Big Spring, TX....here we come!!! ...and how to get intouch with Rick...

“For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.”  –Psalm 69:33

“Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend.   A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy. ”  ― George MacDonald

What a sweet Christmas we had.  Lots of smiles and laughter.  Excitement and joy filling the house and 6 crazy kids on the hunt for gifts.   Many gracious blessings bestowed upon our family.  Love and grace, good food and drink, filling hearts and bellies alike.  The snow falling soft and thick resting peaceful on the cold ground as winter’s white beauty covered the earth bright.  Not enough time with the ones we love.  But it was precious time.  I was really missing him.  Rick always brings some kind of excitement to the party.  Whether it be his probing and off-the-wall questions, or razzing my cousins and siblings, or interrogating any new comers to the family.  Always there to make people laugh, dig deep into relationships, and hug and kiss anyone who will have it.  Full of energy.  Full of spunk.  Full of life.  

We were supposed to go see him last weekend, but we got sick.  So we are flying out tomorrow.  It was so hard not to go last weekend, but I wanted to be well and have the kids well and keep him well.  We’ll get to see him Saturday and Sunday and then we’ll fly back Sunday evening.   I cannot wait to hug and kiss and hold him.  It’s been over 3 months since we’ve been able to touch him and over a month since we’ve seen him.  

Rick is settling into his new home where he will be for the next 13 months.  It is a camp and there are no fences or barbed wire surrounding it.  The facility is an old air force base in which my grandfather was stationed when my mom was little.  There are around 200 inmates and he sleeps on the top bed of a three man bunk.  Rick, who has always had a hard time sleeping, says he hasn’t slept so well in the last several years as he sleeps there in a room of about 50 other men.  All the anxiety and stress that has been grinding away is gone.  There is a movie room and a racquet ball and basketball court.  He can work out and lift weights and run outside.  There are several people in there that he had met in the mortgage industry who are in for similar offenses.  Some of the buildings do not have heaters, but he says it is heated where they sleep.  The food is better and they were served Cornish hens for New Years Eve.  He gets 300 minutes to talk on the phone each month, which is only 10 minutes a day, so I haven’t been able to talk to him that much.  

Here is his contact information if you would like to write him or send him some books.  Below is a message from him on what he would like and how they have to be sent.

Rick Payne #17989-078

FCI Big Spring

Federal Correctional Institution

1900 Simler Ave.

Big Spring, TX  79720

From Rick:

“I can have up to 5 paperback books sent in an envelope.  You can send them yourself.  Please have someone order these magazines for me when you get a chance:

Magazines

Entrepreneur, Readers Digest, Forbes, National Geographic, Newsweek

(it's easier to send the magazines from the house than having them sent here. You can send up to 5 magazines per envelope)

Books

Something on New Zealand, Improving your chess game, Christian inspired books”

He likes good books about people and their inspiring stories and lives.   Especially ones who have suffered.  

***Also, if you want to put money on his commissary,  please email me before you do, even if you have before.  I have to make special arrangements so it doesn't all go to the govt.  Thanks!!!

I’m looking forward to what the Lord has in store for our family this year.  And for our hearts.  May we get more of Him.  May we grow deeper in His perfect love and grace.  And may Light shine forth in the darkness of all that are lost and broken.  May He set the prisoners free…

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,”  -Isaiah 61:1