This is a quick update on my nephew Dustin’s progress and how he is adjusting to life in the “freedom” lane.
As most of you know, Dustin, age 20, spent the past year and a half in prison. Being a juvenile and homeless, on the streets of Las Vegas made crime a part of his everyday life. When you become 18 – JOY RIDING & DRUGS – Becomes – Felony Car Theft & Prison- so explains the stiff sentence.
Now with his Mother, my Sister, being murdered last year on the streets of Vegas – you can imagine the depth of hopelessness this young man has suffered. That is where this Aunt and Uncle have stepped in again to say – “We love you and want to give you that hope of success… Do you want to give it a try?” So for the past year and a half we have been writing letters, some 2 or 3 a week and explaining what We and God expects out of him IF he is to change and step up a level to reach his potential.
He has been here now almost 2 weeks and things are going pretty good. There have been many things and rules that he has had to adjust to but he is adjusting. Just being out of a cell has actually made him very nerves and off balance, so to speak. But I have seen in the past few days a ‘peaceful’ spirit emerge – Praise God.
I am asking all of you to just continue to keep us in prayer – we have another court date on the 7th of March to finalize all legal matters. We expect a good outcome and then – it on to a better life for Dustin. We, (hubby and I) and Dustin are making some big adjustments – but two things we have in our corner and on our sides are God and Love.
May God continue to bless us all and show everyone that LOVE CAN BRING US TOGETHER – Always.
Adjusting to live outside of an institution is very difficult - esp. when your structured world has been destroyed as his was - the 'institution' becomes the 'womb' of order and consistency. So finding the balance of structure and freedom will be a challenge. I hope he also gets some counseling when he is with you
ron
God IS with you all!!
Sometimes a person has to 'lose' most all they have to 'find' what they really NEED.
Hopin' for the BEST for ALL involved.
Blessings to you and yours,
TallPockets.
You and your nephew will be in my prayers.
I am glad that he has you and your hubby!
Huggggggggggggggggggggz,
Taylor
Yes on the counseling - he has already received much - but we are continuing and He and my hubby are teaming up and doing drug and alcohol counseling at church bibilically based and he is loving it. Donnie is doing it with him for support. He is back in school to finish his GED and just pretested and is ready to go now - but is taking extra class in reading and math just to insure a better grade.
He is also made appointments to have his tattoos removed and has a job already lined up with employment guaranteed. So things are looking pretty good and he seems to be adjusting to "freedom" this week more than last. We can see a new peace in his spirit and I think more to come. We are doing a 6am bible study each morning as we are into reading the bible in 0ne year -
So I think most everything is going better than expected. We also have done nightly family prayers and are talking to each other about our hopes and dreams - Thanks for asking - I will gladly take any suggestions you have to offer - God bless
I wrote Ron a long report on current stuff - but things are going really nice and I will take all those prayers - I know they are working. God bless you.
Hey thanks for those prayers - they are working. Dustin has received some great therapy for his Mothers death and I think he is dealing with it quite well - and things are starting to fall into place all around here. We know God has a hand in all of this because His timing is right on - and everything is just working like clockwork and each day we are amazed at new things just layed before us.
His G.E.D. pretesting was right on and within a few extra reading classing his will be taking that exam. His work as come through and we are even taking him to Hawaaii with us and the rest of the family and got him a seat on the same flight as we booked last year - Now if that isn't God I don't know what is - to open up a seat for him this late and on the same plane that has been booked forever.
Anyway girlfriend - God bless you and yours and keep up those prayers - God is shinning and beaming on us all.
Losing it all before you realize what you had is just what happened to Dustin - The loss of his Mother really opened up his eyes to never wanting to be on the streets, drugs, or booze again. He has turned his life over to a strong hook - God - and doing so well - he has been sober and drug free since September 2006 and with the death of his Mother in November 2006 - it just told him he never wants to be that lost again. God works in strange ways - but his lessons are always powerful.
We love this boy - always have and we are so blessed to have the opportunity to help his succeed. We are getting as much out of it as he is - We call ourselves the 'THREE MUSKETEERS' -
Take care my kind hearted friend - Much love your way
Thanks you for the prayers - and we are glad we have him - he is a real blessing in our lives.
God bless you and your -
You will all be in my prayers.
Heide
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I will take those prayers and raise you two hugs -
So far so good - and I love the picture - thanks for those prayers - they are always needed
Hey girlfriend I know you believe in prayer - so do I - and I will take all you've got
I love the graphic and your prayers - thank you so much - you are awesome
Me too - whisper - me too -
Sherry
We were all at the Coast today - it was so beautiful - so we are doing really good. Thanks for checking, I do have to update - but I think of you all so much - I have just been so busy -
God bless