Forever and a Day

Hey Guys, Trachena here💖

Smile Jesus Loves you, for real. 

​💓

It seems like it's been forever and a day since sharing in the Great work the Lord has been doing. I want to first give a big shout out to those who continue to support the ministry, I appreciate you more than you know, thank you deeply!

Not to mention an inmate who brought me to tears; she sent the ministry $140, saying she wanted to give her tithes to the only ministry that really loved her unconditionally! Wow. 

So God.

Even so;

Times have been tough,

but His Goodness and Love never fails.

So sorry to all who have experience any sort of loss, from COVID-19, my heart goes out to you.

We all had some adjustments in one way or another. Including the ministry. But make no mistake the passion is even greater to serve others in this great Love of Jesus and to share His Joy. I am faithfully forever in this to the end no matter what.

God willing more outreaches will come as the Lord opens doors.

For now the ministry has been serving in Pink Love, 

with letters of love, hope and encouragement.

As well as serving their needs through stationary, stamps, journals, books, note cards and whatever else the Lord provides.

This is huge so you know.

Even one stamp means the world to them. 

They still even get to read devotionals that are mailed to them.

It's so awesome and amazing.

We all need to know we matter.

These girls that I get to serve, matter!

Everyone matters to God. Period.

Some updates;

Robin was released and doing great living with family in Arizona. 

Melissa was released and now living in Georgia with her family. 

Nicole was released this month and living with family on the west coast of Florida. 

The Lord added some new girls;

Bianca

Margaret

Julie

Sharon

Currently the ministry is discipling 11.

Please keep them all in your prayers. 

Patty

Samantha

Marlo

Anita

Georgia

Sharon

Nicole

The Bible says that God cares even about the birds of the air, how much more does He care about you?

​Every detail of your life matters to Him.

He only created One you, so that makes you way special.

Love you Guys!

God Bless you.

💓

Jesus

Light has come into the world.

-John 3:19

 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. 

-Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas.

Jesus is the Savor of the World. 

Christmastime is a Beautiful time as we celebrate the Birth of Christ. 

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, " which is translated, "God with us".

- Matthew 1:23

As I personally reflect on this Christmas Season, I can't help to think of how much Jesus has done for me and for you. In Romans 5:8 it says, But God demonstrates His own Love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Wow! Just Wow! When I think of how much Love Jesus has for us all to die for us it's beyond understanding. You see for me, to live is to die, like literally for Him. When I think of how He rescued me and saved me from myself with His relentless Love, I just can't help to live for Him and to give Him my everything. If you knew of someone that literally rescued you wouldn't you spend the rest of your life by their side; 

sharing, giving thanks and eager to tell everyone? 

And more importantly Loving them with all you got?

Well that's me. It's something I got to do.

If you didn't know Jesus really died for you. 

If you didn't know Jesus  really is the Son of God.

If you didn't know Jesus thinks your Beautiful.

If you didn't know Jesus thinks your Valuable.

If you didn't know Jesus thinks your Worthy.

If you didn't know Jesus thinks your Enough.

And 

Jesus Loves you like mad crazy, for real He does.

During this Christmas Season remember what it is all about, Jesus. 
Getting to hang out with your family, friends or even on your bunk with your bunkie :) 

is special, but don't forget what it's all about. 

JESUS

LOVE came down for us.

If you have never accepted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, now is a perfect time. The Bible tells us that Today is the day of Salvation. This is a gift for you this Christmas, SALVATION. Literally all you have to do is bow your head, get on your knees, whatever works for you and ask Jesus to come into your heart. Believe with your heart that He is the Son of God (which He is, promise you by The Word of God), tell Him your sorry for your sins, and ask Him to wash you clean and that you Love Him. That you what to live for Him the rest of your days. Do this by faith. Do this from your heart. It's that simple and Jesus will come into your heart and your new life will begin with Him. 

I am so happy for you all... Heaven is rejoicing that you have accepted Jesus in your heart.

Welcome to the Family of God.

Jesus, you are the King, the King of my heart.

