This is a little longer than most "Tale of Two Sisters" updates.
It includes some significant news regarding both of us.
We appreciate ALL of the prayers and support!
Lacie, like many of us, has endured a significant amount of challenges and trauma throughout the last few years. We learned of Lacie’s recent thyroid cancer diagnosis on January 4, 2022, after months of mishaps with her blood work being drawn improperly. She had been waiting since August to have a biopsy done. That finally happened on December 22, 2021. Now, we have both found ourselves facing the undesirable diagnosis and word that no one wants to hear spoken over them, cancer.
How can one word have such an emotional impact? How can one word coupled with a medical diagnosis be so challenging? The other question that is hardest for me to reflect on is, how will my sister get through this challenge when the medical care inside the gated community where she resides is not equipped to handle it? How?
The other side of the coin is this, I have been given access to exceptional surgeons, doctors, therapies, and treatments all along my journey with breast cancer. Oh, how I wish my sister had access to the same.
What I find encouraging is that Lacie has not given up in spite of all she has been through. She commented to me recently that “it is not in my DNA to give up.” I could hear her courage. I could hear her determination. I could hear her ability to trust that there is a way and she is finding it, often with rest.
One way she finds hope and keeps the determination to not give up is by helping others. She does this in many ways. I will do my best to describe one of the ways she gives back. I hope I do it justice.
There are many challenges that girls face while being incarcerated. Believe it or not, they face some of the same challenges that we do on the outside with a need for basic provisions being met for medical, vision, dental, hygiene, and food. This is where Lacie began seeing a need and putting her money where her heart was.
Over a period of time, she saved her tithe money - basically, she obediently set aside ten percent of any financial support or gifts she received, just as the Lord commands us to do. Then she began asking the Lord what she was supposed to do with it, how did God want her to use these funds?
What began was a project she calls “Vision of Hope”. Through her efforts, she was able to get permission to have glasses sent in from outside vendors. It was a process that required many steps and assistance from trustworthy and caring friends on the “outside”. After learning what could be done and what was allowed, she was able to provide 10 girls with glasses in 2021. The 11th is in process and she continues to set aside her 10% and use the funds so girls can see, read, and overall have a better quality of life.
You may ask, well, doesn’t the prison supply glasses? Well, if you want to call it “glasses”. There is only one style for both men and women. They are not made well, do not last, and do not fit properly. There is also a cost. It has proven to be more affordable to order them from the outside. Lacie was able to get permission to do this on a case-by-case basis and order glasses for girls. The results have impacted many! You can trust that whatever financial support you send to her, it is going to be used wisely and prayerfully.
Just the other day, the Lord put another girl on Lacie’s heart that needed glasses. The first obstacle to overcome is having a current eyeglass prescription which doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is. Eye exams are not always accessible since the pandemic began requiring lockdowns and restricting providers from coming “inside” and providing assistance.
The lack of eye care is one of the many things that has impacted their quality of life. If the girls have a current eyeglass prescription, Lacie is able to assist them. This includes glasses for reading. Many do not have what we consider a basic necessity - reading glasses - and what Lacie has been able to assist in providing has truly brought vision and hope! It has been remarkable and such a blessing to have her describe the process and how it blesses the girls she is able to assist.
Often, Lacie calls me on a regular basis with some sort of amazing God story. To tell you all of them will require writing a book of chapters describing His goodness working through her. It inspires me to not give up on my own cancer battle. Her faithfulness in honoring God has been a tremendous asset in my life since we reunited in July 2019. Each time she tells me about another way God has worked through her life to impact the girls she resides with and I tell her, “If you keep allowing God to keep using you like this, we may never get you out of there!”
Our goal is for her to have her freedom back and to be exonerated. We continue to pursue justice in her case and we will until the truth about the charges that were falsely brought against her are corrected. It has been a situation where the more we rest, the more God moves. Lacie and I are learning the value of “resting in the Lord”, literally.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’” (ESV)
Ironically, we are both scheduled for surgery in the next month. I will be having a double mastectomy with reconstruction at Methodist Hospital in Houston on Tuesday, March 1st. Lacie will be having her right thyroid removed. She has growths on her left thyroid as well but they have not been biopsied yet. It is possible that she will have both of them removed. We are still waiting for the details. Her medical journey is very different than mine since I have access to providers, can call them, get copies of results, and see them without any restrictions. Lacie’s situation is pretty much the opposite and she has no control over any of it. She has to trust God in some big ways and IS!!!
I am believing God for creative miracles and for her thyroid to be restored completely.
I trust that many of you are finding the gentleness of Jesus to be real for you in this season. As well, that you are finding rest. I know that I often feel guilty for resting because I always want to be on the go doing something. One of the benefits of healing from cancer has been learning to “rest” in ways I have never been able to before. It has been a necessary learning experience and one that I have learned to embrace. Rest cannot be avoided. Remember, it is actually a commandment!!!
Thank you, each and every one of you, for your prayers, texts, calls, and support. Thank you for sending cards and letters to both of us. She is touched that so many of you care for her when most of you have never met her in person.
Resting in His promises!
Big Sis' Stephanie
Lil' Sis' Lacie
Below are answers to questions that many of you have asked.
I hope the information is helpful.
1. Can I visit Lacie? How do I visit Lacie?
I know a few of you have asked how to actually be able to “visit” Lacie. One way to actually "visit" Lacie is via video. If that is something you are interested in doing, I have attached the “CODOC Visitor Application” below for you to begin the process. Once you have completed the application, include a copy of your ID - make sure the address on your ID and the application are the same - you can send it via email to:
doc_dwcf_visiting@state.co.us
(please copy and paste this email into your email and attach the completed application and a copy of your driver's license)
Once your application has been approved to “visit”, you will be able to set up an account with GTL. in-person. It costs $6.25 for a 25 minutes session and it is worth every penny as long as the system is working properly! Here is the link for GTL https://codoc.gtlvisitme.com/app
For in-person visits, once the application has been processed and approved, you will be able to schedule a visit on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Requests for visits need to be made Monday - Thursday before the visitation weekend. You can request via the email above and will receive a confirmation via email as well.
You can find the visitation hours and requirements via this link: https://cdoc.colorado.gov/facilities/denver-complex/denver-womens-correctional-facility
2. How do I write to Lacie?
There are two ways to do this. You can send letters to her the old-fashioned way via snail mail. Make sure you include her ID # 145499 on the envelope.
Her address is:
Lacie Nelson
PO Box 392005
Denver, CO 80239
Or
You can also send “email” type letters and pictures using Jpay. Download the app or go online and create an account. You will need to purchase “stamps” to use Jpay. The cost is minimal. Here is the link to access it online https://www.jpay.com/
I found it easier to send pictures via the app on my phone. Either option is pretty easy to set-up. You will need to know the following information:
set up
Name: Lacie Nelson
Inmate ID # 145499
And that she is in Colorado Department of Corrections
Please make sure you include your address when you send her a Jpay or letter if you would like her to write you back!
3. How do I send Lacie a financial blessing?
I have found that the best way to send funds is through GTL. I have learned that they have the lowest transaction rates - https://web.connectnetwork.com/
You will need to create an account.
To do so and you will need her name, ID#, and facility name.
Name: Lacie Nelson
Inmate ID #: 145499
Facility: Colorado Department of Corrections