Letters from the Inside: Ann Kontz & Susan Smith

Both sent me photocopied Xmas greetings that dealt with the Lord. Apparently they both are on the All Jesus All the Time Diet.

From Susan Smith:

May Jesus, our Savior
who was born on Christmas Day,
Bless you at this season
in a very special way.

May the beauty and the promise
of that silent night
Fill your heart with peace and happiness
and make your new year bright.

Then in her handwriting she wrote:

Dear Kelly,
Hope you have a merry & bright Christmas. I'm blessed to know you. You're a great person. Happy New Year too!
Love, Susan

***

Ann sent me an actual Xmas card that has a picture of a tree on it and says: Every Gift of the Season Comes Wrapped in the Love of Jesus.

It is signed: Paul & Ann [Paul is her new husband. She is in jail for poisoning her first one.]

Cards and stamps can be nearly impossible to come by in here--so once again I am thankful to have Paul's help in sending out my Christmas blessings.

2009 has been a good, busy, fruitful and productive year. I've met some new people--both in here and out there. I've formed beautiful and lasting friendships. god has blessed me. Two women that I've met have truly inspired me. One is my accountability partner and we help each other through the rough spots & celebrate though the joyful times. The other has grown to be my best-friend in here. She is my prayer partner---she encourages me, studies with me and we enjoy our time together bringing God's glory. We are there for each other through thick and thin. I never expected to find such beautiful people in prison.

Having said that, I've learned a great deal about people in general this year--God has blessed me with a spirit of discernment. While He has revealed the beauty of people to me, He has also shown me that the opposite exists. Many in here are only self-serving. While learning this doesn't ever come easy in life--I am thankful to God for the growth that came from it.

My family is wonderful. Clare is loving school. Reading is her favorite & she enjoys reading to me when I call. She is so expressive and gifted. Jessica got married this past June to a wonderful man named Owen--God is blessing their union.

After two years in Horticulture I earned an Apprenticeship in Landscape Design from Wake Tech Community College. I've moved into a new job working in the Store. It's a busy job. When I'm not serving customers, I'm stocking shelves, etc. It's 7 days a week and I have little free time. I work on holidays and I find it helps to pass time quickly and keep me distracted.

I pray for you and your family to have a wonderful holiday.

I'd love to hear back from you--hear how you're doing--you're in my prayers.

I love you,

Ann