I‘m way to busy surfing the net, taking personal calls and chatting it up with other employees! *end sarcastic font here* Don’t hate me…I’m guilty also okay, I said WE!!! (Boss Lady, if you’re reading this…totally joking, I’m always very focused and work from the time I come in to the time I leave-very holy, I am) hehe 

The worst and most annoying complaints are the grumblings of the “self-labeled victims”.  The whiners about what Sally front desk is or is not doing (cause they wouldn‘t get away with that). Yes, sure we need to bring attention to when operations seem to be functioning at a less than reasonably productive rate, but just out of curiosity…is that really why you are concerned? Is that really what our complaints are about? Or is it because of our own selfish ambitions, or that we feel “it’s just not fair” or is it about what we feel we deserve and should get?  Or is it because she‘s making more money and has better hours? Come on, be honest. Is it envy? How’s the misery and negativity working for you? Satisfied in your life much? 
Ok, ok, ok… Granted, some of the time, it really isn’t fair! Listen up because I am going to tell you something so beautiful >>>> that is where authority comes in handy-you know “the boss, your supervisor”, this is where they are allowed to “carry out the wrath of God” (see the bible for extra umph). 

For you employees that in addition to “it just not being fair”, but you also think that “the boss” is letting other employees “getaway with stuff” this may make you happy, you see our bosses are also under authority and they “will be held accountable” on the decisions they make or do not make, they will have to give an account on how they kept watch over those in their care.  Check it out dude, Hebrews 13:17! Paul also says in this verse that “we should have confidence in our leaders and submit to them so that their work would be a joy” and that “if we are a burden to them that it would be of no benefit to us.” (probably because when you make others life difficult, they rarely will have a lot of grace to give you). Darn it, I just gave you the whole verse…oh well, you should still check it out to make sure I am telling you the right thing… (Wouldn’t that be cool to throw it back in my face if I was wrong since I am being so offensive to everyone on so many different levels?) hehe…sorry, not funny…

To all employees that are being submissive, obedient and joyful and are incurring the unfairness of the workplace, take heart that not only will you gain favor with our Father in Heaven but also when the authority in which you are under is unfair, unjust or just too plain weak to discipline “the wrongdoers” that they too will be subject to God’s wrath for we are all under an authority. (Hey, I just said that huh? Oh well…what‘s one more time to really bring it home) My opinion (much like a good % of this is):  Much like raising kids, Leaders (the authority over us) have to be willing to be hated.  (I know, sucks right!)  
Let’s compare shall we…

-The parent and the leader must both be willing to make the un-popular decision.  
-The parent and the leader must be willing to put their foot down and understand that they will not win everyone‘s approval, especially teenagers and doctors…oh, and toddlers.
-The parent and the leader even have to be willing to shed some tears for the sake of doing what is right and best for the subject at hand. 

For parents, it’s their children.  For leaders, it’s the employees that they govern and the business as a whole.  These two roles are not for the faint of heart, but well worth it to see the fruit of their labor: success and prosperity.  Hallelur!!! 

*Side note (another opinion): If parenting or being a leader is a piece of cake, you’re doing it wrong!

To add to the list of the variety of complainers, we also have the “why should I, others don‘t” people! Really? I will tell you why we should, even though others aren't and they seem to be getting away with it!  Because our Father in Heaven demands it!  So stop worrying about what others are doing, especially if it has nothing to do with you and your work.  Stop worrying about what others “seem” to be getting away with.  Nobody “gets away” with anything!  We should not compare our work with others, it’s not about us! It’s much broader than that.  We need to get that, we need to serve with all our heart, not based on what others are doing, but based on what our Father in Heaven expects of us.  Let God deal with their shortcomings but I beg you-Allow Him to bless you with gifts and rewards for your faithful service.  Are we getting it yet??? These are all complaints against God and the authorities He has placed over us. 

I am not saying these things to “offend” (another favorite subject of mine-refuse to be offended and be set free) anyone, I am saying this because it’s the miserable fleshy truth.  I know it’s hard not to complain, some of these things are absolutely treacherous, at least by the standards of our time. Thank the Lord we didn’t live in biblical times what with the stoning’s and chopping off of the heads and what not. 