You are the King of Kings and The Lord of Lords and 

I Love You sooooooo much! Happy Birthday :)

   

The Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt in case your not familiar is a party game, an outdoor game in which participants have to collect a number of miscellaneous objects on a list created by the organizer. It's actually fun. The last time I played was with friends on St. Augustine Beach until recently I played the game with God. Back in St. Augustine I just had my girl scout knowledge and a determination to win, but this time around I had my Bible and prayer. I took this journey led by God completely, nobody knew about it. But the thing was I told God I will do these things to disprove what He was telling me was true. Like in the movie God's not Dead, the devout Christian student must prove the existence of God to his professor, I was set out to disprove not God but things about myself that He was telling me. It's like is that me God? Or is that you speaking? God gave me His list of items to do and not to do. I followed intently with prayer and my Bible. A journey that I may share one day, but for now it remains with God and I. This invested time for eternity sake proved to be one of the most beautiful in awe times in my life with God. He revealed way more than I was asking for about myself, others and life. But He is like that as the Bible tells us in Ephesians 3:20- Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. 

Today you sit on your bunk hanging with your bunky or at chow or your the one at work in the free world reading this. This message is for you today. God loves you. God is crazy madly in love with you. But God wants to hear from you, it's been way too long. He misses you. Your struggles have been more than He ever wanted for you and He has never been blind to them. He has been relentlessly seeking you with His Love. Will you consider today to take your own scavenger hunt with the Lord? Will you consider investing sometime in with Him to draw closer to Him? The girl reading this in confinement, you can do this too, just start by talking to Him. If your not sure about all this, perhaps take the rest of November and thank God each day for something. He is worthy to be praised and thanked. I promise you if you take the time to hang with God you will be refreshed with clarity, liberty, boldness, sensitivity, insight and free from all the petty worries around you that will not matter in the bigger picture. I pray in Jesus Name you wait no longer and start today! I'm believing for you and if nobody has told you lately, you are loved and special. Your so special that He only created one you. Be yourself and if you think of it, look up, God is an amazing artist, literally the best.

The Judge & The Jury Box

When I was 14 years old I went to youth hall which is like a jail for kids. I was placed there for something I didn't do. After about two months the Judge placed me in a half way girls home for about a month. This was my first experience with judges and it started a fear cycle in my life. This person was able to take away my freedom.

Many years later I got involved with a guy who went to jail and prison many times for stealing large amounts of money from places like fast food chains to banks to bakeries to neighbors. He also had a drug problem. I was in and out of courts with him and felt that fear once again of a judge having that control over his freedom and well mine too.

Then years later I married Steve. I spent literally over 10 years as his paralegal, counsel and the Pro Se behind the scene. I had no peace as with each court hearing something else happened or didn't happen and once again at the mercy of a judge. The fear grew deep within even though I was not the subject at hand, just entering into a court room or the thought of one made me full of fear and to be honest literally sick.

I knew my fears yet I didn't think it was something that was a big deal in my life since court hearings eventually end. However, the end still leaves you with yourself. In January of 2012 I got a summons for Jury Duty back in Miami. I had them numerous times in the past and dealt with it. This time I was so fear stricken that when Steve asked me what I wanted for valentine's I told him get me out of going to jury duty. I was at the end of recovering from knee surgery so it was all good and I was back happy, but yet nothing was really resolved within my heart.  

On August 1, 2013 we moved to Davenport and within in a few months I got a jury notice as seen in the picture above. I began crying out to God for help. That fear rose up and I knew I was in total bondage of a Judge who really was just a man or a woman. I fasted and God showed me that they are just people. They sleep, eat, get dressed just like me. I am no different than them and He created them like me. He also reminded me that if I could kneel and fall on my face with Him I could stand up to any giant in my life. I reported for Jury Duty, feeling better but still somewhat uneasy. Out of the pool of 500 of course I was one of the ones selected for a jury questioning. As I began to enter the courtroom my name was called separate from everyone else... of course it was...I was placed in the "Jury Box". This is the place where they asked you more questions than the other perspective jurors. After it was over I had a peace come over me and I believed I was totally free of the fear of man. 

God put me to the test in 2016 when I was placed in Federal Court and had no fear and won the case in the middle of 2017! A true David and Goliath story. So I said all that to say this. There are many of you that are in fear of man or the judge in your case because they hold your future. Please hear me..only GOD holds your future. He is the one that no matter what you've done or haven't done He loves you and He goes before you. DO NOT place a judge or a person above GOD! He is the only One that holds your future and when you place your trust in Him you will find peace and be kept safe.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25. 

Today, honestly I have zero fear of man. God has made me totally strong in my weakness because I have placed my trust in Him and Him alone. He is in control no matter what. I pray if you struggle with a judge with pending court hearings or with your boss, your family and friends whoever that you too will lay it down and let Him free you in Jesus Name. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I promise you that He will free you as He did me! And just so you know...I'm thankful for God pushing me past what I couldn't handle in that Jury Box because now I only fear out of Love the Judge on The Throne. 

