Comments on: A letter from Amie… http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:16:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Christy Sibuea http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-26128 Christy Sibuea Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:57:07 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-26128 I'll pray for you and Amie too... I’ll pray for you and Amie too…

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-26031 Jennifer Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:19:51 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-26031 Amie is in my thoughts and prayers today. Amie is in my thoughts and prayers today.

]]> By: Nikki http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-23508 Nikki Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:57:54 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-23508 Did she make it to the program? I have a BIL in the same situation...though not jail time yet....he cruises the rehab programs....getting kicked out here and there....popping over to another one. Even in rehab....he's been clean for a couple years (I think).....the flesh STILL rises up! But yes, mercy.....and grace....that UNMERITED favor is called for here. Our enemy would like nothing more than for us to get jaded with our loved ones and give up all hope! Praying for restoration....for all of you! Did she make it to the program?
I have a BIL in the same situation…though not jail time yet….he cruises the rehab programs….getting kicked out here and there….popping over to another one. Even in rehab….he’s been clean for a couple years (I think)…..the flesh STILL rises up!
But yes, mercy…..and grace….that UNMERITED favor is called for here.
Our enemy would like nothing more than for us to get jaded with our loved ones and give up all hope!
Praying for restoration….for all of you!

]]> By: Debi from OK http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-21757 Debi from OK Wed, 27 May 2009 18:12:16 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-21757 Wow. I am weak. I always thought it, but now I'm really certain. You and your wife are strong. I'm sure my reaction wouldn't be that "there will be a day of restoration", but one more of "you lie in the bed you make". I should read your blog more often. Maybe daily. ?? Wow. I am weak. I always thought it, but now I’m really certain. You and your wife are strong. I’m sure my reaction wouldn’t be that “there will be a day of restoration”, but one more of “you lie in the bed you make”. I should read your blog more often. Maybe daily. ??

]]> By: Cheryl in Arkansas http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-21756 Cheryl in Arkansas Wed, 27 May 2009 18:09:31 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-21756 Wow, this post really hit home. My husband is a meth addict. He had a stroke 4 years ago at the age of 49, and as far as we can tell, the meth was the reason, because otherwise his health is great. He rebounded well from that, just has a pronounced limp, but he feels so sorry for himself, and suffers from depression. We were seperated for awhile last year, as our youngest daughter walked in the house while he was doing the drug. So I had to lock him out. I let him come back and for the first time in our 30 years of marriage, he is attending church with me. I am not sure he is clean and sober, it's actually hard to tell. Our finances are in a mess, of course, and he hasn't worked in a long time. I struggle so with anger, and just have to keep reminding myself that God loves him even more than I do. There are so many issues that come up as a result of a family members drug use, shame, distrust, money problems, etc. Thank you Ryan for this post. Your love for your sister really shines through, and I sure need the encouragement to keep loving my husband. God can and does answer prayers, but not always as soon as we'd like! Thanks again! Wow, this post really hit home. My husband is a meth addict. He had a stroke 4 years ago at the age of 49, and as far as we can tell, the meth was the reason, because otherwise his health is great. He rebounded well from that, just has a pronounced limp, but he feels so sorry for himself, and suffers from depression. We were seperated for awhile last year, as our youngest daughter walked in the house while he was doing the drug. So I had to lock him out. I let him come back and for the first time in our 30 years of marriage, he is attending church with me. I am not sure he is clean and sober, it’s actually hard to tell. Our finances are in a mess, of course, and he hasn’t worked in a long time. I struggle so with anger, and just have to keep reminding myself that God loves him even more than I do. There are so many issues that come up as a result of a family members drug use, shame, distrust, money problems, etc. Thank you Ryan for this post. Your love for your sister really shines through, and I sure need the encouragement to keep loving my husband. God can and does answer prayers, but not always as soon as we’d like! Thanks again!