Side note: Gosh, we are so spoiled brats!

Okay, wrapping it all up… with questions of course, I like questions…they demand answers, so as you read, please answer!  Lol
Did your boss say to do it?  Yes or No
Did Medicare say to do it?  Yes or No
Did the O. I.  freaken G. say to do it? Yes or No 
Yes? 
No?
Take your time, think about it! 
Got your answer? 
Yes, your answer is yes? 

OKAY, pay attention: The answer is in bold, its underlined, italicized and capitalized…all the “ized“ and more, if you will! Please see below.>>>>>>>>>

THEN DO IT!

Well, look at that… SIMPLE AND CLEAR!

Be joyful while you’re doing it!  You’re gonna do it, might as well be joyful while you’re doing it.  Why be miserable and do it? That’s just dumb. Exactly, No point! 

*If you are still not willing to submit to your boss, their authority, structure and rules, then find a new job or just continue to with your bad attitude, and maybe they will  let go. Then you won’t have to submit- at least not to them, you will have a new boss to submit too should you find a new job, & Yay, Everyone wins. (That was all in *sarcastic font*)

I read an article recently and the guy stated that the test is not whether you can obey the knucklehead in the corner office that buzzes his administrative assistant on the intercom to e-mail us, even though we sit right outside his or her door (I believe that knucklehead was just a cute little nickname for the boss, used affectionately of course), the test is how obedient you are to God! We must realize that God is at work in the situation regardless of how bad it feels.  

A friend told me just today that “sometimes things have to get a little shuffled around before they can get better, just like cleaning out a garage…you gotta pull everything out, it’s a mess, there’s clutter everywhere… but then you go through it, get rid of the unnecessary clutter and put everything back in its place and it’s a lot more organized and it looks a lot nicer-It just works!” (that means that “somethings” are possibly going to have to be rid of for the good of the whole! Are you one of the “somethings” that needs to be rid of for the betterment of the group as a whole?) 

Think about it…Okay, now let’s pray. Here’s a list of things to pray for… Your welcome! 

-For God to humble you.
-For God to help you to be submissive to authority
-If you do not want to be submissive to authority than you can pray for the want to want to be submissive to authority.
-For the strength and courage to go against the world and not complain.
-To be a strong and fair boss, employee or parent…or get crazy, do all three. 
-For God to help you with that bad attitude of yours.
-For God to open your eyes to the Big picture. The truth, the light and the way! 
-For His peace so that you do not NEED to understand EVERYTHING and so that you may be joyful while serving Him.
-For deliverance from that bad habit of bad mouthing your boss or other employees behind their backs.
-For the boss, their family, your co-workers and their family… 
-For a loving and caring soul.
Heck lets praise Him also… I’ll get you started…
-Praise God that He has found favor in us and has blessed us with  the J.O.B. that we have- you know the faithful paycheck we get every other Friday!
-Praise God that we have the right to complainand grumble.
-Praise be to our Father in Heaven for our free will to choose that bad attitude. 
-Praise be to my pops that we are able bodied, have our sight, a voice to be heard and hearing to hear others.
-Praise God that we do not live in a dump in Cambodia where we have to scrounge day and night to make 36 cents. (That should of struck a nerve-if it didn‘t, come see me)

Are we getting it yet!!!! Have an attitude of thanksgiving & gratitude, not one of complaint. 

Oh, a couple more things I will just throw out there while I’m at it.

-No matter how justified you feel in undercutting your boss to others, we shouldn’t.  Our job is to pray for our boss and then follow his or her direction.  It may not sound very rewarding to pray for the boss, but prayer works… come to the throne with a sincere heart and pray! Try not to pray that they trip and fall and perhaps break a leg, pray for something more along the lines of oh, I don’t know…Gods will, and hey…you could even ask for the Lord to give your boss understanding, discernment, wisdom, truth… and the list goes on.  They have a tough job, where’s the compassion guys?


-We worship and praise Christ and Christ Jesus alone! I know it can be tempting to worship the physicians or the boss (if you’re the physician or boss, you may think you should be worshiped) but we must keep a balance and remember that they (that’s you, boss or doc) are vessels just as we all are.  One cannot succeed without the other… 

Front desk, schedulers, coders, administrative assistants, transportation, medical assistants, nurses, dispatch, housekeeping, nutritional support, insurance verification reps, translators, techs…and numerous others including volunteers are all necessary in serving our patients.  

