This year, there have been several "firsts" for Lacie and me. Some of the “firsts” were unexpected and unwelcome, others were serious and challenging. I think it is common for many around the globe right now, especially for those who are incarcerated. There have been many changes “on the inside” of prisons since the pandemic began. As well, there has been a significant reduction in staff and guards which has greatly impacted the daily routines of those who are incarcerated, including the women at DWCF - Denver Women's Correctional Facility. It has made a difficult situation even more challenging for all. Fortunately, visitation has been able to stay open most of the weekends with only a few changes. A few months ago, in July, I sent you an update, Tale of Two Sisters - “Freer Than I Have Ever Been” - a copy is included at the bottom of this post. It included details about Lacie’s graduation and the miraculous reunion that took place with both of her sons. Multiple miracles occurred in that first week of June 2022. Lacie’s biggest desire was to have both of her sons there to visit her , for the first time, since she entered the gates of Denver Women’s Correctional Facility on April 1, 2009 . It had been over thirteen years since she had seen her two boys together! (Pictures attached in this email.) Lacie earned her first Associate’s Degree . She has achieved NUMEROUS milestones in her education, however, this was the first that we were all able to witness her accomplishments and be able to attend. (We are still waiting on these pictures.) Having a graduation "on the inside" where family and guests were allowed to mingle with Lacie and the fellow residents of DWCF. It was a great experience. It was also another first! There were lots of firsts. It was a BIG DEAL!!! Little did we know that two months later, on August 12, 2022 , there would be another first. A sibling reunion and another BIG DEAL!!!! I will do my best to explain how this came about and once you hear for yourself, you will probably agree, that it is pretty amazing! On July 17, 2019, I saw Lacie for the first time in 17 years . (For more details, please read the blog "A New Beginning" dated August 26, 2022 - or see below at the end of this post). It was most certainly "A New Beginning” for Lacie and me and it was a long time coming. Four months later, in November 2019 , another unplanned “New Beginning” would occur. Our oldest brother and the firstborn of our father found us. He didn’t even know we existed. Here is how it happened! On November 5, 2019, I received an email that had been received and forwarded to me from a cousin that is active on Ancestry.com. The email would explain how this individual had been adopted and was searching for his father’s birth family. That email was from our brother. He had found us! Long story short, I had tried finding our oldest brother in the early 90s and after a few roadblocks , I had given up. I often wondered how I could/would eventually find him. Now, years later and months after seeing Lacie for the first time in a long time, God was doing another miracle in continuing to restore our family . It is a promise and dream I have been searching for since 1990. So, later that day, on November 5, 2019, I connected with our big brother Wayne and his wife, Margaret! On 11/19/19 , all of us met halfway from our homes at my friend’s house in El Campo, TX. On that day, Lacie called and was able to talk to Wayne and hear his voice for the first time . It was the best we could do in having all of us be "together" at the same time. (Pictures attached in this email.) Fast forward a couple of years and some delays that included multiple challenges including but not limited to: the pandemic visitation being closed down constant lockdowns in the prison for 23 hours a day the overlooked lung infection that Lacie endured numerous lab samples being done improperly - within the prison health system two lobes of Lacie's right lung being removed her recovery from lung surgery during a covid outbreak isolation in the prison’s infirmary - a BIG DEAL!!! me (Stephanie) being diagnosed with breast cancer - twice having three surgeries myself and preparing for a fourth The MOST AMAZING thing happened . . . . ! ! ! ! WE HAD A SIBLING REUNION!!! (Insert applause and cheering!!!) The three of us , along with Ken and Margaret , our spouses, were able to be together for the first time! Yes, that’s right!! We had a sibling reunion on August 12, 2022! The miracles just keep coming and we are beyond blessed to have each other in our lives. (Pictures attached below.) There was something very specia l that we experienced during our sibling reunion. The love and support for one another permeated the DWCF Visitation