June 7, 2021 message from Lisa Miller

June 7

Dear Brethren and Friends,

Greetings to you all in the name of our Father who gives us strength to do all things (Phil. 4:13).   This is just a short update to let you know I’ve moved from the dorms back to a cell block.  Jail life is more fluid than “outside” life.

On Monday morning (June 7) as I was just floating off into dream land I heard, “OK Ladies.  Pack up.  You’re moving to the dorms!”  I rose up out of bed, looked to my neighbor and asked, “Seriously?  (There went my rest time between work shifts.)  Did I hear right?”  One of the reasons we were moving was because it was becoming increasingly more difficult to find shift coverage for 2 units of women when in reality, we all could live in one unit. The dorms are considered “privileged” status.  Even so, since our numbers were dwindling it was considered to be a perfect time to consolidate all women inmates in the cell block where 32 women can be housed in cells.  Thankfully, I was moved to the quieter of the 2 sides.

After the cell was cleaned (it was filthy), I started to unpack, only to be called out for laundry duty again, a job I’ve had (and enjoy!) for about a month now.  I finished unpacking by night’s end and then took stock of my surroundings.  I realized that I once again had cell 11 with this time being on M block instead of N as I was when I was in quarantine.  I was pleased to see that my walls were peppered with godly sayings such as “Have Faith in God,” “In Jesus name,” and “I beg for mercy in Jesus name… AMEN.”

I also have warnings on my wall of the “Who’s Who” of those who work for the Feds (“snitches” is the jail lingo).  Thankfully, there are only 2 curse words on my wall, whereas my neighbor unfortunately has more than two.  =(

I pretty much stay to my cell because the table outside my cell is sticky (due to the humidity level in the Block) and furthermore my cell has everything I basically need – sink, toilet and bed.  The setup over here is the same as the setup for quarantine; so, I won’t bore you with the details.  The routine though is a bit different than quarantine because we’re not locked in 23/24. Rather, our cells are open from 7:30 a.m. – 10:15 p.m. with the exception of “lock-in” for CO’s breaks and shift change (2:30 – 3:15 p.m.).  Showers are open for use during morning and evening blocks of time.  There is a microwave (the only item not bolted down over here =) ) for use and the TV instead of being set upon a cart at eye level is bolted to the wall at a level where one has to tilt her head to see it properly (fully).  In fact, I can only see it when I heat my water for coffee in the microwave at 7:15 am and whenever I go to the shower or exit the cell for work.  Unfortunately, I can hear it from my cell and nevertheless, I am grateful that at the moment the fans (we have no A/C) – industrial size and strength – drown out the majority of the exact words (I’m hard of hearing as it is, which is a blessing in here =) ).

I feel blessed to be in a cell, especially because I have semi-privacy now for my devotions and back exercise time.  Hmm . . .  just as I wrote this I heard, “Male on the block!” and within seconds of the announcement saw a male C.O., head turned toward the cells, amble by.  Semi-privacy as I said. =)  We have 15 minute checks here, even during “lock-in” times (which is currently in session).

Please do continue to pray for me and for ALL those involved in my legal case.  Thank you specifically to those who are currently praying and for those who write me.  You ARE an encouragement to me and I make remembrance of you to my God, giving thanks in joy for your “partnership in the gospel” (from Phil. 1: 3-5).

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:2),

Lisa