A friend recently told me a story about a conversation she had with her grandmother when she was a child … She asked which was most important, the cooking staff or the nursing staff? Her grandmother replied that they were both equally important and all served a very important role, she compared them to the ingredients of a cake.  Just as we cannot make a cake without the oil, flour, eggs…etc. We cannot function without all of the very important roles.

Kind Regards, 
Darlene
Daddy’s little brat, Err, I mean Princess!

Proverbs 22:6 & Matthew 18:19: Promises from my Dad!

I have been struggling in releasing my child, Sal (Damian has already assured me that he is going to be a man of GOD, and he's half christian now...so no worries!) into Gods hands. To be totally honest I thought I had released him. Silly me. How could I have? I am still scheming on what to do and what to say and placing “stuff” ever so strategically for Sal to just happen upon it… ugh. I’m exhausted!
Well, in an effort to “be still” I have been reading about prayer and listening to different teachings about prayer and of course praying! I even bought some new books (big surprise huh, I HEART books). I am reading one written by Stromie Omartian (HEART her too) called “The Power of a Praying Parent". I also remembered discussing not too long ago with my bible study peeps (HEART them also) about being specific in our prayers and so I asked my pops (that’s the big guy upstairs) if He would help me to be specific and show me how to pray and what to pray for.

Ok, now I will entertain you on a short long story on my “works” for the week (at least the beginning of the week-more to come I’m sure).

NOTE: I really thought I was being still and that I had released my son to Him!
One of the other books I bought was “The Power of a Praying Parent: Book of Prayers” book for my sons dad. I initially decided I would discuss with him how important it was to pray for our son and not leave his life up to chance and yada yada yada… Then I thought “NOPE, that would be works and I am being still” (I know, I’m nuts right!) So, since I was busy being still I decided to just send it along with another little scripture book for men that I picked up (it was 2 bucks & super cool). My heart was in the right place…I’m almost positive of that fact. Anyways, sent the books with Sal to his dad. done.

Thought to self: You're brilliant Darlene!

The next day (Monday) when I picked up Sal for school, I asked him if his dad liked the books. He said that his dad said to tell me “that he chooses his own path” and then he tells me that his dad also asked why he brought “that stuff” inside his house. I was crushed. I was confused. I had just received his blessing to force my child to go to church, and now he calls scripture and a prayer book “that stuff” in an tone that is basically the equivalent to the tone one of us would have about drugs, alcohol, porn…etc. How could he speak to MY son with that such a lousy attitude about something that is so sacred? Sal said his dad was just kidding but still. Wow! I dropped Sal off and told him I loved him, to pick up his pants and to have a great day -Ya know, the usual. I then decided to call his dad to clear up MY confusion and to tell him how important it is to pray and ya know the whole spiel and THANKFULLY my phone wasn’t working (Thank you Jesus- although I wasn't very thankful at the time). As I arrived at work and began to look for sprints telephone number, work happened!

Side note: work is so annoying, this is important...ugh. (I am thankful for my job, I promise)
Eventually when things died down I found the number and called (apparently they want you to pay your bill to obtain service, ugh…drag). Anyhow they “fixed” my phone. Then this weird thing happened where I actually was still and I listened. Maybe I should just pray about it! Maybe I should pray about it , Let it go and believe that He gots this! Hmmm, Maybe just maybe I don't need Big Sal to pray for Lil Sal! Sure it would be nice but he would be praying in doubt and unbelief and why would I want that? I don’t!
Well, look at that…big Sal is saved by Gods awesome mercy and grace and he doesn’t even know it. I am not going to call him! {End of short long story here}

OH MY GOSH I get it. See below.

Monday evening after I got home, slaved over dinner (microwavable chicken nuggets) and took a shower, I sat down to practice being “still”. Well after that was done (a few minutes later), I decided I would start reading my “The Power of a Praying Parent” book. As I was reading it a couple of verses popped into my head... Ok, so they didn’t pop into my head, they were both written right there in the book. I guess we will just agree that they spoke to me!

