This is from my son, Mark who just completed his first year in prison.   I am thankful beyond words for what God is doing in him and through him.... Read it for yourself....

   

There's about an hour until 2019 begins and unlike my family and friends I'm spending my New Year's Eve in a prison cell. 2018 has been 52 weeks, 365 days, and 525,600 minutes of perspective shifting for yours truly. After a year spent behind bars I can confirm like most circumstances outside of our direct control it is easy to focus on the negativity, pain, and unfairness of our unique situation. My first few hours after being sentenced to 10 years of terrible food, limited movement, and forfeited freedom were almost exclusively a pity party. Tears, anxiety, fear, and self-loathing topped my to do list, that is until God got my undivided attention. The weeks that followed were far from easy but God never left my side. I was able to get my hands on a Bible which I subsequently read from cover to cover within 2 weeks, I was able to witness to every cellmate I was assigned, and spent 8-9 hours daily in prayer. As my perspective shifted from myself and my less-than-favorable surroundings, a miracle gradually began to take place. I suddenly was absolutely overflowing with peace, joy, patience, wisdom, even contentment. 2018 has been full of personal heartbreak, pain, loss, and setback but in God's perspective it's been full of heart surgery, lessons, gifts, and new opportunities. I am not an expert by any means, I can't even imagine the pain, challenges or loss you undoubtedly experienced this year. But, I can attest to the indescribable peace, joy, and contentment that occurs when you allow God to shift your perspective from your problems, pain, and pity to His power, provision, and plan. With a new year dawning in a matter of minutes allow me to issue this challenge: Rather than committing to work out, work harder, stop drinking/cursing/etc. commit yourself to remembering who God is, What He's done and What He's planning specifically for you. Life never gets easier, but with an eternal Christ-focused perspective, living does.

God, thank you for your unspeakable ways and works.  I could not have imagined what the last couple of years has brought our way.  You saw it coming from the start.  You are good - always good.  You are molding Mark into the son of my dreams.  And I am one step closer to the Me of My Dreams...