]]> By: betsy http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-21534 betsy Sat, 23 May 2009 19:00:01 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-21534 Amie's letter and story reminds me of my middle brother, Sam, who I pray for everynight and who I worry over everyday. We were raised in a very large, good, strong, faithful, Christian home. For some reason he was always "the one" in every family. He's been in jail, deals with achohol and substance abuse, and burns bridges faster than anyone I know and it breaks my heart that he is only 22. I love him with all my heart though. He's doing a second stint in rehab. I pray every night that this time he'll "get it". That this time he'll truly understand what he faces and HAS to overcome and that he needs our Lord and Savior to carry him and I pray everynight that he'll live long enough for all this to come to pass. He's been in this program for 8 months now and is still with it. That is a praise in itself. I try to keep in mind that my parents are testimony of God's work in our lives. That HE can change our hearts and ways. My parents were old hippies themselves and fell into a destructive lifestyle. They went thru many of the same situations as my Sammy and made it thru alive and stronger. Because of them, I have hope for Sam. Hope that he will let God in and overcome his addictions, his demons. Until then I pray. Amie’s letter and story reminds me of my middle brother, Sam, who I pray for everynight and who I worry over everyday. We were raised in a very large, good, strong, faithful, Christian home. For some reason he was always “the one” in every family. He’s been in jail, deals with achohol and substance abuse, and burns bridges faster than anyone I know and it breaks my heart that he is only 22. I love him with all my heart though. He’s doing a second stint in rehab. I pray every night that this time he’ll “get it”. That this time he’ll truly understand what he faces and HAS to overcome and that he needs our Lord and Savior to carry him and I pray everynight that he’ll live long enough for all this to come to pass. He’s been in this program for 8 months now and is still with it. That is a praise in itself.
I try to keep in mind that my parents are testimony of God’s work in our lives. That HE can change our hearts and ways. My parents were old hippies themselves and fell into a destructive lifestyle. They went thru many of the same situations as my Sammy and made it thru alive and stronger.
Because of them, I have hope for Sam. Hope that he will let God in and overcome his addictions, his demons.
Until then I pray.

]]> By: Heather Blackwell http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-21346 Heather Blackwell Fri, 22 May 2009 15:29:24 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-21346 Catching up on your archives (I'm new remember?) This literally brought me to tears. I have two big brothers and they would do THE EXACT same for me (my little brother too!). Nothing better than BROTHERS!! Catching up on your archives (I’m new remember?)

This literally brought me to tears. I have two big brothers and they would do THE EXACT same for me (my little brother too!).

Nothing better than BROTHERS!!

]]> By: Karen http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-17845 Karen Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:17:28 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-17845 My brother-in-law, Mark, was imprisoned for 15 years at age 50, as a result of a lifetime of many bad choices: drug use, abandonning his wife and 2 kids, burglury, lies and deceit. When Mark was dying of cancer in the prison hospital, my husband, his mom, and Mark's daughters visited him. He peacefully confessed his faith in Christ to them all: "There is now no condemnation in Christ." He realized that Jesus was his Savior and would soon take him-EVEN HIM!!!-to heaven. (reread the parable of the worker hired late in the day.) Our family saw concrete evidence of answered prayers for Mark's salvation 3000 miles away. My point is that you must never give up on Ami! Pray that someone around her-even in prison-will draw her close to the Savior's heart. Her moment by moment choices to live wihtin God's plans for her may come from the Godly influence of someone other than you, like it did for Mark. I am praying that, however God chooses to draw Ami to Himself, you and she will see His salvation together soon. My brother-in-law, Mark, was imprisoned for 15 years at age 50, as a result of a lifetime of many bad choices: drug use, abandonning his wife and 2 kids, burglury, lies and deceit. When Mark was dying of cancer in the prison hospital, my husband, his mom, and Mark’s daughters visited him. He peacefully confessed his faith in Christ to them all: “There is now no condemnation in Christ.” He realized that Jesus was his Savior and would soon take him-EVEN HIM!!!-to heaven. (reread the parable of the worker hired late in the day.) Our family saw concrete evidence of answered prayers for Mark’s salvation 3000 miles away.
My point is that you must never give up on Ami! Pray that someone around her-even in prison-will draw her close to the Savior’s heart. Her moment by moment choices to live wihtin God’s plans for her may come from the Godly influence of someone other than you, like it did for Mark. I am praying that, however God chooses to draw Ami to Himself, you and she will see His salvation together soon.

