Passover

Matthew 5:4 (New International Version)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Two co-workers passed on over the weekend. Lillie F., a 29 year old mother of five fought a valiant battle with cancer. She learned two years ago that she had cervical cancer when she also found out she was pregnant. She refused the doctor’s recommendation that she abort the pregnancy and begin treatment. She had her baby and then began treatment. Lillie will be missed by all of us who worked on Tonto Unit.


Norma M. was a feisty, hard working 61 year old who was an Administrative Assistant III and worked in inmate health services. She recently had heart surgery. Her untimely death may have been due to that. Norma was preparing to retire in early 2011.

My heartfelt sympathies are extended to their families.

Via con Dios, mi Amigas.

FatheRead

I thought I'd share a bit about the Fatheread Program that I do with the inmates in prison.  I became a certified Motheread Instructor in 2006.  In an adult male prison, we call this Fatheread.  Getting this program up and running has been a challenge in the prison system!  Especially with limited funding.

It is a program for fathers with children under the age of ten years.  Inmates submit an application for consideration and after verification of their children, current disciplinary violations and ensuring the children or child were not victims of their crime, I select 10-participants from each unit to participate.

These inmates receive five children's books and we begin the process of meeting weekly for six weeks to learn to read these children's stories using expression and character voices.  When the inmate feels "ready" I will record them on DVD reading the books to their children.  They make craft items that highlight the book themes. When all the "items" are ready, they send the books, DVD and craft items home to their children.

This program is available to the inmates at no cost, with the exception of mailing the items home.  The inmates have "homework" assignments and reports to write.  For example, one of the books I'm using is "Amelia's Road" and I've suggested the adult John Grisham book, "A Painted House" as it is amazingly similar.

Funding for this program comes from the "community."  After my first run a year ago, one family was so impressed with the program, they donated $500 to keep it up and running.  A local community business donated another $500 and I was able to purchase the children's books through the Scholastic Book literacy project at a substantial savings. My husband and I purchase the mini RW/DVDs to record the inmates and usually the art supplies for their crafts.  You can't put a price on learning, reading, and parenting when it comes to inmates.

There are specific titles that are utilized.  These books cover specific child development themes such as "The Story of Ferdinand" and its theme is what families value.  If you're interested in more information, the website is: http://www.motheread.org/

So, for the next number of weeks I will be busy on Thursdays with 16-inmates and this program.  I plan on six weeks, but it could go longer, as plans often change due to security concerns that arise. Your prayers are appreciated!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Tamara

Testing, Testing,1-2-3

All the tests have been concluded and now I just await the notification of the results. 

Thank you for your prayers and notes.  On a personal note, I thought I was gonna die on the treadmill!  That is why I prefer a walking path and not a mechanical thing.  I didn't have chest pain, but I had difficulty breathing.

Yesterday the testing began at 7:30 a.m. and lasted until 12:45.  Needless to say, I was bushed and didn't go to work.  Today will be my first day back since June 17th. 

Tomorrow will be especially busy as I begin the FatheRead program with the inmates.

because we're His,

Tamara

Home Again, Home Again...

We flew in to Phoenix on Friday, spent the night and returned home on Saturday as it's a 3 1/2 hour drive. 

It was good visiting family and attending reunions.

Tomorrow (July 5th) and Tuesday I have some scheduled cardio tests.  I will be having the stressful stress test tomorrow then the echocardiogram the next day.  Please remember me in prayer!

because we're His,
Tamara

AGHHH! Vacation Is Now Officially Over

So, here we are in Columbus Ohio in a motel, the Hubs went to fill up the rental car up with gas and ended up with a very flat tire... this was not on the itinerary!

We will be flying back to the Land of AZ soon.