My son called today...

[Stephanie in FL]

My ds called this morning. This is the first time we have heard from him. He spoke with my dh first, explaining what happened yesterday in court. He will be in detention at least until Jan 31. That is when his scheduled arraignment will take place. He was told that one of the charges has a sentence of 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. I think reality is setting in for him.

He spoke to me and asked me to please come and visit him Tuesday. (Visitation is on Tuesdays and Saturdays for one hour.) I felt so badly when I had to tell him I could not come. My husband is go to go though. That makes me feel better. He broke down and wept. I think this is the first time he has cried since he was a little boy. It was so hard for me to keep my emotions together while on the phone with him. I told him that I will write and that his brother and sisters will too. He said that would be wonderful, because he is not doing well. Although, it is hard to see him struggling, I look at this as a positive step and hopefully he is realizing that he cannot continue down this path of destruction.

After our conversation, I updated our family and church family with what is going on. Strangely enough, I got a phone call from my mother today. I have not heard from her in over four years. My sister called her and told her what was happening. She now wants to go visit ds Tuesday. I am not sure how I am going to handle this situation. I did tell her she can go visit him, but I mean the emotional side of now having her just jump back in to our life. Please pray that I keep the boundaries clear with her.

Thank you for all of your prayers, words of encouragement and emails that some of you have sent.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Ah, Stephanie. Hugs to you.

[Andie]

My ds called this morning. This is the first time we have heard from him. He spoke with my dh first, explaining what happened yesterday in court. He will be in detention at least until Jan 31. That is when his scheduled arraignment will take place. He was told that one of the charges has a sentence of 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. I think reality is setting in for him. .

(((Stephanie))) Still praying.

[Pster]

((( hugs ))) - You will continue to remain in my thoughts Stephanie.

How are you doing otherwise? Do you still need meals? Or things to do during your bedrest? Things have been busy here but I've been thinking of you! Let me know!

[Janna]

Thanks for this update, Stephanie. Continued prayers and Hugs.

~Janna

[Chris in VA]

Continuing to pray.
My son recently told me how he was stunned that I would see him when he was in JDC. Although you can't see him, he knows how much you want to.
The hardest thing was to let him suffer the consequences of his behaviour. I will pray you can do that, so he will learn. But I will also pray for mercy for him. Any word yet on treatment?
Covering you in the Spirit,
Chris

[DIY-DY]

Wow, Stephanie, that's a lot to have in the air all at once. Thank you so much for the update. I'll keep praying, and listening. You hang in there, kiss those babies, and see if dh can slip in a virtual hug for you, too, okay?

[Serendipity]

Still praying here, Stephanie. Hugs...

[Cathy in IL]

You have a lot happening at once. I will pray that you feel God's peace and wisdom in the midst of it all.

[Patty Joanna]

Dear Stephanie,

I have had you in my prayers. I agree with you that this sounds like things are starting to sink in. One wonders why it takes so much with some kids. We had a neighbor kid who was a real problem, and he ended up in prison--heaven knows why it took THAT to get him squared away, but it did. When his brothers went to visit him in jail, he gave them WHAT FOR and told them what it was like in jail, and frankly, it saved THEIR skins. They were headed down the same path. When the boy, ummm, man, got out of jail, he was a new person. But I always wondered what in the world made it so hard for him to "hear" what his parents, and all around him, tried to say to him. The mercy is that he had not ruined his brain with drugs, which is what happened to his OTHER brother, who got straight, but was not the person he could have been.

I don't know why I am rattling on about this. Living next door to these guys growing up, and knowing what they threw away, and how hard their lessons were, it was just incomprehensible...I can imagine how you must be, well, flummoxed.

Just thinking about you.

Kind regards,
Patty Joanna

[WTMCassandra]

Praying, Stephanie. You are sure exhibiting grace under fire. I don't know what the issues are with your mother, but I will pray that you will not be derailed from loving your son yet disapproving of his choices. And take care of yourself as you are nurturing new life. (((Stephanie)))

[King Alfred Academy]

Stephanie...thanks for keeping us updated. You and your family have been in my thoughts. I hope you all will feel God's peace as you are going through this tough time.

[KidsHappen]

I am so glad that you heard from him and that he is safe and well. Hopefully this was the push he needed to get straightened out. I think of you and Chris in Va. everyday as I deal with some of the same struggles. God, give us the strength to deal with our children and guide them on the right path.

[KidsHappen]

Still trying to figure this message board out.