Let Me Remind You-

Let me remind you that He loves you. 

No matter where you find yourself today, 

in the valley, 

the mountain top and 

everything in between 

He Loves you. 

I pray these lyrics Bless you.

David Crowder Band

"How HE Loves"

(originally by John Mark McMillan)

He is jealous for me,

Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden,

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, 

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

And, Oh how He loves us, oh,

Oh, how He Loves us,

How He loves us all.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes.

If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.

And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest.

I don't have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about the way...

That He loves us,

Oh, how He loves us

Oh, how He loves us,

Oh, how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us

But First She Prayed

“When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. 

And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:15

These are the very courageous words of the Queen of Persia, Esther, as she prepared to approach a very young, inexperienced and emotional King Xerxes to plead with him to stop the TOTAL annihilation of the Jewish people. If the king was in a bad mood that day, he could have her killed instantly, even though she was Queen, and more importantly, his bride. What courage this must have taken, what a magnificent statement of faith Queen Esther displayed as she unselfishly prepared to sacrifice her life for her people.

Do you know that the Name of God is NOT mentioned anywhere in the story of Esther in the Bible, yet we see such magnificent evidence of HIS Hand all over the story. And the greatest evidence that we see of His mercy and grace in Esther, the absolute beauty of what we call “Reversal of Destiny”.

 

In Esther, we are given a close up look at the ongoing struggle of satan against the purposes of God and especially against His promised Messiah. The birth of Christ into the human race was totally dependent upon the existence of the Jewish race. Just as Haman plotted against the Jews in order to destroy them, so has satan set himself against Christ and God’s people. Just as Haman is defeated on the gallows he built for Mordecai, so does Christ use the very weapon that his enemy devised to destroy Him and His spiritual seed. For the cross, by which satan planned to destroy the Messiah, was the very means through which Christ “having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” Colossians 2:14-15

Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai, 

so the devil was crushed by the cross he erected to destroy Christ.

Esther proved to have a godly and very humble spirit that also showed great strength and willing obedience. Esther’s humility was very different from those around her, 

and this caused her to be elevated into the position of queen.

Woman everywhere would do well to emulate her godly attitudes in all areas of life, but especially in trials. Not once is there a complaint or bad attitude exposed in the Book of Esther. Many times we read she won the "favor" of those around her. This “favor” is what ultimately saved her people. We can be given such favor as we accept even unfair persecution and follow Esther’s example of maintaining a positive attitude, coupled with humility and the determination to lean on and fully trust in God.

So, in closing, it does not matter whether in prison or the free world, Jew or Gentile, white or black, rich or poor. We are all placed here to show love, grace, mercy, humility and unselfishness to ALL people, regardless of our circumstance, regardless of the cost!

Who knows but maybe God has placed YOU in such a position, for just such a time as this?

Happy Mother's Day 2017

A short but full of Love post to say....

"Happy Mother's Day" to all YOU beautiful Mom's. 

May your day be filled with nothing but sweet times. 

Sending lots of Love and comfort to those who will be

without their Mom's for the first time this holiday, 

I know how you feel. 

Happy Mother's Day to first time Mommies 

may you experience nothing but 

joy with your new bundle of joy.

Mom's,  your kids are out there, but keep standing on His promise, 
they will be back. 
May your day be filled with Hope. 

God Bless all Mom's and may God Bless you in your lying down, rising up, going out, coming in and make all your plans succeed with great peace and joy. 

Much Love,

Trachena

The Vine

Many of you reading this post today are getting out of prison soon and stepping into a new season of your life. I am excited for every single one of you! I love you affectionately! And I love you enough to share some truth and wisdom with you of what I've experienced in the last 8 years in prison ministry. 
First, let me say WITH GOD all things are possible!

1. Put God first in everything you do. If HE is truly at the center then everything will come together. Live for Him first and seek Him in all you do. (Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path)

2. Some of you getting out shouldn't go back to your families home. If you've made Christ the love of your life, your first Love in prison, getting out and going to an environment that doesn't share the same Love for Him will corrupt you. (1 Corth 15:33 Bad company corrupts good character) Seek out a Christian transitional home, if you need help we can research some for you. I've seen time and time again girls getting out and going back to the homes of family and slipping right back into a ungodly lifestyle.

3. Jesus is your Love. Let Him guide you into healthy Godly relationships. A man will not save you. Do not look for a man to rescue you. Your worth is found in Him alone. Take time to get to know the new free world you've walked into rather than running to the arms of a man. I've seen many get out and fall from a broken heart of promises of a man. Wait on God. True Love waits. 