The first one was Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it”. That’s a promise right? Ok, so I know this is a promise from God, I know that His word is powerful and His instruction is a blessing. I know this…but ummmm, I know for a fact, ok... not for a fact but I know because my friend Robin told me and I trust her, that she raised her children in Gods ways. So why then is Chad (her now adult son) questioning the truth? Why is he hurting his moms heart with these dumb questions about whether there is a creator or not? Why is his belief "unbelief"? "He was taught and raised in the truth, I need answers Father!" I shouted inside of my head. “Help me Dad to understand, please” I prayed. Increase my faith. Teach me. Show me your ways. Just take my will already pulleaseeeeeee I beg you. I don’t want it.

End scene. lol

The second one is Matthew 18:19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” > Darlene: *sigh* Father, I was trying to do that! Remember? I gave the book to Sals dad… (Yes, I know I am a brat!)
> Stormie: See the appendix, “praying Together with Other Parents,” for suggestions on how to organize your own time of group intercession for children.
> Two different CC’s (crazy Christians) through text messages: Please pray for my son!!!
> Dad: Hey, why don’t you pray together with other parents?
> Darlene to Dad: You are so smart! I love you! I’m sorry I'm a brat and thank you Dad! You are sooo good to me.

Nope, story doesn’t end. I'm gettin there...

Grand finale and the point of my rant!!! My friend Robin calls me TODAY to give me some good news. Well not too long ago God placed Chad in Idaho with his girlfriend (Chad thinks he went on his own, funny boy). They had a house practically handed to them and everything else that went along with the move was just so smooth. Robin said everything went really smooth, Wow-smooth! (Over-smooth if you will, that’s my interpretation to her Wow-smooth). Of course she thanked God and kept Chad in her prayers. Chad who is in the Army (inactive status) signed up for the Idaho National Guard (reserves) as soon as he got to Idaho. Well one week after signing up, the army called him back to active duty and would be sending him to Afghanistan, so they thought! Fortunately for Robin and Chad and everyone concerned he is now with the National guard in Idaho so California cannot send him to Afghanistan! Yay! Now that’s God!
Background: Chad is my age and his mom and I work together. We would talk about his questions and his NEW beliefs my NEW beliefs every now and again and although we know that God promised Robin long ago that Chad would never depart from what he was taught about Gods awesome truth…it still tugged at her heartstrings, and well, mine also. Afterall, I have two sons I’m in following her very steps (except my sons are barely hearing the TRUTH and they are 15 and 8). We both agreed that he will come back to the God and that we would continue to pray for him.

More background: When Chad came back from being oversees the last time, he came back with a different outlook, a different attitude too many questions "questioning" our Father in Heaven .
Robin told me this morning that she told Chad “Is that not God or what?” Chad acknowledged this truth in his own way and is happy with the outcome. Although Chad may not realize the protection he received from our Lord and he may not have thanked him yet, I know Robin has and so have I. I know Chad has not accepted the Call God has on his life but I am positive (and I know Robin is also) that Chad knows how awesome God is deep down in his heart and I’m sure that soon he will realize that and come back to the truth he has always known. After all It’s a promise. That is encouraging.
Our Amazing God: He placed Chad in Idaho. He put that urgency in Chads heart to sign up for the National Guard. He was and is faithful to Robin and He placed His protection over Chad.

Ok, wrapping it up! What you should of learned in this extremely long rant…

*Darlene likes to Rant
*God hears our prayers always
*Darlene thinks in parentheses
*God answers our prayers! -It may be “Yes”, It may be No, It may be “Yes, but not yet”. (Yes, No is an answer! I'm as shocked as you are!)
*Darlene thinks she knows it all and is a brat lol
*We must pray with FAITH, not with doubt and unbelief.
*Darlene likes to read.
*God is faithful and will always keep His promises.
*Darlene likes to call herself Darlene
*We must be still and let God work
*Darlene needs your help to pray for her children and will gladly cover your children in prayer as well. *Gods word is power and we need to know it!
*Darlene loves you!

Our encouragment and our promise: The bible says “Train up a child in the way he should go” knowing that “when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6 that if "two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

Lets pray for our kiddos together...

The End.
Thank you, Darlene!