room . Laughter erupted from our table, even while being overseen by the guards at DWCF. During our sibling reunion, we discussed the real possibility of there being additional siblings! We know of at least two others - the second born (no contact since 1995) and the youngest who was located in March 2020. Please keep them in your prayers. No one else could have understood what it was like to be together for the first time. The value and strength we drew from one another were remarkable. Our common mannerisms and facial features were only some of the topics we discussed. Mostly, we sat with Lacie and admired her passion, zest for life, and the pursuit of her faith, even in the most challenging of circumstances that she has had to endure for the last 13 + years. To be honest, I shed a few tears. Some moments were just too much for words . That emotion and intensity increased when Wayne, our oldest brother , suggested we play a game called “I Wish” . The tears showed up in all of us as we took our turns expressing our greatest desires for Lacie to be exonerated of the horrible accusations that ambushed her and her family so many years ago. It was remarkable to hear each one of us express our deepest “I wish” desires for Lacie: Wayne - “I wish we could all get up, walk out of this room, through those gates, past the razor wire, and leave this place behind, forever, right now, and no one would stop us.” Lacie - “I am spiritually free. Now, I want to be physically free. I am ready to get out, leave this place, move to Texas, and have a steak dinner with A-1 Sauce.” Margaret - “I wish a judge would stop and take the time to hear and see the truth in this case.” Stephanie - “Let’s start making a list of the people you want to have at your steak dinner. I am preparing for you to be with us.” Ken - “I am ready for your mission here at DWCF to be completed and for your next mission to begin in Texas.” My mom, Carole, via text - Earlier that morning, my mom sent a scripture. I was able to get a Bible from the guards and we were able to read it together. Psalm 128:1-2 “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands, you shall be blessed and it shall be well with you.” There were many pauses and moments of silence, as we wiped the tears from our eyes. Soon, very soon, we believe that each one of these wishes will become answers to our prayers. We are expecting it. We know it will be a BIG DEAL!!! As this first sibling reunion came to a close, we all held hands and prayed together for the first time . Ever. Then, as the clock approached 3:00 PM MST - we all said our goodbyes and hugged Lacie. It was difficult for the four of us to leave, to walk away and leave Lacie behind . “Lord, hear our prayers,” was a cry from the depths of our souls. “Lord, hear our prayers.” Wayne and Margaret spent the next day, Saturday, with Lacie. Ken and I were able to be with her for a few hours on Sunday before returning home. It was a weekend for the record books! A BIG DEAL!!! Something inside of me is convinced that God’s fingerprints were all over us during all these years when we were apart ! His hand brought us together . We will continue to hold on to His hand. To trust Him. To see how He brings us closer together. Closer in our walk with Him. I am convinced that if you have never trusted God to walk with you, YOU CAN!!! How can I pray for you or encourage you to trust Him? Please let me know. ALSO. . . . It is Lacie’s birthday on September 15th!!! The best gift would be to send her a card and support Vision of Hope DOC! This is a miracle-making opportunity that began when Lacie was recovering from surgery. See her story here: https://www.visionofhopedoc.com/about Almost 50 girls have received the gift of vision since late last year and more are requesting Lacie’s assistance every day. Quality prescription eyeglasses are not easy to come by “on the inside” and Vision of Hope DOC provides a solution . Please visit https://www.visionofhopedoc.com/ for more details. Learn how it began, and how you can be part of “Restoring sight to God’s daughters by bringing light and love into dark places." It is a little-known fact that our big brother Wayne came up with the saying "Seeing is Freeing" for Lacie’s Vision of Hope DOC website. We - her siblings - are proud of Lacie. Very proud. As always, thank you for reading. Feel free to share this email or any of the previous ones. I am beyond thankful that you took the time to read this entire update ! More than anything, I hope it was a blessing and we thank you for the prayers. God is doing some big things! We can see it! Middle Sis’ Stephanie Send Lacie a birthday (even belated) card and or letter to: Lacie Nelson #145499 PO Box 392005 Denver, CO 80239