4. Plug into Godly friendships, your old friends, old places will do nothing for you but get you in trouble. Join a church within the first week of getting out so you can develop relationships that seek to know Him. You are always welcomed to call or text me anytime for prayer or just to talk. I have many that do this. 

5. A job-some of you are highly motivated to get a job into awesome careers. But be wise, it will only be with God that you will be able to do this. Depending on your record you may not get many jobs you hoped for, know this in advance. One girl got out and wanted to be a nurse and the state boards of nursing wouldn't allow her with her record. If you want to work with children, teens, young adults and have a serious record perhaps you should consider another field of work. However if God wants you in this particular sector He will open the doors, but it can only come from His favor. Please know this before getting out, this particular girl was heart broken. 

These are just a few things I've watched unfold and hope it helps you make healthy decisions before and after you get out. And remember this scripture..
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing".  John 15:5

Stay connected with Him no matter what!

Love you so much!
Trachena

True Love

Written by: Cenia Means Masterson

While most people today would define love as a feeling, Jesus Christ defines it quite differently. 

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: 

Jesus defines love for Him as obedience to Him. We may say that we love Jesus, but our lifestyle will reveal whether our love is really true or not. True love is the perfect love that motivated Jesus to surrender His back to the beating and His life to the cross for us. 

Joh 15:13-14 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
He asks nothing more and deserves nothing less than our love in return, but the love He asks for, the love He is worthy of, isn’t just lip service. It is life service. 

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Will we deny the passions and pleasures of sin for a season to live a life of obedience and full devotion to Him or do we love self more than Jesus? Jesus asked Simon Peter a simple question that we, who claim to love Him, should ask ourselves as well.

John 21:16 Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
Do we?

Performance Love

So recently I was hurt by someone I love. We all have been there right? Well regardless of the pain, I pressed on in God's Love and sent her and her family a Christmas card. Many days later I got a text message back saying; thank you I wasn't expecting nothing. I pondered that reply. And this is what God showed me. 

When I was a child and even when I was officially grown (by age that is) my parents had expectations on me. It was to get good grades on my report card, kept my room clean, be nice to my sister and others. I mean these weren't out of the norm expectations right? Most parents want their kids to excel right? But what happened when I didn't live up to these expectations or perform up to their standards? Well usually I either got yelled at, the belt or put on punishment and sometimes all of the above. But when I brought home the report card with all A's and 1 B, my room was sparkly clean and I was nice to my sister and others I was rewarded-rightfully so right? So I developed a "Performance Love" meaning when I did good I was rewarded and loved and when I didn't 

I was punished and not shown love. 

Back to the person who hurt me-she obviously was raised the same way-what she thought her performance deserved. It hurt my heart that she thought I only loved her when she was acting a certain way. And that she really didn't know that I loved her no matter what-unconditionally.  I don't blame her. I understand how she would think that based in how I was raised and maybe you too?

God's Love (Agape Love) unconditional selfless, self-giving and sacrificial love. 

Do you have that for others?

When we really love others (God's Love) there is no expectations on that person. We want the best for them, but if they fail to live up to that we don't withhold love. We don't gossip about them. We actually cover them-Love covers. 

This also needs to be applied for those that clearly show in actions and in truth that they don't love you. If you truly love someone, just because they don't love you back shouldn't stop you from loving them. If you stop loving them back because of there lack of love in return then your love for them 

is conditional or a type of performance love. 

Let's Love Like Jesus-Not in a Performance type Love-Let others know with God's help you will Love them unconditionally and no matter what-

God is crazy about you! He loves you no matter what! 

His Love is relentless-

Let's put on His Love to Love others

and take off any conditional or performance type Love.

-Friend or Not-

That word "Friend" is thrown around probably just as much as the word Love. Whether you live by God's Word or not the Bible is clear who your true friends are. They are those special people in your life that are loyal to a fault, who are there for you in your highs and lows. They don't care if you are not the same in beliefs, or if your married to the same sex, have money or don't-they love you unconditionally. They speak truth in your life because they don't want to see you get hurt. They shower you in prayer and your name is on their prayer wall. 

They are generous beyond, always giving gifts and cards just because. 

They always seek peace even in disagreements

 and do not let offense come between you-

But most of all they Love you at all times-

Proverbs 17:17

A Friend Loves at all times-

That word Love is an action and All means no matter what!

If you don't have a friend that Loves you at all times and no matter what-

Be that Friend-lead the way.

Be that true Friend-shine your Love-it's a rare gift-