Prayer request for our family

Rebecca - posted on 04/19/2012

Father, help this family to walk with you in gladness and praise.

Carla - posted on 04/18/2012

That's amazing, Crystal! God go with you both and show you how to live a life pleasing to Jesus.



God bless

Rebecca - posted on 04/17/2012

Thank you Father, please provide the right place for Brian. Thank you for all you have done for this family.

Crystal - posted on 04/17/2012

Ok, again. I just wrote an update and it disappeared, so I apologize if this is repeated.
First THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS!
Brian has been coping a lot better lately. And now it looks as if things are finally starting to happen! There's a recovery house in the city nearby that has agreed to accept him! So as long as everything works out with the parole plan, Brian should be free soon! We pray that everything runs smoothly and also that this recovery house (it is biblically-based) is a safe place that provides the help he needs!
God is in control! And God willing, we will be together as a family soon!

Crystal - posted on 04/17/2012

Thank you so much for all of your prayers! Brian has been coping much better lately, and it looks like something is finall going to happen! There's a recovery house in a city nearby that has said they will accept him! As long as everything goes through with the parole board, he'll be getting out and getting help! The one concern I have is the recovery house has had some problems recently and has lost federal funding. We just ask that this place will be a safe place that provides the help he needs. I've prayed a lot about; I feel this is the door he is opening, so God willing, everything will work out! God is in control :)
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers!

Carla - posted on 04/17/2012

Crystal, update, please! As you can see, people are still praying for you.



God bless, honey

Rebecca - posted on 04/16/2012

Dear God, please remember this family. Grant them wisdom, strength and patience to do what is right. Please heal Brian and reunite this family at the right time.

Rebecca - posted on 03/22/2012

Father, please help Crystal and Brian. Help Brian to think rightly, lift him out of his discouragement and anger.Help him to make the most of the time he has in prison, to learn and recover.

Sondra - posted on 03/08/2012

Prayed for you and your family Crystal. God Bless.

Carla - posted on 03/08/2012

Hi Crystal! Prison was made to give people time to think about their circumstances--what did they do to land themselves there in the first place?, to realize that this was MY decision, and no one else's, then to seek forgiveness for our deeds. Kinda like God, only with walls ;) I am assuming he is not in prison for parking tickets, but that he put someone in potential danger. My husband worked within the Correctional system for 20 years, and we have seen and heard it all. What DOES concern me is his blaming YOU for his current place of abode! YOU didn't put him there, HE did!



I think you are making a wise decision by not taking him back into the house right away. As Angela said, a lot of people 'find Jesus' or attend all the right classes, say all the right things to the parole board, only to revert right back to the same lifestyle once they are released. I am not saying divorce him, or alienate him, but I am saying to be very, very careful, and watch for red flags.



We are all praying for you and your daughter, as well as your husband. I pray wisdom above all.



God bless, honey

Crystal - posted on 03/07/2012

Thank you ladies!

Yes, Brian is a Christian! I gave you all a very short version of our story. But that's why he's been doing so well: relying on God! I can see that he has grown a lot and he is determined to live away from his 'friends' and surround himself with new, positive, Christian friends. He has stayed involved in church activities as well as a Christian recovery group that I am also involved with as it is a nation-wide program. I have researched and called parole boards, halfway houses, and state correctional boards. I have been in contact with some of his recovery leaders and have stayed in contact with his main sponsor who is trying to help us. We have a LOT of people praying for us and I'm confident God has something mighty planned!



Brian has told me he accepts my decision and understands why I have made it, however, recently his actions have not shown understanding. He struggles with depression and anxiety. He feels this is the most difficult trial he's been faced with, so its completely understandable that he's wrestling with it! I praise God that He has granted me some mysterious kind of strength that I never knew I had that has enabled me to speak to Brian's heart in a most powerful way; it surpasses all understanding! ;-) But I'm still human, and have my fears...



Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers!

Angela - posted on 03/07/2012

Crystal, is Brian a Christian? If he is it will be easier for him to accept your decision on this. Can you talk to a Probation or Parole officer about this problem?



I really admire you for being willing to take your husband back after a spell in prison. So many couples split up when one of them gets locked up.



To avoid future substance abuse, Brian needs to be well away from wherever other people indulge in this behaviour. This is why so many addicts and former substance abusers revert back to their habits. They falsely believe that they can still remain friends with fellow users and not get involved with the substances again. There is also a ready supply of many types of illegal substances doing the rounds amongst prison populations, believe it or not!



Another thing to bear in mind is that a lot of prisoners will join courses whilst they are locked up - courses that are linked to their actions which got them in prison in the first place. It's not unusual for the prisoner to take part in these courses - for "something to do" (whilst serving a boring jail sentence) and also to buy "Brownie points" in order to secure earlier release. I do not want to dishearten you of course but bear in mind that what a prisoner may LEARN from the course he took was probably not the primary reason he joined this course!



Are you making some efforts into enquiring where Brian might be accommodated upon his release? Do you have the right resources to look in the right places? This is why you need to liaise with the Probation/Parole officer. If you are sitting back and not being proactive in helping Brian get out sooner, you can't be surprised at him complaining! Also has Brian himself advised you of the best people, places etc ... to contact with this aim in mind? God helps those who help themselves.



Good luck to you both.

Anne - posted on 03/06/2012

Father God we ask that You work in this concern as only you can work. Help Crystal to not relay on her understanding of this time in her life, but to put her trust in You to direct her as to what to do. Help her husband to believe that you have a plan and a purpose for his life and the lives of his family. Help him understand that this plan is one to prosper and not to harm them. In Jesus Name Amen.





Crystal I will continue Praying for you and your family.