]]> By: Melody http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-15005 Melody Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:53:20 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-15005 My sister is 2.5 years clean and sober. She is a lot older than your sister, but I am just glad she is still here with us. It is hard. My sister is 2.5 years clean and sober. She is a lot older than your sister, but I am just glad she is still here with us. It is hard.

]]> By: Annie http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-14315 Annie Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:01:00 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-14315 This really stinks. Amie is beautiful, and she is so blessed to have you as her brother. Drugs are horrendous. I'm the adoptive mom to two kids born to drug-addicted moms. Their addictions were stronger than their love. I think Amie's got an advantage here....we'll all be praying for Amie. Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your family life. This really stinks. Amie is beautiful, and she is so blessed to have you as her brother. Drugs are horrendous. I’m the adoptive mom to two kids born to drug-addicted moms. Their addictions were stronger than their love. I think Amie’s got an advantage here….we’ll all be praying for Amie. Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your family life.

]]> By: Ree Drummond http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-14312 Ree Drummond Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:50:00 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-14312 Crying.BR/I hate addiction.BR/Hate it, hate it, hate it. Crying.BR/I hate addiction.BR/Hate it, hate it, hate it.

]]> By: Penny Rodgers http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-14272 Penny Rodgers Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:34:00 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-14272 Just like others have already mentioned, I too have a sister-in-law who is in prison for drug use. We, too, have received many of the same letters that Amie sent you. Patty has been in and out of prison for the past 20 years... BR/BR/It's a heartbreaking journey, I not going to lie. It's mostly rocky. But sometimes during the smooth patches you'll remember who Amie really is. You'll get a glimpse of how things used to be and how you wish things could be. Then the rocks will return...BR/BR/I'll be praying for you and your family as you travel this road. We've been on the journey before and we're looking back praying that you're rocky patches are a little smoother. I always have to remind myself that Jesus is also on this journey and that he loves Patty and Amie more that we do. Just like others have already mentioned, I too have a sister-in-law who is in prison for drug use. We, too, have received many of the same letters that Amie sent you. Patty has been in and out of prison for the past 20 years… BR/BR/It’s a heartbreaking journey, I not going to lie. It’s mostly rocky. But sometimes during the smooth patches you’ll remember who Amie really is. You’ll get a glimpse of how things used to be and how you wish things could be. Then the rocks will return…BR/BR/I’ll be praying for you and your family as you travel this road. We’ve been on the journey before and we’re looking back praying that you’re rocky patches are a little smoother. I always have to remind myself that Jesus is also on this journey and that he loves Patty and Amie more that we do.

]]> By: Karen http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-14267 Karen Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:16:00 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-14267 My prayers today are for your Amie. My prayers today are for your Amie.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-14264 Michelle Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:35:00 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-14264 I hope the visit went well. I will pray for you and your family. I hope the visit went well. I will pray for you and your family.

]]> By: OMSH http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/10/a-letter-from-amie.html#comment-14250 OMSH Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:45:00 +0000 http://detzelpretzel.mylha.com/?p=3409#comment-14250 Wow. You know, I'm gonna show this to my kiddos tomorrow so we can pray for her too.BR/BR/Powerful stuff, prayer.BR/I'm so glad she's had you guys in her life. Wow. You know, I’m gonna show this to my kiddos tomorrow so we can pray for her too.BR/BR/Powerful stuff, prayer.BR/I’m so glad she’s had you guys in her life.

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