Mother's Day has always been a sweet and fun day in the past. I have had friends that have struggled with not being able to have children or other things that make Mother's Day difficult. My heart goes out to all of you women. This Mother's Day is bitter sweet for me, but there is also beauty in that.
Life gives all of us challenges that stretch us, I guess that's part of being human- and what a great thing to be and to be experiencing this beautiful world. Speaking of beautiful world, we were able to see the Northern Lights from our home Friday evening. It was glorious- I thank God for all the things. Lots of Love, Marie
It's the best part
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Happy Mother's Day
Mother's Day Sunday Devotional from DC Jail 5/12/2024
Join us for this Sunday devotional from the Washington DC jail. Two inmates from the J6 pod share inspirational thoughts, things they are going through and insights from inside the jail.
To find out more about these inmates, their links are provided below:
Jonathan Pollock- https://www.givesendgo.com/GBKHV
Curtis Tate- https://www.givesendgo.com/CurtisTate
Sunday, May 5, 2024
J6 Sunday Devotional from the DC Jail- 05/05/2024
Join us for this Sunday devotional from the Washington DC jail. Two inmates from the J6 pod share inspirational thoughts, things they are going through and insights from inside the jail.
To find out more about these inmates, their links are provided below:
Joseph Hutchinson- Inmate #388311https://www.givesendgo.com/GBMN3
John Todd- #388351 https://www.givesendgo.com/johntoddIII
Friday, May 3, 2024
Request for Help-Prayer
While Taylor was in the DC jail he met a fellow named Reed Christensen, who has become a dear friend. Reed wrote a book called, “Save the Kid”. In the book he shares his story and experiences around J6. His wife sent me a message recently asking for help with prayer and fasting on his behalf, and I thought I would reach out to all of you, in case any of you would also like to participate.
This is her message:
Reed is in Arkansas or on his way there. He will be in Forrest City FCI Low for the remainder of his sentence.
Reed and I are asking family and friends to fast and pray for him this Sunday, May 5. Reed will be submitting a compassionate release request through the warden in Arkansas this week. The compassionate release states that if you are 65 years or older and have medical problems that can't be treated in prison you can request a compassionate release. This goes through the warden and if approved goes to the director of the Bureau of Prisons. If it is approved by the Director, they will request a judge to grant the compassionate release.
Reed has told me that his body is getting weaker. He is in constant severe pain even with medication. The prison is not equipped to help someone with recurring strokes.
We are asking God to soften the hearts of all people concerned to grant Reed the Compassionate Release.
Please fast and pray for Reed on May, 5.
Would you all be willing to ask your friends and church congregations to fast and pray too.
All our love,
Reed and Myra Christensen
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Lots of Changes and a Family Letter
There have been a lot of changes the past little bit for our family.
Taylor was transferred to a facility in Philadelphia and then transferred to a facility in Oklahoma City. I didn't hear from him this morning, which is odd, so I wonder if he is on to his final destination, which is Springfield, Missouri.
I can't describe the ups and downs of going through this experience. The other day I was talking to a friend, and she had mentioned how it looks like we are holding it together, but asked, "how is it really going?". That is a great question. How is it really going? I don't even know...I have 5 kids that are looking to me right now and words can't describe what that feels like. It's overwhelming (that word doesn't even seem quit adequate). There are many unknowns and many parts of our lives that are just in limbo and transition... and that is really hard. I'm anxious to move and get settled in somewhere else. Washington has been good to us, and we will miss it so much, but I look forward to a less expensive place to live.
We will move closer to where Taylor will be, so that we can visit him as much as possible. I'm so ready for that too! Our little kids haven't seen him since November...that's too long!
The other day Caleb (5) asked about if "Dad will get out sooner if Trump Wins", I told him he probably would. He asked me, "is he good at the game?". I said, "I hope so ".
We have received so many letters, texts, emails, donations and words of support from so many. Thank you all so much, I can't say how helpful all of it is.
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Each night during scriptures and prayers we read a message from Taylor, this was a recent one:
Family, I know that me being gone has turned the world upside down. It probably doesn't seem fair, and frankly it probably never will. Some people say we suffering, and it's easy to say that, it's easy to be down and out and feel like the world is against you. I want you kids to know that is not the case. We Johnatakis's are built for hard times, we have been through a lot, one thing us Johnatakis's do is endure our trials well, and we always come out on top. My great Grandpa, the 1st Johnatakis in this country endured a world war that took his whole family but his brother, and he watched a sister die of starvation before he immigrated to the USA. Once here, he worked the streets of New York shining shoes and shoveling snow. He worked his way to Utah where he labored in a Coal Mine for years. Everyday was hard labor, coming home to a house with a dirt floor covered in Coal...He did it for his family, he endured that and along the way endured the accidental death of his oldest son...My grandfather, your Great Grandpa endured the loss of his wife when my dad was 13 years old. That's right, my Dad lost his mother when he was 13, even me being gone for 1 year or more is not as bad as losing me for the rest of this life. My family growing up endured financial hardship, personal tragedy and many more things that continued the tradition of enduring hardships. Our own family has endured many things as well, you can probably think of a few things, Destin's death, Bensen's fall, Financial ups and downs, many many things. But through it all, we keep our head tall and see the little blessings along the way. We know that the sun will rise tomorrow, and if we stay the course we can chart through any rough waters. I know you guys have had time for things to settle in with me being gone, and you know there is still a move up ahead, a new home and lots of "challenges" that might be true opportunities. Life is what we make it, we Johnatakis's blossom where we are planted, we stay grateful, we push forward, we are undeterred from the important things in life. Always remember, we don't suffer, we endure, we are blessed, and we bless others along the way. People always have watched our family to see how we react, remember the best revenge is a life well lived.
I love you kids, Dad
Sunday, April 28, 2024
J6 Sunday Devotional from the DC Jail- 04/28/2024
Join us for this Sunday devotional from the Washington DC jail. Two inmates from the J6 pod share inspirational thoughts, things they are going through and insights from inside the jail.
To find out more about these inmates, their links are provided below:
Daniel Ball-#384891 https://www.givesendgo.com/GAUX1
Jonathan Pollock- https://www.givesendgo.com/GBKHV
Sunday, April 21, 2024
J6 Sunday Devotional from the DC Jail- 04/21/2024
Join us for this Sunday devotional from the Washington DC jail. An inmate from the J6 pod shares inspirational thoughts, scriptures that have been impactful and finding meanind in this all. At the end I give an update on Taylor and some thoughts I've been having.
To find out more about Joseph Hutchinson and our family's experience,our links are provided below:
Joseph Hutchinson- Inmate #388311https://www.givesendgo.com/GBMN3
Marie Johnatakis-Follow our family's story at peasantsperspective.com and https://www.givesendgo.com/johnatakisfamilyhelp